Call to Order/Attendance: The City Council meeting was called to order at Upsala City Hall by Mayor 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, Dennis Westrich, Brian Lange, and Crystal Benson.
People attending: Darlene Maciej, Beth Gunderson, Jen Servatius, Planning and Zoning Chair Don Marty, Engineer Clif Allen, MC Record reporter Sheila Bergren, First Response Team Vice President Garrett Doucette, Public Works Director Mike Tschida, and City Clerk/Treasurer Michelle Stevens.
Minutes: Westrich moved to approve minutes from October 5, 2020 City Council Meeting, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Added agenda items: Lange moved to approve the agenda as presented, 2nd by Benson. Motion carried unanimously.
Presentation, Citizen Appeals: Jen Servatius addressed the Council with concerns about CARES Act dollars expenditures.
Clif Allen discussed the Walnut Street Extension and the bonding bill the state just passed.
Fire Department Report: Lange stated that the department did not receive the FEMA grant for turnout gear. He noted that the Training board granted the UFD over $5,000 for training in 2021.
First Response Team: Doucette explained they received $5,000 grant from Sourcewell for COVID expenditures. They also applied for a United Way grant as well.
The LUCAS machine is here and the majority of both the Fire Department and First Response Team have been trained on how to use the machine.
The First Response Team offered Trick or Trunk on Halloween.
The Team would like to open applications for up to four new team members with the applications to be advertised December 5, 12 and 19 in the Morrison County Record and the Hometown News.
Benson moved to approved for the First Response Team to hire up to four new First Responders, 2nd by Westrich. Motion carried unanimously.
Bartells moved to pass resolution 11-2-2020-2 approving a $180.00 donation from the Upsala Lions to the Upsala First Response Team, 2nd by Benson. Motion carried unanimously.
Maintenance Report: Tschida reported on water and sewer levels.
Hydrant flushing has been completed as well as the lift stations clean out. The lift station near the townhomes had an excess amount of household grease. The council directed Stevens to send a letter to the manager.
Tschida stated that the Public Works Department is starting to winterize the city buildings and park.
The Plow truck is almost ready for the winter season.
Tschida also explained cars parked in the street is a big problem when trying to plow the streets.
City Office Report: Stevens reviewed the November calendar.
Planning Commission: Marty reported the Planning & Zoning approved a new garage. They also discussed the sale of the City Land for the Assisted Living.
Recreation Board: No meeting was held.
Bid Opening for City Owned Land: Two bids were received for the City owned landlocked property. Bartells moved to approve the high bid of $300.00 to K.H. Gunderson, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Unfinished Business: Upsala Senior Living: Bartells moved to pass resolution 11-2-2020-1, a resolution authorizing the sale of property located in the City of Upsala to Upsala Senior Living, Inc., 2nd by Westrich. Motion carried unanimously.
Johnson moved to approve the purchase agreement to sell PID 47.0129.000 to Upsala Senior Living, Inc., 2nd by Westrich. Motion carried unanimously.
CARES Act dollars: Lange moved to approve the latest purchases of the CARES Act dollars, and granted the COVID Committee of Benson, Bartells and Stevens to spend the final dollars appropriately before the deadline, 2nd by Westrich. Motion carried unanimously.
New Business: City Utilities Assessed onto Property Taxes: Stevens presented the current list of overdue utility bills. Benson moved to approve assessing any delinquent city utility bills to the property taxes as of November 16, 2020, via Morrison County, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Upsala Bucks as Gift Cards: Stevens reported she received a call from a resident requesting to purchase Upsala Bucks as gift cards for Christmas.
Bartells moved to approve the selling of Upsala Bucks as gift cards for dollar to dollar value, 2nd by Benson. Motion Carried unanimously.
Acknowledgements: Appreciation to the First Response Team and Word of Life Church for hosting Trunk & Treats for the kids in our community so they could still celebrate Halloween.
Congratulation to the winners of the pumpkin decorating contest. Kids first through third place winners are: Richelle Thompson, Trevor Thompson, and Anne Ripplinger. Adult winners are Jodi Morrison, Doris Lampert, and Michelle Thompson.
Financials: Lange moved to approve the bills as presented, 2nd by Benson. Motion carried unanimously.
Updates/FYI: Next Regular City Council Meeting will be Monday, December 7, 2020 at 7:00 pm.
Adjourn: Lange moved to adjourn at 8:33 pm, 2nd by Benson. Motion carried unanimously.
Michelle Stevens, Clerk/Treasurer
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