Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2 February 2010 February, 2010 Volume 4, Issue 2 Gem Lake News Special Interest Articles: • 2010 Gem Lake Goals • Resident Appointed to City Council • Message from Your State Representative Upcoming Recycling Dates: February 24 March 10 March 24 Gretchen Artig-Swomley, Newsletter Editor Increased attendance at city sponsored events, the adoption of several new ordinances, the implementing of a small scholarship program and finalizing several key demographic lists are among the goals discussed for Gem Lake at the city council workshop held on February 1 at Heritage Hall. The council spent the evening coming up with a proposed list of projects and goals designed to save money, increase service efficiency and insure more citizen involvement in planning and decision City Council Discusses Goals for 2010 Mayor Appoints Rick Bosak to City Council Gem Lake Mayor Bob Uzpen last week appointed Rick Bosak to fill the open position on the Gem Lake City Council. The position was open due to the December resignation of Chuck Watson, who had served nine years on the council. Rick had previously served for four years on the Gem Lake Planning Commission and six years on the council. He has been a resident of Gem Lake for over 25 years and says he has learned a lot about the "mechanisms and tools that cities can use making. Here are some examples of ideas discussed: *The council wants to find ways to increase volunteerism and overall involvement in city leadership. This would include finding ways to increase the number of people who want to serve on the City Council, the Planning Commission and various task forces Gem Lake might need to form for specific projects. *Increasing attendance at city sponsored events to provide for their citizens. "I believe that the welfare of families in our community comes first and that development should serve the community." Rick has several decades of experience in marketing communications management and has worked for such organizations as HealthEast and ING. Rick says he likes being involved in creating a thriving community in the future. "We are very pleased to have Rick on the council," says Mayor Uzpen. was also a key goal. This would include events such as the National Night Out and the City Clean Up Day. "The overall goal would be to continuously build a sense of community through these get- togethers," says Mayor Bob Uzpen. "Both these events also serve important safety and civic functions. The more people the better!" The council also came up with several ideas on other events that could (continued on page 3) Gem Lake News Page 2 of 6 An Important Message From Representative Bev Scalze Here is a message to Gem Lake residents from our state representative Bev Scalze, who covers district 54B within the State of Minnesota. "The legislative session, which began on February 4, will be a very busy one. We have been holding committee meetings all through January in preparation for the session, and our focus is on jobs. We have the highest unemployment rate in three decades, and the steep drop in wages have cut another wide gap in the state budget." "Minnesota has lost more than 130,000 jobs since this time last year in the midst of a national economic downturn than began in 2006-07. Every request that we are examining as we produce our 2010 Capital Investment Bill, needs to report the number of jobs that will be produced and how soon the work can begin. The greatest share of this bonding bill funds our state buildings, and college repair and renovations. Projects like roof repair, window replacement, doors, etc. will be funded by this bill and will put people to work soon after the bill is passed.” "Our state economist, Tom Stinson, has announced that Minnesota will face another $1.2 billion budget shortfall this year. He also says that the recession will cause another $5.4 billion deficit in the next two-year cycle (not counting inflation), and Minnesota will not see normal economic growth again until 2015." "We will be focusing on balancing the budget and planning for the future of continued economic downturn. This will require major revamping of state government as we know it, and the services that people depend upon will be cut. I have sent out a questionnaire to every home in Gem Lake, and I urge everyone to fill it out and return it to my office. We will send out the survey results to everyone who sent in a questionnaire." "I will hold a Town Hall meeting with Senator John Marty at Little Canada City Hall on Saturday February 20, 2010 from 11:00 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. and I urge everyone to attend and bring your questions and concerns. You can contact me at rep.bev.scalze@house.mn or call 651-296-7153." Town Hall Meeting Saturday February 20, 2010 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Little Canada City Hall Gem Lake Residents are Invited to Attend and Bring Questions and Concerns For more information: bev.scalze@house.mn or 651-296-7153 Gem Lake News Page 3 of 6 be sponsored inexpensively These ideas