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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 2011 Gem Lake Newsletter June, 2011 Volume 5, Issue 5 Gem Lake News Special Interest Articles: • Scholarships Awarded by Gem Lake • Garden "Overlay" Zone Considered • National Night Out Scheduled for August 2 • City News Page 4 Upcoming Recycling Dates: June 29 July 13 July 27 Gretchen Artig-Swomley, Newsletter Editor The Gem Lake City Council recently awarded scholarships to four city residents who are graduating from high school this year. The second annual Gem Lake Scholarship Program utilizes charitable gambling receipts to help Gem Lake residents pay for post secondary education. Each year graduating seniors in our town are encouraged to apply. This year's award recipients are: Sima Bazooband, Samuel Bosak, Adam Holman and Jeffrey Strommer. Each of the four graduated in early June from White Bear Lake Area High School with stellar grade point averages and impressive academic, social and athletic backgrounds. "We are so pleased to be able to award scholarships of $500 to each of these remarkable graduates," said Mayor Bob Uzpen. (continued on page 2) Four Graduates Receive Gem Lake Award Garden "Overlay" Zone Considered for Undeveloped Parcels in Gem Lake The Gem Lake Planning Commission is now evaluating a garden "overlay" zone for larger undeveloped parcels in Gem Lake, including the city's Gateway Zoning District. This would allow for the temporary use of this land for agricultural purposes, under set guidelines, while the market for commercial and residential development recovers from the current downturn. The land-use plans for Gem Lake have not historically assigned any land in the city for long-term agricultural use. This is due to the fact that the city has developed, and continues to develop, as a primarily residential community, surrounded by fully developed suburban neighborhoods. (continued on page 3) Gem Lake Resident Sam Bosak Gem Lake News Page 2 of 6 Sima Bazooband excelled at theatre, speech and band during her high school years. Her outstanding grade point average and many advanced placement course completions were just a few of her academic achievements. Sima was very involved in her community too, volunteering hundreds of hours at St. John's Hospital and the "Relay for Life" walk for cancer research. She also mentored 5th graders and helped 4th graders with homework assignments. She currently works at Sears as a sales associate. She plans to attend either the University of Minnesota or the University of Southern California, pursuing biology and theatre studies. Sam Bosak was a member of the National Honor Society during his senior year. He was involved in choir all four years and on the Nordic Ski Team during his last two years. His volunteer activities included acting as a Salvation Army Bell Ringer, entertaining adults at the Salvation Army Adult Day Center with choir concerts and participating in community clean up events. Highlights of his academic career during high school include being named an Honor Graduate (top 5% of his class), being named Student of the Month in 11th & 12th grades, receiving the Principal’s Award in 9th & 10th grade, as well as taking six Advanced Placement classes and one College in the Schools Spanish class. Sam is planning to attend St. Olaf College and will be studying physics and mechanical engineering. On hearing of his award, Sam said the following: "I think it's great that the city is able to provide a scholarship to help its students pay for college. I feel privileged to have received one of them this year." Adam Holman was a top student throughout his high school career, and excelled at Math, Psychology, U.S. Government and Politics. He completed a variety of advanced placement courses and was regularly included on the A Honor Roll. Adam's extra-curricular activities included four years in football and weight lifting and several years in track and basketball. He was team captain of the football team in 12th grade, as well as being an All Conference Award winner. He was also known by his teachers and coaches as being a hard working individual with drive, diligence and leadership experience. Adam is planning to seek a degree in Mathematics with a special education certification from Bethel University. " I am very appreciative of the scholarship, and it will help greatly. I am glad that this opportunity was available to me, and it is great to be part of a small community that can put funds together and support the youth. I would like to thank all that were involved in making this fund available to seniors and future college students." (continued on page 3) Four Graduates Receive Gem Lake Scholarship Award (continued from page 1 ) Gem Lake Resident Adam Holman Gem Lake NewsPage 3 of 6 At present, large land parcels in the city have yet to develop any primary use and stand vacant. Additional large lot property in the city is projected to sub-divide and develop into smaller lots over the next 10-30 years. The City recognizes that economic conditions are not always favorable for real estate development and that the costs to carry vacant land can create pressures that promote sub-optimal development. With that in mind, the Planning Commission is considering a garden "overlay" zone ordinance for open parcels of 10 acres of more that would allow for small scale agriculture as a primary use for a temporary period of time. This would allow Garden "Overlay" Zone Considered for Undeveloped Parcels (continued from page 1) large undeveloped parcels to possibly qualify for agricultural tax breaks, without affecting long term plans for the land. A public hearing to consider the idea was held by the Planning Commission on June 7. The subject will be discussed at the next City Council meeting. "Several cities and metropolitan areas near us are placing a greater emphasis on local food production as a means of improving public health," said Mayor Bob Uzpen. "Allowing the use of available space in the City for "community gardens" or "market gardens: to grow food will promote local food production, which benefits everyone." Jeffrey Strommer was included on the A Honor Roll during all four years of high school. He also received the Academic Letter Award from 9th through 12th grade, achieving a very high grade point average. He excelled in advanced placement Calculus, Advanced Geometry, Advanced Algebra and Pre-Calculus with Trigonometry. (!!) Jeff's extra-curricular activities included three years in both the Pep Band and the Jazz Band at White Bear High School. He currently works at the Oak Glen Country Club. His volunteer activities have included involvement with the