HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022 Vol 16, Issue 2 April Gem Lake NewsSpecial Interest
Articles:
• Water study
commissioned
• City Clean Up Day
• City News, Page 4
Upcoming Recycling
Dates:
• April 6
• April 20
• May 4
• May 18
Municipal Water Study Commissioned
The City of Gem Lake has commissioned a study
focused on options for obtaining municipal water
from neighboring communities, should it become
necessary. The first portion of this study was
presented by Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. (SEH)
Engineering firm, at the January City Council
meeting. The January report detailed two potential
sources for obtaining municipal water, the City of
White Bear Lake, and White Bear Township, both of
which border Gem Lake. The study concluded that
a viable system that could supply the entire City
efficiently is possible, from an engineering
perspective, from either of these neighboring cities.
SEH evaluated factors such as water pressure,
water quality, water treatment standards, etc. to
draw their conclusions. They did not reach out to
either neighbor to explore whether they would be
able or willing to supply Gem Lake’s water needs at
this point. The ballpark cost of a system from either
White Bear Township or the City of White Bear Lake
was estimated at between $11-12 Million.
(Continued on page 2)
Presentation of City Comprehensive Plan
There will be a joint meeting of the Gem Lake City
Council and the Gem Lake Planning Commission
on May 17 to present the final draft of the Gem Lake
2020 Comprehensive Plan.
Gem Lake submitted its draft plan on time, as
required by the Metropolitan Council. Each
municipality in the metro area must submit a plan
every ten years to this agency that deals with long-
term planning for areas such as housing and
development, transportation, water sources, septic
and sewer planning, demographic and employment
trends, etc. It is not unusual for plan approval to
take several years. Please join us to learn more
about the Gem Lake of the future. The meeting will
start at 7:00 p.m. at Heritage Hall.
Gem Lake News
April 2022 | Volume 16 | Issue 2 Gretchen Artig-Swomley, Newsletter Editor
Gem Lake News Page 2 of 6
Water Study Commissioned
by City (continued from page 1)
At the February City Council meeting, SEH was asked
to develop Phase Two of this water study. This second
phase would evaluate options for phasing in a water
system to the part of the city potentially most in need of
municipal water.
It would also look at possibilities for municipal water
that could involve working with the City of Vadnais
Heights. This portion of the water study is expected to
be presented in the next few months.
This work is being done in response to contamination of
the chemical 1,4 Dioxane that has been found in small
amounts in 22 wells in the northwestern area of the City
of Gem Lake.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)
presented an update of their on-going investigation of
this contamination at the January City Council Meeting.
Their focus will be determining where the contamination
came from, whether it is spreading and what options
exist for mitigation.
They emphasized that a municipal water system is one
option. Other options available to affected homeowners
could include drilling new wells or possibly installing a
home water filtration system.
(The MPCA is available to discuss options and updates
at any time with any Gem Lake resident. Call Tim
Grape, MPCA at 651-757-2893. His email is
timothy.grape@state.mn.us.)
Last fall, the chemical 1,4 dioxane was detected in a
handful of residential wells in Gem Lake. Minnesota
Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and the Minnesota
Department of Health (MDH) conducted extensive
testing of residential wells across the City of Gem Lake.
Based on this testing work, it was determined that
samples collected from the 22 wells had levels of 1,4
dioxane at or above the established health risk limit
(HRL) that MDH considers safe for drinking water.
Since that time, the MPCA and the MDH have worked
closely with the city to answer questions, and help
evaluate future strategies for ensuring safe water
supplies.
The MPCA is expected to do continued well testing this
summer, as well as additional and on-going work to
determine the source or sources of the original
problem.
City of Gem Lake Clean Up Day
is May 21
After a hiatus of several years, Gem Lake will once
again sponsor a city clean-up day on Saturday May 21,
starting at 9:00 a.m. The event will have two parts — a
street clean-up and a trash to treasure exchange.
Street Clean-Up
For the street clean up you can stop by Heritage Hall
between 9-Noon to pick up industrial strength trash
bags. Then, you pick a street or block you want to clean
up. Your filled bags can then be left in the Heritage Hall
parking lot. At noon, hot dogs, chips and soft drinks will
be available for your hungry crew.
Trash to Treasure
The second part of the event is called “Trash to
Treasure.” Put any useable items you are longing to
give away at the end of your driveway in the morning.
Put a sign on the item that clearly marks your items as
“free.” You can also drive around and see what
everyone else has put out — maybe you will see some
treasure. You will be responsible for hauling your things
back from the street at the end of the day in the unlikely
event that nobody falls in love with them. This event will
run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Gem Lake News Page 3 of 6
Opposition to the “Purple
Line” Bus Grows in Area
During mid-March, you may have noticed articles in the
Pioneer Press (March 10) and in the Star Tribune
(March 13) that went into detail about growing
opposition to the bus line once known as the Rush Line
BRT (Bus Rapid Transit). This potential future bus line
has been renamed the Purple Line, as it enters the final
planning stages.
