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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10 October 2010 October, 2010 Volume 4, Issue 8 Gem Lake News Special Interest Articles: • Railroad Crossing Repaired • Hunting/Weapons Ordinance Passed • City News-Page 4 • Vadnais Heights Comprehensive Plan Highlights Upcoming Recycling Dates: October 20 November 3 November 17 December 1 Gretchen Artig-Swomley, Newsletter Editor It used to be that Lloyd and Madonna LaBore could set their watches by the number of cars clattering over the railroad crossing near their home. Now, cars glide over the intersection and the noise level has dropped off dramatically. Motorists entering Gem Lake from the east no longer have to contend with a bumpy ride over our railroad crossing. Road crews closed down a portion of Scheuneman Road, between September 14th and 17th, to completely reconstruct the old crossing, which was sorely in need of Railroad Crossing Has "Extreme Make-Over" Weapons Discharge Ordinance Passed After a public hearing, several city council and planning commission meetings, and a good deal of public debate, the Gem Lake City Council passed a comprehensive hunting and weapons discharge ordinance in September. The new ordinance prohibits the discharge of dangerous weapons within the City of Gem Lake. Ordinance #120 was extensively discussed at the August 17 City Council Meeting and then passed on September 13 by the council. The ordinance provides for exceptions to the prohibition on the a face-lift. The new asphalt crossing replaces the old wooden crossing that had degraded over the years, causing many drivers to swerve onto the shoulder to avoid the worst parts. This created potentially dangerous situations for nearby pedestrians and cyclists. The new crossing is expected to last for years and to reduce wear and tear on the many vehicles using it. (continued on page 2) discharge of weapons under certain carefully defined circumstances. One of them is for County or State organized hunting to manage wildlife populations. Other exceptions to the rule allow for the defense of people and property from vicious animals; and for law enforcement personnel in the course of their duties. Because the new ordinance is essentially a ban on private hunting within Gem Lake, is was hotly debated by people both for and against the concept. (continued on page 2) Gem Lake News Page 2 of 6 Railroad Crossing "Make-Over" (continued from page 1) Gem Lake's current mayor Bob Uzpen, as well as its former mayor Paul Emeott, had asked Ramsey County to address the aging railroad crossing. County Engineer Ken Haider helped to move the project along after seeing how difficult the crossing had become to drive over. "It is a pleasure to finally have the railroad crossing fixed," said Bob Uzpen. "We owe all of this to Ken Haider, Director of the Ramsey County Public Works Department. I know for a fact that this railroad crossing was not an any list of crossings to be fixed through 2010. Ken and his staff were able to get this accomplished after seeing what shape it was in." Weapons Discharge Ordinance Passed (continued from page 1) The City of Gem Lake relied on input from surrounding communities, the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department, and its own City Attorney Trevor Oliver. What emerged was the fact that allowing hunting in the Metro Area is actually becoming quite rare. Almost all communities ban the use of guns for hunting, most also ban bow hunting in the deer season, with some exceptions. White Bear Township allows some sanctioned, in season bow hunting, with all the correct licensing, but only in several carefully defined areas and only under conditions established periodically by town board resolution. The same holds true for Vadnais Heights. The City of White Bear, which is 100 times larger than Gem Lake, bans it completely. The cities that do allow for bow hunting, do so with many restrictions, such as obtaining the permission of the land owner and neighbors on private land, etc. In the end, it became a question of public safety for the Gem Lake City Council, due partly to the absence of public land. "Over the past two hunting seasons, city hall has received complaints regarding deer hunting within the city," said Mayor Bob Uzpen. "These complaints covered deer running passed school bus stops with arrows sticking out of them, hunters walking private land without permission, carrying bows and arrows, gun shots fired, deer shot and left to die, and the use of unauthorized and illegal baiting stands." Here is what City Council Member Tom Rasmussen had to say about the process of passing the new ordinance. "The Mayor and the City Council of Gem Lake have always worked to preserve the rural feeling of our community. We are a small island of paradise within an increasingly dense area. Allowing bow hunting of deer and other game has long been an example of our desire to retain our 'country' feel. Numerous resident hunters have respectfully enjoyed the opportunity to hunt literally in their own