included sponsoring another CPR class, which can be paid for by utilizing the city's portion of the charitable gambling income. This would allow the class to be provided free to residents. Another event could be a repeat of the city idea session that took place two years ago at the old White Bear Township city hall. At this session a consultant gathered information on what citizens perceived as strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats as the city moved into the future. The information was used to form the basis of the comprehensive plan. A new session could be designed to celebrate the past, present and future of the city. One idea floated was to begin with several of the city's older residents providing insights on the Gem Lake of generations past and then to move into another brainstorming session during which citizen participation would be key. The goal would be to draft a roadmap for the future of Gem Lake based on resident input. *Some of the proposed goals discussed for 2010 were financial. The council would like to find ways to reduce discretionary spending by 5-10% if possible. Through efficiencies, cost saving measures and better utilization of funds, the 2010 operating budget was already reduced by 16.7% over the 2009 operating budget. *The city newsletter was deemed to be an important vehicle for building a sense of community and increasing communication among citizens. In the year ahead, a goal would be to increase the number of people who get the newsletter electronically, thus reducing printing and postage costs. The council is also determined to get the newsletter, as well as other news, onto the web-site more quickly. *Although they don't rate high on the glitz and glamour scale, several goals discussed City Council Discusses Goals for 2010 (continued from page 1) revolve around city ordinances. The council wants to pass a deer hunting ordinance, which would require people bow hunting within city limits to get a license from the city. No charge for the license is anticipated. The dog ordinance needs a bit of clean up and clarification. Also, the city is now drafting a flood plain ordinance, so Gem Lake will qualify for the federal flood insurance program. *A new zoning district was created last year with cooperative work between the Planning Commission and the City Council. The Hoffman's Corner business district and the two Hansen parcels located on County Road E now comprise what is called the "Gateway District." This new district simplifies ordinances for builders to develop or redevelop property. To further encourage development within the city, the council has a 2010 goal of becoming more educated on possible incentives that could be offered to developers without undue risk or expense to the city. "Thoughtful development on some of our open parcels is going to benefit everyone in Gem Lake if it is carefully done," says City Council Member Tom Rasmussen. *Infrastructure and reporting issues are on the 2010 draft goals list. For instance, a map of inflow/outflows for storm water along the city borders needs to be completed for a storm water report that is due to the State of Minnesota. Also, sometime in 2010, the city's sewer system will need to be flushed out. (Fun) There was some discussion about potential repairs of the sewer system in the Hoffman's Corner area. The city would also like to install a flag pole outside the entrance of Heritage Hall. Finally, re-stripping Scheuneman Road might be necessary. *The City Council also wants to establish demographic and data on the goals. The Mayor would like to come up with real and up-to-date numbers for the (continued on page 5) Gem Lake News Page 4 of 6 Water Testing A total of seventeen households participated in the first of Gem Lake's free well water testing programs. The water samples were tested by the Ramsey County lab and results were mailed to participants in early February. The City Council intends to organize another free testing program later this year. The cost of this test is being underwritten by the city in an effort to promote ground water safety. Any resident with a well is welcome to participate. (But, only once a year please.) New Ordinances Passed If you suffer from insomnia, please stop by Heritage Hall and pick up copies of the latest two ordinances passed by your city council. Both were based on new State statutes that required the city to pass corresponding ordinances to accommodate these new laws. One is an ordinance that regulates what happens in any public right-of-way. In a nutshell, you can't set up a pup tent, store the extra stuff from garage or build a gazebo in the street, or at least not without a permit. The other ordinance deals with traffic citations and sets up a system for cities to hold hearings on the citations instead of citizens having to go through the District Court if they want to challenge a ticket. If you like reading instruction manuals, you will enjoy digesting these new ordinances. Enough said. The 2010 Census Process Begins Shortly Sometime in March you will be receiving your 2010 Census Form. It is