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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 10-21 CC MinutesMinutes of Gem Lake City Council meeting, October 21, 2014 Mayor Uzpen called the meeting to order at 7:01PM Present: Mayor Uzpen, Council members Lindner, Artig-Swomley, Kuny, and Bosak. Others in attendance were Justin Gese, Heidi Peper, Patrick Kelly, Planning Commission chair Ben Johnson, Carol Schacht, Ryan Podewils, Bonnie Parenteau, Kellyanne Krier, Charles Bill, and Luke Morancey. October agenda Mayor Uzpen asked for additions to the September agenda. Motion by Bosak and seconded by Artig- Swomley, the agenda was approved 5-0. September City Council minutes Upon a motion by Artig-Swomley and seconded by Bosak, the September city council minutes were approved by a vote of 5-0, with one correction to a misspelled name. August Planning Commission minutes Upon a motion by Artig-Swomley and seconded by Lindner, the August Planning Commission meeting minutes were accepted with corrections to misspelled names by a vote of 5-0. Committee reports – Ben Johnson provided an report of the October 7, 2014 Gem Lake Planning Commission. The meeting included recommending for City Council approval changes to Ordinance 107A (the “Gateway” ordinance) and to Ordinance 69 on the keeping of dogs. Gateway Ordinance 107A will become 107B and Appendix A “non-conforming business uses” is added. Ordinance 69 is amended to exempt service dogs from the total number of dogs a property may own. Per the Americans with Disabilities Act, service dogs are not considered pets. Ordinance 69 now reflects this language. Old business City newsletter for December, 2014. Several topics including changes to Ordinance 107 and 69, and update on the Phase II environmental study, a possible profile of Nelson Marine, the upcoming general election results, 2014 city accomplishments, and an update on city water and redevelopment are all potential topics for the next city newsletter edition. Public Hearings Ordinance 70C, mayor and city council pay. Increases to the mayors’ and city council pay to take effect January 1, 2015 are the subject of this public hearing. Mayor Uzpen opened the hearing at 7:21. Carol Schacht, 1201 Little Fox Lane, and Bonnie Parenteau both voiced support for increasing the mayor and council pay. Mayor Uzpen closed the hearing at 7:24. General discussion followed. Resolution 2014-17 offered by Lindner and seconded by Artig-Swomley to increase mayors’ salary to $2400/year and council salary to $1200/year. Resolution 2014-17 was approved by a vote of 5-0. New Business Resolution 2014-12. Upon a motion by Artig-Swomley and seconded by Lindner, the council voted 5-0 to approved resolution 2014-12 authorizing the city to include delinquent city sewer fees to the property tax statements of those who have not paid their fees. Resolution 2014-13. Upon a motion by Artig-Swomley and seconded by Lindner, the council voted 5-0 to assess delinquent fire inspection fees onto the property tax statement to those who have not paid their fees. Resolution 2014-14. Upon motion by Lindner and seconded by Artig-Swomley, the council voted 5-0 to assess delinquent septic inspection fees onto the property tax statement of those who have not paid their fees. Resolution 2014-16. Upon a motion by Lindner and seconded by Artig-Swomley, the council voted 5-0 to award the 2014-15 city snow plowing contract to TA Schifsky and Sons, Inc. with clarity on plowing expectations. Resolution 2014-18. Heidi Peper of SEH recommended the city council not approve resolution 2014-18 due to a stipulation that the grant considered in this resolution would require the city participate in a Metropolitan Council “Livable Communities” program that she only learned of within the past week. The council needs more time to study this requirement. Upon a motion by Lindner and seconded by Artig-Swomley, the council voted 5-0 to table resolution 2014-18 until its November council meeting. Discussion then focused on the Phase II study currently underway, which is related to the possibility of Gem Lake working to introduce city water to portions of the business district. Mayor Uzpen broadened the subject to include a general discussion of this overall project as it relates to possible redevelopment of certain parcels in the Gateway District. Many factors will be considered before any project is formalized including design, the bidding process, state laws relating to assessments and public hearings and involvement, construction processes, bond issuance, other means of financing, and the time table first illustrated on a flow chart developed by Justin Gese of SEH. Heidi continued the discussion to include the possibility of applying for a low interest loan through the Public Facilities Authority (PFA) and what such a process may involve. Resolution 2014-19. Upon a motion by Artig-Swomley and seconded by Lindner, the council voted 5-0 to approve Resolution 2014-19 which renames Ordinance 107A to 107B and adds language in Appendix A on non-conforming business uses. The October claims were approved 5-0 after a motion by Lindner which was seconded by Bosak. Mayor Uzpen presented the October financial report. Presentations from the public Carol Schacht, 1201 Little Fox Lane expressed concerns about deer in her yard. Deer are eating vegetation which is causing financial harm to her, they are creating health concerns and impacting quality of life for her family, and are a potential safety issue for children in her yard. Council member Artig-Swomley committed to drafting a message to Mayor Uzpen to ask that Ramsey County include Gem Lake in its next deer survey count. There followed a general discussion about deer and Ramsey County’s procedures for addressing deer-related concerns. Presentations from the council – Council member Artig-Swomley related events in her and a neighbors’ yard recently where a young lady apparently spent several hours and possibly overnight somewhere on Artig-Swomley’s property. She informed the council that she notified the sheriff’s office who eventually responded to her call. Adjourn There being no further business upon motion by Lindner and seconded by Bosak, Mayor Uzpen adjourned the meeting at 8:47PM after a council vote of 5-0.