backyards." It was increasing pressure from complaints by residents of outside hunters illegally using the land without permission that pushed the council into action, added Tom. "Operating previously without any ordinance whatsoever, Gem Lake residents concerned for their safety and property (concluded on page 5) Gem Lake News Page 3 of 6 Although Vadnais Heights and Gem Lake were founded in roughly the same time period, our neighboring city quickly outpaced us in acreage, population and local jobs. Formed in 1957, two years earlier than Gem Lake, Vadnais now has 5,359 households, versus our approximately 149. In the next 20 years, the Vadnais Heights Comprehensive Plan forecasts that the city will add roughly 725 additional households and about 2,000 more jobs. Relative Size and Growth: Gem Lake Versus Vadnais Heights The relative growth patterns of neighboring cities has become a topic of discussion in recent months as each city asks for feedback on its own comprehensive plan from the cities surrounding it. Each city in the metro area is required to write a comprehensive plan every ten years for the Metropolitan Council. The plans forecasts planned growth, land use, water and sewer issues, traffic patterns, and much more. Standing at over ten times our size in acreage, Vadnais Heights covers a total area of 8.3 square miles, of which 7.3 is designated as land and the other mile is water. About 25% of the buildable land is taken up by low density housing, which is defined as single and two-family houses. In Gem Lake, the vast majority of land is taken up by low density housing. Vadnais Heights had a population of 13,069 in 2000, (versus Gem Lake's approximately 389) and expects a 28.5% growth rate by 2010 to a population of 16,800. Land Use and Density Issues Including only buildable property, Vadnais Heights has only about 6 percent of the community left to develop. The intention will be to develop the residential portion of this land (roughly 100+ acres), at a fairly high rate of density, at least compared to Gem Lake. The city forecasts that about 62 of these acres will be developed in the R-1 classification, which means low density Vadnais Heights 2010 Comprehensive Plan Maps Out Future Growth housing, This is designated as up to four housing units per acre. Approximately 32 of these acres will be developed in the R-2 classification, which means medium density housing. This is designated as up to eight units per acre. The remaining nine buildable acres on residential land will be devoted to the R-3 classification, which is high density housing, up to 22 units per acre. Met Council Expectations Regional development framework guidelines set up by the Metropolitan Council establishes an overall minimum standard for residential development of 3 to 5 units per acre. This standard was developed to make the most efficient use of regional systems such as roads and wastewater systems. The Vadnais Heights Comprehensive Plan forecasts that the city will easily meet or exceed these density standards. Their target average density will be 5 units plus per acre, with higher density in locations with convenient access to transportation corridors and with adequate sewer capacity. How the Plan Impacts Gem Lake Several items in the plan directly, or indirectly, impact the neighboring city of Gem Lake. For instance, Vadnais Heights plans to extend water service to the vicinity of Goose Lake and LaBore Roads, to mirror sanitary sewer line extensions to this same area. Water service there would serve the existing residential and commercial properties, as well as future development associated with the potential extension of LaBore Road up to White Bear Parkway. The Vadnais Heights Sports Complex is now under construction near the intersection of Highway 61 and County Road E. The complex will include indoor multi-purpose athletic fields and two NHL-sized ice sheets, a 100-meter track and various commercial buildings and facilities in support of the complex. The facility is expected to bring not only attention and additional business to the area, it is also expected to have an impact on traffic volumes. Complete copies of the comprehensive plans of both cities are available on-line. Gem Lake News Page 4 of 6 Lake Level Up Due to Huge Rainfall Due in part to the dramatic rainstorm on Thursday September 23, Gem Lake's water level has risen from 7.7 feet to 7.9. The water level in Gem Lake is slowly recovering from several years of drought conditions, when it hit a low of 5.9 feet. Election Day Reminder Tuesday, November 2 is election day. