Call to Order/Attendance: The City Council meeting was called to order at Upsala City Hall by Mayor Rollie Johnson at 7:00 PM. Mayor Johnson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
On roll call members in attendance: Mayor Rollie Johnson, Council Members Lana Bartells, Crystal Benson, Dennis Westrich, and Brian Lange.
People attending: MC Record reporter Sheila McCoy, Community Economic Development Associate Robert Harris, First Response Team Vice President Garrett Doucette, Public Works Director Mike Tschida, and City Clerk/Treasurer Michelle Stevens.
Minutes: Lange moved to approve minutes from June 1, 2020 City Council Meeting, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Added agenda items: Bartells moved to approve the agenda as presented, 2nd by Benson. Motion carried unanimously.
Department Reports:
Economic Development: Robert Harris updated the Council on what CEDA has been doing including the denial of the outdoor recreation grant, COVID-19 business relief monies, signage for the disc golf course, and applications to the L. J. Musser Foundation.
Fire Department Report: The department filled several swimming pools this summer.
The Fire Department is planning to hold a raffle this September as their annual fundraiser. Benson moved to approve the gambling permit for the Upsala Fire Department on September 12, 2020 with no waiting period, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
First Response Team: Doucette reviewed the First Response Team’s minutes.
The team will be hosting a wilderness search and rescue through Central Lakes College on Sept 26.
The open house is still on the docket, hopefully in person at the fire hall October 4.
They are also able to now purchase a LUCAS machine out of their fundraising money.
Lange moved to approve the gambling permit for the Upsala First Response Team on October 4, 20020 with no waiting period, 2nd by Benson. Motion carried unanimously.
Bartells moved to approve resolution 7-6-2020-3, a resolution accepting $500.00 from the EMS Central Region for oxygen bottles and battery powered scene lighting, 2nd by Benson. Motion carried unanimously.
Maintenance Report: Tschida reported on water and sewer levels, and he stated discharging is done.
Tschida explained the playset in the park is completed and thanked everyone who helped.
Tschida reached out to Hennen’s to install gutter on the community center.
City Office Report: Stevens reviewed the July Calendar.
Planning Commission: The commissioners discuss the variance needed on a Borgstrom Street lot in order to build on it and they are working on updating the zoning ordinance.
Recreation Board: No meeting was held.
7:31 p.m. Public Hearing – Wellhead Protection Plan
Mayor Johnson recessed the regular city council meeting and opened the public hearing at 7:31p.m.; a hearing on step two of the Wellhead Protection Plan.
Katie Breth with Minnesota Rural Water, who is helping the City of Upsala write the plan, walked through part two.
No comments were heard.
Mayor Johnson called the regular City Council meeting back to order at 7:53 p.m.
Bartells moved to adopt the Wellhead Protection Plan and submit it to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Unfinished Business:
Sale of City Property: Johnson explained that no one submitted a bid for the City Property.
Lange moved to put it up for sale again on closed bids with a minimum bid of $2,000.00; the bid opening is to be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28, 2020, this includes the option to reject any and all bids, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
New Business:
Initiative Foundation: Lange moved to donate $360.00 to the Initiative Foundation, which is an annual donation, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Donation to the City Cemetery by Joan Ryan: Benson moved to approve Resolution 7-6-2020-1 a resolution accepting $500.00 for Joan Ryan to be put towards the City’s cemetery, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Requesting COVID-19 Funding Through Sourcewell: Bartells moved to approve resolution 7-6-2020-2 via Sourcewell for COVID-19 related items, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Re-Opening the Rec Building: Mayor Johnson explained the requirements to re-open the Rec Building.
Bartells moved to re-open the Rec Building August 1, 2020, 2nd by Benson. Motion carried unanimously.
Paving the Lift Station area by Paul & Kathy’s Supermarket: Mayor Johnson explained the pavement issue by Paul & Kathy’s as well as by Bullfrogs. He reviewed the cost estimate to pave the City’s area to and around the lift station. Lange moved to approve paving the lift station area at a cost of $2,600.00, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
TIF #5: Stevens explained the need to move the public hearing for TIF #5 to August. Lange moved to hold a public hearing on August 3, 2020 at 7:25 p.m. to consider adopting TIF #5, 2nd by Benson. Motion carried unanimously.
Budget Meeting: Lange moved to hold the initial budget meeting on August 13 at 6:00 p.m., 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
CARES act Update: Johnson explained the CARES act dollars that the City is allowed to use.
Acknowledgements
Joe Trettel from the Fire Department has been offering his time to do pool fills in the area. This not only benefits the pool owner; Joe also takes the time to teach the new firefighters how to operate the tanker truck.
Mike, Frank, and the First Response team helped install the new playset in the park, what a blessing to have something fun to enjoy for the youth, now that things are starting to open up again.
Financials: Lange moved to approve the bills as presented, 2nd by Benson. Motion carried unanimously.
Updates/FYI: Next Regular City Council Meeting will be August 3, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.
Adjourn: Lange moved to adjourn at 8:52 p.m., 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Michelle Stevens, Clerk/Treasurer
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