Boy Scouts, as well as projects at his church. Jeff plans to attend the University of Wisconsin at Stout, where he wants to study packaging. Congratulations to our Scholarship Winners!! Four Graduates Receive Gem Lake Scholarship Award (concluded from page 2) Gem Lake News Page 4 of 6 City News Page National Night Out Scheduled for August 2 The 28th Annual National Night Out will be held on August 2 throughout the United States. As usual, Gem Lake will participate with a fun and information-packed community gathering at Heritage Hall. "National Night Out" 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 National Night Out campaign involved citizens, law enforcement agencies, neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 15,000 communities. In all, over 37 million people participated in last year's nationwide 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 2. Mark your calendar now. We hope to see you then. Money Available to Help Property Owners with Landscaping Projects and Rain Barrel Purchases The Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization (VLAWMO) has money available to help property owners with certain landscaping projects. Projects that protect water quality are eligible and include the installation of rain gardens, shoreline restorations, pervious asphalt or pavers, as well as purchasing rain barrels which collect rain water from your gutters, which you can use to water plants and your yard. “We now have two cost share programs for property owners,” said Kristine Jenson, VLAWMO Project Coordinator. “One is geared for rain gardens, shoreline improvements and putting in driveways and patios that allow water to infiltrate through pervious asphalt and pavers. The other program is just for the purchase of rain barrels. Both applications are relatively easy to fill out. The rain barrel one can receive approval right away. The other program has to be approved by the Technical Evaluation Commission which meets monthly.” The Landscaping Cost Share Program will give up to $1000 to cover 50% of the cost of materials and approved labor for a project. The Rain barrel Program gives up to $250 to cover 50% of the cost of two rain barrels If you are planning to do some landscaping or if you want to purchase rain barrels, let VLAWMO help you pay for it. More information is on the VLAWMO website (www.vlawmo.org) or contact Kristine Jenson at (651) 204-6074. Citizen Training Opportunity on Aquatic Invasive Species There will be a free workshop on aquatic invasive species (AIS) on Saturday June 25 from 9:00 a.m. to Noon at the Vadnais Heights Fire Station. The Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization (VLAWMO) is pleased to offer this free workshop, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Minnesota Waters. The goal will be to provide hands-on training and to equip citizen volunteers to detect and report aquatic invasive species infestations in area lakes and rivers. This program is designed to support agency rapid response to new AIS infestations, raise critical local awareness and promote actions that prevent further spread. The infestation could come in the form of plants or animals, including things like zebra mussels, spiny water fleas, Asian Carp, curly leaf pond weed, Eurasian Water milfoil and purple loosestrife, to name just a few. The types of inspections that trained volunteers would be encouraged to do, depending on their level of involvement, might include picking up plants and rocks along a shoreline, checking public or private access areas for boats and manual inspection of aquatic species using rakes or boats. Volunteers that can participate include local property owners (you do not have to live on a lake or stream in order to volunteer); local youth groups and community organizations. "Keep in mind that the more trained eyes that are inspecting your waters, the better chance you will have to detect early AIS infestations," said Kristine Jensen, Project Coordinator for VLAWMO. Contact her for more information at (651)204-6074. Gem Lake NewsPage 5 of 6 Wetland and Wildflower Guided Walks Scheduled for July Urban treasures abound in the metro area! Join the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District in July for free guided tours of two treasures—the Tamarack Swamp in Woodbury and the Lake Phalen Shoreline in St. Paul. Tamarack Tour on July, 14 Tamarack Swamp is one of the most unique and diverse wetlands in the Twin Cities. This guided walk will lead participants through the preserve to identify plants and highlight unique features of the swamp. Meet at the Tamarack Nature Preserve parking lot at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 14. The tour will return to the parking lot area by 8:30 p.m. The Tamarack Nature Preserve is located at 1825 Tower Drive, in Woodbury (on the east side of Tower Dr., 0.14 miles north of the Valley Creek Rd / Tower Drive intersection). This tour is co-sponsored by the City of Woodbury. Please register for this free event by contacting Shelly at 651-792-7965 or shelly@rwmwd.org by July 11th. Handouts and light refreshments will be provided. Lake Phalen Wildflower Walk on July 20 The Lake Phalen Shoreline has undergone a very successful restoration, which began in 2001. The group will tour some of the shoreline areas on the southwest side of the lake, identifying native plants and wildflowers and discussing techniques used in the restoration. Meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Lake Phalen Beach House (off of Phalen Drive just north of Wheelock Parkway in St. Paul) on Wednesday, July 20. The tour will wrap up at 8:30 pm. Please register for this free event by contacting Shelly at 651-792-7965 or shelly@rwmwd.org. Directions to and more information about the tour sites can be found at the District Web site at www.rwmwd.org. June and July Meetings The following Gem Lake Meetings will be held at Heritage Hall through June and July of 2011. The City of Gem Lake July 5, 2011 Planning Commission at 7:00 p.m. PHONE: (651) 747-2790 FAX: July 11, 2011 (651) 747-2795 City Hall Address: City Council Workshop at 7:00 p.m. Meetings start at 7:00 p.m. 4200 Otter Lake Road Gem Lake, MN 55110 June 21, 2011 GENERAL E-MAIL: July 27, 2011 City Council Meeting at 7:00 p.m. City@gemlakemn.org 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 Your Gem Lake City Council City Council Meeting at 7:00 p.m. Newsletter e-mail: gretchenas@comcast.net To report incidents for the Neighborhood Watch program or for information on that program contact Block Captain Chuck Watson Tom Rasmussen 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 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.