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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly August 2012 Gem Lake Newsletter mail boy July/August, 2012 Volume 6, Issue 7 Gem Lake News Special Interest Articles: • Community Gathering-August 7 • 2011 Audit--- Unremarkable • City News Page 4 • Bella Ciba--Gem Lake's newest restaurant Upcoming Recycling Dates: July 25 August 8 August 22 Gretchen Artig-Swomley, Newsletter Editor The 29th Annual "National Night to Unite" will be held on August 7 throughout the United States. Gem Lake will participate with a community gathering at Heritage Hall, starting at 5:00 p.m. "Night to Unite" is designed to generate participation in local anti-crime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police- community partnership, and heighten crime and drug prevention awareness. Last year's "Night to Unite" campaign involved citizens, law enforcement agencies, neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 15,000 communities. In all, over 37 million people participated in 2011 event. Gem Lake invites residents to meet their neighbors, gather crime fighting information from the Ramsey County Sheriff and enjoy food and refreshments from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on August 7 at Heritage Hall. Mark your calendar now. We hope to see you then. "Night to Unite" is August 7 at Heritage Hall th City Audit Completed Without Drama ....Again Gem Lake's 2011 audit is now complete and the results are pretty boring. Nothing had to be corrected, reclassified, reassigned, adjusted or removed from underneath someone's mattress. No one had to be issued with an arrest warrant, pulled from the local casino or located at their tropical hide-out. City Council Members were given a complete presentation of the results at the June 19th City Council Meeting. The audit was conducted by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, who also did the 2010 audit. According to Tom Koop of CliftonLarsonAllen, the result was what is called an unqualified report, which is good. Auditors found that the financial statements of the city presented fairly in all material respects the true financial position of the city. (continued on page 3) Gem Lake News Page 2 of 6 A report on storm water runoff in the city was recently completed by the Ramsey Conservation District for the Vadnais Lake Area Watershed Management Organization (VLAWMO). The report was recently presented to the City Council for review by Stephanie McNamara of VLAWMO. In most sections of the City of Gem Lake, storm water is properly running off, bringing a minimum of pollutants into the water body of Gem Lake. (Gem Lake is a 22 acre lake, with a much larger wetland area around it, and an average depth of nine feet.) However, the report did highlight that one area of the city's business section has certain topographical features that do not allow for optimal runoff and/or on-site absorption of storm water. This part of town is contributing more than an average amount of pollution to the lake. The report suggests various options to retrofit the area so that storm water gets absorbed where it falls and less pollution reaches the lake. The report was discussed in more detail at the City Council Meeting on June 19. The Ramsey County Conservation District divided Gem Lake into three main sections. Sections One and Two comprise most of the residential sections of the city. These sections were determined to consist primarily of low density housing and large Storm Water Run Off Increases Pollution in Gem Lake open spaces with plenty of green space. Due to these factors, it was determined that they are contributing very little in terms of total phosphorous (TP) and total suspended solids (TSS) that reach the water body of Gem Lake. Due the green space, most of the potential pollution coming from storm water runoff is being properly absorbed in place. With the Gem Lake business district, particularly in the area surrounding the County Road E and Highway 61 intersection, the amount of impervious ground cover (blacktop, etc.) means that storm water runoff doesn't have a chance to sink into the soil. Instead, it ends up in Gem Lake or its surrounding wet lands. The Ramsey County Conservation District suggested various ways to retrofit sections of the business district in order to cut down on pollution. Suggested methods include the incorporation of grass swales and bio- filtration into areas there are large swatches of parking lots and blacktop. Installing a grass swale would require replacing turf grass with native plants that improve filtration. Bio-filtration improves the ability of the soil to absorb and filter potential pollution. The report will be discussed in more detail at city council meetings this summer and fall. McNamara's presentation to the council emphasized that Gem Lake is now considered in impaired lake by the State of Minnesota due to increasing levels of phosphorus and other pollutants that are making it to the lake. The study shows that approximately 86% of the pollution is estimated to come from storm water run-off, also called watershed load. The amount of phosphorus in the lake has gone up over the last 10 years and now needs to be addressed. State Law requires that cities with impaired lakes develop plans to reduce pollution. In