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Home My WebLink About2025 12-16 City Council Meeting MinutesCity of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025, 1 City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting – December 16, 2025 Meeting Minutes Mayor Gretchen Artig-Swomley called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilmembers Len Cacioppo, 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 Engineer Justin Gese, and City Clerk Barb Suciu. December 16, 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 Lindner, seconded by Councilmember Johnson to approve November 18, 2025, City Council Meeting minutes. Motion carried 4-0. A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember Johnson to accept the December 2, 2025, City Planning Commission Meeting minutes. Motion carried 4-0. Special Presentations/Public Hearings Truth In Taxation Hearing City Treasurer Tom Kelly gave an overview of the 2026 budget and property tax levy for the City of Gem Lake. The 2026 proposed final property tax levy is proposed at $715,830, which is a 0.4% decrease from the 2025 final property tax levy. The 2026 preliminary property tax levy consists of a debt levy of $85,778.00 (an increase from 2025 debt levy of $2,042.00) and the general operating levy of $630,052.00 (a decrease of 0.78% from the 2025 tax levy). The following changes were made from the 2025 adopted budget as a basis for the 2026 proposed budget and property tax levy: 1. Based on the 2015 Refunding Bond schedule the debt levy for 2026 is set for $77,763.00. In addition, in 2018, the City issued bonds for the improvements on Scheuneman Road and the 2065 debt levy for this issue is $8,015.00. The two of these debt levies make up the City’s 2026 debt levy of $85,778.00. 2. City Council wages remain at $9,000, which remained the same as 2025. 3. City Council contingency left at $9,000. 4. Clerk/General Government budget includes $64,900.00 for wages and for health insurance coverage. Based on current rates and COLA increases. 5. Financial Administration and Legal Services reduced based on past expenditures. 6. Planning & Zoning budget increased $12,000.00 based on past expenditures. 7. Police budget increased by 4.16% to $153,537 based on the City of White Bear Lake budget provided and includes $139,470 for police services and $14,067 for the public facilities building. 8. The cost of fire services could increase 1.22% to $53,474.00. It includes $35,196 for fire services, $9,087 for fire marshal services, and $9,191 for the public facilities building. 9. Road Maintenance budget includes $18,000 for road maintenance/repair and $8,000 for trimming boulevard trees. 10. Ice & Snow Removal budget increased 2.13% to $24,000 based on past expenditures. 11. Heritage Hall budget includes $10,000 for building improvements and $10,000 for other improvements. City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025, 2 12. Park maintenance budget of $14,500 for maintaining park area of the Villas of Gem Lake and replacing trees. 13. The 2026 budget includes $20,000.00 for future road improvement projects. 14. Revenue and other expenditure line items adjusted based on historical data These changes result in the city proposed preliminary tax levy of $715,830.00 for 2026. This compares to 2026 preliminary levy of $768,005.00 and 2025 final levy of $718,736.00. Using a 2026 property tax levy of $715,830.00 and the City’s 2026 tax capacity ($1,884,274.00) and median valued home ($460,750.00) for Gem Lake, that median valued home, would pay City property taxes of $1,680.15 in 2026 compared to 2026 preliminary levy of $1,806.40 (a decrease of $126.18) and the 2025 final levy amount of $1,680.37 (an decrease of $0.15 even with a market value increase of $18,530). A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner to open the public hearing at 7:17 p.m. for the 2026 Proposed Budget and Property Tax Levy, seconded by Councilmember Johnson Motion carried 4-0. No public comment was taken. A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner to close the public hearing at 7:19 p.m. for the 2026 Proposed Budget and Property Tax Levy, seconded by Councilmember Johnson. Motion carried 4-0. A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner approving Resolution #2025-036; Adopting the Final General Fund Budget and Final Amount to be Raised by Property Taxation for 2026, seconded by Councilmember Johnson. Motion carried VOICE VOTE 4-0. Consent Agenda • Resolution #2025-037; Approving Operating Transfers for 2025 • Resolution #2025-038; Authorizing the City of Gem Lake to Approve the Renewal of a Tobacco License to the Country Lounge, 3590 Hoffman Road West, Gem Lake, Minnesota for 2026 • Resolution #2025-039; Authorizing the City of Gem Lake to Approve the Renewal of An Off-Sale, On-Sale Intoxicating, Optional 2 A.M. and Sunday Sale Liquor Licenses for the Country Lounge, 3590 Hoffman Road West, Gem Lake, Minnesota for 2026 • Resolution #2025-040; Authorizing the City of Gem Lake to Approve the Renewal of An On-Sale Intoxicating and Sunday Sales Liquor License for Gem Lake Hills, LLC (Gem Lake Golf Course, 4039 Scheuneman Road, Gem Lake, Minnesota for 2026 • Resolution #2025-041; Adopting a Policy for the Minnesota Family Medical Leave and Authorizing the City Clerk to Add the Language to the Employee Handbook • 2026 Annual Designation of City Official Directory • Approving the City of Gem Lake Meeting Schedule for 2026 • 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 Patrick. Motion carried 4-0. City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025, 3 Committee Reports None. Old Business Newsletter Updates / Topics / Suggestions Mayor Artig-Swomley stated the newsletter was just mailed and the next edition would be going out early February. She indicated it would include an article on the budget and a water update. She asked for other suggestions. There were suggestions for an article regarding the County Road E corridor project and a recap of the 2026 deer hunt. Future Water System Planning Mayor Artig-Swomley stated the city has applied for several grants to assist with the costs of the municipal water system. Justin Gese, City Engineer, stated there would be a neighborhood meeting for the households that are impacted by Phase 1 of the project. New Business 2026 COLA Discussion Mayor Artig-Swomley stated COLA could be anywhere from 2.6% to 3% increase. A 2.8% increase was suggested. A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner to approve the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) of 2.8%, seconded by Councilmember Johnson. Motion carried 4-0. Resolution # 2025-042; Approving a Conditional Use Permit for 3601 Highway 61 North PID 273022430031 Mayor Artig-Swomley stated the Planning Commission approved this item and the City Planner provided a detailed staff report. A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner to approve Resolution 2025-042; Approving a Conditional Use Permit for 3601 Highway 61 N PID 273022430031, seconded by Councilmember Johnson. Motion carried 4-0. Resolution #2025-043; Approving a Minor Subdivision (Lot Line Adjustment) for 3696 Scheuneman Road and 0 Scheuneman Road, PID 273022430027 & PID 273022430029 Mayor Artig-Swomley stated the Planning Commission approved this item and the City Planner provided a detailed staff report. A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner to approve Resolution 2025-043; Approving a Minor Subdivision (Lot Line Adjustment) for 3696 Scheuneman Road and 0 Scheuneman Road, PID 273022430027 & PID 273022430029, seconded by Councilmember Johnson. Motion carried 4-0. Ordinance #2025-02; An Ordinance Amending Ordinance #131, Section 9.6 Regarding Building Template Types and Permitted Uses City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025, 4 A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner for Ordinance #2025-02; An ordinance Amending Ordinance 131, Section 9.6 Regarding Building Template Types and Permitted Uses, seconded by Councilmember Johnson. Motion carried 4-0. Resolution #2025-044; Approving a Zoning Compliance Permit for 0 Scheuneman Road, PID 273022430029 A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner for Resolution #2025-044; Approving a Zoning Compliance Permit for 0 Scheuneman Road, PID 27022430029, seconded by Councilmember Johnson. Motion carried 4-0. Resolution #2025-045, Approving a Conditional Use Permit to Allow Outdoor Storage for 0 Scheuneman Road, Parcel ID 273022430029 A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner for Resolution #2025-045; Approving a Conditional Use Permit to Allow Outdoor Storage for 0 Scheuneman Road, PID 27022430029, seconded by Councilmember Johnson. Motion carried 4-0. County Road E Brand and Placemaking Plan Councilmember Johnson provided an overview of the County Road E Brand and Placemaking Plan. There are five areas with regional centers. The messaging and branding ties everything together along County Road E. The goal is to elevate awareness of the area. A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner to approve the County Road E Brand and Placemaking Plan, seconded by Mayor Artig-Swomley. Motion carried 4-0. Code Enforcement on Troubled Property Mayor stated she had a meeting with police department regarding a problem property which we have received over 12 complaints. She would like to develop some procedures for these types of properties and would like the City Attorney to investigate and complete a strategy for non-renewal for the rental license as needed. A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner to instruct the city attorney to investigate a non- renewal for a rental license, seconded by Councilmember Patrick. Motion carried 4-0. Minnesota Mayor’s Facts Mayor Artig-Swomley indicated she received an email from the Mayor of Crosslake, MN soliciting support in signing a letter concerning the fiscal direction of the state and its increasing impact on the cities and residents. After discussion, the consensus was not to participate in this at this time. Community Outreach to Other Cities and Government Bodies Mayor Artig-Swomley stated White Bear Township has served the two-year notice to White Bear Lake Fire Department for fire services. With this notice, it could have an impact on the fire costs for Gem Lake. Tom Kelly explained how the contract distribution is calculated. Mayor Artig-Swomley hopes the two- year negotiations go smoothly. City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025, 5 Mayor Artig-Swomley has served on the Purple Line Committee and Gem Lake was one of the first cities to say no to this project. This week the project has been renamed to the Bronze Line and Ramsey County is going to take on 90% of the costs of this project and Metropolitan Council is absorbing 10% of the costs. Presentations from the Public, 2 Minutes Maximum None. Open Items for Council Members to Bring Up None Future Council Meetings City Council Meeting, Tuesday, January 20, 2026. Attendance Inquiry All council members present indicated they would be at the January meeting. Adjournment There being no further business, following a motion from Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember Johnson, the meeting adjourned at 7:53 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara Suciu