HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011 05-17 CC MINUTESCITY OF GEM LAKE, MN
4200 Otter Lake Road
Gem Lake, MN 55110-3227
Telephone 651-747-2790
E-mail CityAgemlakeMN.org
Minutes of Gem Lake City Council Meeting
17 May 2011
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Gem Lake was called to order by
Mayor Uzpen on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 7:01 pm in the Gem Lake City Hall meeting
room.
The following members were present: Mayor Robert Uzpen, Councilmembers James.
Lindner, Gretchen Artig-Swomley, Richard Bosak and Thomas Rasmussen. Members
of the public attending 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. Upon motion by Councilmember Artig-Swomley, and seconded by
Councilmember Bosak, the agenda was approved for May 17, 2011.
Ayes-5, Nays-0.
City Council April Meeting Minutes: The April 2011 minutes were presented and
corrections were needed. Upon motion by Councilmember Lindner, and seconded by
Councilmember Artig-Swomley, the minutes of April 2011 were accepted with
corrections being made. Ayes — 5, Nays — 0.
Planning Commission Chair Report: Chair Faith Kuny, 9 Daniels Farm Road, spoke
in front of the City Council to update them on current issues. Because. May 2011 did not
have a quorum for the Planning Commission meeting, Faith sent the Overlay Ordinance
to the Planning Commission. She received feedback regarding trucks, weight restriction,
and plowing the fields on the Hanson property. The second issue that came up was the
specialized cleaning up of organic debris. It was discussed that the property owner is
responsible for the collecting and disposal of the litter, including pulled weeds, plant
clippings and other organic debris on the property. There is an issue with mature trees
being cut down on the property and the ordinance states that the property owner can
cut down 20% of thetrees on the property, but it is evident that more than 20°]0 is being
cut down at this time. Silt fences were also discussed. The Minnesota Department of
Agriculture stated the best way to block farm debris from getting into any shoreline or
water is to have a grass filter strip. Also, have some kind of woodland to hold the grass
side in place. The last item discussed was there can be no storage of fuel, fertilizer,
and pesticides on the property.
Gem Lake City Council Meeting.
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OLD BUSINESS
Newsletter: Councilmember Artig-Swomley discussed articles on the clean-up day and
the National Night Out in August. Councilmember Lindner will be coordinating the food
for the event this year. A story on the Gem Lake. Scholarship, which Mayor Uzpen will
be presenting to the White Bear High School.
PUBLIC HEARING
None.
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 2011-03 — Gem Lake Scholarship: Mayor Uzpen discussed handing out
the scholarships at the award ceremony at the White Bear High School. Upon motion
by Councilmember Lindner and seconded by Councilmember Artig-Swomley,
Resolution 2011-03 passes. Ayes — 5, Nays — 0.
Approval of the Cities Liability Insurance: Mayor Uzpen explained to the City
Council that they needed to make a motion to not waive the $500M00 or $1.5 million on
the monetary limits of the tort Liability insurance. Upon motion by Councilmember
Lindner and seconded by Councilmember Bosak. Motion passes. Ayes — 5, Nays — 0.
Claims for May: The bills for May were discussed and authorized to pay. Upon motion
by Councilmember Lindner and seconded by Councilmember Artig-Swomley, motion
passes. Ayes 5, Nays — 0.
Monthly Financial Reports: The City Council received and reviewed the report. Mayor
Uzpen went over the gambling fund and mentioned that Gem Lake will be sending the
elementary school some money now and then in September totaling $2500. Financial
Gem Lake is doing well and maintenance on the roads is being done.
OPEN ITEMS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Bosak opened discussion on the proposed new Vikings Stadium in
Arden Hills. He asked the council if they wanted to take a vote on the stadium as he
feels the traffic will increase and currently there is a lot of contaminated soil on the site.
He would like to express to the Metropolitan Council and Ramsey County regarding his
concerns about traffic and his opposition to using public tax money for the stadium.
Councilmember Rasmussen suggested putting this in the newsletter and having the
residents respond to the email: GemLakeClerk..
Mayor Uzpen received a call from a reporter working for the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
stating that Gem Lake census shows that the City of Gem Lake has older citizens.
Percentage wide citizens have gotten older.
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Councilmember Artig-Swomley inquired the status on the sandy beach issue. The
deadline was May 15, 2011 and nothing has been done at this time to correct the
problem. Inspector Mike Johnson from the White Bear Township had sent the property
owners a letter and will follow-up.
Councilmember Lindner attended a VWALMO meeting. At this meeting, staff said they
would be working on the rain garden at Heritage Hall. At this time, there are a lot of
weeds and needs to be thinned out. VWALMO will be in Gem Lake this summer
working on the rain garden.
Mayor Uzpen discussed enforcing City Ordinances. All Councilmembers stated and will
back the enforcing of all City Ordinances.
Chair Faith Kuny had a question regarding the water testing last year. Councilmember
Artig-Swomley said that all water that was dropped off for testing passed. Her second
question was regarding the pollution running into Gem Lake from the used car lot.
Councilmember Lindner stated that Gem Lake is waiting for the final report from
VWLAMO.
PRESENTATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
None.
FUTURE COUNCIL MEETINGS
Workshop Meeting: June 6, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
City Council Meeting: June 21, 2011 at 70.0 p.m.
ADJOURN
The May 17, 2011 regular meeting of the City Council adjourned at 8:00 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
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SIGN UP SHEET:
Faith Kuny
John Kuny
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