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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3 March 2010 March, 2010 Volume 4, Issue 3 Gem Lake News Special Interest Articles: • Gem Lake Scholarship Program • Get Part of Your Landscaping Paid For • City News-Page 4 Upcoming Recycling Dates: March 24 April 7 April 21 Gretchen Artig-Swomley, Newsletter Editor The Gem Lake City Council voted to establish a Scholarship Award Program for graduating senior high students at its last meeting on February 23. The program is directed at seniors who live in Gem Lake and plan to go onto college or some other form of post secondary education, such as trade or vocational school. The goal would be to utilize a portion of the city's charitable gambling revenue to encourage post secondary education for a deserving senior. City Establishes Scholarship Program Single Sort Recycling Has Already Had An Impact Gem Lake residents have already noticed an increase in the number of families who are putting their recycling containers out for pick up since the first of the year. This after the City Council instituted a "single sort" program at the end of last year through Waste Management Co. "Single sort" recycling containers, provided by Waste Management to all Gem Lake households, provide one convenient place to deposit all day to day recycling without the hassle of sorting it into three separate piles. The council approved an application form that is now available at local schools. In order to apply, a senior would need to complete the application and return it to school officials with at least two letters of reference from school staff members. The application is due by April 2, 2010. The student is asked to provide information on their academic and civic achievements to date, including extra-curricular activities, such as student government, athletics, music, drama, etc. According to Jennifer Klennert, Manager of Community and Municipal Relations for Waste Management, cities that have instituted "single sort" programs have seen their percentage of participating households rise from the dismal 40% range to 75% and higher. Gem Lake's recycling participation has increased at least 20% since the beginning of the year, based on driver estimates, according to Eric Husemann, Public Sector Representative from Waste Management. In addition, the application requests information on honors, awards and community and volunteer activities. School administrators are also asked to fill out parts of the application and rate the student's integrity, maturity and intellectual aptitude. "We are very pleased to launch this program and hope that it helps a Gem Lake student this year," says Mayor Bob Uzpen. For more information students are encouraged to see their local school counselors. "Gem Lake was around 50-55% in terms of household participation in recycling before the "single sort" program," says Husemann. "Now our drivers are estimating that has gone up to around 75% already. And, typically we see more increases in participation as people get used to the program." Gem Lake News Page 2 of 6 Get a Grant for Landscaping through VLAWMO If you are considering a landscape project this summer, there may be financial assistance available. The Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization (VLAWMO) has a cost share program that will fund 50% of the cost of materials up to $1000.00 for certain rain/storm water, soil retention, and native habitat restoration projects. Both public and private landowners living within the VLAWMO boundaries are eligible to apply. Most, but not quite all, of Gem Lake lies within the VLAWMO boundaries. Projects must support one or more of the following objectives: • Prevention of flooding or mitigation of drought • Water quality improvement or increase in watershed storage capacity • Preservation, protection, and restoration of native plant and wildlife communities, especially along lakes, rivers, and wetlands • Protection and preservation of groundwater quality and quantity Cost share grants are available to all of the following: • All residents of VLAWMO • Non-profit and religious organizations in VLAWMO • Government agencies in VLAWMO • Business and corporations in VLAWMO • Public and private schools in VLAWMO Project examples include: • Rain gardens • Redirection of water runoff • Volume reduction and runoff treatment • Solutions for soil erosion and sediment control practices • Native habitat restoration, especially along lakes, ponds, streams, and wetlands The following conditions exist for the grants: • VLAWMO will fund 50% of the cost of materials up to $1000.00 maximum. Eligible materials are those which stay on the property such as plants, erosion control blanket, mulch, and top soil. Tools, equipment, work gloves, and shovels (any item that may be reused on a future project) are not eligible for funding. • Projects