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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5 May 2010 Gem Lake News May, 2010 Volume 4, Issue 5 Gem Lake News Special Interest Articles: • City Gets Extreme Make-Over • Free Resources Available to Residents • City News-Page 4 • Common Loons Return to Gem Lake Upcoming Recycling Dates: May 19 June 2 June 16 June 30 Gretchen Artig-Swomley, Newsletter Editor For several hours on the morning of May 1, city residents turned out to engage in a little "spring house cleaning." The results were impressive. Teams of volunteers walked up and down streets in the city, picking up a significant amount of roadside trash. By 11:00 a.m. nearly a dozen bags of trash had been put in its proper place, giving volunteers a real feeling of accomplishment. For volunteers, such as Caroline and Richard Nordstrom, part of the fun Volunteers Turn Out to Clean Up City Gambling, Tobacco and Liquor All Discussed at Public Hearing on May 18 There will be a public hearing on May 18 at 7:00 p.m. at Heritage Hall during the regular City Council Meeting. The hearing will focus on details surrounding the sale of pull-tabs, liquor and tobacco within Gem Lake's boundaries. Regarding charitable gambling, the hearing will consider whether or not Gem Lake should increase its percentage of the charitable gambling receipts it receives from 2% to 10%. Charitable gambling receipts was to see which of them could manage to pick up the most litter. (It was a draw.) For other residents such as Rick and Sam Bosak, the interesting part of the project was to note the weirdest items of roadside trash. Among the items picked up were single work gloves, various shoes, cooking utensils, phone wires, old signs, many plastic soda bottles and one working cell phone, which was later reunited with its owner. (continued on page 2) result when people buy pull-tabs at licensed venues within Gem Lake. Gem Lake's portion of those receipts has been 2%, but can, by law, be raised to 10%. The city must use these dollars to fund charitable or public safety programs. In the past, Gem Lake has used these receipts to fund literacy programs at Willow Lane Elementary School, stock shelves at the local food shelf, provide first aid training and buy an AED machine for Heritage Hall. Regarding liquor sales and licensing, this hearing will focus on creating a hearing procedure and civil penalties for violations of the liquor ordinance. A standard method for calling for a hearing due to possible violations, establishing findings, and assessing penalties will be discussed. (continued on page 5) Gem Lake residents Richard and Caroline Nordstrom helped clean up the city on May 1. Gem Lake News Page 2 of 6 City Clean Up Draws a Crowd (continued from page 1) Mayor Bob Uzpen said he was very pleased by the turn out and the amount of trash that was removed from city streets. "It didn't look like there was going to be this much stuff on the side of the roads. We were kind of surprised." "I am very appreciative that people turned out and that they take pride in how their city looks," added Bob. Based on interest and support, the mayor feels that the City Clean Up Day will definitely continue to be an annual event. This year's event was made even more productive by resident Deanna Tangwell, who spent a day picking up trash on Goose Lake Road, even before the City Clean Up Day started. She concentrated on the area near the intersection of Goose Lake and Labore Roads, which turned out to be one of the messiest areas in the city. Thanks to all who participated in this fun annual event. Clockwise from top right: a non-resident pitches in to help collect trash; lower right photo: Tom Rasmussen, Rick and Sam Bosak (in safety vests); lower left photo: Sam Bosak, the daughters of Dan Marier, Bob Uzpen and Dan Marier. Gem Lake News Page 3 of 6 Although there are more common loons in Minnesota than anywhere else in the United States, except Alaska, they are becoming more rare on lakes within the metropolitan area. This is why the return of loon pairs to Gem Lake each year is greeted with special joy. This year their plaintive cries can be heard from some distance from the lake, leading some to wonder if we may actually have two pairs of loons in 2010. Because the common loon is the Minnesota State bird, they are heavily studied here and much is known about their mating and migration habits. For instance, the adult loon weighs between eight and ten pounds. Unlike most birds, their bones are solid rather than hollow, allowing them to dive up to 250 feet as they search for food. Because their bodies are heavier than most birds, they need a longer runway to take off into flight. Typically they need 100 to 600 feet. Other fun facts: the loon's red eye helps it see underwater. Also, common loons can fly more than 75 miles per hour. The Common Loon became the state bird officially in 1961. Other candidates for the top spot were the goldfinch, the morning dove, the scarlet tanager and the pileated woodpecker. Contrary to popular belief, they don't necessarily mate for life. It is thought that the average loon mates several time throughout their life span. Experts think loons can live up to 30 years. Loons start breeding when they are three or four years old. The selecting and defending of the nest is done by the male. Loon pairs like a lot of space when establishing their nesting area and get very noisy about defending their territory from other loons in the vicinity. The Plaintive Cry of the Common Loon Returns to Gem Lake Once the male has selected its territory, both the male and female build the actual nest, usually of reeds and grasses, and usually on the edge of the water. The male and female loons take turns sitting on the one or two eggs the female lays each season. Incubation takes 28 to 30 days. Once the chick emerges, it can swim almost immediately, but it doesn't fly for several months. Chicks are often carried on the back of their parents at first, to protect them from predators such as turtles and fish. