HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022 06-21 CC MinutesCity of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes March 15, 2022 1 | Page
City of Gem Lake
City Council Meeting – June 21, 2022
Meeting Minutes
Mayor Gretchen Artig-Swomley called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Councilmembers Len Cacioppo, Laurel
Amlee, Ben Johnson and Jim Lindner were present. Also present: City Attorney Patrick Kelly, Acting City Clerk
Melissa Lawrence, Planning Commission Chair Don Cummings, and residents Rick Bosak, Nick Cress and Sharon
Roland.
June 21, 2022 Agenda
A motion was made 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 made by Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo to approve the May 17,
2022, City Council Meeting Minutes. Voice vote taken, all voted yes, motion passes, minutes approved.
A motion was made by Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo to accept the June 14,
2022, Planning Commission Meeting Minutes. Voice vote taken, all voted yes, motion passes, minutes accepted.
Committee Reports – Planning Commission
Planning Commission Chair Don Cummings gave a report of the Planning Commission meeting on June 14, 2022.
The Commission recommended approval of the Comprehensive Plan to the City Council. Also discussed was how
the City can maintain the small town environment, creating and maintaining high quality building throughout, and
would like to see what can become of Hoffman’s Corner area in the future.
Mayor Artig-Swomley suggested to the Commission that the City needs a better defined list of permitted uses within
the Gateway District and that a couple Ordinances throughout the year should be reviewed for any possible changes.
Old Business
Mayor Artig-Swomley shared the final draft of the July newsletter with the Council and asked for final suggestions
before it gets sent to the printer. The Council thought it looked good, but wanted to add a little blurb about recycling.
The Mayor also stated that she would like to get another Newsletter out in early August. Some suggestions for the
August Newsletter could include a lead story on recycling contractors, invitation and information about the water
summit, a pollinator article and a mention of the scholarship winners.
New Business
Approval of 2040 Comprehensive Plan
Mayor Artig-Swomley shared that the 2040 Comprehensive Plan has gone through its final review process with the
Metropolitan Council and is complete with the exception of the one edit already agreed upon concerning addition of
the small Gem Lake trail. The plan now needs to be accepted by the City of Gem Lakes City Council by Resolution.
Resolution #2022-0014 Adoption of 2040 Comprehensive Plan
The motion for adoption of the foregoing Resolution with the exception of the one edit already agreed upon
concerning the new City trail was introduced by Councilmember Lindner and seconded by Councilmember
Cacioppo, and upon vote being taken thereon, the Resolution passed with a vote of 5 in favor and 0 against.
Garden Overlay Interim Use Permit
Bryan Hansen submitted an application for renewal of an Interim Use Permit to have a garden on County Road E.
Mayor Artig-Swomley suggested the Council approve the application based on the same requirements set from the
initial application. Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to approve the Interim Use Permit based on the
already agreed upon conditions, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Voice vote taken, all voted yes, motion
passes, Interim Use Permit is approved.
City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes March 15, 2022 2 | Page
Luther Cadillac Project – Update
Luther states that they are on schedule and have obtained their MnDOT permit and now have the access from
Highway 61. Councilmember Amlee stated that they have been very good with communication informing them of
the type of work being completed, and if there is anything that the nearby residents can do to prepare for the work
being done, such as removing items from their walls temporarily.
Gem Lake Infrastructure Issues
Stormwater Discharge and Pipeline License Update – Patrick Kelly
City Attorney Patrick Kelly stated that an agreement was made between the City and Ramsey County
where the City is responsible for 75% of the cost and the County is responsible for 25%. The railroad
company is allowing the City’s insurance through the League of Minnesota Cities for this project and is not
requiring the City to purchase additional insurance. The license fee is still being negotiated, the last offer
the City made was for $100.00.
Well and Municipal Water Update
Mayor Artig-Swomley has reached out to the MPCA to see if they have been able to track any of the
contamination to a certain area. At this time there is nothing to report. A water summit will be held in
September to discuss possible installation of a municipal water system. August 8 will be a planning
meeting for the water summit.
Gem Lake City Street Inventory of Current Conditions
White Bear Township Public Works Director Dale Reed compiled a list of the City streets and rated each
one using the Townships rating structure. On a scale of 1-5 he rated the City of Gem Lakes streets a 3.2.
City Engineer Justin Gese reviewed the evaluation and included some input. This document will help the
City in constructing the budget for 2023. Reed made various suggestions for future road maintenance.
Mayor Artig-Swomley suggested the City accept the report and submit it to City Treasurer Tom Kelly.
Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to accept the evaluation, seconded by Councilmember
Cacioppo. Voice vote taken, all voted yes, motion passes, evaluation is accepted.
Gem Lake Trail Update
Hansen Builders is on the line for another year for seeding and the City will continue to use their contractor
before the City’s money is used to cover to cost. Some of the trees that were planted have died and are
under warranty. The tree trust will be responsible for replacing those dead trees.