completed or already in progress are ineligible • The cost share application and cost share agreement must be approved by VLAWMO and signed by both parties prior to beginning the work. • A site visit by VLAWMO staff is required once the project is complete before a reimbursement check is released to the Grantee. • Grantee must agree to maintain the project for a minimum of five (5) years. The site may be inspected by VLAWMO staff within that time frame to ensure compliance. • Grantee must complete the project and submit the reimbursement request within one (1) year from the date of grant approval. For more program information, or to obtain an application, contact Kristine Lampert at 651-204-6074, or email kristinelampert@vlawmo.org. Grant money varies from year to year, and is offered on a first come first served basis. To view a map of VLAWMO’s boundaries visit www.vlawmo.org. Story contributed by Jim Lindner Gem Lake News Page 3 of 6 Although her job is an unglamorous one, city recorder Julie Newkirk has learned a lot about the way a city operates through her job for Gem Lake. Each month Julie is in charge of attending the meetings and producing the official minutes of the event. For the past year, Julie has been taking care of the minutes for the Gem Lake City Council, and recently added the Gem Lake Planning Commission meetings to her assignment list. Prior to this assignment, she was a temporary employee for White Bear Township. Her job involved administrative assistant and receptionist duties. She also worked for ten years at Pillsbury as an administrative assistant in the consumer foods department. A Behind the Scenes Look at City Government for Julie Newkirk "I have really found the work to be interesting for Gem Lake. I get to see how a city government operates. In some ways, it's a lot like a corporation. It takes a while to get projects completed. " Julie says she has learned a lot of things about the way cities get things done, including everything from how and why permits are issued. "Recently, I learned that in some cases, cities might have to pay for damage to a citizen's car when they hit a pothole. This came in handy when my daughter hit one near our home. " Julie lives in Columbus, which is near Forest Lake. She is now also attending Century College. Julie has two sons and one daughter. Shallow Lakes Workshop Has Relevance to Gem Lake On Saturday, February 27, the Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization (VLAWMO) sponsored a workshop on the unique challenges facing shallow lakes. A lake is considered “shallow” if it has a maximum depth of 15 feet or less or with 80% or more of the lake area shallow enough to support emergent and submerged rooted aquatic plants. (Gem Lake would be an example of a shallow lake.) Shallow lakes are also not stratified. That is there is no substantial difference in water temperature between the upper and lower levels of the lake which in turn allows for constant mixing of water and nutrients. Shallow lakes are either considered “clear” or “turbid.” A clear lake has a balance between plant growth and fish which indicates a healthy lake. Clear lakes are preferred for swimming (who would want to swim in brown, murky water?) and fishing (game fish represent the top rung of a healthy lake’s food chain). Turbid lakes do not have a clearly defined food chain and algae growth often dominates. Excessive levels of phosphorus also contribute to turbid waters. Phosphorus “loading” may come from storm water runoff which carries lawn fertilizers and other organic materials directly into lakes and rivers. Construction runoff may also contribute to phosphorus levels. The challenge for shallow lakes, since there is little stratification of temperature, is that once a lake becomes turbid, it is difficult if not impossible to “flip” it back into the clear water category. VLAWMO’s workshop presented some ideas on how to maintain lake clarity by combating invasive plants that do not promote the natural food chain. Best management practices (BMP) also discussed limiting phosphorus loading through runoff controls. Once a lake becomes turbid, the cost of restoration increases significantly. (continued on page 5) Gem Lake News Page 4 of 6 Get Your Well Tested for Free on June 7 The first free well water testing program in Gem Lake provoked enough interest to warrant a second round this June. If you are interested in having the quality of your well water tested for no charge, please contact Gem Lake secretary Jean Reiter at Heritage Hall to put your name on the list for the next round of free testing. Water samples will need to be collected by you and dropped off at Heritage Hall on the morning of June 7. In order to participate you must obtain one of the county's water testing kits, which will be available to anyone who signs up. You will need to drop by Heritage Hall to pick up your kit. A report on your water quality is then mailed directly to you several weeks later. 