These are unapproved minutes.
August 1, 2016
Call to Order/Attendance: The City Council meeting was called to order at Upsala City Hall by Mayor Rollie Johnson at 7:00 p.m. The pledge of allegiance was said.
On roll call members present were Mayor Rollie Johnson, Brian Lange, Robert Maciej, Dennis Westrich, and Joan Olson. People present: Morrison County Record Reporter Sheila McCoy, Tom Opatz with Hilltop Health Center, Public Works Superintendent Frank Koopmeiners, and Clerk/Treasurer Michelle Stevens.
Minutes: Lange moved to approve the minutes for July 5, 2016 City Council Meeting, 2nd by Olson. Motion carried unanimously.
Added agenda items: Maciej moved to approve the agenda with the addition of the Borgstom Street sewer issue, 2nd by Olson. Motion carried unanimously.
Presentations, Citizen Appeals: Tom Opatz, Hilltop Health Center, Watkins, MN, presented information on ab assisted living care center in Upsala. He discussed Exploring tax abatement, TIF, and grant money.
Olson moved to continue working with Tom Opatz to develop a plan to create an assisted living unit in Upsala, 2nd by Maciej. Motion carried unanimously.
Department Reports:
Maintenance Report: Koopmeiners reported on the water and sewer levels.
Koopmeiners reported the chlorine regulator was leaking. To repair the 20 year old regulator would cost approximately $600; a new regulator is approximately $1400. The Council directed Koopmeiners to purchase a new chlorine regulator.
Koopmeiners will be flushing water lines August 11th starting around 1:00 p.m. Stevens will put a notice in the newsletter.
Koopmeiners repaired the potholes.
Johnson Jet-Line is finished. The sewer line cleaning and video report has not been submitted yet. SEH recommends paying the invoice once we do receive the report.
Fire Department Report: No report submitted.
Rescue Department: Westrich moved to accept the resignation of Brian Lange as a member of the Upsala First Responder Team, 2nd by Westrich. Motion carried with Lange abstaining.
Mayor Rollie Johnson commended Lange on his years of unselfish dedication to the team as a member and as President.
City Office Report: Stevens presented the August calendar.
Stevens explained the welcome bags.
Planning Commission: No meeting.
UCDC: Beth Lange submitted the UCDC report.
Recreation Board: No meeting was held.
Unfinished Business:
Personnel Policy: Olson and Lange will bring back solid numbers to the next meeting concerning paid time off. The council will start the final policy at the beginning of the year.
Sewer Line on Borgstrom Street: A committee of Council member Westrich, Mayor Johnson, S.E.H engineer Scott Hedlund and Public Works Superintendent Frank Koopmeiners will meet with the three homeowners involved with the Borgstrom Street sewer issue. A tentative meeting with the homeowners is set for Wednesday, August 10 at 2:00 p.m. to discuss easements and financial costs. Westrich will be contacting excavators to look at the project.
Initiative Foundation Donation: Olson moved to budget $360 to designate as donation money to the Initiative Foundation for 2017, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
New Business:
Election Judges: Lange moved to adopt resolution 8-1-16-1 appointing election judges for the 2016 state primary and general elections as follows: Head Judge MaryJane Chuba, Judges Viola Wuebkers, Christine Wuebkers, Diane Lange, Lan Bartells and Election Administrator Michelle Stevens, 2nd by Maciej. Motion carried unanimously.
Franchise Fees: Stevens discussed the uses for franchise fees to generate income for the city.
Set Budget Meeting: Olson moved to set the City budget meeting for Thursday, August 18, 2016 at 7:00 p.m., 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Set Closed Meeting: Lange moved to set a closed meeting for Thursday, August 18, 2016 at 6:30 p.m., 2nd by Olson. The purpose of this meeting is to consider the purchase of real property for storage of public works equipment. Motion carried unanimously.
Move Regular City Council Meeting: Westrich moved to change the City Council meeting from Monday, September 5 (Labor Day) to Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at 7:00 p.m., by Olson. Motion carried unanimously.
Thank you’s and acknowledgements: Mayor Johnson gave an extended thank you to Brian Lange for his countless hours of service to our community as a First Responder and as the President of the Upsala First Responders.
Financial: Olson moved to pay all bills as presented as well as payroll, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Updates/FYI: None.
Adjourn: Lange moved to adjourn at 8:43 p.m., 2nd by Olson. Motion carried unanimously.
Michelle Stevens, Clerk/Treasurer