HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023 Vol 17, Issue 4 August Gem Lake NewsSpecial Interest
Articles:
• 2022 Audit Completed
• Gem Lake Scholarship
Awarded
• City News, Page 4
• White Bear Area Food
Shelf Seeks Your Help,
Page 5
Scheduled Recycling
Dates:
• August 2
• August 16
• August 30
• September 13
• September 27
City Passes 2022 Audit with Flying Colors
Gem Lake's 2022 audit is now complete and the
results are fairly standard. City Council Members were
given a complete presentation of the results at the
June 18 City Council Meeting.
The audit was conducted by MMKR Certified Public
Accountants, who also did the previous year’s audit.
According to MMKR, the result was what is called an
unmodified report, which is good. Auditors found that
the financial statements of Gem Lake presented fairly
in all material respects the true financial position of the
city.
Management judgments and accounting estimates
were considered reasonable and supported.
Disclosures were deemed to be clear and complete.
According to the accounting firm, no difficulties were
encountered in performing the audit.
Auditors found no incidents of noncompliance required
to be reported under Government Auditing Standards.
There were also no findings based on testing of the
City’s compliance with Minnesota laws and
regulations.
(Continued on page 2)
Gem Lake Scholarship Awarded
Ms. Kristina Pratt, a recent high school graduate in
Gem Lake, was recently awarded a scholarship for
post-secondary education as part of the Gem Lake
Scholarship Program. This ten-year-old program is
funded by Charitable Gambling receipts and has
helped several dozen Gem Lake students with
education expenses since its inception.
Pratt had a stellar scholastic background during her
high school years, as demonstrated by her four years
on the A-Honor Role at White Bear Lake Area High
School. She was active throughout high school in both
sports and volunteer activities. This included serving
as captain for both the soccer and golf teams, and
volunteering for Ambassadors, Link Crew and the
National Honors Society.
(Continued on page 2)
Gem Lake News
August 2023 | Volume 17 | Issue 4 Gretchen Artig-Swomley, Newsletter Editor
Gem Lake News Page 2 of 6
Gem Lake 2022 Audit Completed (Continued from page 1)
MMKR concluded that there were no transactions
entered into by the City for the year for which there was a
lack of authoritative guidance or consensus. Financial
statement disclosures were considered neutral,
consistent and clear. MMKR concluded that there were
no misstatements detected as a result of audit
procedures that were material, either individually or in the
aggregate, to each financial statement taken as a whole.
Here are some findings regarding Gem Lake finances:
• The City’s taxable market value increased 11.4%
for taxes payable in 2021 and 2.2% for taxes
payable in 2022. Tax capacity is considered the
actual base available for taxation. It is calculated
by applying the state’s property classification
system to each property’s market value. The City’s
tax capacity increased 14.3% in 2021 and
decreased 0.4% in 2022. The improvement in tax
capacity values contributed to the decrease in the
City’s average tax rate.
• The City’s general fund accounts for the financial
activity of the basic services provided to the
community. It includes municipal operations, police
and fire protection, building inspection, streets and
highway maintenance, etc.
• The City’s General Fund case and investments
balance at December 31, 2022 was $379,587, an
increase of $66,567 from the previous year. The
total fund balance increased $57,011 in 2022, as
compared to a balanced budget projected in the
final budget.
• The City has generally been able to maintain
healthy cash and fund balance levels, which allows
the City to properly meet cash needs, maintain the
City’s bond rating and navigate through
fluctuations in state funding for cities in recent
years.
• Property taxes comprise about 88.8% of the fund’s
total annual revenue. Approximately half of these
revenues are received by the City in July and the
rest in December. Consequently, the City needs to
have adequate cash reserves to finance its
everyday operations between these payments.
• The City’s unassigned General Fund balance at
the end of the 2022 fiscal year represents
approximately 59% of annual expenditures, based
on 2022 levels.
• General Fund revenue for 2022 was $541,680,
which was $18,402 (3.5%) more than the budget.
Total General Fund revenue for 2022 was $11,688
(2.2%) higher than the previous year. Taxes
increased $27,330, due to an increase in public
safety and franchise fees. Intergovernmental
revenues were $30,209 less than the prior year,
due to the City not qualifying for the small cities
assistance funding.