Mayor Artig-Swomley requested a quote from Public Works for the cost of a new bench. The bench would
be just like the other one but the engraving would state “In Memory of Mayor Henry Hoffman” honoring
Gem Lakes first Mayor. The bench would be placed along the public trail. A quote in the amount of
$1.178.50 was received, not including the price of installation.
Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to approve the bid but not to exceed $3000.00 total cost
including installation, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Voice vote taken, all voted yes, motion
passes, bench quote is approved.
Corporate Mechanical Air Conditioning Element Quote
The air conditioner that cools the back offices of the building needs the hot gas valve to be replaced in
order to function properly. A quote in the amount of $2,395.00 plus any additional repairs found to be
needed upon startup was received. This would be a cost shared with White Bear Township.
Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to accept the quote from Corporate Mechanical to repair the
air conditioner unit, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Voice vote taken, all voted yes, motion passes,
Corporate Mechanical quote has been accepted.
City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes March 15, 2022 3 | Page
Recycling Hauler Discussion
The City has experienced 8 late pickups out of the last 10 scheduled pickups from the City\s contracted
hauler Waste Management. Either certain portions of the City are missed all together or the pickup date
gets pushed back day after day. Acting City Clerk Melissa Lawrence is going to begin exploring other
options. The City is currently on a month to month plan with Waste Management and is not under contract.
This process could end up costing triple the price the City is currently paying to be put under a contract
again, but being under contract could potentially bring better service. Other haulers are being looked at
also.
Internal Management
City of Gem Lake Facebook Page Update
The City Facebook page is up and running and has a few followers already. The Facebook page will be
used to post about City events, educational information, and informing the City of potential issues such as
the recycling pickups.
City Wide Clean Up Event May 21 Report
The City Cleanup event went well. There were a few volunteers from the City that came to get heavy duty bags to
clean up the City. There was a hotdog cookout afterwards which had very few attendees. The City may decide to
only do the cleanup every other year or think of better ways to advertise.
The second part of the event “Trash to Treasure” went well. Many residents brought items down to the end of their
driveway with free signs. This portion of the event will most likely be repeated each year.
Adopt Targets Picketing Ordinance No. 138
Councilmember Lindner shared information regarding targeted picketing with Acting City Clerk Melissa Lawrence,
who then shared it with the Council. An ordinance was created on the topic and Mayor Artig-Swomley is suggesting
the Council adopt Ordinance No. 138.
Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 138 on Targeted Picketing, seconded by
Councilmember Cacioppo. Voice vote taken, all voted yes, motion passes, Ordinance No. 138 is adopted.
Charitable Gambling Donations
Mayor-Artig-Swomley suggested a $1000.00 donation to the White Bear Lake Area Food Shelf to be approved at
this meeting. The Mayor also suggested that for the July 19 City Council meeting that a donation in the amount of
$1500.00 be made to the White Bear Lake Area Food Shelf and at the August 16 City Council meeting a donation of
school supplies to Willow Lane Elementary.
Resolution #2022-0015 June 2022 Donation to White Bear Lake Area Food Shelf
The motion for adoption of the foregoing Resolution was introduced by Councilmember Lindner and
seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo, and upon vote being taken thereon, the Resolution passed with a
vote of 5 in favor and 0 against.
Community Outreach to Other Cities and Government Bodies
Mayor Artig-Swomley stated that a Ramsey County representative will join us to discuss emergency management
procedures at the July Council meeting. She also let those in attendance know that there will be a meeting on June
29th to discuss the Villas water billing. This meeting will include Gem Lake Villas representatives, City Attorney
Patrick Kelly, the Mayor and Acting City Clerk Melissa Lawrence. The Mayor has also been in contact with the
White Bear Lake Chief of Police and requested that she join a meeting in September or October and give a report.
Purple Line is in the process of trying to figure out new routes after not being allowed to go through White Bear
Lake. Mayor Artig-Swomley and Councilmember Cacioppo suggested that the Council come up with a response to
other suggested routes. After some discussion, it was agreed route termination at Maplewood Transit Center was
preferred.
City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes March 15, 2022 4 | Page
Claims
Councilmember Lindner made a motion to pay the bills, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo Voice vote taken,
all voted yes, motion passes, and bills will be paid.
Monthly Financial Report
Financials were not submitted and will be reviewed at the July City Council meeting.
Presentations from the public, 2 minutes maximum
Residents in attendance had no comments or questions.
Open Items for Council Members to Bring Up
Council had no additional comments or questions.
Future Council Meetings
City Council, Tuesday July 19, 2022, Workshop, Monday July 11, 2022 CANCELED.
Adjournment
Being there no further business, following a motion from Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember
Cacioppo, the meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Melissa Lawrence