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the common loon has four "calls." The "tremolo" is considered an aggressive call and sounds like "maniacal laughter." The "wail" is a long-drawn out sound that is often heard on lakes at night. The "hoot" is a shorter version of the wail and is used to communicate among parents and young. The "yodel" is sounded by male loons who are in the process of guarding their territory. Loons are found on lakes throughout northeastern and central Minnesota. In September, adults travel to their winter home along the Atlantic coast from North Carolina to Florida, or even on the Gulf of Mexico. Young loons follow about a month later. (How do they know where to go?) There are an estimated 12,000 loons in Minnesota. In 1998, one study tracked 1,688 loons, a record high, on Lake Mille Lacs alone! Information source: Minnesota DNR Gem Lake News Page 4 of 6 DVD Available on Preventing Lyme's Disease If you are interested in learning more about Lyme Disease, there is a DVD at Heritage Hall available for you to check out and watch. The name of the DVD is "Under Our Skin," which explores the epidemic of Lyme Disease in the United States, as well as insights on treatment and prevention. The DVD is the property of Caroline Nordstrom, a Gem Lake residents who has suffered from Lyme Disease herself and would like to see other residents become more educated on the subject. To check out the DVD call Jean Reiter at Heritage Hall, or simply stop by to pick it up. Get Rid of Buckthorn in Your Yard It is possible to begin to get rid of the Buckthorn bushes in your yard. To help you, Gem Lake has a Buckthorn removal tool available to residents on a loaner basis. Although no one has borrowed the tool for five years, the problem may be that no one knows it's available. The "Weed Wrench" is an effective tool for grabbing those darn bushes and pulling them out of your landscaping. The tool is about four feet high and weighs about 30 pounds, but it works. Having a teenager around who is trying to earn gas money will add greatly to the effectiveness of this tool. To check it out, contact Jean Reiter at Heritage Hall. 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. City News Page 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 prior to June 7. A report on your water quality is then mailed directly to you several weeks later. MN-DOT Begins Bridge Repair Around May 1, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MN-DOT) began repair work on the bridge on Highway 61 that crosses over Scheuneman Road. There will be four phases to the project. For Phase One, Scheuneman Road will remain open. For Phases Two and Three, Scheuneman Road near Nelson Marine will be closed. The road will be open for Phase Four. Gem Lake has not yet received any construction dates for Phases Two, Three or Four. Stay tuned for more information. Planning Commission Held Hearing on Flood Plain Ordinance Gem Lake's Planning Commission held a public hearing on May 4 on the adoption of a Flood Plain Ordinance. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has requested that Gem Lake complete and pass an ordinance specifying rules and regulations regarding city flood plains and types of building permitted within and around flood hazard areas. This ordinance will allow FEMA to extend flood insurance coverage to local residents who wish to purchase it. The Gem Lake City Council will now vote on the ordinance at its May 18 meeting. Gem Lake News Page 5 of 6 Eighteen people attended a seminar on the construction of rain gardens, held on April 7 in Vadnais Heights. The seminar was sponsored by the Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization (VLAWMO). The session focused on how rain gardens work to prevent ground water runoff and how they can be easily and effectively applied to almost any type of property in the area. The organization is now considering putting on another seminar. For information on rain gardens, contact Kristine Lampert at 651-204-6070. A variety of applications are now being considered by VLAWMO for the cost sharing program advertised here in March. Through this program, VLAWMO will considering sharing the cost of landscaping projects that restore shoreline, prevent ground water run-off and otherwise benefit the overall watershed. One of the applications being considered is in Gem Lake and would focus on shoreline restoration. For more information on this program, contact VLAWMO at the phone number listed above. Ground Breaking Ceremony for Vadnais Heights Sports Complex Public Hearing Set for May 18 (continued from page 1) The third subject to be discussed at the public hearing will be possible amendment of the existing tobacco ordinance. The amendments would be directed specifically at increasing the penalties for violations of the ordinance from $75 to $500 for the first violation and from $200 to $1000 for the second violation. Procedures for license suspension after the third violation would be established. You are encouraged to attend this public hearing and express your opinions on any of these subjects. Ground breaking ceremonies took place on April 28 for the Vadnais Heights Sports Complex, which will be built on the southwest corner of Highway 61 and County Road E. The complex will include skating rinks, practice areas, locker room facilities and other services directed at school hockey organizations in the area. Officials from Vadnais Heights were joined by representatives from developers involved in the project and athletic organizations supporting the sports complex, to celebrate the official opening of the development phase. The project is expected to be completed in November of this year. Watershed News from VLAWMO 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 June, 2010: May 18, 2010 City Council Meeting at 7:00 p.m. May/June 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 June 15, 2010 City Council Meeting at 7:00 p.m. June 1, 2010 Planning Commission Meeting at 7:00 p.m. June 7, 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.