These are unofficial minutes.
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, Joan Olson, and Lana Bartells.
People present: Morrison County Record reporter Sheila McCoy, Don Trettel, Upsala First Response Vice President Garrett Doucette, Bill Krivanek, Mike Gilles, Mark Gilles, Sheila Christian, Mary Jane Chuba, Lynn Depa, Nancy Westbrock, Jeff Czech, Fire Chief Jay Baggenstoss, Public Works Director Frank Koopmeiners, and City Clerk/Treasurer Michelle Stevens.
Lange moved to approve minutes from August 6, 2018 Regular City Council Meeting, 2nd by Olson. Motion carried unanimously.
Lange moved to approve minutes from the August 21, 2018 Special Budget Meeting, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Lange moved to approve the agenda, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Mark Gilles requested to have the noon siren reinstated.
Bartells moved to reinstate the noon siren, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Bill Krivanek requested to have a Meet The Candidates night so the residents can get to know the people running for office. Council directed staff to coordinate a Meet the Candidates night September 24, 2018 at 7:00 pending on if the school board members would also like to participate.
Sheila Christian expressed her concerns about the permits for her neighbor’s Bed and Breakfast and the infringement on her property from their guests as well as free range chickens and if they are licensed to serve food and alcohol high of the Bed & Breakfast. The council directed the staff and Planning & Zoning Committee to work together to address the issues at the Air Bed & Breakfast at 120 Basswood Ave.
Economic Development Specialist Reva Mische is on maternity leave and will be back in October. While on leave, she is working on a grant for playground equipment.
Koopmeiners reported on water and sewer levels.
Council directed the mayor to work on contacting a company to fix the potholes on the city streets.
Fire Chief Jay Baggenstoss presented proposed new Standard Operating Guidelines to the Council to be reviewed. Bagganstoss stated that they need to add one more item: after 2 air bottles are used, the firefighters need to be checked by the first response team before re-entry.
Council directed the Planning & Zoning to re-work Ordinance #38; this ordinance is about establishing a Fire Department and provides rules and regulations for the Department.
Doucette explained Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018 is the first day of Fire Prevention week. The Firefighters will be hosting an open house 11 am – 3 pm with a free will donation meal.
The Fire Department is also planning a farm rescue training for October.
Doucette also stated the Fire Department was accepted to participate in a Hormell Chili Cook-off. They will be competing against 4 other Departments across the United Sates. If they win, the Fire Department will win $10,000.00. Along with that, Hormell will donate $20,000 to the National Fallen FF Memorial in the Department’s name.
Baggenstoss reported that Centra Sota donated grain bin rescue equipment to the UFD.
First Response Team Vice President Garrett Doucette submitted their monthly report and thanked Charlie Gunderson for his 37 years of service to the City of Upsala. Upsala had the first response team in Morrison County and Charlie was a big part of that. Bartells moved to accept the resignation of Charlie Gunderson who served on the First Response team for 37 years, 2nd by Olson. Motion carried unanimously.
Stevens reviewed the September Calendar.
Stevens explained that there is an opening for a fall intern.
She also went over the questions the Council had at their budget meeting.
Lange reported the Planning Commission approved a 10’ x 10’ porch and window replacements, discussed putting stop signs on Borgstrom Street, and worked on the speed limit ordinance.
Call for Public Hearing to Rezone the Soltis Property
Marlene Soltis is requesting to rezone her property located on the corner of Highway 238 and Basswood from R-1 to Commercial. Westrich moved to hold a public hearing on October 1, 2018 at 7:30 pm to discuss the proposal to rezone Marlene Soltis’s property located on the corner of Highway 238 and Basswood from R-1 to Commercial, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Bartells reported that they will be meeting on September 18 to pull everything together and tally the numbers for Heritage Days.
Johnson reported that the Pickle Ball team will be painting lines for Pickle Ball at the Rec Building.
The safety committee met on August 30; they went through the Fire Hall and the new Maintenance Building and the Water Plant and will present their findings to the respective departments.
Speed Limits on City Streets
Westrich moved to hold a public hearing on October 1, 2018 at 7:15 to consider Ordinance 59; an ordinance to lower the speed limit on city streets to 25 miles per hour, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Electronic Speed Signs
Stevens explained the 2nd sign location was approved by Minnesota Department of Transportation on the south end of town on Highway 238. We are working closely with Morrison County to install the sign.
Lange, representing the RPF for City Auditor review committee, moved to approve a three year contract with SchlennerWenner as the City’s Auditing Firm, 2nd by Olson. Motion carried unanimously.
Bartells moved to hold a Public Information meeting October 1, 2018 at 7:00 pm; George Minerich with the Department of Health will be reviewing the delineations and vulnerability assessments that were created in Part I of the City’s Wellhead Protection Plan, 2nd by Olson. Motion carried unanimously.
Contract to clean up the Fund Accounting Program and work with Stevens in developing an accounting plan.
Stevens explained that she contracted with Terri Ostermann from Minnesota Rural Water to clean up the Fund Accounting Program and work with her in developing an accounting plan. Because the City is a member of Region 5, Ostermann’s services are free.
City Council Wages
Councilmember Westrich discussed raising the Council’s and Mayor’s stipend pay from $1,200 to $1,400 and $1,600 to $2,000 respectively. No action was taken.
League of Minnesota Cities Region Meeting
Olson moved to allow up to four council members and one staff member to attend the LMC Regional Meeting in St. Cloud October 4, 2018 at a cost of $45.00 per person, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Johnson will talk to Region 5 to find out if there is grant money to reduce inflow and infiltration into the City’s sewer system. Stevens will talk with Minnesota Rural Water to see if they have any grants as well.
SourceWell (formerly NJPA) will be hosting their annual Region 5 meeting Wednesday, October 24, 2018 from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm in Staples. Johnson and Stevens plans to attend; Bartells will also check her calendar to see if she can go as well.
Lange moved to accept a donation from Jonah’s Arc to the City of Upsala to be put in the Heritage Days fund in the amount of $66.00, 2nd by Olson. Motion carried unanimously.
Acknowledgements
To all the volunteers who helped make Heritage Days successful! It takes a lot of people with dedication and talent to make this 3-day event such a huge accomplishment.
To the Upsala Legion and the Upsala Lions Club for donating money towards the Heritage Days Fireworks.
Sincere gratitude to Charlie Gunderson for 37 years of service as a First Responder for the City of Upsala. For all the hard work you put in behind the scenes to make the First Response Team second to none.
To Garrett Doucette for applying for and participating in the Hormell National Chili Cook-off. Good luck in the competition.
Lange moved to approve the bills as presented, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Bartells moved to adjourn at 9:05 pm, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Michelle Stevens, Clerk/Treasurer