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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026 02-17 CC MinutesCity of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes February 17, 2026 1 City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting February 17, 2026 Meeting Minutes I. Call to Order Mayor Gretchen Artig-Swomley called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. II. Call of Roll Mayor Gretchen Artig-Swomley, Councilmembers Len Cacioppo, Ben Johnson, Jim Lindner, and Joshua Patrick were present. Also present: City Attorney Martin Norder, City Treasurer Tom Kelly, Justin Gese, City Engineer, and City Clerk Barb Suciu. III. Approve of Agenda and Minutes A. Approve the Agenda for the February 17, 2026, City Council meeting. A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner to accept the February 17, 2026, agenda, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Motion carried 5-0. B. Approve the Minutes of January 20, 2026, City Council meeting. A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo to approve December 16, 2025, City Council Meeting minutes. Motion carried 5-0. IV. Special Presentations/Public Hearings A. Resolution 2026-05; Consideration of the Rental License Renewal for 3930 Scheuneman Road. Mayor Artig- Swomley asked for a motion to open the public hearing regarding 3930 Scheuneman Road. A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo to open the public hearing at 7:01 p.m. for the Rental License Renewal tor 3930 Scheuneman Road. Motion carried 5-0. City Attorney Norder provided an overview of the process for renewing a rental license. He presented the police calls for the property over the past three years, complaints from neighbors, and the issue with the building official obtaining access for the required inspection. The City Council expressed concern about the complaints they have received over the past year about the property. Jeff Tschetter, property owner, stated the property was issued a license in 2025 and didn’t understand why the property is being discussed at a public hearing tonight. He was unaware of any police calls in 2025 and prior to that all issues had been resolved. A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo to close the public hearing at 7:23 p.m. for the Rental License Renewal to 3930 Scheuneman Road. Motion carried 5-0. City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes February 17, 2026 2 City Attorney Norder stated the options before the city council tonight are to renew the license, not renew the license, or renew the license with conditions. A motion was introduced by Councilmember Patrick, seconded by Councilmember Johnson for Resolution 2026-05; Resolution Denying the Renewal of a Rental License for 3930 Scheuneman Road. Motion carried 5-0. V. Consent Agenda A. Monthly Financial Report(s) B. Claims A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember Johnson to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion carried 5-0. VI. Planning Commission Reports None. VII. Old Business A. Newsletter Updates/Topics/Suggestions Mayor Artig-Swomley stated the next newsletter will be going out early April and some of the topics include water rates, Phase I Water project update, Comp Plan Kick off, Watershed and clean-up day. B. Resolution No. 2026-06; Resolution Authorizing the City Clerk to Enter into a Contract with Kodiak Power Solutions for the Installation of a Generator at Heritage Hall, 4200 Otter Lake Road. Mayor Artig-Swomley stated this item is for a generator for Heritage Hall. If Council recalls, we awarded a contract last year, but the contractor has since backed out. Two bids were obtained: Kodiak Power and NAC. Councilmember Patrick stated for the Kodiak Power bid, he would add the remote monitoring option that is outlined in the quote. A motion was introduced by Councilmember Patrick, seconded by Councilmember Lindner to approve a resolution authorizing the City Clerk to Enter into a Contract with Kodiak Power Solutions for the installation of a generator with the remote monitoring at Heritage Hall, 4200 Otter Lake Road. Motion carried 4-0-1 abstain (Cacioppo) C. Phase I Water Project – Next Steps Mayor Artig-Swomley stated Gem Lake has received additional funding from the Federal Government and Mr. Gese will present the current options. Justin Gese, City Engineer stated the city has received another grant from the Federal government. With the additional funds, there are two project funding options for the city council to consider. Project funding option 1 would cover all the costs with no special City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes February 17, 2026 3 assessment for Gem Lake properties. There would be $96,108 remaining with the potential up to $218,858 if there is still an assessment to Vadnais Heights property. Project funding option 2 would add water services to Big Fox south. There would be an assessment to Gem Lake residents estimated at $4,300 per lot and the special assessment for the Vadnais Heights property. Adding the additional properties would have the project break even. He added there could be another grant forthcoming that would assist property owners with well sealing costs for approximately $275K. This grant requires a 10% match, and all properties need to connect before 2029. If the property owner doesn’t connect, the grant would be adjusted accordingly. A motion was introduced by Councilmember Cacioppo, seconded by Councilmember Lindner to continue with the Water Project Funding Option 1. Motion carried 5-0. D. Joint City Council/Planning Commission Meeting – March 9, 2026 Mayor Artig-Swomley stated on March 9, 2026, there is going to be a joint meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission to kick off the planning of the 2050 Comprehensive Plan. The vision is to establish a very broad schedule of deadlines and splitting out sections to appropriate consultants or commissions. VIII. New Business A. Resolution 2026-07; Resolution Approving the 2026 Water and Sewer Rates A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo for Resolution 2026-07; Approving the 2026 Water and Sewer Rates. IX. Community Outreach to other Cities and Government Bodies No issues raised. X. Presentation from the Public No issues raised. XI. Open Items for Council Members to Bring up Rick Brozak, resident, thanked the City Council for pursuing the Phase I Water Project. He also thanked the City Council for code enforcement actions tonight. XII. Future Council Meetings Next City Council/Planning Commission Meeting - Monday, March 9, 2026 Next City Council Meeting - Tuesday, March 17, 2026 XIII. Adjournment. There being no further business, following a motion from Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo, the meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara Suciu