These are unapproved minutes.
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, Joan Olson, Brian Lange, Dennis Westrich, and Robert Maciej. People present: Sheila McCoy, MC Record; Charla Bueckers and Butch Bauer with Tom’s Refuse & Recycling; Trevor Soltis, Upsala Ballpark Assoc. (UBA); Rob Schumer, St. Mary’s Church; Frank Koopmeiners, Public Works; and Michelle Stevens, City Clerk.
Minutes: Lange moved to approve minutes from November 2, 2015 City Council Meeting changing the amount under Elmdale Township from $5,06.00 to $5,106.00, 2nd by Maciej. Motion carried unanimously.
Maciej moved to approve minutes from November 16, 2015 City Council Meeting, 2nd by Westrich. Motion carried unanimously.
Added agenda items: Lange moved to accept the agenda adding Rob Schumer from St. Mary’s Church and Trevor Soltis from Upsala Baseball Assoc. to the Presentations, and adding Holiday Lighting Contest to New Business, 2nd by Maciej. Motion carried unanimously.
Presentation, Citizen Appeals: Tom’s Refuse & Recycling, Charla Bueckers submitted figures for the proposed $3.00 raise per residential account and secondary carts as part of a 5 year contract renewal starting May 31, 2017.
Maciej moved to approve the five year contract with Tom’s Refuse & Recycling starting May of 2017, 2nd Olson. Motion carried unanimously.
Lange moved to approve the lawful gambling permit for UBA’s winter fund-raiser at the Rec. Building February 20, 2016 with no waiting period, 2nd Westrich. Motion carried unanimously.
Lange moved to approve the lawful gambling permit for three fund-raisers at St. Mary Church on February 21, March 13, and October 24 with no waiting period, 2nd by Maciej. Motion carried unanimously.
Department Reports:
Maintenance Report: Koopmeiners reported the new pit-less unit is working smoothly, and the pond has been discharged again.
Koopmeiners presented the Council Members information on the proposed space for the snow plow along with salt/sand storage by the water treatment plant.
Fire Department Report: Brian Lange reported the tanker truck is here; it is getting new fittings and equipment. He also reported that thankfully there were no injuries this year.
City Office Report: Michelle Stevens requested to attend the MN Municipal Clerks Institute May 2-6 in Plymouth, MN. She can apply for 2 different non-conflicting scholarships to help pay for the training.
Lange moved to approve Stevens to attend the MN Municipal Clerks Institute May 2-6 in Plymouth, MN, 2nd by Maciej. Motion carried unanimously.
Planning Commission: Approved a building permit for Don Marty to add onto his storage shed.
UCDC: No meeting was held.
Recreation Board: No meeting was held.
The Council discussed the need for repairing the water washout from the roof off of the Rec Building. The Lion’s Club has offered to pay 1/3 of the cost provided that UBA pays 1/3 and the City pays the other 1/3.
Mel Larson made another chair cart and Merlin Koester built a table cart for the Rec Building. The Council would like to thank each of them for their ideas and labor for building the carts and making the building run smoothly.
Unfinished Business: Barn, hen house and granary razing: Johnson presented two bids to raze the buildings on the City property located on West Walnut Ave. They are to remove all trees and brush and to contour the land to be planted. Thompson Excavating’s bid came in at $23,800, and Kieffer Contracting’s bid at $25,570.
Lange moved to approve the Thompson Excavating bid at $23,800; to pay $18,800 on completing of the razing of the building holding $5,000 until the project is complete on or before June 1, 2016 with the contractor billing the City, 2nd Maciej. Motion carried unanimously.
Region 5 Elected Officials Summit: Johnson expressed interest in attending the Region 5 Elected Officials Summit in Staples on Dec. 10th and directed Stevens to register him for the Summit.
New Business: Morrison County Animal Humane Society: The Council reviewed the MCAHS request for a contract. No action was taken.
Final Levy Certification to Morrison County: Olson moved to approve the Final Levy of $175,266.00 to Morrison County, 2nd by Maciej. Motion carried unanimously.
City Hall Roof Repair: Stewart Johnson from Reis lumber showed Mayor Johnson how the roof cap is peeled back towards the north creating leakage on the City Hall building. The council requested Johnson to get bids for new a steel roof.
Tobacco Licenses: These are provided by Morrison County. The City does not need issues these.
Enterprise Funds: Stevens present figures on the City’s Enterprise Funds, explaining the need for an increase in the Sewer Fund as well as the Refuse & Recycling Fund.
Lange moved to approve an increase of $ 5.00 per sewer account per month as of January 1, 2016, 2nd by Maciej. Motion carried unanimously.
Johnson moved to approve an increase of $1.50 per refuse account per month as of January 1, 2016, 2nd by Maciej. Motion carried unanimously.
Maciej moved to attach Minnesota’s Community Water Supply Service Connection Fee of $0.53 per month onto each account, 2nd Westrich. Motion carried unanimously.
Maciej moved to approve an increase of $ 0.50 per water account per month as of January 1, 2016. Maciej rescinded the motion.
2016 Fee Schedule: The Council discussed the proposed Fee Schedule for 2016.
2016 Designations & Appointments: The Council reviewed the designations and appointments for the 2016 year.
Community Asset Profile: Region 5 is offering a Community Asset Profile. The Council directed Stevens to research on costs and if Dawn Espe from Region 5 can come to the Feb. Meeting.
Confined Spaces Training: SEH Engineering Firm is offering a Confined Space Training session to their clients in January free of charge. They are requesting information on if the City holds an interest in the training. Koopmeiners expressed interest in attending.
Holiday Lighting Contest: Westrich moved to hold a Holiday Lighting Contest for residents inside the City limits with the first place winner to get $150 in Upsala Bucks, second place to receive $100 in Upsala Bucks, and third place to receive $50 in Upsala Bucks; judging will be the evening of Dec. 21, 2015; winners will be posted on the City’s website; Judges being: Joan Olson Robert Maciej and Michelle Stevens, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Gratitude to Mel and Joyce Larson: The Upsala City Council and Staff would like to extend their immense gratitude to Joyce and Mel Larson for all the work they do at the Rec. Building to keep it running smoothly.
Financial: Maciej moved to approve the checks vouchers # 16990 – #17071, 2nd by Olson. Motion carried unanimously.
Updates/FYI: None.
Adjourn: Lange moved to adjourn at 9:26 p.m., 2nd by Olson. Motion carried unanimously.
Michelle Stevens, Clerk/Treasurer