HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 09-15 CC MINUTESCITY OF GEM LAKE, MN
4200 Otter Lake Road
Gem Lake, MN 55110-3227
Telephone 651-747-2790
E-mail CitvCiegemlakeMN.org
Minutes of Gem Lake City Council Meeting
15 September 2009
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Gem Lake was called to
order by Mayor Uzpen on Tuesday, September15, 2009 at 7:01 p.m. in the Gem
Lake City Hall meeting room.
The following members were present: Mayor Robert Uzpen, Council members
Gretchen Artig-Swomley, Charles Watson, Thomas Rasmussen and James
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
City Council Agenda: Mayor Uzpen called for additions, deletions and
corrections to the agenda. No corrections or additions were added. Upon
motion by Councilmember Rasmussen, and seconded by Councilmember
Watson, the agenda was approved for September 15, 2009.
City Council Meeting Minutes: The. August 18, 2009 minutes were presented
and corrections were needed. Upon a motion by Councilmember Artig-Swomley,
and seconded by Councilmember Watson, the minutes of August 18, 2009 were
accepted with corrections being made. Ayes — 5, Nays — 0.
Planning Commission Minutes: The August 4, 2009 minutes were presented.
Upon motion by Councilmember Watson and seconded by Councilmember Artig-
Swomley, the May 5, 2009 minutes were accepted. Ayes - 5, Nays — 0.
OLD BUSINESS
City Newsletter — October, 2009: The Council discussed ideas for the October
newsletter. Councilmember Artig-Swomley stated that she was having problems
scheduling interviews. Some items mentioned were the Hilary Farms Fall
Festival, Mayor Robert Uzpen and his first months in office, and Fred Macalus
and his history of raising racing pigeons. In addition, an article on the budget and
now that it's fall, the proper steps to rid your yard of leaves. Mayor Uzpen
recommended a follow-up story of trimming branches that lean over the street
and that the homeowner needs to trim their tree branches before the winter
season. Mayor Uzpen discussed the cost of the monthly newsletter and how the
Gem Lake..City Council Meeting
Page2
Council can find ways to minimize the costof the. newsletter. Suggestions were
made to email to residents versus mailing, the. cost of postage and/or .put the
newsletter on the web site so the residents can download the newsletter. In
addition, it was suggested to maybe cut back to a bi-monthly or quarterly
.newsletter. The City Council. will think about the options discussed and. will
discuss in future meetings.
Surface Water: Councilmember Watson updated the Council on the Surface
Water and explained that Gem Lake needs to turn in the permit for 2009 and he
is in the process of completing the permit. Mayor Uzpen requested that we have
a back-up person in place that also can complete the Surface. Water Plan.
Councilmember Lindner volunteered to be Councilmember Watson's back up.
Mayor Uzpen asked Justin Gese from SEH if he knew where the out -falls were
located in Gem Lake. Justin does not have that information. It was suggested by
Justin to also talk to the residents as they would know what they have on their
property. Councilmember Rasmussen stated that Barnett had one that was
underground. Councilmember Artig-Swomley had a question about the residents
living on or around the lakes. She suggested sending a letter to the residents
living on the Lakeshore property. No decision was made on this proposal.
Flag Pole: Planning Commission member Daniel Marier is still looking for a
used flag pole to purchase for the City. The Council members decided to wait to
find a used flag pole as it would be cost effective versus buying a new one. It
was discussed about digging the hole andputting the sleeve and electrical in
before the first frost to be ready when the pole is purchased. Mayor Uzpen is
waiting for one electrical bid to be received.
