HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025 09-16 City Council Meeting MinutesCity of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes August 19, 2025 1
City of Gem Lake
City Council Meeting – September 16, 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, Acting City Clerk Melissa Lawrence, Gem Lake business owner Max Vannelli, The Lakes Dispensary,
and residents Daniel Epelboim, Tom Bolfing, and Jim Wilson.
September 16, 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
August 19, 2025, City Council Meeting minutes. Motion carried 5-0.
Special Presentations/Public Hearings
2024 Audit Presentation
2026 Preliminary Budget Presentation / Public Hearing
Consent Agenda
Resolution #2025-025 Adopting the Preliminary Amount to be Raised by Property Taxation for the
year 2026
Resolution #2025-026 September 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 X introduced a motion to
approve all the items listed on the consent agenda, seconded by Councilmember X. Motion carried 5-0.
Committee Reports
Old Business
Newsletter Updates / Topics / Suggestions
The October newsletter
Future Water System Planning
Gem Lake Trail Policy Update
New Business
2026 White Bear Lake Police and Fire Contract Discussion
Scheduling of Date and Time of Truth in Taxation Hearing
Heritage Hall Room Rental Coverage
Future Charitable Gambling Donations
White Bear Lake Emergency Food Shelf
Mayor Artig-Swomley suggested that the Council make a donation in September in the amount of
$1,500.00 to the White Bear Lake Emergency Food Shelf. Councilmember X introduced a motion
City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes August 19, 2025 2
to request a donation in the amount of $1500.00 for the White Bear Lake Emergency Food Shelf,
seconded by Councilmember X. Motion carried 5-0.
Community Outreach to Other Cities and Government Bodies
Mayor Artig-Swomley shared that the recent meeting with the City of Vadnais Heights went well. A compromise is
being worked out regarding the rate at the Villas of Gem Lake and the new unit being built along Labore Road is a
chance to work with Vadnais Heights and bring water down Labore Road. More information will be forthcoming.
Presentations from the Public, 2 Minutes Maximum
Resident Tom Bolfing brought up the recent power outages in Gem Lake and the correlation between the trees along
the easements that need to be trimmed to help prevent future power outages.
Open Items for Council Members to Bring Up
None
Future Council Meetings
City Council, Tuesday, September 16, 2025. City Council Workshop, Monday, September 8, 2025, is CANCELED.
Attendance Inquiry
At this time, Councilmember Lindner is the only one that will not be in attendance at the September
meeting.
Adjournment
Being there no further business, following a motion from Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember
Cacioppo, the meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Barbara Suciu