HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021 01-19 CC MinutesCity of Gem Lake City Council meeting minutes January 19, 2021 Page 1
City of Gem Lake
City Council Meeting – January 19, 2021
Meeting Minutes
Acting Mayor Artig-Swomley called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilmembers Amlee, Cacioppo,
and Johnson were present. Also present: Justin Gese, City Engineer, Emily Jennings, S.E.H., City Attorney
Patrick Kelly, and a number of call-ins not identified.
Swearing in of New Councilmembers and Mayor
Acting City Clerk Gloria Tessier swore in the new councilmembers Amlee, Johnson and Mayor Artig Swomley.
January 19, 2021, Agenda
Mayor Artig-Swomley stated that the agenda needs to be modified with the addition of voting on a CUP
for an accessory structure and the addition of the police and fire contract documents. A motion was
made by Councilmember Cacioppo, seconded by Councilmember Amlee to approve the agenda with the
items added, Voice vote taken, all voted yes, motion passes. Agenda approved.
Minutes
A motion was made by Councilmember Cacioppo, seconded by Councilmember Amlee to approve the
December 15, 2020, City Council minutes. Voice vote taken, all voted yes, motion passes, minutes
approved.
Committee Reports – Planning Commission
Commissioner Johnson gave an overview of the Planning Commission meeting on January 5th, 2021.
The commission discussed accessory structure building heights changing the height to 25 feet in the
executive residential district and 20 feet in the remaining zones. Discussed a variance and CUP for an
accessory structure located on XXX Goose Lake Road, commission voted to deny the variance because it
didn’t meet any practice difficulties. The planning commission approved the CUP. Councilmember
Amlee asked if this application was to avoid an RV sitting in the driveway. Yes, stated Commissioner
Johnson. Councilmember Amlee liked the idea.
Old Business
Newsletter finished and ready to go. Next issue, goals for 2021, article on Councilmember Amlee.
Public Hearing – None
New Business
Scheuneman Road – Storm Water Proposal – Emily Jennings, Justin Gese, S.E.H.
Ms. Jennings discussed drainage and culverts on Scheuneman Road, an unusual amount of snow in the
spring of 2019 caused some minor flooding. Discussed proposal for Scheuneman Road in the residential
district. A vote was taken, all members voted yes, council voted to accept the proposal.
MS4 Report Update- Emily Jenings, S.E.H.
Ms. Jennings discussed the MS4 report, provided an overview of the report and the new requirements
that have been added. Councilmember Cacioppo made a motion to accept the report, seconded, by
Councilmember Amlee. Motion passes, MS4 report accepted.
City of Gem Lake City Council meeting minutes January 19, 2021 Page 2
Developers Agreement Update – Gem Lake Villas – Justin Gese, S.E.H.
Agreement in a holding pattern, trees and some new reseeding needs to be take place in the spring,
2021. Treetrust, who will be planting the trees from the Water Gremlin Agreement, will coordinate with
planter from the Gem Lake Villas.
Goals for 2021 – Mayor Artig-Swomley
Mayor Artig-Swomley gave an overview of the goals for 2021. Councilmember Cacioppo made a motion
to accept the goals, Councilmember Johnson seconded. Motion passed. Goals accepted for 2021.
Code of Conduct/Conflict of Interest Discussion
Mayor Artig-Swomley gave an overview of the code of conduct/conflict of interest document.
Councilmember Amlee made a motion to approve the code of conduct form, Councilmember Cacioppo
seconded, form approved. Discussion continued about the conflict of interest document, drafted for
the City of Taylor Falls, Councilmember Cacioppo made a motion to accept the document, deleting all
references to Taylors Falls, changing to City of Gem Lake and deleted the last paragraph, Councilmember
Johnson seconded. Conflict of interest accepted with changes. Mayor Artig-Swomley asked the council
and planning commission to sign the document and email it to the City Clerk.
Meeting Protocol
Reviewed the Meeting Protocol, Roberts Rules of Order, 7:00 p.m., third Tuesday of each month,
meeting location Heritage Hall, 4200 Otter Lake Road, follow the protocol guidelines set forth on July 18,
2017.
Police and Fire Contract Addendum 2021
A motion was made by Councilmember Cacioppo, seconded by Councilmember Amlee to continue fire
services with the City of White Bear Lake. Police contract is not signed yearly and continues. Motion
passes, Police and Fire contract addendum approved.
Discussion on Accessory Structure Ordinance Change Protocols
A motion was made by Councilmember Cacioppo, seconded by Councilmember Johnson to approve the
CUP application for XXXX Goose Lake Road. Motion passes. The council discussed accessory structure
building heights changing the height to 25 feet in the executive residential district and 20 feet in the
remaining zones. A motion was made by Councilmember Amlee, seconded by Councilmember Johnson
to approve the changes to ordinance 131, accessory structure heights. Motion passes.
Zoning Administrator Position
Council agreed to appoint Tom Riedesel, White Bear Township Planner as the zoning administrator for
the City of Gem Lake.
Code Enforcement Officer Position
In 2021 the city will be hiring a code enforcement officer. Salary schedule and hours of work to be
decided.
Zoning Compliance Permit Application – Cypher Side, 1591 County Road E, 1601 County Road E
1591 County Road E has applied to have a dance studio at this location. Business is acceptable within
the parameters of the ordinance, will have merchandise available for sale. 1601 County Road E, possible
purchase in process.
City of Gem Lake City Council meeting minutes January 19, 2021 Page 3
Resolution 2021-001 2021 Appointments
A motion was made by Councilmember Cacioppo, second by Councilmember Amlee to approve the
2021 appointments with the following changes: change the backup Mayor to Vice Mayor; data practices
responsible authority to Kelly and Lemons; Emergency Services Director – vacant; Zoning Administrator:
Tom Riedesel, White Bear Township. Motion approved.
Resolution 2021-002 – Appointments of Planning Commission Members
A motion was made by Councilmember Amlee, seconded by Councilmember Johnson to approve the
appointment of Stephanie Farrell and Joshua Patrick to the Gem Lake Planning Commission. Motion
approved.
Resolution 2021-003 - Annual Rate Structure for Services Provided by White Bear Township
A motion was made by Councilmember Cacioppo, seconded by Councilmember Johnson to table the
item until the February, 2021, City Council meeting.
Approval of Change to 2021 Fee Schedule – Liquor License Fee
A motion was made by Councilmember Johnson, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo to invoice
liquor license fees on a quarterly basis. A vote was taken, all yes, Councilmember Amlee abstained.
Motion passes.
Claims
A motion was made by Councilmember Cacioppo, seconded by Councilmember Amlee to approve the
claims for January, 2021. A voice vote was taken, all voted yes. Motion passes.
Monthly Financials
Approved
Presentations from Public
Dave Woods, resident of Villas of Gem Lake, requested a review of the city sewer and water rates for
the Villas of Gem Lake.
Councilmembers
February, 2021, meeting will be virtual.
Next Meetings/Workshop
City Council, Tuesday, February 16, 2021, Workshop, February 8, 2021, cancelled
Adjournment
Being there no further business, following a motion from Councilmember Cacioppo, seconded by
Councilmember Amlee, the meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Gloria Tessier.