2025 Vol 19, Issue 6 December Gem Lake News

Home

Gem Lake News Page 2 of 8 er System Planning Continues continued from page 2 Water System Planning Continues continued from page 1 Since then, Gem Lake and many cities around us are also discovering PFAS contamination to some degree in private wells, another complicating issue. (See MCPA story) The proposed “Phase One” area encompasses the area shown in the attached map and bordered in red, covering part of the Little Fox/Big Fox neighborhood, Labore Road and halfway down Goose Lake Road, including Tessier and Haven Lanes. The selection of this area required a careful look at things like water pressure, safety, logistical viability and the hope that Vadnais Heights will be willing and able to supply water to Gem Lake. Other factors that play into the selection of this area initially are as follows: 1. The building of a four-story apartment building on Gem Lake’s western border represents an opportunity to possibly work jointly with Vadnais Heights on the extension of a water main down Labore Road to Goose Lake Road, making connections more economically viable. Proposed services map 2. Ramsey County public works department has scheduled road construction on Goose Lake Road in approximately 2027, which represents a logical time for related infrastructure repairs and enhancements. At this point, it is estimated that “Phase One” would cost around $1.9M, which would be paid for by the city’s current federal grant, assessments from benefiting properties, a possible contribution from the city’s general fund and the hope of additional state and federal grants. Currently, the city does not have enough funding to pay for “Phase One.” However, Gem Lake has applied for a variety of State and Federal grants in the current funding cycles. It is unknown exactly what each of the benefiting property would be assessed, but by state law it can only be to the extent to which project appraisal efforts show would increase the value of the affected property. In other words, if independent appraisal shows that the installation of a municipal water system increases the value of house A by $7,000, then that amount can be assessed to that property over the course of a period of years. The assessment period is decided by the city after public hearings, typically 10-20 years. Each household would be responsible for bringing water from the water main in the street up to their house. There are a variety of next steps in this planning process. For instance, the City of Gem Lake is currently meeting with the City of Vadnais Heights regarding a possible joint project and a possible joint powers agreement. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources would have to agree to allow Vadnais Heights to draw more water than their current quota from the aquifer to account for Gem Lake’s water needs. As the project becomes more viable, the City of Gem Lake would need to hold the state mandated series of public hearings to obtain possible approval of the project from its citizens and its city council. The City of Gem Lake is also working in partnership with the MPCA and the MDH to monitor water quality and issues of public safety. Regular water testing by these agencies will continue. Please stay tuned for more information.