HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 04-21 CC MINUTESCITY OF GEM LAKE, MN
4200 Otter Lake Road
Gem Lake, MN 55110-3227
Telephone 651-747.2790
E-mail City(a)gemIakeMN.org
Minutes of Gem Lake City Council Meeting
21 April 2009
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Gem Lake was called to
order by Mayor Uzpen on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at 7:02 p.m.in the Gem Lake
City Hall meeting room.
The following members were present: Mayor Bob Uzpen, Council members
Gretchen Artig-Swomley, Chuck Watson, Tom Rasmusen and Jim Lindner.
Other members of the public were also in attendance per the sign in sheet sent
around the room.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND MEETING MINUTES
Minutes of City Council meeting of March 17, 2009: Upon motion by Lindner,
seconded by Artig-Swomley, the council approved the March 17, 2009 minutes
pending the corrections to page three, paragraph two. Ayes — 5 Nays — 0.
City Council Agenda: Mayor Uzpen called for additions, deletions and
corrections to the agenda. Artig-Swomley has a couple of things to add to old
business. Motion to approve agenda by Lindner, seconded by Rasmusen. Ayes
5 Nays -- 0.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Planning Commission April Minutes: Mayor Uzpen stated that they have not.
received the April Planning Commission Minutes yet. It was agreed to carry that
item over to the May City Council Meeting. February and March Planning
Commission Meetings have not been approved yet. Mayor Uzpen requested the
City Council members to accept the February Planning Commission minutes. A
motion to approve was introduced by Watson and seconded by Rasmusen.
Ayes-5 Nays-0.
PUBLIC NOTICES
None.
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Gem Lake Minutes
April 21, 2009
Page Two
OLD BUSINESS
May City Newslotter: Mayor Uzpen requested the newsletter be printed earlier
in order to publicize the May 5 public hearing. Artig-Swomley stated that this
would be difficult but that the May newsletter could publicize the May 19 meeting
regarding the state of Scheuneman Road South. Ideas for May included a profile
on a resident or Bill Short of White Bear Township, articles on storm water,
tornado safety, rain gardens and the city's proposed clean up day. Other ideas
could be emailed to Artig-Swomley separately.
A printing estimate from Minute Press was $70.00 lower per month than Kinko's.
Artig-Swomley will give it a try at Minute Press for the next month's issue..
Surface Water Project Plan Time Line: Watson talked about putting together
an action plan to implement the city's storm water plan. It is required by.
government to have this report done and to develop a plan for its implementation.
Watson suggested putting something in the newsletter every quarter on storm
water management issues. Other implementation and education suggestions by
Watson included putting the information on the web site, mailing out material to.
residents or having printed material available at the City Hall. Watson also
suggested that the city sponsor community events, such as the planned "clean
up" day in June. The city must hold an annual public meeting, which can be
added to a regular City Council meeting. A more detailed budget must be
established to implement these projects. Watson will update the Council
periodically.
NEW BUSINESS
Scheuneman Road: Mayor Uzpen received complaints from the businesses
and residents about the road. Mayor Uzpen drafted a letter inviting businesses
and residents to the May 19, 2009 Council meeting so the subject could be
discussed in detail. Several businesses expressed some willingness to pay for
repairs if it can be spread over a long period of time. Mayor Uzpen also
mentioned that the city needs to deal with the water issue before fixing the road.
Trevor Oliver suggested doing estimates with and without curbs. Barnett Car
Company called Mayor Uzpen upset that the road is ruining the new cars when
they drive them off the lot.
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Gem Lake Minutes
April 21, 2009
Page Three
Metropolitan Council Population Estimates Workshop: Mayor Uzpen sent
out information to the. City Council members.
Grant Money for Storm Water Projects: Trevor sent out letter and asked
Watson to follow up on it.
Highway 61 and County Road E Plan: Mayor Uzpen mentioned that he was
not aware of any plan for this intersection to be repaired by the state or county.
The possibility to obtaining federal stimulus money for such a project was
discussed. Various programs for low interest loans may be available for
transportation related projects, but no out and out grant money appears to be
available to Gem Lake. One loan program geared to storm water projects
appears to be available for the application of low interest loan dollars. Watson will
fill out the initial forms to get on the list for this program and will call Mayor Uzpen
if he has any questions.
Approval of Payment for the April Claims: Mayor Uzpen called for approval of
payment for the April claims. Upon motion by Artig-Swomley and a second by
Lindner, April claims were approved. Ayes — 5 Nays — 0.
March. Financial . Report: Mayor Uzpen stated that City Council didn't receive
the financial report until a few hours before meeting. Mayor Uzpen
recommended that the council look over the report and discuss it at the May City
Council meeting. Mayor Uzpen stated that the March financial report will pend
until May City Council meeting.
OPEN ITEMS FOR THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Thank You Letter: Artig-Swomley would like to send out a thank -you letter to
Tom Pila who did the CPR course. She creeds his address. Mayor Uzpen said
that his business card was on his bill, so will get the address from Jessie Hart.
Volunteer Day: It was decided to ask residents to help pick up trash from the
road on a designated City Clean Up Day. Lindner brought up the issue of safety
and that each person would need a reflective vest. Artig--Swomley agreed to
organize the event with the help and advice of Beth Herzog. She will get back to
the council with details and put information in the May Newsletter.
Neighborhood Watch: So far there are 34 Gem Lake residents on the
Neighborhood Watch fist of participants. Mayor Uzpen asked if Gem Lake needs
street signs for all neighborhoods involved and how those signs would be
obtained. Watson stated that there is a Neighborhood Watch meeting on May
12, 2009 at the Sheriffs office. He will attend that meeting and will report back to
the council.
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Gem Lake Minutes
April 21, 2009
Page Four
PRESENTATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC.
Surface Water Management for the City: The city is required to produce this
report and has budgeted $1 0,000 for it. Former Mayor Paul Emeott said that the
year is now nearly half over and expressed concern that the report had not been
started. He said he has about 24 pictures that could be used when the report is
drafted.
FUTURE COUNCIL MEETINGS
Next City Council Workshop: May 4, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Next City Council Meeting: May 19, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
ADJOURN
The April 21, 2009 regular meeting of the City Council was adjourned at 8:35
p.m. Watson motioned to adjourn, seconded by Rasmusen. Ayes — 5 Nays —
0.
APPROVED:
ATTEST: ATTEST:
Julie Newkirk Bob Uzpen
Recording Secretary Mayor
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