• General Fund expenditures for 2022 were
$464,669, which was $38,609 (7.7%) under
budget. Some of the savings came as a result of
Public Works expenditures being $71,336 under
budget, due to savings on snow plowing, road salt
and tree trimming. A complete copy of the audit is
available at Heritage Hall.
Scholarship Awarded
(Continued from page 1)
Despite her busy schedule, Pratt graduated with a GPA
(Grade Point Average) of 4.39 and was ranked number
five in White Bear Lake Area High School’s senior class
of 500 students.
Pratt earned academic awards for being an AP Scholar,
AP Scholar with Distinction and many other accolades.
“Kristina Pratt is one of the top students I’ve
encountered in my 16 years as a school counselor,”
according to White Bear school counselor Lori Soler.
“She is a stellar student with an impressive GPA and is
involved in many school and community activities. She
has the motivation and skills to do well and would be
very deserving of this scholarship.”
One of her teachers, Matthew Danielson, had the
following to say about her abilities and qualifications. “I
have come to know Kristina Pratt in my Advanced
Placement Calculus BC and Multivariable Calculus/AP
Statistics courses. During these courses, she has
demonstrated, in and out of the classroom, many of the
qualities it takes to become a successful college
student. These qualities include independence,
determination and her math abilities. Kristina is one of
the most gifted students mathematically I have
encountered.”
Pratt plans to study Journalism at the University of
Minnesota, beginning this fall.
Congratulations Kristina Pratt!
Gem Lake News Page 3 of 6
VLAWMO Lake Study
The Vadnais Lake Area Water Management
Organization (VLAWMO) was formed in 1983 to protect
the Vadnais Lake watershed area in northern Ramsey
County and a small portion of Anoka County. A joint
powers agreement was ratified by five cities and one
township within the boundaries of VLAWMO in order to
comply with the then new state law called the
Metropolitan Surface Water Management Act. The
purpose of the act, and through it the purpose of
VLAWMO, was to protect vital water resources that may
cross municipal boundaries. The municipalities within
this watershed include Gem Lake, Vadnais Heights,
White Bear Township, White Bear Lake, Lino Lakes and
North Oaks.
Other goals of VLAWMO include protecting groundwater
quality and recharge areas, providing public education,
protecting surface water quality, managing stormwater
and controlling flooding through the use of best
management practices.
VLAWMO conducts an annual water monitoring
summary for lakes and waterways within the watershed
district. The report is now available for 2022 and
includes some encouraging data regarding the health of
the waterbody of Gem Lake, as well as other nearby
waterbodies The water monitoring summary deals with
15 lakes, as well as Lambert Creek. Here are some
highlights that show the Watershed at a Glance, with
special emphasis on Gem Lake. Various data is
collected annually that give an overall view of the health
of lakes in the area. They include the Tropic State
Indexes, Phosphorus Totals, Secchi Disk readings and
Chloride Readings. Here is an overview of each:
Trophic State Indexes (TSI) of VLAWMO Lakes
The trophic status of a lake pertains to its nutrient levels,
transparency and chlorophyll. When a lake is
“oligotrophic” it has low nutrient levels and abundant
oxygen. It might be suitable for an unfiltered water
supply. The water is very clear. On the other end of the
scale is a lake that is “hypereutrophic.” That means it
has exceptionally high nutrients, causing dense algae. It
has a severe taste and odor and fish kills are possible.
The water would be very green. Gem Lake is right near
the middle of the scale, with only a few lakes in the area
coming in at the very green or hypereutrophic readings.
Average Total Phosphorus
Phosphorus is a naturally occurring nutrient and main
driver of algae growth. High phosphorus levels determine
whether the water looks like pea soup or an aquarium.
Excessive algae can produce foul smells and toxins
harmful to humans and pets. To prevent this, it is
important to keep sediment and nutrients on the
landscape and out of water bodies. Gem Lake’s
phosphorus level in one of the lowest in the region,
coming in at about 40 micrograms per liter. For
comparison purposes, West Goose Lake has a
phosphorus level of over 200 micrograms per liter.
Secchi Disk Readings
A Secchi disk is a 20 cm flat disk that is lowered into the
water until it can no longer be seen. The depth where the
disk disappears, called the “Secchi depth,” is a measure
of the transparency of the water. Transparency is the
most basic indicator to assess risks for most lake users,
and suggests potential issues downstream. Transparency
can be affected by pollutants or sediment draining into
the lake. Gem Lake’s readings are one of the best in the
area, with a Secchi reading of 2 meters. The least
transparent lake in the watershed had a reading of only
half a meter.
