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City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting- February 21, 2023 Meeting Minutes Mayor .Gretchen Artig-Swomley called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Counc [members Jim Lindner, Laurel Amiee.and .Ben Johnson were:present. Counci]member Len Cacioppo was remote.from his home on Labore Road. Also present: City. Attorney Kevin Beck,. City Treasurer Tom Kelly, City Engineer Justin Gese, Acting City Clerk Melissa Lawrence, Local initiatives Support Corporation Gretchen Nicholls, Commission Member bon Cummings, Commission Chair Joshua Patrick; and residents Rick.Bosak, Tom Bolfing, Steve Varley and Business Owner John Birkeland and Mike Birkeland: February:21, 2023 Asenda A .motion was introduced. by Cauncilmeaker Linder toaccept the agenda, seconded by Councilmember. Johnson. Voice vote:taken, all voted Yes, motion passes, agenda accepted. Minutes A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember Anilee to.approve the January 17, 2023, City Council Meeting Minutes. Voice vote taken, all voted yes, motion passes, agenda accepted, Special Presentation Guest Speakers from Corridor. Project -- Gretchen .Nicholis (USC Consultant TeaFn), Ben Johnson (Staff Team); Dan Cummings (Project Team), Rick.Bosik. (Comm unity Advisory Croup) LISC Gretchen Nicholls gave an. overview of the Corridor Project that involved1he Cities of Vadnais Heights; White Bear Lake and. Gem Lake. Each City shared places.along,the corridor.that.they thought were opportunity areas. The goal of this, project is to create a community driven vision that transforms the. County Road E corridor into a place that fosters a sense of community & connects people -to economic opportunities. The objectives of.this project are to gain perspective on community.needs..and wants along the corridor., improve understanding of what is viable and realistic, attract investment to .the corridor to maintain and i mprove. vita.lity, and to improve quality of life :for County Road E Residents. & Stakeholders: There were four workshops held, the first one on.Septernber 14,.2022 was to gather information, the second onethat was a 3-part.blo.cls exercise series.that took place on September.28; 2022. in Vadnais Heights, September 29, 2022. in White Bear Lake and October 5, 2022 in Gem Lake. The third one was on.October 12, 2022 for a developer panel and the final one was held: on October.26, 2 ..22 for ffaming the recommen clations. Tlia project.team involved many agencies and different members'of`each City. Some themes from community input included- 1. Explore ways. to create an overall identity and sense of place throughout the corridor to encourage travelers to frequent1ocal shops and businesses 2. Strong desire for mom comfortable, safer crossings` of County Road E along the corridor 3. Implement:.traffc calming measures 4. Continuous connections and enhancementsto the. active:traiisportation network along the corridor that promote walkabiiity, safety; livability, and pedestrian and bicycle access 5. Residentia] development. (a -mix of housing f6flllats that meets the needs of the community) .6. Commercial development 7: Mixed -use development. 8. Site anchors 9. Compatibility 10. Family=friendly gathedng.pIaces that help to foster a sense.of..community I L A mix of residential and commercia[ uses that enhance the vitality and market strength of the area. 12, ltidustrial buildings that serve businesses that want to be closer to the metro 1.3, The partner cities and county to coordinate efforts to attract private and .public investments that will benefit the broader community City orGcm Lake City Council Meefing Minutes February 21, 2023