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, Newly Elected Mayor Kevin Breth Council Members Wendy Rene, Joan Olson, Alan Gunderson, and Logan Vieth. Staff present: City Clerk-Treasurer Jane Popp & Public Works Director-Mike Tschida. Swearing in of newly elected officials: Mayor, Kevin Breth and council members: Logan Vieth & Joan Olson.
Minutes: Rene moved to approve minutes from December 2, 2024, City Council Meeting, 2nd by Olson. Motion carried unanimously.
Added agenda items: Gunderson moved to approve the agenda as presented, 2nd by Vieth. Motion carried unanimously.
Department Reports: Fire Department Report Chief Nicholas Johnson reported zero calls. The Fire Department does not meet in December.
First Response Team: Vice President Haus reported three calls for December. They have a refresher training in HIPPA, and the second meat raffle went well.
Maintenance Report: Tschida reported on water and sewer levels as well as the various tasks done throughout the city. Tschida replaced the chlorine lines in the water plant.
City Office Report: Popp reviewed the January Calendar. A reminder about the League of MN Cities Training in Alexandria Feb 28 – Mar 1 for the newly elected.
Planning & Zoning commission has been quiet and continue to work with Sourcewell on revising and updating Upsala City ordinances.
Heritage Days: Looking for volunteers to participate and become involved.
Public Hearing: Mayor Breth recessed the regular city council meeting and opened the public hearing at 7:20 pm; a hearing on the request for an Interim Use Permit (IUP) for Seth Strassburg and Rachel Anderson at 219 Johnson Street for an animal boarding facility and grooming establishment on their property. One letter was received. Various neighbors shared their views on the issue.
Gunderson moved to close the public hearing, 2nd by Rene. Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Breth called the regular City Council meeting back to order at 7:32 pm.
Gunderson moved to approve the Interim Use Permit (IUP) for Seth Strassburg and Rachel Anderson at 219 Johnson Street for an animal boarding facility and grooming establishment on their property based on the findings of fact with recommended conditions of outdoor quiet hours from 10:00 pm-6:00 am and fenced in area must be maintained, 2nd by Vieth. Motion carried unanimously.
Unfinished Business: Reading of minutes out load was discussed, and the decision was made to read the minutes prior to the meeting.
New Business: Mayor Pro-Tem Gunderson moved to approve Wendy Rene as Mayor Pro-Tem; and as such will be an official signer of City documents, 2nd by Vieth. Motion carried unanimously.
Morrison County Record as Legal Publisher: Rene moved to approve the Morrison County Record as the City’s legal publishers for 2025, 2nd by Olson. Motion carried unanimously. Long Prairie Leader Gunderson moved to approve the Long Prairie Leader’s official bid offering letter for 2025, 2nd by Rene. Motion carried unanimously.
2025 Designations and Appointments Rene moved to approve the appointments for 2025 with the removal of Jay Baggenstoss as Emergency Management Director, 2nd by Gunderson. Motion carried unanimously.
Designating the Polling Place – Resolution 1-6-25-1 Rene moved to approve Resolution 1-6-25-1 designating the polling place at 320 Walnut Ave as presented, 2nd by Vieth. Motion carried unanimously.
2025 Fee Schedule – Resolution 1-6-25-2 Gunderson moved to approve Resolution 1-6-25-2 the 2025 Fee Schedule, 2nd by Rene. Motion carried unanimously.
Allowing Transfer of Electronic Funds – Resolution 1-6-25-3 Rene moved to approve Resolution 1-6-25-3 allowing the Transfer of Electronic Funds, 2nd by Gunderson. Motion carried unanimously.
Allowing Handwritten and Computer-Generated Checks – Resolution 1-6-25-4 Gunderson moved to approve Resolution 1-6-25-4 allowing Handwritten and Computer-Generated Checks, 2nd by Olson. Motion carried unanimously.
Liability Coverage Waiver Rene moved to not waive the monetary limits on municipal tort liability established by Minnesota Statute 466.04, 2nd by Gunderson. Motion carried unanimously.
Local Board of Appeal & Equalization Gunderson moved to approve Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 1:00 pm at the Upsala City Hall as the date, time, and location for the annual Local Board of Appeal and Equalization, 2nd by Vieth. Motion carried unanimously.
2025 Legal Services Contract Gunderson moved to approve Quinlivan & Hughes, P.A. to provide certain legal services for the City of Upsala, 2nd by Olson. Motion carried unanimously.
Authorized Signers Rene moved to remove Rollie Johnson as an authorized signer and to add Kevin Breth as an authorized signer, 2nd by Olson. Motion carried unanimously.
Thank you and Acknowledgements Breth congratulated Larry & Lana Bartells, Scott & Tammy Taylor, and Joe Trettel & Dawn Janssen for winning the Residential Holiday Decoration Contest this year and receiving $150, $100, and $50 in Upsala Bucks, respectively. He also congratulated Buffy’s Bar, Upsala Community Center and Schultz Auctioneers for winning the Business Holiday Decorations Contest and receiving $150, $100, and $50 in Upsala Bucks, respectively. It was fun to see the decorations up this year!
Financials Rene moved to approve the bills as presented, 2nd by Gunderson. Motion carried unanimously.
Updates/FYI Next Regular City Council Meeting will be February 3 at 7:00 pm.
Adjourn Gunderson moved to adjourn at 8:23 pm, 2nd by Olson. Motion carried unanimously.
Jane Popp, Clerk/Treasurer
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