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City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes October 17, 2023 1 | Page City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting – October 17, 2023 Meeting Minutes Mayor Gretchen Artig-Swomley called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilmembers Jim Lindner, Len Cacioppo, and Ben Johnson were present. Councilmember Laurel Amlee was not present. Also present: City Attorney Kevin Beck, Acting City Clerk Melissa Lawrence, MN Senator Heather Gustafson, Planning Commission Chair Joshua Patrick, Commission Member Don Cummings, Gem Lake Business Owner Chris Bettis, and Gem Lake residents Ted and Nikki Pax. October 17, 2023 Agenda A motion was introduced by Councilmember Linder to accept the agenda, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Voice vote taken, all voted yes, motion passes, agenda accepted. Minutes A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo to approve the September 19, 2023, City Council Meeting Minutes. Voice vote taken, all voted yes, motion carried. A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo to accept the October 10, 2023, Planning Commission Meeting Minutes. Voice vote taken, all voted yes, motion carried. Special Presentations Minnesota Legislative Session Update – Minnesota Senator Heather Gustafson, District 36 DFL Senator Gustafson wanted to come to a City Council meeting to introduce herself and say hello. She lives in Vadnais Heights and is here to help and is happy to represent Gem Lake. Senator Gustafson shared with the Council that she was proud of a bill that recently passed that she authored which gave $300 million to help with public safety need in Minnesota Cities. From that, Gem Lake received $23,368 to use towards public safety. She also shared that schools have received historic funding with a 7.4 million increase in public education finding for 2024 and 9.1 million increase for 2025. Consent Agenda Resolution #2023-0019 October 2023 Donation to White Bear Lake Area Food Shelf Resolution #2023-0020 Certify to Tax Rolls – Water and Sewer Bills Resolution #2023-0021 Certify to Tax Rolls – 2022 Annual Septic Maintenance Inspections Monthly Financial Report(s) Claims All items on the consent agenda were reviewed by the Council. Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to approve all the items listed on the consent agenda as is, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Voice vote taken, all in favor, motion carried. Committee Reports Planning Commissioner Chair Joshua Patrick shared with the Council that the Commission held a public hearing for the renewal of a goat Interim Use Permit (IUP). Based on the recommendations of the City Planner Evan Monson and that the home owners fix the fence area and remove the conex container on their property, the Commission suggests that the IUP be renewed for another year. The Commission also heard from Barnett Kia on the refresh they would like to do which involves demolishing the current building once the new one is built in a more practical location on the lot. The current Zoning Ordinance does not allow for this type of construction, so the Commission is looking at amending some language in the ordinance to make it possible. The Commission received from Emily Jennings from SEH regarding some recommended changes to MS4 sections in Ordinance No. 131, definitions in Ordinance No. 131 Appendix A, and language in Ordinance No. 140 to ensure the City is compliant. The Commission is also in the process of reviewing the current garbage ordinance created 30 years ago. The reason for the review is to update any language that may have changed over the past 30 years and to bring it into the 21st century.