These minutes are not approved.
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, Joan Olson, Dennis Westrich, and Robert Maciej. People present: Terry Lerke, Morrison County Record and Michelle Stevens, Clerk/Treasurer.
Minutes: Maciej made a motion to approve minutes from July 6, 2015 regular City Council Meeting, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Added agenda items: Lange made a motion to accept the agenda with four additions, 2nd by Maciej. Motion carried unanimously.
Presentation, Citizen Appeals: Mary Bachman, Schlenner Wenner, reported on the City’s audit for 2014.
UBA (Upsala Baseball Assoc.) planned to discuss irrigation in the ballpark. They were unable to attend the meeting.
Elmdale Township planned to discuss snow plowing and mutual work. This was postponed until September since Frank Koopmeiners, Public Works, is on vacation.
Department Reports: City Office Report: Quarterly Reports were submitted, however they were late. This will be rectified by next quarter.
Clerk Stevens reported that according to the League of MN Cities she can, with the council’s approval, appoint a deputy clerk who can perform all duties of the clerk in her absence. Or, the council in the clerk’s absence could appoint a deputy clerk.
Lange made motion to have Stevens appoint Jeanie Peterson as the Deputy Clerk to perform all duties of the clerk in her absence, 2nd by Olson. Motion carried unanimously.
Received and email from Ron Anderson, former Mayor of Milan, extending his appreciation for use of the city park for a family reunion.
Maintenance Report, Frank Koopmeiners: Water up 583 gal. Sewer is down 0.53 hr./day. Thein Well is working on well #4. Julian Herbes, part time Public Works, is on call while Frank is on vacation.
Lange made a motion to approve the estimate from Thein Well, 2nd Maciej. Motion carried unanimously.
Lange made a motion to rescind the Thein well estimate due to misinformation, 2nd Olson. Motion carried unanimously.
Fire Department Report, Brian Lange: The UFD is ready for Heritage Days; they plan to have a demonstration using the jaws of life. The rescue rig is out of commission for a couple of days for repair. The Firemen’s Relief Association raffle is ready to go. The new firefighters are now fully trained and are on call.
Planning Commission, Brian Lange: Minutes were presented. A building permit was approved for 437 Walnut Ave for a patio home.
UCDC, Joan Olson: Heritage Days was the main topic. Everything is on schedule. They will meet again on Tuesday, August 4th at 7:30 p.m.
Recreation Board, Rollie Johnson: Johnson stated that people are really keeping up the Rec Center after they use it.
Unfinished Business: Non-domesticated animals: There is a family asking to have chickens on their property even though they do not meet the required ten acre minimum. The council will ask the family to apply for a variance to have the chickens at the standard variance fee of $200.00.
New Business: Public Fund Certificate Maturity: Johnson reported that Public Fund Certificate 1013119 will mature on August 7, 2015. The council directed Stevens to contact other local banks to find competing numbers and to also discuss these numbers with Stearns Bank.
Mayor Pro Tem to be signing authority.
Olson moved to approve Resolution 8-3-15-1; a resolution approving mayor pro tem Lange as an all signing authority in the absence of the mayor, 2nd by Maciej. Put to a vote with four members voting aye. Lange abstained.
Thank you to First Responders and Firefighters: The City Council extends a huge thank you to the Firefighters and First Responders for their honor guard at former fire chief Lloyd Klug’s funeral.
NJPA Workplace Summit: Mayor Johnson said he would attend the NJPA workplace summit in Brainerd.
TIF reports completed: David Drown Associates sent a letter confirming completion of our 2014 TIF reports along with a status report on each of our TIF districts.
Budget and Levy due: County Auditor/Treasurer Deb Lowe sent a notice to remind us that we need to certify our proposed levy to her by September 30, 2015 and our final levy by December 28, 2015.
Lange Moved to have a special council meeting to discuss the city’s levy on Thursday, August 27, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. 2nd Maciej. Motion carried unanimously.
Land Use Decisions Symposium: The Soil and Water Districts of Redeye and Long Prairie River Watersheds are hosting a decision maker symposium Wednesday, October 7, 2015 in Parkers Prairie focusing on Land Use Decisions.
Thank you to the Lions and American Legion: The City Council extends a huge thank you to the Upsala Lions and the American Legion for their donations of $2,000 each for Heritage Days fireworks.
Reschedule next City Council Meeting: Lange made a motion to move the regularly scheduled meeting set for September 7, 2015 to September 8, 2015 due to the 7th landing on Labor Day which is considered a federal holiday, 2nd by Johnson. Motion carried unanimously.
Financial Report: Olson made a motion to approve the checks vouchers #16848 – #16869, 2nd by Maciej. Motion carried unanimously.
Updates/FYI: Stevens will be on vacation the mornings of August 10, 11 and 12.
Adjourn: Maciej moved to adjourn at 8:32 p.m., 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Michelle Stevens, Clerk/Treasurer