HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024 12-17 CC MinutesCity of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes December 17, 2024 1
City of Gem Lake
City Council Meeting – December 17, 2024
Meeting Minutes
Mayor Gretchen Artig-Swomley called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilmembers Jim Lindner, Laurel
Amlee, and Ben Johnson were present. Councilmember Len Cacioppo was not present. Also present: City Attorney
Kevin Beck, City Treasurer Tom Kelly, Acting City Clerk Melissa Lawrence, high school students Blue Kurkoski,
Lydia Pearson, Priscilla Robles, Ashtyn Arendts, Ivory Xiong, Tanner Edstrom, Dylan Paulson, Jevin Vang, Joseph
Glauvitz, Jerold Wright, Aeryl Eha, Kate Fuhrman, Megan Hulla, Natalie Steernsland, Ben Watson, Dylan Perm,
Charles Harowicki, Evelyn Lynch, Lisa Calbrieth, Connor Ceach, and resident Jim Wilson, Dustin Marks, and Sarah
Ernhart.
December 17, 2024, Agenda
A motion was introduced by Councilmember Linder to accept the agenda, seconded by Councilmember Amlee.
Motion carried 4-0.
Minutes
A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember Johnson to approve the November
19, 2024, City Council Meeting Minutes. Motion carried 4-0.
Special Presentations/Public Hearings
Truth in Taxation Public Hearing
City Treasurer Tom Kelly gave an overview of the 2025 budget and property tax levy for the City of Gem
Lake. The 2025 proposed final property tax levy is proposed at $718,736, which is a 3.11% increase from
the 2024 final property tax levy. The 2025 preliminary property tax levy consists of a debt levy of
$83,736.00 (an increase from 2024 debt levy of $2,182.00) and the general operating levy of $635,000.00
(an increase of 3.16% from the 2024 tax levy). The following changes were made from the 2024 adopted
budget as a basis for the 2025 proposed budget and property tax levy:
1. Based on the 2015 Refunding Bond schedule the debt levy for 2025 is set for $79,711.00. In
addition, in 2018, the City issued bonds for the improvements on Scheuneman Road and the 2025
debt levy for this issue is $4,025.00. The two of these debt levies makes up the City’s 2025 debt
levy of $83,736.
2. City Council wages increased to $9,000 to reflect stipend increase approved earlier this year.
3. City Council contingency left at $9,000.
4. Clerk/General Government budget includes $63,000.00 for wages and $11,5500 for health
insurance coverage.
5. Planning & Zoning budget increased $6,950.00 based on past expenditures.
6. Police budget was increased 13.85% to $147,402 based on the City of White Bear Lake budget
provided us and includes $133,089 for police services and $14,313 for the new public facilities
building.
7. The cost of fire services could increase 8.54% to $52,827.00. It includes $35,300 for fire services,
$8,181 for fire marshal services, and $9,346 for the new public facilities building.
a. Overall, the City of White Bear Lake would like you to pay $23,659 for the next 19 years
for their new facility.
8. Road Maintenance budget includes $20,000 for road maintenance/repair and $8,000 for trimming
boulevard trees.
9. Salt/sand reduced $4,000 to $8,000 and snow plowing left at $14,000, both based on past
expenditures.
10. Heritage Hall budget includes $10,000 for building improvements and $10,000 for other
improvements.
11. Included a park maintenance budget of $7,000 for maintaining park area near the Villas of Gem
Lake.
12. The 2025 budget includes $20,000.00 for future improvements.
13. Revenue and other expenditure line items adjusted based on past history.
City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes December 17, 2024 2
These changes result in the city proposed preliminary tax levy of $718,736.00 for 2025. This compares to
2025 preliminary levy of $733,757.00 and 2024 final levy of $697,081.00. Using a 2025 property tax levy
of $718,736.00 and the City’s 2025 tax capacity ($1,809,157.00) and median valued home ($443,750.00)
for Gem Lake, that median valued home, would pay City property taxes of $1,680.37 in 2025 compared to
2025 preliminary levy of $1,725.55 (a decrease of $45.18) and the 2024 final levy amount of $1,529.81 (an
increase of $150.56).