However, opposition to this line has been vigorous for
the past several years, due to ever declining bus
ridership and various other reasons. Things reached a
fever pitch when the White Bear Lake City Council
voted no to the project this month.
Gem Lake had voted no on the project in July of 2020
and White Bear Township voted no a while back.
Gem Lake’s “no” vote happened after much thought
and much studying of data, bus traffic and overall
project goals. A major issue for the city was the almost
non-existent ridership on the then current express line
that ran from downtown White Bear Lake to downtown
St. Paul, (the approximate route of the new bus line)
and the fact that the route would actually take longer to
ride between downtowns than the express bus or
simply driving it yourself. There are 14 planned
stops/stations on the route.
There were other issues of concern for the Gem Lake
City council, such as the fact that about half the route
isn’t utilizing current roads, making it far more
expensive per mile to build than a typical interstate
freeway. About seven miles would run on the Bruce
Vento trail, which is now a pristine and forested oasis
for bikes running through residential neighborhoods.
This beautiful trail would have to be redesigned to hold
a two lane cement guideway for buses and a reworked
bike path alongside it, all within its 100 foot right-of-
way.
In addition, the Metro Transit Commission’s report on
bus ridership to the Minnesota Legislature last July was
dismal. It showed that bus ridership had declined 50-
70% over 2020, which was a new low. The Metropolitan
Council then cited their own study stating that they felt
remote work was here to stay for about 20% of the
workforce, yet another reason that a new bus line
seemed questionable in terms of current needs.
The White Bear Lake City Council had many of the
same points but was also concerned about the 80-90
buses per day that would be traveling in and out of
downtown White Bear Lake.
It is not clear what this new opposition to the bus line
will mean, or whether it will matter.
Representatives of the Metropolitan Council have gone
on record saying that the consent of cities is not
needed in order for this project to proceed.
This mindset led to the introduction of a draft bill in the
Minnesota Senate on March 15. Senator Roger
Chamberlain introduced SF 3859 for its initial reading.
Basically, this would require bus projects like this to
have the support of the cities they are running through.
Part of this shift is in thinking has resulted from the
dismal results involved in the Northstar Line, which
goes from downtown Minneapolis to Big Lake,
Minnesota. It has experienced a 96% decline in
ridership in recent years and was the subject of
significant opposition even before the rail route started.
On March 15, a bill was introduced in the Minnesota
Legislature, authored by the Metropolitan Council,
asking that this line be terminated. The Metropolitan
Council also sponsored Southwest Line, now under
construction. It has been in the headlines constantly
this year for massive budget overages, unknown
completion dates and major construction issues.
The Purple Line would be completed by 2026 at a cost
of around half a billion dollars. Stay tuned for more
information.
John Choi to Speak at the April
19 City Council Meeting
Ramsey County Attorney John Choi has agreed to be
the featured speaker at the Gem Lake City Council
Meeting on April 19. The meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. at
Heritage Hall.
Choi will repeat his very informative presentation on
carjackings, auto thefts and related crimes that he gave
on February 15 to city leaders in Ramsey County.
Please attend the meeting for the very latest
information on these important and timely subjects.
Gem Lake News Page 4 of 6
City News
License Required for Rental Properties in City
If you are renting out your house in Gem Lake you
need a rental license. If you own rental property but are
not currently renting it, you still need to fill out a rental
license application to keep the City updated. The
application process is easy. Fill out our form located on
our website, which can be found under “Permits” or
contact Melissa Lawrence, City Clerk, pay a license fee
(if you are actively renting), and go through a brief
inspection of the property by our code enforcement
officer. We check for things like smoke detectors. Call
651-747-2790 to find out more.
Changes to Gem Lake Business License Ordinance
Gem Lake Ordinance #84, covering the licensing of
businesses within the city, was repealed by the City
Council on February 15 and then replaced with a new,
more comprehensive ordinance. Gem Lake Ordinance
#136 was based on ordinances for business licensing
that are used by cities around Gem Lake. It goes into
more detail about the licensing procedure, who needs a
license, how to get it, and what happens with when the
license is not renewed in a timely manner. The
ordinance establishes late fees associated with
nonpayment and other associated matters.
You can get a copy of Ordinance #136 by checking the
ordinance section of the Gem Lake web-site, or by
calling city clerk Melissa Lawrence at 651-747-2792.
Free Notary Services
Residents of Gem Lake and White Bear Township can
get notary services at Heritage Hall for no charge. The
service is available only during normal business hours
for our city hall—which is Monday to Thursday from
7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Non-residents can utilize this
service for a fee of $5.00 per document certified.
After Hour Emergency Number for Public Works
In the event of a public works emergency after our
normal business hours, there is a number you should
call. Gem Lake’s normal business hours are 7:30 a.m.
to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. A public works
emergency is defined as a threat to public safety or
critical infrastructure. (Not a pothole, or something that
can wait)
Examples of an emergency would be a water main
break, (please don’t call City of Vadnais Heights), a city
sewer line back up or the collapse of a manhole. The
phone number to call after business hours is
651-755-9828. The City of Gem Lake has a
cooperative agreement with White Bear Township to
handle these emergencies.
