HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025 10-21 City Council Meeting MinutesCity of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes October 21, 2025 1
City of Gem Lake
City Council Meeting – October 21, 2025
Meeting Minutes
Mayor Gretchen Artig-Swomley called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilmembers Ben Johnson, Jim
Lindner, and Joshua Patrick were present. Councilmember Len Cacioppo was absent. Also present: City Attorney
Martin Norder, City Treasurer Tom Kelly, City Planner Andrew Boucher, Clerk Barb Suciu, and Gem Lake
residents David Birkebak, Tom Hoffman, Tim Dillon. Jeff Foley, Nikki Foley, Kale Hassan, Carol Schacht, Randy
Bachus and Heather Bachus.
October 21, 2025, Agenda
A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner to accept the agenda, seconded by Councilmember Johnson.
Motion carried 4-0.
Minutes
A motion was introduced by Councilmember Patrick, seconded by Mayor Artig-Swomley to approve September 16,
2025, City Council Meeting minutes. Motion carried 3-0-1, Councilmember Lindner abstained.
A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember Patrick to accept the October 7,
2025, Planning Commission Meeting minutes. Motion carried 4-0.
Special Presentations/Public Hearings
None.
Consent Agenda
Resolution #2025-027; Certifying Special Assessments for Delinquent Public Utility Service Accounts to the
Ramsey County Property Tax Rolls - Utility Billing
Resolution #2025-028; Certifying Special Assessments for Delinquent Public Utility Service Accounts to the
Ramsey County Property Tax Rolls – 2024 Annual Septic Maintenance Inspections
Resolution #2025-029; Resolution Authorizing the City Treasurer to Distribute a Portion of the Charitable
Gambling Funds to the White Bear Lake Area Food Shelf
Monthly Financial Report(s)
Claims
All items on the consent agenda were reviewed by the Council. Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to
approve all the items listed on the consent agenda, seconded by Councilmember Johnson. Motion carried 4-0.
Committee Reports
Old Business
Newsletter Updates / Topics / Suggestions
The mayor stated the next newsletter will be mailed in early December and current articles are an overview of
the November City Council meeting MPCA presentation, update on the municipal water system, and an article
on Dr. David Birkebak who recently passed away. Other suggestions included salt and sand uses, information on
the Truth and Taxation hearing and results of the deer hunt.
Future Water System Planning
Mayor Artig-Swomley provided an update on the municipal water system for Gem Lake including the
engineering report is complete, an archeological review is needed, the city engineer is in negotiations with
Vadnais Heights and narrowing down what each home could be assessed.
City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes October 21, 2025 2
New Business
A Variance and Special Home Occupation License for an In-Home Financial Business using over 50% of
the residence, more than one non-resident employee, and more than three off-street parking spaces at
3646 Labore Road.
Andrew Boucher, City Planner provided an overview of the Variance and Special Home Occupation License for
an In-Home Financial Business at 3646 Labore Road. He added the Conditional Use Permit has been withdrawn
based on the information sent to the city from the applicant that there would be less than 50% of the house used
for the business.
A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner to deny a Variance for 3646 Labore Road, Parcel ID
283022440005, seconded by Councilmember Patrick. Motion carried 4-0.
A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner to deny a Variance for 3646 Labore Road, Parcel ID
283022440005, seconded by Councilmember Patrick. Motion carried 4-0.
Accept an Estimate for Installation of Evergreen Trees northwest of Summit Farm Lane – Willow River
Company
A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner to accept an Estimate for installation of evergreen trees
northwest of Summit Farm Lane, seconded by Councilmember Johnson. Motion carried 4-0.
Future Charitable Gambling Donations - White Bear Lake Emergency Food Shelf
Mayor Artig-Swomley suggested that the Council make a request in October in the amount of $1,000 to the
White Bear Lake Emergency Food Shelf.
A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner to request a donation in the amount of $1,000 for the
White Bear Lake Emergency Food Shelf, seconded by Mayor Artig-Swomley. Motion carried 4-0.
Community Outreach to Other Cities and Government Bodies
Mayor Artig-Swomley indicated the city is negotiating with Vadnais Heights for municipal water.
Presentations from the Public, 2 Minutes Maximum
Carol Schadt thanked the city council for using the zoning code and enforcing the zoning code for the item on the
agenda tonight.
Open Items for Council Members to Bring Up
None
Future Council Meetings
City Council Special Meeting, Monday, November 10, 2025.
City Council Meeting, Tuesday, November 18, 2025.
Attendance Inquiry
At this time, all Councilmembers will be in attendance for the November meeting.
Adjournment
There being no further business, following a motion from Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember
Patrick, the meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Barbara Suciu