Mayor Artig-Swomley informed those in attendance that the Council would begin with the Truth-in-
Taxation public hearing, and that they public would have a chance to provide input on the topic.
Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to open the Truth-in-Taxation public hearing at 7:14 p.m.,
seconded by Councilmember Johnson. Motion carried 4-0.
One of the students in attendance asked how often the budget is redone? Every month? City Treasurer Tom
Kelly answered that it is completed annually and cannot go above the approved proposed budget in
October, but it can go down.
Another one of the students in attendance asked how are the increases determined? City Treasurer Tom
Kelly answered that the contracted cities set budgets and send those numbers to the City of Gem Lake and
those numbers are used to help budget for Gem Lake. A follow-up questions was asked if it was necessary
for Gem Lake to contract out these services instead of having its own police and fire? City Treasurer Tom
Kelly answered that it is more ethical for Gem Lake to contract it out to surrounding cities because the cost
of operating one out of such a small city would be very great.
Another one of the students in attendance asked what happens to the money if there is a surplus? City
Treasurer Tom Kelly answered that it would go back to the general fund, and it would be used to
supplement to help bring down the tax levy for the next year.
The public and Council had no other comment.
Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to close the Truth-in-Taxation public hearing at 7:19 p.m.,
seconded by Councilmember Amlee. Motion carried 4-0.
Resolution #2024-0028 Accepting 2025 Budget & Levy
The City Council is asked to approve (pass) Resolution #2024-0028, Adopting the Final 2025
General Fund Budget and Property Tax Levy. Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to
approve the 2025 General Fund Budget and Property Tax Levy, seconded by Councilmember
Johnson. Motion carried 4-0.
Consent Agenda
Resolution #2024-0027 December 2024 Donation to White Bear Lake Area Food Shelf
Resolution #2024-0029 Approving Operating Transfers for 2024
Resolution #2024-0030 SCORE Grant Funding 2025
Tobacco Licenses
Resolution #2024-0031 Country Lounge Tobacco License 2025
Resolution #2024-0032 Smoke Den Tabacco & Vape Tobacco License 2025
Edible Cannabinoid Products License
Resolution #2024-0033 Smoke Den Tobacco & Vape Edible Cannabinoid Products License
2025
Liquor Licenses
Resolution #2024-0034 Country Lounge Liquor Licenses 2025
Resolution #2024-0035 Gem Lake Hills Golf Course Liquor Licenses 2025
2025 Annual Designation of City Official Depository
2025 LMCIT Liability Coverage Waiver Form
Monthly Financial Report(s)
Claims
City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes December 17, 2024 3
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 Johnson.
Motion carried 4-0.
Committee Reports
Planning Commission did not meet in December and had nothing to report.
Old Business
Newsletter Updates / Topics / Suggestions
Mayor Artig-Swomley shared that the Newsletter will be sent to the printers before the City Clerk goes on
vacation. Waiting to add one additional story.
Website Rebuild Quote
Red Lily Digital is honoring the quote that was given earlier in March 2024 for a website rebuild. The
Council put it on hold until later in the year so that it could be budgeted for in 2025. The quote for a custom
website is $6,000.00 with a couple additional optional cost items that can be added on later if desired.
Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to approve the quote for $6,000.00 for a website rebuild,
seconded by Councilmember Amlee. Motion carried 4-0.
White Bear Lake Public Safety Contract Discussion
City Attorney Kevin Beck wrote a letter to White Bear Lake and has yet to hear anything back. Up to this
point the City of Gem Lake has paid the principal and are asking to discuss the options for paying the
interest. White Bear Township has also sent a letter and has not heard back. City Attorney Kevin Beck will
reach out for an update.
Code Enforcement Issues Discussion
City Attorney Kevin Beck shared that the property owner has hired an attorney and has filed some exhibits.
These exhibits include pictures from neighboring properties with what they consider to be code violations.
The homeowner feels as though they are being targeted because of their religious materials. The
homeowner is open to letting the City Building Official do an inspection as part of the rental license.