.NEW.BUSINESS
Four Season Auto Service and Sales: Mayor Uzpen opened the discussion
with Rick Wilson, owner, to discuss the Conditional Use permit presented to the
City Council. It was presented to the Planning Commission on September 1,
2009.and the. Planning Commission approved it with conditions. One of the
concerns presented was the small lot for parking of cars for sale, Mayor Uzpen
receives complaints on a weekly basis concerning that area for putting their cars
for sale on the street.It was decided by the City Council and Rick Wilson that he
would be issued a Conditional Use permit for twelve (12) months with a follow-up
by the City Council at the end of the twelve (12) months. The conditions are for
an non -transferable permit, requiring that there be no complaints for twelve (12)
months, that they only sell cars on the property and not on the street, that a
maximum of 20 cars will be for saleon the property at any one time, with one car
parked per parking space ;and that the business hours will be from 6:00 a.m. to
10:00 p.m. Cars will be sold from Monday through Saturday only. Tow trucks
dropping off vehicles must drop them off on the side of the building and/or
parking lot and not in the street. The dealership license is ready to go and Mayor
Look for us on the World Wide Web at gemlakemn.org
Gem Lake City Council. Meeting
Page 3
Uzpen signed the license at the City Council meeting. Rick Wilson will be issued
a ninety (90) day temporary dealership. license.
PUBLIC HEARING
The Public Hearing on the Conditional Use Permit for Four Seasons Auto opened
up at 8:13 p.m. No citizens were present and no comments were received. The
Public Hearing was closed at 8:14 p.m. Upon motion by Councilmember Linder
and seconded by Councilmember Artig-Swomley, the Conditional Use Permit
was approved and passed with the conditions so forth. Ayes 5, Nays — 0.
NEW BUSINESS
Scheuneman Road Project Update: Justin Gese from SEH was present to
answer any questions the City Council members had regarding the bids. The.
City of Gem Lake received five (5) bids from five (5) different companies and the
City Council members discussed the bids and voted. SEH recommended that
the city accept the bid from T. A. Schifsky & Sons, Inc. Upon motion by
Councilmember Lindner and seconded by Councilmember Rasmussen, the base
bid and alternate bid be awarded to T.A. Schifsky & Sons, Inc. The motion
passed. Ayes — 5, Nays — O.
Haven Culvert Project: Planning Commissioner Herzog has been working on.
this project and has received bids to fix the culvert. The project will consist of
replacing the pipe with a new 24-inch pipe. A survey needs to be completed for
the City of Gem Lake. It was noted that the winning bid did not mention repairing
the street upon completion of project. Upon motion by Councilmember Artig-
Swomley and seconded by Councilmember Lindner, it was passed to use
Commercials Utilities if they modify the bid to include restoration of the curb and
repair the street. Motion passed to use Commercials Utilities. Ayes — 5, Nays —
0. Mayor Uzpen will follow-up with Commercial Utilities.
Claims for August, 2009: The bills for August were discussed and authorized
to pay. Upon motion by Councilmernber Artig-Swomley and seconded by
Councilmember Lindner, the August bills will be paid. Ayes — 3, Nays 0.
Open Items for the Council Members: Mayor Uzpen stated that the City Hall
needs a water softener. Mayor Uzpen will price out what they cost.
Presentations from the Public: Justin Gese from SEH wanted the City Council
to make sure they let the residents know when doing the two projects in Gem
Lake that their yards will be torn up and seeded. Mayor Uzpen will notify the
residents.
Look for uson the World Wide Web atgemlakemn.org
Getn Lake City Council Meeting
Page 4
Comcast submitted a permit application to install some cable lines that will start
at County Road E and up the west side of Scheuneman Road under the roadway
to the east side. It will take them five (5) to ten (10) days to complete.
FUTURE COUNCIL MEETINGS
Next Workshop Meeting, October 5, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Next City Council Meeting, October 19, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
ADJOURN
The September 15, 2009 regular meeting of the City Council was adjourned at
9:01 p,m. Upon motion by Councilmember Artig-Swomley, and seconded by
Councilmember Lindner, the City Council meeting was adjourned.
Ayes — 5 Nays — 0.
APPROVED:
ATTEST: ATTEST:
Julie Newkirk
Recording Secretary
Robert Uzpen
Mayor
Look for usan the World Wide Web at gem lakemn.org