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City of Gem Lake City Council meeting minutes – Tuesday, June 16, 2015 Page 1
City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 16, 2015, 7:00 p.m.
Heritage Hall, 4200 Otter Lake Road, Gem Lake
Mayor Uzpen called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Councilmembers Artig-Swomley, Bosak,
Kuny and Lindner were present. Others in attendance: Justin Gese and Ron Leaf, S.E.H., City
Attorney Patrick Kelly, Chris Knopik, CliftonLarsonAllen, City Finance Director Tom Kelly,
members of the community and business district, Sally Ackerman, SGS Holdings; John
Birkeland, White Bear Floral; Ron Bartosch, Second Hand Tools; Gina Fiorini, Kennedy &
Graven; Giogi Gochitashvili, SGS Holdings; Steve Osterkamp, Summit Mini Storage, Janna
Severance, Presbyterian Homes; and Sheila Waldoch, Moldings, Doors & More.
June 16, 2015, Agenda
A motion was made by Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember Artig-Swomley
to approve the agenda. Motion passed.
City Council Meeting Minutes, May 19, 2015
A motion was made by Councilmember Artig-Swomley, seconded by Councilmember Linder to
accept the minutes from the May 19, 2015, City Council meeting with no changes. Motion
passed.
Special City Council Meeting Minutes, May 12, 2015
A motion was made by Councilmember Artig-Swomley, seconded by Councilmember Lindner
to accept the Special City Council meeting minutes for May 12, 2015, with no changes. Motion
passed.
Committee Report
None
Old Business
Newsletter – Possible articles – profile of June/July Artisan Home Tour, update on water, dog
license reminder, audit, contribution to Willow Lane, St. Andrews project, 35E closing authored
by Councilmember Lindner, Vadnais Heights cell tower location and information, seal coating.
City of Gem Lake City Council meeting minutes – Tuesday, June 16, 2015 Page 2
New Business
MS4 Report
Ron Leaf, from S.E.H. presented the results of the City of Gem Lake NPDES Phase II Storm
water Permit MS4 Program. The public comment period is open from now till June 29, 2015.
Councilmember Lindner reminded residents of Gem Lake and other communities that are
within the watershed district that WLAMO has a cost sharing program on rain
gardens/landscape grants and will reimburse residents up to $1,000 on an approved project.
Mayor Uzpen opened the public hearing on MS4 report at 7:22 p.m., no public comments were
made. Upon motion by Councilmember Artig-Swomley, seconded by Councilmember Bosak,
the public hearing was closed at 7:24 p.m.
Public Hearing – Extension of Water from Along County Road E between Hoffman Road
East in White Bear Lake and Scheuneman Road in Gem Lake by the City of Gem Lake in
2015 pursuit to Minn Stat § 429.011 to 429.11.
Justin Gese of S.E.H. presented a brief summary of the water extension project. City Attorney
Patrick Kelly provided an overview of the public hearing process. At 7:33 p.m. Mayor Uzpen
opened up the public hearing for comments.
Sally Ackerman, SGS Holdings, stated she was here to learn more about the project. In terms of
whether or not water is necessary she doesn’t believe it is and feels it is fine the way it is. She
didn’t know about the cost effectiveness of the project. Asked how the cost will be allocated,
how many parcels will be assessed? When would be assessment hearing take place? In her
opinion it seems like the small business owners don’t want to do this.
Giogi Gochitashvili, SGS Holdings, asked about possible grant monies from the State.
Sheila Waldoch, Doors, Moldings & More, 3588 Highway 61 North, Gem Lake, asked if S.E.H.
looked at getting water from Vadnais Heights. Why a hydrant at Café Cravings? Feels it’s a
good idea but wants to be mindful that we are struggling businesses and have to consider the
expense of adding water.
Ron Bartosch, Second Hand Tools, 1601 County Road E E, Gem Lake, stated he thought there
was a lot of time and resources spent on a small area of the city. Asked about whether there
was a plan for the area. Was there future plans for water in any other area of the city?
City of Gem Lake City Council meeting minutes – Tuesday, June 16, 2015 Page 3
Steve Osterkamp, Summit Mini Storage, 3716 Scheuneman Road, Gem Lake, Concerned with
the costs, trying to improve his property, concerned about raising rents to offset cost of
improvements.
John Birkeland, White Bear Floral, 3550 Hoffman Road, Gem Lake. Important to have water for
protection from a fire, a business isn’t like a home, solvents etc. are stored at a business. Stated
the example of the recent fire in Lino Lakes with Burgess Greenhouses. Fire services had to
truck water in by pumper, no city water was available to fight the fire thereby considerable
more damage was done to the property.
Justin Gese/Councilmember responses: Assessment is determined by size of acreage, about
thirty parcels will be assessed, the eastside of Highway 61 (the whole business district). The
assessment hearing will be held in mid-September. Yes, but the proximity and quality
presented concerns (Vadnais Heights water). A hydrant at Café Cravings is to create an air
release. The city does have a comprehensive plan which is available for viewing at the City
offices. There is a specific step by step process that the city is dictated by law to follow.
A motion was made by Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember Artig-Swomley
to close the public hearing. Motion passed, public hearing was closed at 8:20 p.m.
A motion was made by Councilmember Artig-Swomley, seconded by Councilmember Lindner
to approve the final feasibility report. Motion passed.
Resolution 2015-09, resolution to order the preparation of the plans and specs for the
installation of water in the Hoffman/Scheuneman/County Road E area in the City of Gem
Lake
A motion was made by Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember Bosak to
approve Resolution 2015-09. Voice vote taken – five yes responses. Motion approved.
Public Hearing for the issuance and sale of senior housing revenue refunding notes series
2015, and authorizing the execution of documents relating thereto (St. Andrew’s Village
Project) Series 2005 and financing certain other costs Resolution 2015-10.
Gina Fiorini, Kennedy & Graven presented a brief overview the process. Mayor Uzpen opened
the public hearing for comment at 8:29 p.m. No comments from the public. A motion was
made by Councilmember Artig-Swomley, seconded by Councilmember Bosak to close the
public hearing. Public hearing was closed at 8:30 p.m. A motion was made by Councilmember
Bosak, seconded by Councilmember Artig-Swomley to approve resolution 2015-10. Motion
approved.
City of Gem Lake City Council meeting minutes – Tuesday, June 16, 2015 Page 4
Resolution 2015-11 – Willow Lane Elementary School
A motion was made by Councilmember Artig-Swomley, seconded by Councilmember Lindner
to authorize the City Treasurer to distribute a portion of the gambling funds ($3,000) to Willow
Lane Elementary School. Motion passed.
New Business
CliftonLarsonAllen Audit Report
Chris Knopik from Clifton, Larson and Allen gave an overview of the City of Gem Lake’s
financial statement for year-end 2014.
Claims for June, 2015
A motion was made by Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember Artig-Swomley
to approve the claims for the month of June, 2015. Motion passed.
Presentations from the Public
Justin Gese, S.E.H. informed the council that the neighborhood meeting scheduled for July 9,
2015, will be moved to September 22, 2015. This doesn’t change the final outcome of the project,
it is just moving the meeting.
Councilmember Artig-Swomley asked that the tax role be compared to the current newsletter
list. Gloria Tessier will make the additions/changes.
The City Council Workshop scheduled for July 13, 2015, will be cancelled. Next City Council
meeting will be Tuesday, July 21, 2015.
Adjournment
Being there no other business a motion was made by Councilmember Lindner, seconded by
Councilmember Artig-Swomley to close the meeting at 8:58 p.m. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted, Gloria Tessier