HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012 05-15 CC MINUTESCITY OF GEM LAKE, MN
4200 Otter Lake Road
Gem Lake, MN 55110-3227
Telephone 651-747.2790.
E-mail City rr.;gemlakeMN.org
Minutes of Gem. Lake City Council Meeting
15 May 2012
The regular meeting of the City Council ;of the City of Gem Lake was called to order by
Mayor Uzpen on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 7:02 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 Bosak, and seconded by Councilmember
Artig-Swomley, the May 15, 2012 agenda was approved. Ayes -- 5, Nays 0.
Planning Commission April Meeting. Minutes: The Planning Commission April
minutes were presented and corrections were needed. Upon motion by Councilmember
Rasmussen, and seconded by Councilmember Artig-Swomley, the April Planning
Commission minutes were accepted. Ayes — 5, Nays — 0.
City Council April Meeting Minutes: The April 2012 minutes were presented and
corrections were needed. Upon motion by Councilmember Artig-Swomley, and
seconded by Councilmember Bosak, the minutes of April 2012 were accepted with
corrections being made. Ayes-4, Nays — 0, Abstained - 1.
Planning Commission Chair Report: Chairperson Faith Kuny reported to the council
that the Planning Commission approved the Chicken Ordinance and forward to the City
Council.
OLD BUSINESS
Newsletter: Councilmember Artig-Swomley stated she would like to do .an article. on
Vera Auto and the LaRoma restaurant. The City Clean -Up day. Coun.cilmember. Artig-
Swomley received an email from one of the residents regarding a police report from
Alabama on some of the things people pick up .along the road that. people throw out:
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An article on National Night Out. A story on Garlic Mustard that is a plant that covers
many yards. Settlers adopted it long ago, as it is a flowering plant with a white flower on
it that grows quickly. In addition, a story on Jessie Hart's departure and the story on the
chicken coop ordinance. In addition, the Honeymoon House and the Waste
Management recycling which Councilmember Artig-Swomiey found on their website.
In addition, a story on Rachael the recipient of City of Gem Lake's scholarship she
received.
PUBLIC HEARING
None
NEW BUSINESS
Carlson CUP: Mr. and. Mrs. Carlson, residents of the City of Gem Lake want to have a
small number of chickens on their property. They came to the City to get a permit and
went before the Planning Commission. Planning Commission Chairperson Faith Kuny
stated that the Planning Commission felt when the City Council puts together the
chicken ordinance; they felt 25 chickens would be the maximum number of chickens to
have. In addition, there was some question on the fee for the chickens. The Carlson's
are going to have five (5) chickens on their property and the fee would be $50.
Commissioner Herzog did some research on twelve (12) other residents who own
chickens in Gem Lake. Most people are raising chickens for their personal use. She
feels the fee should be $10 like a dog license, with something written to make sure that
the chickens are maintained and if the smell is drifting over to the neighbors, there
would be a $100 fine.
Mayor Uzpen explained what the fees covered and how the surrounding cities have the
same fees. The fee covers the cost of having the property inspected and the cost of the
permit.
Councilmember Lindner read from Ordinance #69, Section 3.8: "... It would be unlawful
to keep or harbor in the City, any animals without first obtaining written Conditional Use
Permit from the City of Gem Lake..."
Councilmember Artig-Swomley stated that there should be wordage regarding having a
rooster as when they are babies, it is hard to tell the sex of the chicken.
Councilmember Bosak feels before voting on the ordinance, the City Council should do
more research.
Upon motion by Councilmember Lindner and . seconded by Councilmember Artig-
Swomley, the Conditional Use Permit for purchasing and keeping chickens .has passed.
Ayes — 5, Nays — g.
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Claims for May: The claims for May were discussed and authorized to pay. Upon
motion by Councilmember Lindner and seconded by Councilmember Bosak, motion
passes.. Ayes — 5, Nays -- g.
Monthly Financial Reports: The City Council received and reviewed the report.
City Attorney Update:
Status of Garden Overlay Permits for Bryan Hansen: Mayor Uzpen received an
email from Pat Kelly regarding the permit for Mr. Hansen. Mayor Uzpen will be meeting
with Mr. Hansen in a few weeks when he is back in town_ The issue is the cost of the
permits.