our case the phosphorus levels would need to be reduced by 24% in order to bring Gem Lake and its large surrounding watershed into average levels of water quality and off the impaired list. (continued on page 4) Gem Lake News Page 3 of 6 2011 City Audit Results Are In: Like Watching Paint Dry... According to Koop, an audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used, and significant estimates made by the management or leadership of an organization, in this case, the City of Gem Lake, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. "We believe our audit process provides a reasonable basis for our conclusions," said Koop. "In our opinion, the financial statements presented to us present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the governmental activities, the business-type activities of each major fund, and the aggregate remaining fund information of the City of Gem Lake, Minnesota as of December 31, 2011. and the respective changes in financial position and cash flows, where applicable, thereof for the year in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America" In one of the more exciting aspects of the presentation to City Council members on June 19, it was revealed that the Comptroller General of the United States has adopted new fund type definitions for various kinds of restricted funds a city might have on the books. Now they are categorized as non-spendable, restricted, assigned and unassigned governmental fund types. You may review the audit report by stopping by Heritage Hall to obtain a copy. Historical Photos of Hoffman's Corner Area of Gem Lake At left is the home of business man Henry Hoffman, of Hoffman's Corner fame. He was also the first mayor of Gem Lake. The home was located on what was then Highway 61, but what is now Scheuneman Road. We are looking west at the home, which was built in the 1930's. Highway 61 is now be located behind the site where the house once was. At the time, Highway 61 ran in front of it. Ten Below Motors is now on roughly the same site today. The photo at right was taken behind and to the right of the Hoffman House. It shows Rick Arcand, son of Dick and Shirley Arcand at left; Cindy Birkeland, daughter of Lorraine and Art Birkeland in the center; and Larry Arcand at right. Larry, who was Rick's little brother, was tragically killed in an accident during the realignment of Highway 61 in the early '50's. The photo was taken around the same timeframe. Over Cindy's shoulder is the rear of the Honeymoon House, which was profiled last month. The house opened onto County Road E, which is pictured in the far background. Gem Lake News Page 4 of 6 Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road? Basically, it was to come to Gem Lake and lay eggs. The city council is now in the process of "laying" out a proposed new ordinance covering the keeping of chickens by residents of Gem Lake. It will cover such things as how many chickens you can keep, or better yet, the size of the chicken coop required for various numbers of chickens. Noise, smell, cackling, crowing, you name it, we are discussing it. Find out if the chicken made it to the other side of the road at the August city council meeting. It will be held August 21 at Heritage Hall. DWI Traffic Initiative The Ramsey County Sheriff's Department was active in the White Bear Area on Saturday, June 23 from 8:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. the following morning, when they conducted a High Visibility DWI Saturation Project. Officers focused their efforts on the area around County Road E and I-694. Out of 310 traffic stops the following happened: *112 citations were issued *26 people were taken into custody *14 people were arrested for DWI issues *15 drivers were cited for Driving after Revocation and Suspension. Events like this one are scheduled regularly by the Sheriff's Department. Increased Pollution in Gem Lake (continued from page 2) Gem Lake is also included in a MN Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) study of impaired waters in the VLAWMO watershed. The MPCA study identifies a goal for each impaired lake and creek in terms of the plant nutrient phosphorus. That phosphorus is carried to Gem Lake in stormwater running off the landscape that drains to the lake. As stated previously, the goal for Gem Lake is a 24% reduction in the amount or pounds of phosphorus flowing to the lake every year. The City of Gem Lake, the other local agencies, VLAWMO & the MPCA will be putting together a plan to reduce the amount of phosphorus going into Gem Lake. The City and the other local agencies hold a stormwater permit from the MPCA which will require annual reporting on the progress toward the goal of improving Gem Lake. Local residents and business owners will be important stakeholders in the plan to help Gem Lake achieve a healthy lake status. City News Page Run for Office in Gem Lake There will be two spots on the Gem Lake City Council, as well as the office of Mayor up for Election this November. If you are interested in being a candidate, you need to file an Affidavit of Candidacy anytime between July 31 and August 14. The forms are available on the Ramsey County web-site. You must be 21, a resident of Gem Lake for at least 30 days and eligible to vote in Minnesota. You file the form at Heritage