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, Lana Bartells, and Crystal Benson.
People present: Darleen Maciej, CEDA Associate Robert Harris, First Response President Seth Strassberg, Public Works Director Mike Tschida, Morrison County Record Reporter Sheila McCoy, and City Clerk/Treasurer Michelle Stevens.
Lange moved to approve minutes from October 7, 2019 City Council meeting with the correction of Bartells discussing UCDC information not Bartells, 2nd by Benson. Motion carried unanimously.
Bartells moved to approve the Special Closed Meeting minutes from October 21, 2019 City Council meeting, 2nd by Benson. Motion carried unanimously.
Added agenda items: Lange moved to approve the agenda as presented, 2nd by Benson. Motion carried unanimously.
Department Reports:
Economic Development: Robert Harris gave the Council an update on what CEDA has been doing.
Benson moved to approve the next year’s contract with CEDA contingent upon rewording the Termination Period, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Fire Department Report: Fire Department minutes were presented. A thank you was received from Jo Anne Pinke.
Bartells moved to adopt resolution 11-4-19-1 approving a $2,900.00 donation from Compeer to the Fire Department for grain bin extrication equipment, 2nd by Benson. Motion carried unanimously.
First Responders: The First Response Team minutes were presented. December 8 the First Response Team will be hosting a meet raffle at Bullfrogs with the proceeds being donated to the food shelf. First Response Team President Pro-tem requested the approval to hire to six new members for the team.
Lange moved to approve to hire up to four new members for the First Response team provided they work on finding members who would be available during the working day hours and have some of the new officers be a part of the hiring process, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Maintenance Report: Tschida reported on water and sewer levels. He stated the wing on the snowplow was repaired, the plow truck box is being repaired and readied for winter, the second discharge from the ponds was done, the cost for flagging all the fire hydrants would be approximately $500.00, the playground equipment arrived, and the bathrooms at the park are winterized.
Benson moved to purchase the hydrant flags if there is not grant money available at a cost of approximately $500.00, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
City Office Report: Stevens reviewed the November Calendar.
Planning Commission: Westrich updated the Council on what the Planning & Zoning Commissioners have been working on including approval of a second approach to St. Mary’s Cemetery and their Open House scheduled for November 20 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.
UCDC: Lange moved to approve the resignation from Lana Bartells to leave the UCDC Committee with regrets, 2nd by Benson. Motion carried unanimously. Bartells explained the need to schedule the band for Heritage Days.
Recreation Board: Rec Board minutes were presented. Johnson stated that Jim Warga bought Shirley Primus’ shares of Toning Plus and is adding more equipment and classes.
Unfinished Business: League of Minnesota Cities Regional Meeting
The council discussed what they learned at the LMC Regional Meetings.
Overdue Utilities: Stevens presented the current list of overdue utility bills, Benson moved to approve to assess any unpaid money to the property taxes, as listed, via Morrison County, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Region 5 Summit: Johnson updated the Council of the Region 5 Summit held in Staples.
New Business: Date for Short-Term/ Long-Term Planning Session
Benson moved hold a planning session on January 20, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Personnel Annual Reviews: The personnel annual reviews will be held after the December 2, 2019 regular city council meeting.
Sale of Old Playground Equipment: Bartells moved have sealed bids for the sale of the wooden playset in the park starting immediately to be opened at noon on November 19, 2019 by Johnson and Bartells and recorded by Stevens at Upsala City Hall; the playset must be removed by the end of the year, with the funds going back into the park fund, 2nd by Benson. Motion carried unanimously.
Holiday Lights Pricing: Stevens shared with the Council the estimated cost to replace the current snowflakes the City displays on Main Street.
Service Window: Benson moved to approve to install a service window between the City Hall office and the Stearns Bank foyer, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Benson moved to approve to have Stevens apply for grant funding for the service window, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Election Judge: Bartells moved to approve Seth Strassberg as an election judge for 2020, 2nd by Benson. Motion carried unanimously.
Recognition of Citizens with mug: Westrich moved to have Benson look into details on the style and printing of mugs with the City Logo to be available for citizen recognition, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Designate Polling Place for 2020: Bartells moved to approve resolution 11-4-19-2 to have City Hall located at 105 South Main Street, Suite 2, Upsala, MN 56384 as the designated polling place for 2020, 2nd by Westrich. Motion carried unanimously.
Acknowledgements: Appreciation to Steve Hansen for his years of service and dedication to the Upsala First Response Team and we accept his resignation with regrets, he is always welcomed back.
Recognition to Lana Bartells for her commitment to improving Heritage Days and we accept her resignation with regrets. The door is always open for her to return.
The Upsala American Legion held a most humble and beautiful Dedication Service for the new Legion Memorial. Your efforts do not go unnoticed!
The First Response Team and Fire Department did a great job on their open house last month, kudos to everyone who helped make it a success.
Financials: Bartells moved to approve the bills as presented, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Updates/FYI: Next regular Council Meeting is Monday, December 2, 2019.
Adjourn: Lange moved to adjourn at 9:08 p.m., 2nd by Benson. Motion carried unanimously.
Michelle Stevens, Clerk/Treasurer
-
-
-
-
-
-
-