HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025 07-15 City Council Meeting MinutesCity of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes July 15, 2025 1
City of Gem Lake
City Council Meeting – July 15, 2025
Meeting Minutes
Mayor Gretchen Artig-Swomley called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilmembers Jim Lindner, Len
Cacioppo, and Joshua Patrick were present. Not present was Councilmember Ben Johnson. Also present: City
Attorney Martin Norder, City Treasurer Tom Kelly, Planning Commission Chair Don Cummings, Acting City Clerk
Melissa Lawrence and residents Tom Hoffman, Jim Wilson and Paul Emeott.
July 15, 2025, Agenda
A motion was introduced by Councilmember Linder to accept the agenda, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo.
Motion carried 4-0.
Minutes
A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo to approve the June
17, 2025, City Council Meeting minutes. Motion carried 4-0.
A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo to accept the July 8,
2025, Planning Commission Meeting Minutes. Motion carried 4-0.
Special Presentations/Public Hearings
Municipal Water and Sewer Ordinances Public Hearing
Mayor Artig-Swomley gave a summary of the City Planner’s staff report to the Council. There are
currently two active Ordinances: 64E and 129. Ordinance 129 regulates both sewer and water. Ordinance
64E regulates sewer. After review of the ordinances, it appears that Ordinance 64E was intended to be
repealed upon the adoption of 129 in 2016.
Proposed are two ordinances separating sewer “back” into Ordinance 64F and municipal water systems
remain in Ordinance 129. The amendments were reviewed by the City Engineer, City Clerk and City
Attorney.
Mayor Artig-Swomley informed those in attendance that the Council would begin with the public hearing,
and that the public would have a chance to provide input on the topic. Councilmember Lindner introduced
a motion to open the public hearing at 7:02 p.m., seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Motion carried 4-
0.
The public had no comment.
Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to close the public hearing at 7:04 p.m., seconded by
Councilmember Cacioppo. Motion carried 4-0.
Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to formally repeal Ordinance No. 64E (sewer only) and adopt
proposed Ordinance No. 64F (sewer only), seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Motion carried 4-0.
Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to amend Ordinance No. 129 (water and sewer, water only
proposed), seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Motion carried 4-0.
Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to adopt revisions to Ordinance No 135 (City’s Fee Schedule)
to reflect the changes in the above ordinances, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Motion carried 4-0.
Consent Agenda
Resolution #2025-020 July 2025 Donation to White Bear Lake Area Food Shelf
Monthly Financial Report(s)
Claims
City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes July 15, 2025 2
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 4-0.
Committee Reports
Planning Commission Chair Don Cummings shared with the Council that the Commission is currently going
through Ordinance No. 131. The Commission also decided to change their meeting nights back to the first Tuesday
of each month beginning with the October meeting.
Old Business
Newsletter Updates / Topics / Suggestions
The current copy of the newsletter is about 75% done. The Mayor is waiting on a couple more stories to fill
the empty spaces. The newsletter will be ready for August.
Code Enforcement Issues Discussion
City Building Official Mike Johnson is continuing to clear up existing code enforcement issues with one
property. The City Clerk is still looking into the one property that was discovered to be a rental property
but not licensed to do so.
Councilmember Head Shots for Website Discussion
Due to not all City Councilmembers being able to attend the July City Council meeting, the head shots have
been rescheduled for the August meeting.
Potential Water System Funding / Future Water System Planning
Both federal and state funding have been applied for. From the amount the city has been awarded some is
going to be used to go towards planning. Gem Lake is responsible for covering 20% of the engineering
costs, the other 80% can come from grants. City Engineer Just Gese will be meeting with Vadnais Heights
to have a conversation with them regarding the possibility of Vadnais Heights supplying water to parts of
Gem Lake. Gem Lake will soon have the opportunity with the new apartment building being put along
Labore Road and the installation of water lines.
KIA Project Update
Underground construction has been completed, and grading will begin soon. The hope for KIA is to be
done by summer of 2026. The old building will be up and in use until the new building is completed.
New Business
August Planning Commission Meeting
If no public hearings are requested for the August 12, 2025, Planning Commission meeting there is a
request to cancel the August meeting. Mayor Artig-Swomley agreed that it would be ok to cancel the
August meeting if nothing comes up.
Future Charitable Gambling Donations
White Bear Lake Emergency Food Shelf
Mayor Artig-Swomley suggested that the Council make a donation in August 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 4-0.
Community Outreach to Other Cities and Government Bodies
Mayor Artig-Swomley shared herself, Acting City Clerk Melissa Lawrence, City Treasurer Tom Kelly, and City
Engineer Justin Gese are going to be meeting with Vadnais Heights Public Works Director to discuss the rates at the
Villas.
City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes July 15, 2025 3
Presentations from the Public, 2 Minutes Maximum
Resident Paul Emeott shared that he received a letter from the MPCA that he will now begin receiving bottled water
and wanted to know if the city had heard anything yet about other testing. Mayor Artig-Swomley shared that the city
has not been informed of anything by the MPCA yet.
Resident Tom Hoffman asked the Council if they knew how many households were receiving bottled water. That
information has not been given to the Council or City Staff.
Open Items for Council Members to Bring Up
None
Future Council Meetings
City Council, Tuesday, August 19, 2025. City Council Workshop, Monday, August 11, 2025, is CANCELED.
Attendance Inquiry
At this time all Councilmembers in attendance will be at the August meeting.
Adjournment
Being there no further business, following a motion from Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember
Cacioppo, the meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Melissa Lawrence