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 p.m. The pledge of allegiance was said.
On roll call members present were Mayor Rollie Johnson, Brian Lange, Robert Maciej, Dennis Westrich; Joan Olson arriving at 7:15 p.m.
People present: Morrison County Record Reporter Sheila McCoy, SEH Engineer Scott Hedlund, Great River Regional Library Executive Director Karen Pundsack, GRRL Upsala Manager Wanda Erickson, Public Works Asst. Julian Herbes, Public Works Superintendent Frank Koopmeiners, and Clerk/Treasurer Michelle Stevens.
Minutes: Lange moved to approve the minutes for May 2, 2016 City Council Meeting, 2nd by Maciej. Motion carried unanimously.
Added agenda items: Maciej moved to approve the agenda, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously. Olson arrived after the approval of the agenda.
Olson moved to add one item to the agenda, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Presentations, Citizen Appeals: Great River Regional Library: Karen Pundsack and Wanda Erickson presented the annual Great River Regional Library, Upsala report.
Word of Life Church, Pastor Clayton Wilfer: Olson moved to approve the event application, Tuesdays in the Park hosted by Word of Life Church, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Department Reports: Maintenance Report: Koopmeiners reported on the water and sewer levels.
Johnson Jet-Line Inc. started cleaning the sewer lines June 6; they will televise the sewer lines at a different time with a different crew.
Koopmeiners will start discharging the sewer pond and will report at the next meeting with details.
June 16th Koopmeiners is scheduled to take a water class in Wahkon, MN; this will help maintain his accreditation.
The council directed the Public Works Department to check the safety of the playground equipment in the City Park.
Fire Department Report: The new water truck is in service.
There was a house burn scheduled for Saturday, June 11 on Horseshoe Lake.
City Office Report: Stevens presented the June calendar.
The council reviewed the State Demographic Center report.
Maciej moved to approve Stevens to spend up to $75.00 to create welcome packets for new residents moving into the City, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Planning Commission: Lange reported the meeting on the 18th had visitors discussed the possibility of a business moving into the Mount Olive building. The Planning Commission suggested possibly selling the building.
The Planning Commission approved the building permit for 316 Tower Road which included a privacy fence and pasture fencing.
The Commission also discussed Water Tower Rental Space.
UCDC: Westrich reported heritage Days is moving forward.
Recreation Board: No meeting was held.
Unfinished Business: Pothole repair List: A list of potholes to be filled will be presented at the July Meeting.
LED Street lights: There was concern that it is hard to judge the LED street lights this time of year due to the days being so long and darkness setting in so late in the evening.
Maintenance Building: Plans for the maintenance building are being created.
The Council discussed stipend pay. The Council will discuss it in more detail at the budget meeting.
New 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 beginning of the year.
Morrison County Area Safety Group: Koopmeiners and Stevens will work out who attends which safety trainings. These trainings will help the City stay OSHA compliant.
Initiative Foundation – donation: Westrich moved to contribute $350 to the Initiative Foundation, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Sale of Real Property: City Attorney Tim Churchwell notified the council via an email to the City office that:
1. Although not required, it is generally a good idea to make the property available for public sale through some type of advertisement or listing;
2. The City must sign a written purchase agreement with the buyer setting forth the terms of sale – the City cannot do it on a handshake; and
3. The property must be sold for its fair market value.
Sale of Tax Forfeited Property: Lange move to have a closed meeting to discuss the purchase of tax-forfeited property June 15 at 7:00 p.m., 2nd Maciej. Motion carried unanimously.
Downtown Business Lions Planters: Olson moved to create an uptown planter promotion; each business is responsible for maintaining the planter in front of their building; they are welcome to enhance their planter in whatever way they choose, and judging will be done by the Lions Club during the 2nd week of August with the winner receiving $25.00 in Upsala Bucks, 2nd Maciej. Motion carried unanimously.
July Council Meeting: Maciej moved to change the regularly scheduled City Council meeting from July 4 to Tuesday, July 5 at 7 p.m., 2nd by Johnson. Motion carried unanimously.
Added Agenda Item: Lange moved to purchase an air conditioning unit for $50.00 from Kurt Stevens, 2nd by Olson. Motion carried unanimously.
Financial: Maciej moved to pay all bills presented, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Hedlund gave an update on the City’s projects.
The Walnut project team met and narrowed down the punch list.
Johnson Jet-Lines started cleaning the sewer lines today; Hedlund plans to have a report for the July 5 meeting.
The Borgstrom Street Sewer project map will be updated.
Thank you’s and acknowledgements: Johnson presented Koopmeiners with a plaque celebrating 30 years of dedicated work for the City of Upsala.
Updates/FYI: None.
Adjourn: Lange moved to adjourn at 9:05 p.m., 2nd by Maciej. Motion carried unanimously.
Michelle Stevens, Clerk/Treasurer