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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011 10-18 CC MINUTESCITY OF GEM LAKE, MN 4200 Otter Lake Road - = Gem Lake, MN 55110-3227 Telephone 651-747-2790 E-rn it City�iragemlakeMN.org Minutes of Gem Lake City Council Meeting 18 October 2011 The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Gem Lake was called to order by Mayor Uzpen on Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at 7:00 pm in the Gem Lake City Hall meeting room. The following members were present: Mayor Robert Uzpen, Councilmembers James Lindner, Gretchen Artig-Swomfey, and Thomas Rasmussen. Councilmember Richard Bosak was not present. 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 Councilmerber Lindner, and seconded by Councilmember Artig- Swomley, the agenda was approved for October 18, 2011, Ayes -- 4, Nays -- 0. City Council August. Meeting Minutes: The September 2011 minutes were presented and corrections were needed. Upon motion by Councilmember Rasmussen, and seconded by Councilmember Artig-Swomley, the minutes of August 2011 were accepted with corrections being made. Ayes — 4, Nays — 0. Planning Commission August Meeting Minutes: The Planning Commission August minutes were presented and no corrections were needed. Upon motion by Councilmember Artig-Swomley, and seconded by Councilmember Lindner, the August Planning Commission minutes were accepted. Ayes — 4, Nays — 0. Planning Commission September Meeting Minutes: The Planning Commission September. minutes were presented and corrections were needed. Upon motion by Councilmember Artig- Swomley, and seconded by Councilmember Rasmussen, the September Planning. Commission minutes were accepted with corrections being made. Ayes — 4, Nays — 0. Planning Commission Chair Report: Chairperson Faith Kuny handed out the Chair report to the council members. Chairperson Kuny spoke with City Attorney Trevor Oliver regarding the restaurant at Vera Sales and the restaurant is permitted under the Gateway Ordinance. Parking will be visited upon after the fire code occupancy number is established. It will be taken into consideration that parking will include the spaces already being used for the used car sales lot. Attorney Oliver stated that the restaurant space would have to meet the State Gem Lake City Council Meeting Paae 2 of 5 building codes, fire and safety codes and health department considerations. There are slightly different regulations regarding single use restaurant, per Attorney Oliver. No members of the Planning Commission had objections to the restaurant for the community. OLD BUSINESS Newsletter: Councilmember Artig-Swomley interviewed Bill Short, Clerk, from White Bear Township regarding the temporary stop sign on Otter. Lake Road and Bill was told from Ramsey County that the sign would be up indefinitely. The next newsletter will be mailed out in December and will have a story an the new sign at Heritage Hall. Also in the newsletter will be an article regarding the 2012 budget, and the 2012 fee schedule. Councilmember Lindner suggested doing an article on the fish study. Gem Lake has a healthy shallow water level. Mayor Uzpen stated that Gem Lake should have the pollution study at that time also to put in the newsletter. Planning Commissioner Dan Marier stated there is a Girl Scout troop that needs a place to. meet every third Tuesday of the month. Mayor Uzpen stated that they could use the City Hall. before 7 p.m. Gem Lake accepted the bid from T.A. Schifsky & Sons, Inc. to plow the snow in Gem Lake this winter. They will plow after two inches or more snowfall. Mayor Uzpen has asked Schifsky that in a snowstorm they plow in the morning so people can leave for work and then later in the day, Regarding Scheuneman Road, the street needs to be wider so two cars can pass each other. PUBLIC HEARING None NEW BUSINESS Resolution No. 2011-09: T.A. Schifsky & Sons, Inc. is the plowing company that the City of Gem Lake will use for the snowfall this winter. Upon motion by Councilmember Lindner and seconded by Councilmember Rasmussen, Resolution No. 2011-09 passes. Ayes — 4, Nays O. Planning Commission Procedures: The City Council members came up with guidelines and procedures on conducting meetings, and other matters. Suggestions on meeting cancelations, and keeping contact with the City Attorney to a maximum of three times per month were also discussed. January, 2012 the City Council will revisit the guidelines and procedures. Look for us on .the World Wide. Web at gemlakemn.org Gene Lake. City Council Meeting Page 3 of 5 Heating and Air Conditioning Issue: Mayor Uzpen stated over the past two years the City has spent over $30,000 to fix the heating system. Each time it is fixed, there is no guarantee. Mayor Uzpen is waiting for a bid on a force-feed furnace. Councilmember Lindner will call Northern Air Corporation to have them also give a quote. Sign Proposal and Design: Mayor Uzpen had a sample of what the materials of the sign would look like. Mayor Uzpen recommended fabrication to go into the ground to hold the sign. Questions asked from the council on how easy it is to have the sign cleaned in case of vandalism. The sign needs to be put in the ground before the ground freezes. Claims for October: The claims for October were discussed and authorized to pay. Upon motion by Councilmember Lindner and seconded by Councilmember Artig-Swomley, motion passes. Ayes — 4, Nays W 0. Monthly Financial Reports: The City Council received and reviewed the report. Councilmember Rasmussen stated the City is doing a great job on keeping under budget with doing repairs and maintenance for the City. Mayor Uzpen stated that the ash trees on the boulevard will become diseased. Mayor Uzpen would like to put $5,000 away each year in reserve to take care of the problem when it happens. No objections were stated. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC Tom Bolfing talked about an issue regarding deer hunting. He feels the City is excluding hini and is wondering why he cannot hunt when there are so many deer around Gem Lake. Mayor Uzpen stated that the council is looking into changing the wordage of the Ordinance. Councilmember Rasmussen stated that Gem Lake will not let hunters hunt on less than five acres and Tom should. be aware of it. Attorney Oliver should be at the November City Council meeting to discuss this issue. OPEN ITEMS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL Mayor Uzpen received two calls from used car auto sales people interested in opening up used car sales lots next to 10 Below in the little strip mall. Mayor Uzpen told them that it is permitted. No action has been taken by either of them yet. Mayor Uzpen received an email from Tom Hansen regarding the Ordinance that was passed. Mr. Hansen feels it is for 2012, not 2011. The City Council approved this Ordinance effective in 2011 as the land was already being used for gardening. This was upon the recommendation of Attorney Oliver and he will address this issue. Planning Commissioner Dan Marier asked about the temporary sign by the old KIA dealership regarding the White Bear Lake Movie Theater. The council discussed it and it needs to be removed by January 3, 2012, or they will have to apply for a sign permit. Mayor Uzpen will investigate. Look for us on the World Wide Web at gernlakemn.org Gem Lake City Council Meeting Page 4 of 5 FUTURE COUNCIL MEETINGS Workshop Meeting: November 7, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. City Council Meeting: November 15, 2011.at 7:00 p.m. ADJOURN The October 18, 2011 regular meeting of the City Council adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Upon motion by Councilmember Artig-Swomley, and seconded by Cauncilme►riber Lindner, the City Council meeting was adjourned. Ayes —4, Nays — O. APPROVED: ATTEST: ATTEST: Julie Newkirk Recording Secretary Robert Uzpen Mayor Look for us an. the World. Wide Web at gemlakemn.org Gem Lake City Council Meeting Page: 5 of 5 SIGN UP SHEET: Tom .Bolfng Dan Mader Faith Kuny Look for us on the World Wide Web at gemlakemn.org