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. All results were normal, but the county suggested that one well needed to be flushed. 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. 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 City News Page City Clean Up Day May 1 has been tentatively established as the second annual City Clean Up Day. You are encourage to take part in this fun Saturday morning event. Meet your neighbors and help beautify your city too! Bags and equipment will be provided. Last year, residents were able to pick up a significant amount of trash. This year, the council hopes to insure a hot dog lunch afterwards, something that didn't quite work out in 2009, due to a significant rain storm that happened that morning. Stay tuned for more details. New Council Member Sworn In Rick Bosak was officially sworn in as a Gem Lake City Council member on February 23. He will serve out the term of former council member Chuck Watson, who resigned in December of last year, due to work commitments. The term expires at the end of this year and will be up for election in November. Contact information for Rick, as well as other members of the council, is listed on page 6 of this newsletter. Gem Lake News Page 5 of 6 Families from around the Twin Cities are invited to a day of lakeside fun at WaterFest 2010. Sponsored by the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District, the cities of St. Paul, Maplewood and North St. Paul, and other partners, WaterFest 2010 is a celebration of our clean lakes and an opportunity for hands-on learning about the water quality, wildlife and special ecological features of this beautiful watershed. The free family festival will kick off with a parade featuring students, clowns and mascots at 10 a.m. Activities throughout the day will include: *A Fun 5K walk/run around Phalen Lake *A raindrop mystery hunt for prizes *Geocaching for water treasures *Wilderness Inquiry Voyageur canoe rides *Kid's fishing lessons and fish demonstrations *Rain garden tours and native plant give-aways *Clowns, art and water games *Professional exhibits on landscaping, shorelines, watersheds and ecosystems *Food for sale at the Pavilion There will also be an opportunity to watch the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society's 17th Annual Solor Boat Regatta on the beach from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Middle and high school students and individuals will compete in a number of races. The Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District is bounded by the I-694/494 corridor and 35E and the Mississippi River, which encompasses sections of North St. Paul, Maplewood, White Bear Lake, Vadnais Heights, etc. For more information on Waterfest 2010, contact Louise Watson at 651-792-7956 or visit the web-site at www.rwmwd.org. WaterFest 2010 Set for May 22 at the Phalen Park Pavilion--Free Event!!! Continued from page 3 Consultants might be needed, and mitigation efforts will be more costly. The bottom line is lakes, streams, and rivers in urban and suburban areas are in greater danger due to the proximity of human activities. Citizens might consider applying less or no lawn fertilizers. Installing a rain garden on your property may reduce the amount of storm water that leaves your yard and enters the local waters. Remember, the more opportunities for yards to absorb rain water, the better off lakes, streams, and rivers will be. For more information contact VLAWMO at 651- 204-6070 or visit www.vlawmo.org. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has additional information at www.dnr.state.mn.us. Shallow Lakes Seminar of Interest in Gem Lake Vadnais Heights Approves Initial Funding for Sports Complex The development of a large sports complex at the southwest corner of Highway 61 and County Road E edged one step closer to reality on March 8 when the city's Economic Development Authority voted initial approval for $26.5 million in revenue bonds to finance the project. Final approval is scheduled at the city council meeting on March 16. The complex will include multiple ice skating rinks, spectator stands and other related services. The project, if fully approved, is scheduled to open in November of 2010. Bob Uzpen-Mayor Phone: 651-492-5083 City Council Members: Gretchen Artig-Swomley Phone: 651-260-9742 Rick Bozak 651-426-9695 Jim Lindner Phone: 651-429-7597 The following Gem Lake Meetings will be held at Heritage Hall through February, 2010: March 16, 2010 City Council Meeting at 7:00 p.m. Goals for 2010 will be discussed March/April 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 April 20, 2010 City Council Meeting at 7:00 p.m. April 5, 2010 City Council Workshop at 7:00 p.m. April 6, 2010 Planning Commission 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.