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: Mayor Rollie Johnson, Council Members Lana Bartells, Wendy Rene, and Mitch Lange. Absent: Crystal Benson
Staff present: First Response Vice President Danielle Haus, Public Works Director Mike Tschida, and City Clerk-Treasurer Michelle Stevens.
Minutes: Lange moved to approve the regular city council meeting minutes from April 4, 2022, 2nd by Rene. Motion carried unanimously.
Added agenda items: Bartells moved to approve the agenda as presented, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Presentations: 2021 Audit – Jon Archer
City Auditor Jon Archer presented Schlenner Wenner’s findings for the 2021 City Audit. Mitch Lange moved to accept the Audit Report from Schlenner Wenner, 2nd by Rene. Motion carried unanimously.
Maintenance Report: Tschida reported on water and sewer levels as well as the various tasks done throughout the City.
Tschida explained they received three applications for the part time public works position. Bartells moved to hire Sylvester Tschida as the new part time public works maintenance worker, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Rene moved to hire Mike Kiley as the emergency backup public works position, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Tschida reviewed the quote to repair the leaking manholes. Rene moved to contract with Thul Specialty Contracting to rehabilitate the listed manholes, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Tschida shared the waterline issue that is connecting to the new Senior Living facility. Lange moved to extending the water service to go past Walnut to be accessible for future developments, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Community Center Treasurer Al Donat
Al Donat, Community Center Treasurer, explained the discoveries they received when they had an energy audit done on the Community Center. He is requesting sealing the ductwork in the ceiling and insulation be added in the attic to the lower the cost of heating and cooling. Bartells moved to have Donat get quotes for insulating the Community Center and to go with the best quote upon the approval of the Mayor, 2nd by Rene. Motion carried unanimously.
Department Reports: Fire Department Report: Danielle Haus updated the council on the Fire Department’s activities including a controlled burn scheduled for May 14. The team is also looking at recruiting new members. Burning restrictions are in place, please get a permit from Frank Koopmeiners or other fire warden before you burn.
First Response Team: First Response Team Vice President Danielle Haus reported the calls for April. Last week they hosted the mock car crash which was very successful. They will be participating in the control burn with the Fire Department. They are also working on the annual Memorial Day Service meal on Monday, May 30 at the Rec Building.
City Office Report: Stevens reviewed the May calendar and reported on the projects worked on in April.
Stevens informed the Council of the five applications received for her replacement. Rene moved to hire Jane Popp as the new City Clerk with a 90-day probationary period, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Planning Commission: Marty shared that they welcomed Mark Gilles to the Planning Commission; now all seats are filled.
Two new building permits were approved.
The Planning Commission is also working on long-term planning for future development in the city.
Lange moved to hold a public hearing to discuss the Conditional Use Permit including a variance for the size of their lot and the placement of the coop on the property for up to 10 chickens at 204 Borgstrom on or after 7:20 pm, 2nd by Rene. Motion carried unanimously.
Unfinished Business: New Well Location
Staff will create a goal plan to find a new well location.
New Business: Park Bathrooms
The park bathrooms quotes were reviewed. Lange moved to contract with Kramer Construction, Freeport Electric and Rippling Plumbing to build new bathrooms in the city park, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Frank Koopmeiners Resignation: Bartells moved to accept Frank Koopmeiners’ verbal resignation as of March 31, 2022, with regrets, 2nd by Rene. Motion carried unanimously.
Paving West Street and 3rd Avenue: Johnson reviewed the quote from Central Minnesota Paving to resurface West Street and 3rd Avenue. Council directed Johnson to get a quote from Knife River who will also be paving Walnut Avenue.
Pickleball Club Donation for New Chairs in the Rec Building
Rene moved to approve resolution 5-2-2022-1, accepting $1,000.00 from the Pickleball Club to purchase new chairs for the Rec Building, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Acknowledgements: Appreciation to the Pickleball Club for donation $1,000.00 for new chairs in the Rec Building. Your generosity is amazing.
Financials: Lange moved to approve the bills as presented, 2nd by Rene. Motion carried unanimously.
Updates/FYI: Next Regular City Council Meeting will be June 6, 2022 at 7:00 pm.
Adjourn: Rene moved to adjourn at 8:41 pm, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Michelle Stevens, Clerk/Treasurer
-
-
-
-
-
-
-