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. For all Gem Lake residents, Heritage Hall is your official voting place. City Budget for 2011 Set for Completion at November Meeting You are encouraged to attend and participate in the November 16th City Council Meeting. Budget numbers for 2011 will be finalized and sent to Ramsey County for processing on next year's property tax bills. A preliminary budget of $426,015 for 2011 was approved by the Gem Lake City Council on August 17 at the City Council Meeting. This budget included a general tax levy of $361,245 and a debt service levy of $52,000. Cities throughout Ramsey County were each mandated to approve a preliminary budget and submit it to the county by September 15. Throughout the autumn months, each city was then allowed time to further refine its budget and submit a final number in December. However, the final tax levy cannot be higher than the preliminary number submitted in September. Property tax revenue are expected to make up approximately 84% of the budget, with the bulk of the remainder coming from licenses and permits (3%), miscellaneous income (9.75%) and Intergovernmental income (2.52 %). The November City Council meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. If you would like a copy of the preliminary budget, contact City Secretary Jean Reiter at Heritage Hall. See page 6 for contact information. City News Page Wind Energy Ordinance in Development This summer the Gem Lake Planning Commission began drafting a wind energy ordinance. After gathering information from surrounding communities and one local wind energy expert, the planning commission held a public hearing on the subject in August. A draft of a wind energy ordinance will be reviewed again at the October City Council Meeting. Coyote Sightings in Inver Grove Heights Gem Lake is not the only city in the metro area that experiences sightings of coyotes within its borders. Earlier this month, Fox 9 News reported that Inver Grove residents were concerned enough about the sightings to ask a representative from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to discuss the problem at a recent city council meeting. It turns out that metro area residents have been trying to get rid of coyotes for generations, according to Bob Fashingbauer of the DNR. In some cases it appears that coyotes have lost their fear of man and have actually injured or killed pets. Fashingburger reiterated that the DNR is not in the business of removing problem animals. The coyote is not a protected species and can be taken anytime without a state permit, if hunting is allowed within a city. However, since hunting and trapping is not allowed in Inver Grove Heights, as with most cities in the metro area, it is going to be up to Inver Grove Heights to take care of the problem. Gem Lake News Page 5 of 6 Weapons Discharge Ordinance Passed (concluded from page 2) Lions and Tigers and Bears...OH MY!!! Since the last issue of the Gem Lake News, there have been several more area bear sightings, one of them caught on video. The City of North Oaks reported two sightings of bears within the city limits in mid- September. One of the incidents, which occurred on Catbird Lane, was caught on video. Due to the slightly aggressive behavior of the bear, city officials warned residents to be on the alert and to remove bird feeders from their yards if they were in the immediate area. Another sighting in the area of Wren Lane resulted in a bird feeder pipe being bent to a 45 degree angle. Spot Your Buckthorn Now According to horticultural experts, this is a good time of year to spot your buckthorn and mark those areas for future removal. If it has green leaves now, it is almost certainly buckthorn. You can review photos of buckthorn on-line, or cut a small branch that has leaves and bring it into a professional nursery for identification. For tips on buckthorn removal, identification and branch disposal go to: www.friendsoftheparks.org/removal.html have been unable to enlist the Ramsey County Sheriff to assist in tracking down illegal hunters," said Rasmussen. "Gem Lake may still have its rural feel, but we have become an attraction for outside hunters that has created a potentially unsafe environment. Our new hunting ordinance is really a safety ordinance, designed to protect residents of Gem Lake and allow local law enforcement to do its job. It's unfortunate that things change for those who wish to maintain the tradition of local hunting. Safety must be foremost in our minds as we work to protect and preserve our community and residents." If you have questions about hunting in Gem Lake, or would like a copy of the weapons discharge ordinance, please contact Jean Reiter at Heritage Hall. (See page 6 for contact information.) 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 through December, 2010: October 19, 2010 City Council Meeting at 7:00 p.m. November 1 , 2010 City Council Workshop at 7:00 p.m. October/November/December Meetings 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 To reach the Gem Lake City Secretary Jean Reiter: Phone: (651) 747-2790 Jean’s E-mail: Jean.Reiter@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 December 7, 2010 Planning Commission Meeting at 7:00 p.m. December 21, 2010 City Council Meeting at 7:00 p.m. November 10, 2010 Planning Commission Meeting at 7:00 p.m. November 16, 2010 City Council Meeting at 7:00 p.m. The final 2011 budget will be discussed. December 6, 2010 City Council Workshop 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.