Mayor Uzpen feels the Comp Plan needs to be changed as the land is zoned for
Gateway, but the land is being used for agricultural versus residential. City Attorney
Trevor Oliver feels the Comp Plan does not need to be changed; the wordage can be
changed to farming. Tom Riedesel from White Bear Township wants to get a resolution
to the Comp Plan. The City Council will need to approve the current Comp Plan at the
June City Council meeting to bring it current and then make any changes..
Status of Updating the Cities Watershed Ordinance: Attorney Oliver has started
putting the ordinance into word format. VLAWMO takes care of the watershed for the
City of Gem Lake and is responsible fro the run-off drain. Planning Commission
Chairperson Faith Kuny will put it on the agenda for the June Planning Commission
meeting.
Monthly or Yearly Fees to Senior Citizen. Developments: Attorney Oliver stated
there is nothing specific regarding cities charging a fee. Most Senior Citizen facilities
are non-profit. It depends on who owns the facility. For the most part, there is an
exception of property tax for non-profit facility. Most cities will work out the service
charge for the services: street maintenance, police, water and utilities to name a few.
There will be a tax based on housing.
PRESENTATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
None
OPEN ITEMS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Uzpen has reviewed the Gateway Ordinance, especially by the matrix, wants to
know what is forbidden? There is nothing in the ordinance that states that a hockey rink
or hotel thatrequires a Conditional Use Permit. Attorney Oliver explained that if it is not
on the matrix, then it is not allowed. There are four (4) categories, but the ordinance
can be amended. The developer should be told of the above issues. Matrix issues
state they cannot be open past 10 to 11 p.m. Mayor Uzpen requested that. Attorney
Oliver work on this and notify the developers regarding the commercial issues.
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Gem. Lake City Council Meeting
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Planning Commission Chairperson Faith Kuny had talked to Tom Riedesel regarding
zoning and it can be built under commercial east of Highway 61 in the business district.
Anything built on open properties will be on the residential property and will have to be
amended. Mayor Uzpen stated that commercial building on Hoffman Corners, but
anything west of Tousley Ford is a different issue.
Mayor Uzpen mentioned Gem Lake Lodge and asked Trevor if the City Council should
amend this. City Attorney Oliver mentioned that Gem Lake might need to offer a
helping hand and a conversation needs to take place regarding this development
between Gem Lake and the developer. A Public Hearing would need to take place
regarding the hotel. Councilmember Rasmussen feels the developer needs to be told
the ordinance would need to be amended and see if the interest is still there.
Councilmember Artig-Swomley feels that a Public Hearing needs to take place
regarding the medical office building next to the Fairfield/Marriott hotel.
Councilmember Lindner attended the VLAWMO seminar and there was discussion
regarding the Gem Lake being removed from the State compared water list. The. City
only has to clean up 24% of the sediment being deposited. The City would need to
meet with the business owners on Highway 61 by that lake to discuss the issue.
Mayor Uzpen updated the City Council on the Tangwell issue. They have until May 1,
2012. They have been given information on the six plants that can be planted per two
feet on the shoreline. White Bear Township Inspector Mike Johnson has looked over
the property and stated that they will need to plant some more greenery and has
requested a list of what plants were planted.
FUTURE COUNCIL MEETINGS
Workshop Meeting: June 11, 2012 at7:00 p.m.
City Council Meeting: June 19, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
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° Gem Lake City Council Meeting
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ADJOURN
The May15, 2012 regular meeting of the City Council adjourned at 8:01 p.m. Upon
motion by Councilmember Lindner, and seconded by Councilmember Rasmussen, the
City Council meeting was adjourned. Ayes— 5, Nays— 0.
APPROVED:
ATTEST: ATTEST:
Julie Newkirk
Recording Secretary
Robert Uzpen
Mayor
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-Gem Lake City Council Meeting
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SIGN UP SHEET:
Diane Carlson
Beth & Steve Herzog
Amber Peterson
Beckie Pierce
Karl Helkamp
Tim Waldoch
Lynette Berdan
Leanna McReynolds
Nick Johnson
Faith Kuny
Dani Hronoski
Trevor Oliver
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