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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024 06-18 CC MinutesCity of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes June 18, 2024 1 | Page City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting – June 18, 2024 Meeting Minutes Mayor Gretchen Artig-Swomley called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilmembers Len Cacioppo, Jim Lindner, Ben Johnson, and Laurel Amlee were present. Also present: City Attorney Kevin Beck, City Treasurer Tom Kelly, MMKR CPA Jim Eichten, Planning Commission Member Don Cummings, and Acting City Clerk Melissa Lawrence. June 18, 2024, Agenda A motion was introduced by Councilmember Linder to accept the agenda, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Motion carried 5-0. Minutes A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo to approve the May 21, 2024, City Council Meeting Minutes. Motion carried 5-0. Special Presentations/Public Hearings 2023 Audit Presentation MMKR CPA James Eichten gave a report on the 2023 audit that was conducted on the City of Gem Lake. Based on MMKR’s audit of the City’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023: • MMKR has issued unmodified opinions on the City’s basic financial statements. • MMKR has reported one matter involving the City’s internal control over financial reporting that is considered to be a material weakness: o Due to the limited size of the City’s office staff, the City has limited segregation of duties in certain areas. • The results of MMKR’s testing disclosed no instances of noncompliance required to be reported under Government Auditing Standards. • MMKR has reported no findings based on their testing of the City’s compliance with Minnesota law and regulations. Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to accept the 2023 audit, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Motion carried 5-0. Consent Agenda Resolution #2024-011 June 2024 Donation to White Bear Lake Area Food Shelf Adoption of the Ramsey County Comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan Resolution #2024-012 June 2024 Adopting the Ramsey County Comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan (COEP) Monthly Financial Report(s) Claims Mayor Artig-Swomley shared that Ramsey County is always reviewing the process of how to handle emergency situations. An email was sent to all Ramsey County cities and towns to report and update a few items regarding the hazard mitigation plan. The mayor will work on getting those items completed and sent back to the County by the due date of June 28. 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. Motion carried 5-0. Committee Reports None City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes June 18, 2024 2 | Page Old Business Newsletter Updates / Topics / Suggestions Mayor Artig-Swomley shared that a current City Newsletter is being worked on and that she is looking for one (1) more story to fill the newsletter to get it out in early July to inform the public that the MPCA will be giving an update on the 1,4-dioxane contamination at the July 16 City Council meeting. MPCA Report Request Discussion Mayor Artig-Swomley shared that she received confirmation of attendance at the July 16 City Council meeting from the MPCA to give an update on the well testing and any other news they may have. Gem Lake Trail Reseeding / Tree Planting Discussion Quotes were approved at the May City Council meeting. The approved quote from Willow River may change based on the walk though with the Tree Trust as some of the trees on the original plan may be tree trust trees. If the quote changes it won’t change much. Mayor Artig-Swomley shared that the White Bear Press has been contacting the City to write a story on the plantings that will be taking place. The reporter has talked with the Mayor, White Bear Township Public Works Pete Tholen and Acting City Clerk Melissa Lawrence. While all three (3) of us are confused about the reason behind this needing to be a story as it is routine maintenance, all have been very cooperative in answering questions. New Business Future Charitable Gambling Donations White Bear Lake Emergency Food Shelf Mayor Artig-Swomley suggested that the Council donate in June in the amount of $1,500.00 to the White Bear Lake Emergency Food Shelf. Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to request a donation in the amount of $1,500.00 for the White Bear Lake Emergency Food Shelf, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Motion carried 5-0. Community Outreach City Attorney Kevin Beck shared that there is nothing to report from Vadnais Heights, still waiting for a decision to come down from the ALJ. There should hopefully be some news in July. City Attorney Kevin Beck shared that he couldn’t schedule a meeting with White Bear Lake. Trying to find where in the contract is states that it allows White Bear Lake to pass on interest payments to the Gem Lake. The City is currently paying all monthly bills, but still has not paid the debt service bill, but money is being escrowed for it. Mayor Artig-Swomley reminded the Council that there will be an extra meeting in November to ensure the City holds a canvassing meeting for the election to certify the results to the County. Councilmember Johnson said there is no update on the County Road E Corridor Project. Councilmember Johnson shared that he received an email from the White Bear Chamber of Commerce regarding a ribbon cutting for the new South Shore Boulevard Multi-Use Trail. Councilmember Lindner and Mayor Aritg- Swomley will both try to attend. Presentation from the Public, 2 minutes maximum Planning Commission Member Don Cummings shared that there are those in the Villas standing by to volunteer for maintenance of cottonwood trees and other invasive species that have made their way into the development. Open Items for Council Members to Bring Up None City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes June 18, 2024 3 | Page Future Council Meetings City Council, Tuesday, July 16, 2024. City Council Workshop, Monday, July 8, 2024, is CANCELED. Attendance Inquiry At this time all Councilmembers in attendance will be at the July meeting. Councilmember Hynes may not be able to attend the August meeting. Councilmember Johnson will not be in attendance at the August meeting. Adjournment Being there no further business, following a motion from Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember Artig-Swomley, the meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Melissa Lawrence