Tardy Recycling Pick Up—What to do?
Four out of the past six recycling pick-ups in Gem Lake
have not happened on the day appointed by Waste
Management as our city’s pick-up day.
When we call our contractor, we are always told the
delay is due to “operational issues.” This typically
means driver shortages. Cities around us are having
similar issues. That doesn’t make it any less annoying.
What should you do? For now, we suggest holding tight
if your recycling is not picked up for one extra day. After
three days, email one of your city council members or
call Heritage Hall. Typically, we know they are late
because council members live all over the city and their
bins are still full of cardboard. Try to leave the bin out
for a few days so you don’t get skipped when they get
to us. The first pick-up date in March was up to five
days late, depending on your part of town.
Gem Lake News Page 5 of 6
What is “Illicit Discharge”?
Illicit discharge, or illegal dumping, is often a hidden
offense and may even seem like no big deal – but it is a
hazard for humans, the environment, and wildlife. Illicit
discharge also hurts public infrastructure by increasing
stress, demand, and maintenance costs onto local
drainage systems.
So, what exactly is it? Illicit discharge is a fancy phrase
that boils down to “only rain down the drain.” Storm
drains and ditches are designed for stormwater runoff,
and there is no treatment facility between the street and
the end destination – a lake, stream, or wetland. This
means that everyone has the potential to protect water
and infrastructure from anywhere in the City of Gem
Lake. Examples of illicit discharge include:
• Trash, furniture, or construction debris such as
drywall mud
• Chemicals, paint, or water softener salt
• Grass and lawn care clippings
• Mop bucket water, carpet cleaning water, or
pool water
(Visit the Ramsey County Hazardous Waste web-site
for more information on proper disposal.)
What to look for to be an illicit discharge detective:
• Residues, stains, odors, or unusual dam age on
street surfaces or around storm drains
• Sediment running off of a construction site (this
isn’t natural erosion)
• Foul smells gathered around outputs (natural
algae or oils would be more widespread)
• Water flowing in ditches or storm drains when it
hasn’t rained
• Pipes or hoses directed to storm drains
• Piles of debris or trash in ditches, ponds, or
wetlands
• Catching someone in the act? Kindly educate
them by informing them that the drain leads
directly to a waterbody. Many times, people
just aren’t aware.
Steps for reporting an illicit discharge event:
1. Photograph. Document the substance that’s been
dumped into a ditch, pond, or water conveyance
system with a photo. (such as grass clippings, paint,
automotive fluids, construction site run-off, cleaning
substances, etc.). If a photo isn’t possible, note the
substance or what you expect the substance to be.
2. Think like a detective. Document the specific
location with a street, cross street, or directions of the
ditch or storm drain in reference to the
street/intersection. Note the day and time as well as
any vehicle or license plate information.
3. Call the City clerk at 651-747-2790 to report. If
you’re not sure if it’s illegal dumping but suspect it, staff
will investigate to determine the nature of the problem.
Picking Up Pet Waste: A Key to
Clean Water
We’ve all seen the signs for many years, “Clean Up
After Your Pet”. Maybe we’ve even visited a local off-
leash dog park and have seen garbage containers
literally full of pet waste. One of the first springtime
lawn maintenance tasks for dog owners is often to pick
up an entire winter’s worth of doggy doo. There’s even
at least one professional service company that
specializes in pet waste cleanup.
But what’s it all about? Obviously, pet waste is messy,
and all pet owners have faced the frustrating task of
cleaning the soles of our shoes. Yet there’s more to the
issue than just a clean lawn that’s safe to walk barefoot
without fear of personal misfortune. Pet waste is among
the latest topics in the world of water quality. Pet waste
carries pathogens, among which is fecal coliform.
According to the Minnesota Stormwater Manual,
uncollected pet waste often gets washed into lakes and
other waterways where it decomposes and releases
ammonia into the water. Ammonia is harmful to fish
and amphibians and promotes weed growth. Other
bacteria affect drinking water. If living through a
pandemic has taught us anything, it’s the importance of
cleanliness. We’ve all probably washed our hands
more in the past year than in many recent years
combined. Yet what if we are washing our hands in
water contaminated with pet waste?
Those of us with well water do not have the benefits of
water pretreated with chlorine to combat the dangers of
bacteria in the water supply. Be sure to properly
dispose of your dog waste in the trash can.
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: April and May 2022
The following Gem Lake
meeting will be held in the
months of April and May.
All meetings are held at
Heritage Hall unless
otherwise indicated.
See also the Gem Lake
web-site for more
information.
April 11, 2022
City Council Workshop is
CANCELED
April 12, 2022
Planning Commission
Meeting at 7:00 p.m.
April 19, 2022
City Council meeting at
7:00 p.m. – Featured
speaker John Choi
May 9, 2022
City Council Workshop is
CANCELED
May 10, 2022
Planning Commission
Meeting at 7:00p.m.
May 17, 2022
City Council Meeting at
7:00 p.m. – Featured topic:
2020 Gem Lake
Comprehensive Plan 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