HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025 06-17 City Council Meeting MinutesCity of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes June 17, 2025 1
City of Gem Lake
City Council Meeting – June 17, 2025
Meeting Minutes
Mayor Gretchen Artig-Swomley called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilmembers Jim Lindner, Len
Cacioppo, Ben Johnson and Joshua Patrick were present. Also present: City Attorney Martin Norder, City Treasurer
Tom Kelly, City Engineer Justin Gese, SEH Project Manager Dustin Cesafsky, and Acting City Clerk Melissa
Lawrence.
June 17, 2025, Agenda
A motion was introduced by Councilmember Linder to accept the agenda, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo.
Motion carried 5-0.
Minutes
A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo to approve the May
20, 2025, City Council Meeting minutes. Motion carried 5-0.
A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo to accept the June 10,
2025, Planning Commission Meeting Minutes. Motion carried 5-0.
Special Presentations/Public Hearings
None
Consent Agenda
Resolution #2025-018 June 2025 Donation to White Bear Lake Area Food Shelf
Monthly Financial Report(s)
Claims
All items on the consent agenda were reviewed by the Council. Councilmember Lindner introduced a
motion to approve all the items listed on the consent agenda, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo.
Motion carried 5-0.
Committee Reports
Planning Commission Chair Don Cummings summarized for the council the revisions that are being made to the
Consolidated Land Use Ordinance and what the commission is going to work on doing to fix the attendance issues
of commission members at the monthly meetings. The Sewer and Water Ordinances are being pushed through for
approval of the suggested changes. He also shared that Mayor Artig-Swomley gave the commission a report on the
meeting she had with the Met Council.
Old Business
Newsletter Updates / Topics / Suggestions
Some topics for the next newsletter would include the Corridor Project, a summary of the Public Safety
visits, the KIA Dealership, the first turkey hunt and the 3rd stormwater article written by Jim Lindner.
Code Enforcement Issues Discussion
Progress is being made to clear up existing code enforcement issues. It was also brought to the attention of
the city that there is a rental property that is not licensed. The City Clerk will look into this.
Potential Water System Funding / Planning
Resolution #2025-019 2026 Bonding Bill Request
The bonding bill request was submitted to the state for 2026. A resolution approving the request is
needed to go along with the submission. Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to approve
the resolution, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Motion carried 5-0.
City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes June 17, 2025 2
SEH Engineering Proposal
City Engineer Justin Gese and SEH Project Manager Dustin Cesafsky summarized the engineering
proposal and the timeline. A study was completed in 2022 and the main area that will be focused
on is the priority level 1 area. Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to approve the
engineering proposal from SEH, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Motion carried 5-0.
New Business
Councilmember Head Shots for Website Discussion
Mayor Artig-Swomley informed the council that a photographer would be coming to take head shots before
the July 15 meeting. Discussion on the suggested clothing took place and asked that everyone show up an
hour before the City Council meeting for pictures. All Council Members were available to come early for
pictures that day.
Ordinance No. 64F, 129, and 131 Report
Mayor Artig-Swomley shared that the Planning Commission reviewed the Ordinances and are
recommending approval of 64F and 129 to the Council. The Commission would like a little more time to
go over 131. Mayor Artig-Swomley informed the Council that a public hearing would need to be held
before 64F and 129 can be accepted. The public hearing will be held at the July City Council meeting.
Future Charitable Gambling Donations
White Bear Lake Emergency Food Shelf
Mayor Artig-Swomley suggested that the Council make a donation in July in the amount of
$1,500.00 to the White Bear Lake Emergency Food Shelf. Councilmember Lindner introduced a
motion to request a donation in the amount of $1500.00 for the White Bear Lake Emergency Food
Shelf, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Motion carried 5-0.
Community Outreach to Other Cities and Government Bodies
Mayor Artig-Swomley shared that Gem Lake is still in communication with Vadnais Heights on what can be done to
help with the water bills in the Villas. City Engineer Justin Gese will be meeting with Vadnais Heights Public
Works to see if any progress can be made.
Presentations from the Public, 2 Minutes Maximum
None
Open Items for Council Members to Bring Up
None
Future Council Meetings
City Council, Tuesday, July 15, 2025. City Council Workshop, Monday, July 14, 2025, is CANCELED.
Attendance Inquiry
At this time all Councilmembers in attendance will be at the June meeting.
Adjournment
Being there no further business, following a motion from Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember
Cacioppo, the meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Melissa Lawrence