Current Development Projects
Mayor Artig-Swomley shared that KIA is moving along with the new building, but they have been needing
some coaching along the way to ensure the correct permits are being pulled and what documents are
required before proceeding. The city and staff are helping as much as possible.
There is a company that has approached the city about wanting to put a carwash at 61 and County Road E.
This type of development is not currently allowed in the city’s comp plan. The Mayor and the City Planner
met with the company recently to discuss their plan. While it is not currently permitted, it doesn’t mean
they can’t apply and try.
New Business
MS4 Discussion
The city missed holding the required MS4 public hearing for 2024. It was suggested that a public hearing
be scheduled earlier in the year 2025 to go over both 2024 and 2025.
Boiler Quotes
The boiler at Heritage Hall needs replacement. It is no longer safe to continue to operate. The City Clerk
obtained quote from Corporate Mechanical in the amount of $14,485.00, and from Kraft Mechanical in the
amount of $13,975.00. Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to approve the quote from Kraft
Mechanical in the amount of $13,975.00, seconded by Councilmember Amlee. Motion carried 4-0.
The City of Gem Lake currently uses Corporate Mechanical as its HVAC Maintenance company, but the
service has not been the greatest as of lately. The City Clerk requested a quote from Kraft Mechanical,
City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes December 17, 2024 4
which is also used by White Bear Township. The Township is happy with the service they receive, and the
City Clerk thinks it would be a good idea to keep contractors the same as much as possible since Heritage
Hall is also used and owned by the Township. The quote for service is similar to what the city currently
pays Corporate Mechanical. Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to accept the quote from Kraft
Mechanical to take over as the new HVAC Maintenance company for Heritage Hall, seconded by
Councilmember Amlee. Motion carried 4-0.
2025 Fee Schedule Updates Approval
A few changes to the fee schedule to take place in 2025 include utility (water, sewer, septic) fees and
adding a section for stormwater permits. Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to approve the fee
schedule changes for 2025, seconded by Councilmember Johnson. Motion carried 4-0.
2025 Meeting Schedule
City Clerk Meliss Lawrence shared the 2025 meeting schedule with the Council. Councilmember Lindner
introduced a motion to approve the 2025 meeting schedule, seconded by Councilmember Johnson. Motion
carried 4-0.
2025 COLA Discussion
City Treasurer Tom Kelly presented the Council with the numbers for the federal COLA for 2025. An
increase of 2.5% is being suggested. Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to approve the 2.5%
COLA increase effective January 1, 2025, seconded by Councilmember Johnson. Motion carried 4-0.
Clerk Training
University of Minnesota Annual Institute of Building Officials – Permit Technicians –
1/13/2025
ICC Region III Upper Great Plains – 2/12/2025
Training is available for the City Clerk to attend in January and February 2025. Councilmember
Lindner introduced a motion to approve the training for the City Clerk, seconded by
Councilmember Amlee. Motion carried 4-0.
Future Charitable Gambling Donations
White Bear Lake Emergency Food Shelf
Mayor Artig-Swomley suggested that the Council donate in January $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 Johnson. Motion carried 4-0.
Community Outreach to Other Cities and Government Bodies
Councilmember Johnson shared that the Corridor committee did not meet, but plan to meet in January 2025 with an
open house. Councilmember Johnson will share that information of the open house when it is scheduled. Mayor
Artig-Swomley asked that members of the Council go and tour the new Community Food Shelf location. City
Attorney Kevin Beck shared that Vadnais Heights is in the process of briefing their appeal for the DNR lawsuit and
will address Gem Lakes request after that.
Presentation from the Public, 2 Minutes Maximum
None
Open Items for Council Members to Bring Up
None
Future Council Meetings
City Council, Tuesday, January 21, 2025. City Council Workshop, Monday, January 13, 2025, is CANCELED.
City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes December 17, 2024 5
Attendance Inquiry
At this time all in attendance will be at the December meeting, with the exception of Councilmember
Amlee.
Adjournment
Being there no further business, following a motion from Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember
Amlee, the meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Melissa Lawrence