Chloride
Chloride is a common ingredient in salt de-icers and
home water softening. Chloride is a permanent pollutant
to water quality. It is toxic to aquatic life and interrupts
lake temperature. There are currently no waterbodies in
the watershed that are impaired by chloride levels. The
state standard says chloride levels should be less than
230 milligrams per liter. Gem Lake stands at about 20
milligrams per liter. The highest reading in the watershed
is about 95 milligrams per liter.
Representatives from VLAWMO will be doing a
presentation of the annual report at the August Gem Lake
City Council meeting, which takes place on August 15 at
7:00 p.m.
Gem Lake Historical Avg TP/Chl A/ SDT
Year TP (µg/L) Chl A (µg/L) Secchi (m)
2017 32 16 1.5
2018 36 15 1.8
2019 33 11 1.8
2020 35 14 2.4
2021 38 13 2.4
2022 39 8 2.4
Gem Lake News Page 4 of 6
City News
Use Caution with Recreational Fires
Due to drought conditions in Minnesota currently, it is
especially important to be careful with any backyard fires.
Here are some guidelines:
Open burn situations, called bonfires, are prohibited
without a permit, but small recreational cooking and
recreational fires are okay in certain circumstances. First,
they need to be supervised by an adult, second, they
need contained within an approved fire ring, and third,
they need to be three feet or less in diameter.
Here is the exact language from Gem Lake ordinance No.
77, section 6:
“Open burning prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any
person to kindle or maintain any bonfire, nor shall any
person normally furnish as such material for any such
fire, nor shall any person authorize any such fire to be
kindled on or in any street, alley, road, land or public
grounds or upon any private property without first
obtaining a permit from the city clerk, which has been
appropriately executed by the Fire Marshal. Recreational
or cooking fires supervised by an adult and which are
fully contained within approved fire rings, pits or
appliances not greater than three feet in diameter shall be
exempt from the permit requirement, providing no fire
bans have been issued by the Fire Marshal or the
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
All Open Burning permits must be obtained through the
City of White Bear Lake Fire Department for Gem Lake
residents.
License Your Dog
Any dog over 6 months in age is required to be licensed
by the City of Gem Lake. The fee per dog is $10.
Last year, it was voted and approved to have dog
licenses run on a calendar year schedule. With that
change, all dog licenses issued for the 2022 cycle, are
good through December 31, 2023. After that, all dog
licenses will run January 1-December 31. Renewal letters
will be sent-out in November.
Gem Lake Has a Facebook Page
Acting City Clerk Melissa Lawrence has designed and
published a Facebook page for the City of Gem Lake.
The address is: www.facebook.com/CityofGemLakeMN
The Facebook pages focus primarily on special
announcements and news items, events, etc. It is
intended to compliment rather than replace the city
website. Please check it out and “like” and “follow” the
page. We are also looking for a few appropriate Gem
Lake photos. Your feedback is welcome!
Spring Clean-Up Day is a Hit
Gem Lake residents took advantage of the first-ever
Joint White Bear Township and Gem Lake Spring
Clean Up Day on May 20. During the event, it was
possible to drop off a variety of unwanted items free of
charge to residents of the Township and the City.
Accepted items included: appliances, automotive
batteries, tires, mattresses, furniture, carpeting,
household fixtures, TVs, electronics, lawn mowers, etc.
It is anticipated that the popular event will be held
annually.
Charitable Gambling Donations
A donation of $1500 was approved by the Gem Lake
City Council in June to be given to the White Bear Area
Food Shelf. This donation comes from charitable
gambling receipts that result from pull-tab and bingo
sales within city limits.
MPCA to Provide Well Update
Key representatives from the Minnesota Pollution
Control Agency will provide Gem Lake with an update
on well contamination at the September City Council
Meeting. This meeting will take place September 19 at
7:00 p.m.
Several months ago, the MPCA reported to the City
Council that a possible source for the 1,4-dioxane
found in 22 Gem Lake wells had been located. The
agency outlined a plan to do further well testing in the
city and surrounding areas and to report back on the
results. One of the key goals in collecting this data is to
see if well contamination has increased or decreased
and whether it has moved to new areas.
Please feel free to attend this important meeting.