being advertised as one of the shortest forms in history, or "10 questions in 10 minutes," according to 2010.census.gov/ Each question helps determine how more than $400 Billion in federal funds will be allocated to communities across the country. City News Page April 1 has been designated as National Census Day. It is also the due date for the forms. If you don't complete it and return it in a timely manner a census taker will visit you and obtain the necessary information. According to the law, the Census Bureau delivers population information to the president in December for apportionment. In March of 2011, the bureau delivers redistricting information to the states. Future Events Back by popular demand!! Sometime this year the city will sponsor another CPR class, which will be free to Gem Lake residents. Also, sometime in late April or early May, there will be a second annual City Clean Up Day. It is hoped that this year's hot dog lunch, following the clean-up will not be rained, out as it was last year. Stay tuned to your newsletter for more information on dates and details. Recycling Bin Reminder If you are not going to be using your recycling bin for an extended period of time during the winter months, notify Jean Reiter at Heritage Hall. She will suspend service for the required period so Gem Lake does not have to pay for the recycling pick up while you are gone. You can let her know when you wish service to be resumed and she will take care of it. See page 6 for contact information. Gem Lake News Page 5 of 6 The concept of a sprawling community sports complex nestled in Gem Lake's backyard edged closer to reality last month. The Vadnais Heights City Council recently approved various zoning changes and variances necessary to approve the project, that would be located on the southwest corner of Highway 61 and County Road E. The complex would include several ice rinks, indoor practice fields and tracks, and other athletic facilities that could be used by area sports groups. Locker rooms, concessions, spectator seating would all be included within the 101,000 square foot project. Set on 16 acres, the facility would connect to a nearby restaurant by covered walkway and would potentially spawn redevelopment of three commercial buildings that are nearby to house restaurants, shops and complementary businesses. According to Vadnais Heights Mayor Susan Banovetz, the White Bear Lake Area School District is currently negotiating to make the new ice center the home rink for their high school home hockey program. The next hurdle to be crossed will be the details involved in funding the complex, which will cost around $20 Million to build. It is envisioned that the project will be financed by about $11.5 Million in Recovery Bonds from Ramsey County, as well as tax exempt revenue bonds. Long-term lease revenue from groups using the facilities would pay for the operation of the complex. Banovetz says that city taxes will not be used to pay for the project. Currently the Vadnais Heights City Council is studying the proposals to be sure that enough revenue will be generated by usage. There are also various details that have yet to be finalized, such as how street and traffic configurations may have to be changed or expanded to accommodate the increase in traffic flow. Vadnais Heights Sports Complex: One Step Closer To Reality Metropolitan Council, covering exactly how many people live in Gem Lake. Current data includes some people who no longer live here. Since several key development goals mandated by the Met Council are based on current population data, accurate numbers are crucial. Another list that is badly in need of updating is the Gem Lake business directory. A goal for 2010 will be to come up with a more thorough and accurate list of businesses, including contact name information and an understanding of what each business does. *A very important goal for the city council is the establishment of a scholarship program for high school graduates who are pursuing post secondary education. The program would provide a small amount of money to underwrite education costs for a recent Gem Lake graduate and would be funded by charitable gambling proceeds that the city receives each quarter. The city's 2010 goals list will be finalized at the next several city meetings. (See page 6 for dates and time.) Your input would be greatly appreciated. City Goals for 2010 (continued from page 3) Bob Uzpen-Mayor Phone: 651-492-5083 City Council Members: Gretchen Artig-Swomley Phone: 651-260-9742 Jim Lindner Phone: 651-429-7597 Tom Rasmussen Phone: 651-426-8854 The following Gem Lake Meetings will be held at Heritage Hall through February, 2010: February 23, 2010 City Council Meeting at 7:00 p.m. Goals for 2010 will be discussed February/March 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 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 March 16, 2010 City Council Meeting at 7:00 p.m. March 1, 2010 City Council Workshop at 7:00 p.m. March 2, 2010 Planning Commission Meeting at 7:00 p.m. 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.