Unofficial Minutes
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, Dennis Westrich, Joan Olson, and Lana Bartells.
People present: Morrison County Record reporter Sheila McCoy, Julie Scholz, Bill Scholz, Lance Scholz, Lisa George, Steve Johnson, Sheri Johnson, Andrea Douvier, Tanya Trettel, Don Trettel, Nancy Westbrock, Tom Grund, Upsala First Response Vice President Garrett Doucette, Susan Johnson, Crystal Benson, Darlene Maciej, Stacy Hennen, Dean Wolbeck, Public Works Director Frank Koopmeiners, City Intern Kasey Stevens, and City Clerk/Treasurer Michelle Stevens.
Olson moved to approve minutes from July 2, 2018 Regular City Council Meeting, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Lange moved to approve the agenda, 2nd by Westrich. Motion carried unanimously.
Susie Johnson from Community Covenant Church representing the Upsala Ministerium invited the City Council to the Heritage Days Community Service on Sunday, August 12 at 10am at the Upsala High School to be recognized at the service.
Tom Grund explained to the Council his desire to build a storage unit at corner of Basswood and Highway 238 and requested to re-zone the property from Residential to Commercial. Currently this property is owned by Marlene Soltis. The Council directed Grund to first purchase the property; once the land is his, he can request a re-zone.
Lisa George & Don Trettel presented a petition requesting to lower the water rates and the City’s levy.
Economic Development Specialist Reva Mische is on maternity leave and will be back in October.
Koopmeiners reported on water and sewer levels.
The Fire Department presented their June minutes.
Lange stated that the Fire Department is ready for Heritage Days; they will be doing a car extrication on Saturday during the town celebration.
The Fire Department is also planning a Farm extrication for Oct.
Sun, Oct 7, 2018 is the first day of Fire Prevention week. The Firefighters will be hosting an open house 11am – 3 pm with a free will donation meal.
First Response Team Vice President Garrett Doucette submitted their monthly report and request a gambling permit.
Lange moved to approve Upsala Firemen’s Relief Association Gambling Permit on behalf of the Upsala First Response Team to hold a raffle drawing on Sunday, October 7, 2018 located at 110 West Elm at 2:30 pm with no waiting period, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Stevens reviewed the August Calendar.
Stevens also discussed the internships with the Council. Intern Kasey Stevens was married last Saturday; he has moved to Moorhead and will be working remotely from his new home. He will be in Upsala as needed.
Met with Tom Grund and recommended Tom and approved the idea of the storage units.
Also approved a Building Permit for Roger Roerick.
Bartells updated the Council on Heritage Days which is coming up August 10-12. New things are on the lineup. New food venders are coming in for the event. Clue #1 for the Medallion Hunt was put out this morning. There are approximately 16 craft vendors signed up. The Committee has planned to have something constantly going on all day Saturday and into the evening.
The Rec Board submitted their minutes from the July 24, 2018 meeting.
The maintenance building has been completed and the landscaping is almost finished.
The Planning and Zoning Commissioners will be drafting an ordinance ready for the next City Council Meeting reducing the speed limits on local city streets.
Stevens explained that the Morrison County Public Works Department installed one of the electronic speed signs on County Road 21 near the high school this month. The 2nd sign location was approved by Minnesota Department of Transportation on the south end of town on Highway 238. The goal is to have it installed in August before school starts.
The open house for the new Maintenance Building and City Hall will be August 16 from 4 to 7 pm; all are welcome.
The City Council set dates for the Auditing Firm Request For Proposals. Stevens will have the requests sent out this week. Mayor Johnson appointed Lange to be on the interview committee.
Part 1 of the WHPP was sent to the Department of Health requesting approval and to move onto part 2.
The regular City Council Meeting date for September falls on Labor Day. Bartells moved to change the date for the regular Council Meeting to Tuesday, September 4, 2018, 2nd by Olson. Motion carried unanimously.
Bartells moved to approve Resolution 8-6-18-1, a resolution to accept a donation of $2,000.00 from the Upsala Lions for fireworks during Heritage Days, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Intern Kasey Stevens reviewed the numbers on the water and sewer analysis sheets explaining that even though the 2017 Water Fund’s net Income balance was $44,161.00 (which some residents took as the cash fund balance), this did not include the bond payments. The total of both bond payments that come out of the Water Fund total $48,446.00. The actual Fund Cash Balance has a deficit of $-46,532.00. The Sewer Fund’s Cash Balance has a deficit of $-24,403.
Mayor Rollie Johnson tabled the contract with an independent auditor to clean up the Fund Accounting in the Banyon Data System software.
Bartells moved to set August 21, 2018 at 6:00 pm as the mid-year review of the budget and to create the 2019 preliminary budget, 2nd by Olson. Motion carried unanimously.
Andrea Douvier discussed the unnecessary need to sound the siren every day at noon.
Lange moved to turn off the siren that sounds daily at noon, 2nd Olson. Motion carried unanimously.
Recognition to Lana Bartells and the UCDC Committee for all the work they are putting into Heritage Days. It takes a lot of logistical planning to make a three day City Event successful. They always do a phenomenal job!!
Lange moved to approve the bills as presented, 2nd by Olson. Motion carried unanimously.
Lange moved to adjourn at 8:56 pm, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Michelle Stevens, Clerk/Treasurer