HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018 09-18 CC MinutesCity of Gem Lake City Council meeting minutes September 18, 2018 Page 1
City of Gem Lake
City Council Meeting – September 18, 2018
Meeting Minutes
Mayor Uzpen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilmembers Artig-Swomley, Cacioppo and Kuny
were present. Councilmember Lindner was absent (excused). Others in attendance: City Attorney Patrick
Kelly, City Engineer Justin Gese, City Finance Director Tom Kelly, City Planner Tom Riedesel, Laurel Amlee,
John Birkeland, Ron Bartosh, Representative Becker-Finn, Jill Bellis (?), Rick Bosak, D. Cummings(?), Betsy
DeFabio, Craig Edmunds, Paul Emeott, Todd Engen, Tom and Mary Estrem, Dennis, Olson, Peter Oswald, Greg
Rick, Don and Sheila Waldoch, Jeannie Witzel and an unnamed reporter from the White Bear Press.
September 18, 2018, Agenda
A motion was made by Councilmember Artig-Swomley, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo to
approve the agenda, motion passed. Agenda approved.
Minutes
A motion was made by Councilmember Artig-Swomley, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo to
approve the August 8, 2018, City Council minutes. Motion passes, minutes approved.
Committee Reports
Planning Commissioner Chair Ben Johnson was not able to attend the meeting for an update on the
planning commission meeting. A summary report of the meeting was distributed. A motion was made
by Councilmember Artig-Swomley, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo to approve the summary
report. Motion passes. Summary report approved.
Newsletter
Budget, boulevard tree update, Coffee with a Cop, Hy-Vee, liquor ordinance, Chief of Police report,
article on how assessments are arrived at (Councilmember Cacioppo to write).
Public Hearing – 2019 Draft Budget – Resolution 2018-24
Finance Officer Tom Kelly presented the draft budget. A motion was made by Councilmember Artig-
Swomley, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo, public hearing was opened at 7:10 p.m. No
comments were made. Councilmember Artig-Swomley made a motion to close the public hearing,
seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo, public hearing was closed at 7:13 p.m. A motion was made by
Councilmember Artig-Swomley, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo to adopt the preliminary budget,
Resolution 2018-24. A vote was called, all councilmembers including Mayor Uzpen voted yes. Motion
passes, resolution approved.
New Business
Presentation – White Bear Lake Police Chief Julie Swanson
Chief Swanson updated the council on the first nine months of services from the White Bear Lake Police
Department to the City of Gem Lake. Body camera, calls for service, DWI staff position, transition from
White Bear Lake dispatch center to the Ramsey County dispatch center and additional mental health
and diversity training were covered.
City of Gem Lake City Council meeting minutes September 18, 2018 Page 2
Presentation – Rush Line – Andrew Gitzlaff and Frank Alarcon, Ramsey County
Mr. Gitzlaff and Mr. Alarcon updated the Council on the $450 million Rush Line Corridor Project. Council
discussed a length many concerns regarding the lack of ridership, lack of benefits to Gem Lake residents,
lack of policing for payment, safety and parking concerns with the station proposed for Highway 61.
Citizens are urged to get involved in the decision making process – rushline.org or info@rushline.org
Resolution 2018-25 Approved Revised Liquor Ordinance Number 9
A motion was made by Councilmember Artig-Swomley, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo to
approve Resolution 2018-25. Motion passes, resolution approved. Councilmember Artig-Swomley,
seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo made a motion to amend the Revised Liquor Ordinance to add a
mead pub to the ordinance. Motion passed.
Resolution 2018-26 City of Gem Lake Tree Policy
A motion was made by Councilmember Artig-Swomley, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo to
approve Resolution 2018-26. Motion passes, resolution approved.
Resolution 2018-27 Approval of Honey Bear Meadery
A motion was made by Councilmember Artig-Swomley, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo to
approve Resolution 2018-27, subject to meeting all open items on the CUP and a parking plan presented
to the City Council, motion passed, resolution approved.
Resolution 2018-28 Annexation –Waldoch Property from Vadnais Heights to Gem Lake
Laurel Amlee discussed her concerns with the easement of Hoffman Road, bus stop parking at
businesses on Hoffman Road and easement on Highway 61. A motion was made by Councilmember
Artig-Swomley, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo to approve Resolution 2018-28, motion passes,
resolution approved.
Resolution 2018-23 Approval of Hy-Vee Development on Hoffman Road
Councilmember Artig-Swomley made a motion to amend the Consolidated Land Use ordinance to
change the section concerning glass from 60% to 35%, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Voice
vote taken, Mayor and Councilmembers Artig-Swomley and Cacioppo yes vote, Councilmember Kuny,
no. Motion passes. Councilmember Artig-Swomley made a motion to approve a minor subdivision for a
25 foot of east bound land for a right-of-way, Councilmember Cacioppo seconded. Motion passed.
Councilmember Artig-Swomley made a motion to approve Resolution 2018-23, subject to conditions on
the CUP and the license agreement with staff editing. Motion passes, resolution approved.
Claims
A motion was made by Councilmember Artig-Swomley, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo to
approve the claims for September. Motion passes. Claims approved.
Open Items/Residents/Councilmember Comments
Representative Becker-Finn gave an overview on a bill on fines in suburban Ramsey County cities, stated
she was here to listen and be a liaison for the city/with county and state agencies. Craig Evans, CarFit,
losing eight spots at the bottom of the lot with property transfer to Hy-Vee, directed to City Planner;
City of Gem Lake City Council meeting minutes September 18, 2018 Page 3
Villas at Gem Lake, discussion about pond filling up naturally; future sidewalk/trail discussion on County
Road E, north side. October City Council meeting discuss future/current trails in the city. 3660
Scheuneman, title report in dispute.
Next Meetings/Workshop
October 9, 2018, cancelled.
Adjournment
Being there no further business, following a motion from Councilmember Artig-Swomley, seconded by
Councilmember Cacioppo, the meeting adjourned at 9:21 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Gloria Tessier.