Dog License GEM LAKE
EXP 12-31-23
000001
Gem Lake News Page 5 of 6
The White Bear Area Food Shelf Seeks Your Help
The City of Gem Lake is proud to be a regular
contributor to the White Bear Area Food Shelf. These
contributions are made possible by the city’s portion of
charitable gambling income that occurs within city limits.
The need for the services provided by the White Bear
Food Shelf are enormous and growing. The City Council
received a report from the Executive Director of the
organization, Perry Peterson, at the June 18 City
Council meeting.
According to Peterson’s report, the food shelf doubled
the number of people served from 2018 to 2022 and
now serves 2,821 households each month. “That is a
28% increase over the prior year,“ says Peterson.
Due to high demand from the public, the food shelf has
expanded the ways they provide services. “We now
provide fresh and healthy groceries five days a week
through curbside, delivery and mobile programs. The
food shelf also provides 300 Kid Packs and food
pantries in schools each week. We do this because one
in eight kids in Minnesota don’t know where their next
meal is coming from.”
Peterson thanked the city council of Gem Lake for their
regular and generous support of their efforts. Due to
rising demands for food services, the food shelf is
looking to open a second location that would allow in
person shopping by those in need. Peterson also added
that the White Bear Area Food Shelf is always looking
for volunteers to help with a variety of activities.
Conditions were poor during the mid-February survey, which
prompted the re-survey of certain areas in early March. The
early March conditions were fair to poor in certain areas.
Survey conditions should be taken into consideration when
making management decisions.
According to Ramsey County’s survey taken in March for
Gem Lake 23 deer were counted, one of the highest in the
area.
Labore Road Resurfacing
The surface layer on Labore Road between County Road
E and Goose Lake Road will be removed and replaced
with new, smooth pavement in 2023. There will be no
cost to property owners for this project.
The project will also include ditch cleaning and restriping
to match what is there currently.
Land surveying crews were and will be working in the
project area before, during and immediately after
construction.
Timeline
Work was expected to start the week of July 10th. No
expected end date has been given for this work.
MNNR Railroad crossing reconstruction was set to begin
July 12th and was expected to last for one week.
Traffic Impact
Road is closed at the railroad crossing. A signed detour is
in place using Goose Lake Road, County Road E and
Centerville Road.
To receive text or email updates you can go visit the
Ramsey County website and subscribe to the 2023 road
project updates.
Ramsey County Deer Survey
Ramsey County conducted their annual fly over deer
surveys for all Ramsey County cities.
The City of Gem Lake
Phone:
(651) 747-2790
Fax
(651)-747-2795
City Hall Address:
4200 Otter Lake Road
Gem Lake, MN 55110
General E-mail:
city@gemlakemn.org
Newsletter E-mail:
Gretchen.artig-
swomley@gemlakemn.org
This newsletter is also posted
on the city’s website under the
“Documents” section and the
“News and Updates” section.
www.gemlakemn.org
After Hours Public Works
Emergency Number:
651-755-9828
(For water main breaks, main
city sewer back up, collapse of
manhole, etc. Or call 911)
Meetings: August and September 2023
The following Gem Lake
meeting will be held in the
months of August and
September. All meetings
are held at Heritage Hall
unless otherwise indicated.
See also the Gem Lake
web-site for more
information.
August 9, 2023
Planning Commission
Meeting at 7:00 p.m.
August 14, 2023
City Council Workshop is
CANCELED
August 15, 2023
City Council meeting at
7:00 p.m.
September 11, 2023
City Council Workshop is
CANCELED
September 12, 2023
Planning Commission
Meeting is CANCELED
September 19, 2023
City Council Meeting at
7:00 p.m.
Your Gem Lake City Council
Mayor:
Gretchen Artig-Swomley
Email: gretchen.artig-
swomley@gemlakemn.org
City Council Members:
Laurel Amlee
Email: laurel.hynes-
amlee@gemlakemn.org
Len Cacioppo
Email: len.cacioppo
@gemlakemn.org
Ben Johnson
Email: ben.johnson
@gemlakemn.org
Jim Lindner
Email: jim.lindner
@gemlakemn.org
You can also reach each
city council member by
calling 651-747-2790. After
hours you can follow the
prompts for the city council
directory.
CITY OF GEM LAKE
4200 Otter Lake Road
Gem Lake, MN 55110