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 were: Mayor Rollie Johnson, Dennis Westrich, Lana Bartells, and Crystal Benson. Absent: Brian Lange
People present: GRRL Library Services Coordinator Wanda Erickson, Darleen Maciej, Public Works Director Mike Tschida, Morrison County Record Reporter Sheila McCoy, and City Clerk/Treasurer Michelle Stevens.
Minutes: Bartells moved to approve minutes from September 3, 2019 City Council meeting, 2nd by Benson. Motion carried unanimously.
Added agenda items: Bartells moved to approve the agenda as presented, 2nd by Benson. Motion carried unanimously.
Department Reports:
Economic Development: Stevens explained that Robert Harris was hired by CEDA to replace Tara. His first day will be tomorrow at City Hall.
Fire Department Report: Fire Department minutes were presented.
First Responders: The First Response Team minutes were presented.
Benson moved to approve the resignation from Steve Hansen from the Upsala First Response Team with regrets, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Maintenance Report: Tschida reported on water and sewer levels. He also reported they started discharging the sewer ponds. He discussed the need to treat the primary pond with aluminum sulfate to keep our numbers within our state permitted levels.
The tree stumps will be ground out this fall.
Jetting the sewer lines is almost done; hopefully will be done by this Wednesday.
Hydrant Flushing will be done Monday, October 14 after 4:00 p.m.
Lights for the winter decorations on the street lights are in disrepair. The Council directed Stevens to look into replacing the lights for the next couple years.
City Office Report: Stevens reviewed the October Calendar.
Planning Commission: Westrich updated the Council on what the Planning & Zoning Commissioners have been working including their Open House scheduled for November 20 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.
UCDC: Benson explained the team met to tally the results from Heritage Days.
Unfinished Business: League of Minnesota Cities Regional Meeting
Johnson reminded Council Members of the LMC Regional Meeting October 16. He also stated that Stevens and he rescheduled their meeting date to October 9 in Benson due to scheduling conflicts.
New Business:
St. Mary’s Gambling Permit: Benson moved to approve a gambling permit with no waiting period set for October 27, 2019 at St. Mary’s Church located at 308 South Main, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
MN Rural Water Association- Financing Community Projects
MRWA is offering a training October 10 addressing the demands of repairing and replacing the City’s infrastructure.
Short-Term & Long-Term Planning for the City
Johnson also talked about the need to discuss short and long-term range planning for the City. He directed Stevens to put it on the November agenda.
Levy: Bartells moved to pass resolution 10-7-19-1 a resolution to raise the City’s levy the cost of living 2.8%, 2nd by Benson. Motion carried unanimously.
LMC Collaboration Program: Johnson explained the LMC Resource of the Collaboration Training. Pamela Witmore with the League will be here December 11 at 6:30 pm to work on dealing with Conflict Management and Team Building. He has required that all Fire and First Response Team Members attend this training. He also requested that the Council Members also plan to be at the training.
Sytek Contract for Library Space: Johnson shared with the Council the need for a new contract with Sytek for rent of library space. Benson moved to approve the new five year contract with Sytek 2nd by Bartells.Motion carried unanimously.
Overdue Utilities: Stevens presented the current list of accounts with overdue utilities. The final list will be assessed onto property taxes in mid-November.
Acknowledgements: Gratitude to Dale Welinski for cutting the fallen trees in the park. Your generosity saved the City staff a lot of time and money!
Financials: Bartells moved to approve the bills as presented, 2nd by Benson. Motion carried unanimously.
Updates/FYI: Next regular Council Meeting – Monday, November 4, 2019
The Legion Memorial Dedication – October 12 from 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Adjourn: Bartells moved to adjourn at 8:07 pm, 2nd by Westrich. Motion carried unanimously.
Michelle Stevens, Clerk/Treasurer
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