HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 12-17 CC MinutesCity of Gem Lake City Council meeting minutes, Tuesday, December 15, 2015 Page 1
City of Gem Lake
City Council Meeting – December 15, 2015
Meeting Minutes
Mayor Uzpen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilmembers Artig-Swomley, Bosak, Kuny,
and Lindner were present. Others in attendance: City Engineer, Justin Gese; City Attorney Patrick Kelly,
City Finance Director Tom Kelly, City Zoning/Planner Tom Riedesel. Residents/members of the
community; Paul Emeott, Kim Anderson and two students.
December 15, 2015, Agenda
Information on a letter that was sent to residents from Landmark Development of Minnesota was added
to the Agenda after the monthly financials. A motion was made by Councilmember Jim Lindner,
seconded by Councilmember Artig-Swomley to accept the agenda with the addition. Motion passed.
Minutes
Councilmember Artig-Swomley made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Bosak to approve the
minutes for the November 17, 2015, City Council meeting, motion passed.
Councilmember Lindner made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Artig-Swomley to approve the
minutes for the Special City Council meeting on November 19, 2015, motion passed.
Old Business
Newsletter ideas – January issue will be sent out in mid-January which will include goals and
accomplishments for 2015, status of water project, deer hunt wrap up, winter parking, two new senior
complexes in White Bear Lake, article on false alarms to be charged effective 1/1/2016 per ordinance
#48, all rental properties will be required to obtain a license and inspection 1/1/2016 per ordinance #83,
fee schedule for 2016, Gem Lake Scholarship, and possibly an article by Jim Lindner.
New Business
Resolution 2015-26 – To Reduce the City Debt Levy
Councilmember Artig-Swomley made a motion seconded by Councilmember Lindner to approve
Resolution 2015-26 To Reduce the City Debt Levy. A voice vote was taken, all yes, motion passed.
James Johanning, 3880 Scheuneman Road, update – plan for action for sanitary sewer hook-up
Mr. Johanning was not present to report. Mr. Johanning called the City offices to inform them that he
has yet to hear back from his court trial in regard to whom is responsible for the sanitary sewer hook-up
charges, him or the previous owner. Councilmember Lindner made a motion, seconded by
Councilmember Bosak to table the item for the January 19th, 2016, City Council meeting. Motion
passed. Council requested actual court date from Mr. Johanning. An email will be sent to him
requesting the date.
S.E.H. estimate for sewer installation for Otter Lake Road, the private drive and part of Scheuneman
Road.
Mr. Gese from S.E.H. gave a brief presentation in regard to the costs of a feasibility report. Estimate
costs were $17,200. After a brief discussion, Mayor Uzpen asked the Council to review the information
City of Gem Lake City Council meeting minutes, Tuesday, December 15, 2015 Page 2
further and table the item to the January 19th, 2016, City Council meeting. Councilmember Artig-
Swomley made a motion, Councilmember Kuny seconded to table the feasibility report till the January
19th, 2016, City Council meeting. Motion passed.
White Bear Lake Augmentation concept
Councilmember Lindner and Mr. Gese gave an overview of the Augmentation concept that was
presented at the VLAMO Tech meeting the past week. Mr. Lindner serves on the VLAMO Tech
committee and will keep the council updated with future information.
Update on Water Contract with White Bear Lake
The water contract has been completed, approved and signed by the City of White Bear Lake. The
Mayor and the City Clerk will sign for Gem Lake. Councilmember Lindner made a motion to approve the
water contract, Councilmember Artig-Swomley seconded. Motion approved.
2016 Fee Schedule
A motion was made by Councilmember Artig-Swomley, seconded by Councilmember Lindner to accept
the 2016 Fee Schedule. Motion passed. Noted that the liquor section of the fee schedule will be
finalized at the January 19, 2016, City Council meeting.
Hillcrest Animal Hospital Contract
After a brief discussion about sections of the contract, a motion was made by Councilmember Artig-
Swomley, seconded by Councilmember Kuny to table the Hillcrest Animal Hospital contract till the
January 19th, City Council meeting. Motion passed.
Engagement Letter for the City Audit
A motion was made by Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember Artig-Swomley to approve
the engagement letter with CliftonLarsonAllen. Motion passed.
Claims for December, 2015
A motion was made by Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember Bosak to approve the
claims for December, 2015. Motion passed.
Monthly Financial Reports
Accepted. City Financial Director Tom Kelly agreed to provide a fund balance report with the financials in
future financial reports.
Landmark Developers Project
The City has received information that Landmark Development of Minnesota, will be holding a meeting
at the Vadnais Heights Sports Center on December 17th about their proposed development in the City of
Gem Lake. It was noted that the City of Gem Lake did not receive a formal invitation to this meeting.
No agenda or specifics were given. To clarify what governs this proposed development, Ordinance No.
43, 107 and 58 covers this proposal. However, Ordinance 107 overrules all other ordinances. A
meeting has been proposed to meet with Landmark Development of Minnesota, on December 21, 10:00
City of Gem Lake City Council meeting minutes, Tuesday, December 15, 2015 Page 3
a.m. with Councilmember Kuny, Planning Commission Chair Ben Johnson, Attorney Kelly, Mayor Uzpen
and City Planner Tom Riedesel at Heritage Hall. It was noted that nothing formal has been received by
the City of Gem Lake to date for the proposed development.
Additional items from the City Council
Councilmember Artig-Swomley noted that the Waters of White Bear, which she will be doing a story on
in January, has yet to put information out about their rates, however their Edina website lists 1 bedroom
“homes” rent between $3,000 - $3,700 and two bedrooms $5,400.
Councilmember Kuny will be working on declaring two homes on Daniels Farms Road as historic to be
placed on the historic register.
A brief discussion about a sex offender ordinance took place, tabled till the January 19, 2016, City
Council meeting.
Mayor Uzpen noted that in January, 2016, John Birkeland will be addressing Vadnais Heights about
annexing his property to Gem Lake, noting that he would like to have the car dealership remain in
Vadnais Heights and not annexed to Gem Lake.
Next Meetings
January 11, 2016, 7:00 p.m., City Council workshop – Landmark Development of Minnesota will be on
the Agenda.
January 19, 2016, 7:00 p.m. City Council meeting
Adjournment
Being there no further business, following a motion by Councilmember Lindner, seconded by
Councilmember Bosak, Mayor Uzpen adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Gloria Tessier