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 Elect Rollie Johnson, Lana Bartells, and Dennis Westrich, Council Elect Crystal Benson, and Council Elect Brian Lange.
People present: First Response Members Kyle Breth, Dawn Janssen, Marybeth Doucette, Garrett Doucette, Steve Hansen, Amber Koopmeiners, Bill Koopmeiners, Andrea Douvier, and Seth Strassberg; Charlie Gunderson, Beth Gunderson and Annika Gunderson, Darlene Maciej, MC Record reporter Sheila McCoy, City Engineer Scott Hedlund, Public Works Frank Koopmeiners, and City Clerk/Treasurer Michelle Stevens.
Oaths of Office:
Stevens swore in Brian Lange as four-year term Council Member for 2019 – 2022 and presented him with a Certificate of Election.
Stevens swore in Crystal Benson as four-year term Council Member for 2019 – 2022 and presented her with a Certificate of Election.
Stevens swore in Rollie Johnson as two-year term Mayor for 2019 – 2020 and presented him with a Certificate of Election.
Minutes: Westrich moved to approve minutes from December 3, 2018 City Council Meeting, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Added agenda items: Westrich moved to approve the agenda as presented, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Presentation, Citizen Appeals: Mayor Rollie Johnson presented Charlie Gunderson a granite plaque honoring his 37 years of service on the First Response Team. Appreciation to Charlie for all the work he’s done to develop an amazing First Response Team for the last several decades.
Economic Development: Johnson reported on the work Reva Mische with CEDA is doing to procure grants for the City park.
Maintenance Report: Koopmeiners reported on water and sewer levels.
Fire Department Report: No meeting was held last month.
Baggenstoss reported that the Fire Department was awarded a matching grant through the DNR for new pagers.
Rescue Squad: Report was submitted. There will be a car extrication training on January 26 at the fire hall. They will also have a refresher course coming up. Hanson reported they accepted the resignation from Larry Bartells with four years of service.
City Office Report: Stevens reviewed the January calendar.
Unfinished Business:
Board of Appeals and Equalization Training: Johnson explained that everyone needs to go on line before Feb 1, 2019 and become certified to be on the Board of Appeals and Equalization.
New Business:
LMC Leadership Conference for Elected Officials: Lana Bartells will be attending.
Morrison County Animal Humane Society: The Council chose not to move on this line item.
Personnel Policy: Lange made a motion to approve the changes made to the personnel policy concerning household members and family members being on the same city board, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Toning Plus Contract: Lange moved to approve the Toning Plus Lease for 2019, 2nd by Westrich. Motion carried unanimously.
Morrison County Record as Legal Publisher: Lange moved to approve the Morrison County Record as the City’s legal publisher, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Allowing Transfer of Electronic Funds – Resolution 1-7-19-1
Lange moved to approve Resolution 1-7-19-1 allowing the Transfer of Electronic Funds, 2nd by Westrich. Motion carried unanimously.
Allowing Handwritten and Computer Generated Checks – Resolution 1-7-19-2
Lange moved to approve Resolution 1-7-19-2 allowing Handwritten and Computer Generated Checks, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
2019 Fee Schedule – Resolution 1-7-19-3
Lange moved to approve Resolution 1-7-19-3 adopting the 2019 Fee Schedule as presented with the updated deposit for the Rec. Building, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
2019 Designations & Appointments: Lange moved to approve the appointments for 2019 as presented, 2nd by Westrich. Motion carried unanimously.
Liability Coverage Waiver: Lange moved to not waive the monetary limits on municipal tort liability established by Minnesota Statute 466.04, 2nd by Westrich. Motion carried unanimously.
Local Board of Appeal & Equalization: Lange moved to approve Monday, April 22, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the Upsala City Hall as the date, time, and location for the annual Local Board of Appeal, 2nd by Westrich. Motion carried unanimously.
Stearns Electric Assoc. Trust Donations: Bartells moved to accept resolution 1-7-19-4 a resolution to accept a donation of $500.00 from Stearns Electric Association Trust given to the Upsala Fire Department, 2nd by Westrich. Motion carried unanimously.
Lange moved to accept resolution 1-7-19-5 a resolution to accept a donation of $500.00 from Stearns Electric Association Trust given to the Upsala First Response Team, 2nd by Westrich. Motion carried unanimously.
Lions Donation: Lange moved to accept resolution 1-7-19-6 a resolution to accept a donation of $360.00 from the Upsala Lions to be given to the Upsala Community Development Committee fund, 2nd by Benson. Motion carried unanimously.
Lions Gambling at Cynthia’s: Bartells moved to approve Resolution 1-7-19-7 a resolution approving the Upsala Lions Club to run lawful gambling at 111 Main Street South at Cynthia’s Kitchen and Cocktails, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
St. Mary’s One Day Liquor License: Lange moved to approve the one day liquor license for St. Mary’s Church for February 16, 2019, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Acknowledgements
Johnson congratulated Brady Burggraff, Scott Wensmann and Scott Taylor for winning the Residential Holiday Decoration Contest this year and receiving $150, $100 and $50 in Upsala Bucks consecutively. He also congratulated Schultz Auctioneers & Realty, Sytek Communications and Nelson Insurance for winning the Business Holiday Decorations Contest and receiving $150, $100 and $50 in Upsala Bucks consecutively. It was fun to see more decorations up this year!
Financials: Lange moved to approve the bills as presented, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Updates/FYI: Next Regular City Council Meeting will be February 4 at 7:00 p.m.
Adjourn: Benson moved to adjourn at 8:17 p.m., 2nd by Westrich. Motion carried unanimously.
Michelle Stevens, Clerk/Treasurer