Hall. The position of mayor is currently held by Bob Uzpen and the council seats up for election are currently held by Jim Lindner and Tom Rasmussen. MS-4 Report Ready to Be Reviewed By Public A state mandated report on storm water management, called the MS-4 Report has been completed by council member Jim Lindner and submitted to the State of Minnesota. Jim spent countless volunteer hours trudging all over Gem Lake to document and photograph inflows and outflows in our city, as required by the report. The document is now on display at Heritage Hall for anyone who wants to read it. As mandated by law, it will be on display for 30 days to allow for the expected throngs. Just in case you don't get a chance to stop by, we are holding a public hearing on it, also required by state law. The public hearing will be held August 21, during the August City Council Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at Heritage Hall. Our thanks to Jim Lindner for taking on the task of completing this very detailed report. 2008 Comprehensive Plan Approved by Met Council and City Although it was written and submitted almost four years ago to the Metropolitan Council, the Gem Lake Comprehensive Plan is finally official. Since 2008, the plan has worked its way through the approval process. This involved getting input from neighboring cities and making adjustments and edits requested by the Metropolitan Council, many of them involving density and low income housing targets for future development. Work on the 2008 plan began in 2006. Plans are required every 10 years by the Met Council, and must be extraordinarily detailed in terms of housing, development, road and sewer construction, etc. Planning for the 2018 plan will begin in 2016. We get a couple years off now between plans so we can think and plan our next plan. Gem Lake News Page 5 of 6 New Restaurant in Gem Lake: Food is Great If you like great food with a Mediterranean twist, check out Gem Lake's newest restaurant. Bella Cibo opened four months ago on County Road E. They are located in the old HCO Station Building, in between Vera Auto Sales and the Gun Shop. Owner and manager Jamal Zarouk comes from Morocco and has brought all the best of the Mediterranean flavors to his offering list. The menu includes everything from delicious Gyros Sandwiches ( I personally felt it was my civic duty to check it out-- yum!) falafel, every kind of sandwich, Paninis, a variety of pizzas and plenty of pasta dishes. They are open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and also offer delivery services. Sheriff Matt Bostrom Appoints New Patrol Leader Ramsey County Sheriff Matt Bostrom has promoted Jack Serier to the position of Undersheriff, Public Safety Services Division. Undersheriff Jack Serier will lead the Public Safety Services Division which is responsible for: contract law enforcement (patrol and investigations) services to seven cities; Canine operations and training; crime lab; records and property; school resource officers; traffic enforcement; crime prevention; lakes, trails and water patrol; dive team; and, volunteer programs and internships, including reserve deputies and community support services. Serier, who has been serving the Sheriff’s Office as an Inspector since January 2011, was officially presented to the department in a ceremony at the Sheriff’s Patrol Station on Tuesday, July 10, 2012. Undersheriff Serier brings twenty-one years of law enforcement experience to his new leadership position. Undersheriff Serier started his career with the Stillwater Police Department as a part-time officer, then joined the Eagan Police Department in 1991 as a police and community service officer. Following this, he then joined the Saint Paul Police Department (SPPD) in 2000, rising through the ranks to the position of Commander prior to joining the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office. Ramsey County Sheriff Matt Bostrom at left and his new appointee Jack Serier, at right, who will serve as the new Undersheriff. Bob Uzpen-Mayor Phone: 651-492-5083 City Council Members: Gretchen Artig-Swomley Phone: 651-260-9742 Rick Bosak 651-426-9695 Jim Lindner Phone: 651-429-7597 The following Gem Lake Meetings will be held at Heritage Hall for the next few months: July 17, 2012 City Council Meeting at 7:00 p.m. August 7, 2012 Planning Commission Meeting at 7:00 p.m. Meetings: July and August 2012 Meeting Dates Your Gem Lake City Council 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: gretchenas@comcast.net Kiki Sonnen: 651-747-2790, or Kiki.Sonnen@CO.RAMSEY. MN.US To report incidents for the Neighborhood Watch program or for information on that program contact Block Captain Chuck Watson 651-653-8319; Charles.Watson@bdk.com We’re on the Web! See us at: www.gemlakemn.org CITY OF GEM LAKE 4200 Otter Lake Road Gem Lake, MN 55110 August 13, 2012 City Council Workshop at 7:00 p.m. August 21, 2012 City Council Meeting at 7:00 p.m. Tom Rasmussen Phone: 651-426-8854 For more information on meetings, city ordinances, recent events, permit procedures, etc. please consult the Gem Lake web-site. The address is www.gemlakemn.org Each Gem Lake Newsletter is also posted on the web-site under the news section. Please email your ideas, comments and suggestions. See box at left for detailed contact information.