These are Unofficial Minutes.
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., and the pledge of allegiance was recited.
On roll call members present: Mayor Rollie Johnson, Joan Olson, Brian Lange, and Dennis Westrich. Absent: Lana Bartells. People present: First Responder Vice President Garrett Doucette, Public Works Superintendent Frank Koopmeiners, and City Clerk/Treasurer Michelle Stevens.
Minutes: Lange moved to approve the minutes from the Aug. 7, 2017 regular City Council Meeting, 2nd by Westrich. Motion carried unanimously.
Lange moved to approve minutes from the August 21, 2017 Special City Council Meeting, 2nd by Olson. Motion carried unanimously.
Westrich moved to approve minutes from the August 24, 2017 Special City Council Meeting, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Added agenda items: Lange moved to approve the agenda with the additions of discussing Frank Koopmeiners’ retirement and the process of hiring a successor, the Morrison County Safety Meeting, as well as the alley between Johnson and Borgstrom Streets, 2nd by Olson. Motion carried unanimously.
Presentation, Citizen Appeals: Great River Regional Library Services Coordinator Wanda Erickson discussed their insurance audit and the book drop box. The insurance auditors noted that there was no metal lining in the book drop box. The book drop mechanism is broken and should be replaced.
Department Reports:
Maintenance Report: Koopmeiners reported on water and sewer levels. There was sod laid by the Rec Building. Westrich recommended that Public Works fertilize the rest of the grass around the building. The sewer line on Borgstrom Street was flushed out and minor debris was found.
Fire Department Report: Advertisements have been posted for the four new firefighter positions.
First Responders: First Responder Vice President Garrett Doucette reported that on Sunday, September 24, they are executing a joint mock crash with neighboring first responder community, MLMB.
City Office Report: Stevens reviewed the September Calendar and upcoming events.
Planning Commission: The Planning and Zoning Commission approved Garrett Doucette’s building permit for an addition onto his garage, and Eric Orton’s request for an outdoor boiler. They also discussed the Veterans Memorial Park site.
UCDC: No meeting held.
Recreation Board: No Meeting held.
Unfinished Business:
Maintenance Building: S.E.H. held a pre-bid meeting on the morning of September 5 for the Maintenance Building.
Purchasing Policy: The Council reviewed the purchasing policy and made several changes. Stevens will bring a finalized version to the October meeting.
New Business:
MNWARN MT: MNWARN will be hosting a meeting on Sept. 27 in St. Cloud.
LMC Regional Meeting: Lange moved to approve the attendance of up to four council members to the LMC Regional Meeting in Melrose on Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., 2nd by Olson. Motion carried unanimously.
Added Agenda Items
The alley between Borgstrom Street and Johnson Street: Olson questioned if this is an actual alley. Westrich verified that it is a city alley; the city does not plan to improve it.
Frank Koopmeiners’ Retirement: Frank’s tentative goal is to retire in approximately two years. The Council discussed the retirement and hiring processes.
Morrison County Transportation Safety Meeting: Johnson attended the Morrison County Transportation Safety Meeting on August 14. He informed the council that Minnesota is one of the safest states to drive in.
Acknowledgements
[A great appreciation] to the Upsala School maintenance crew for providing a quality environment for our students to learn, the school bus drivers for safely transporting students to and from school, cafeteria staff for providing wonderful food for our students, and the school staff for providing a safe, clean, and fun place for kids to learn and grow.
[We would like to recognize] all the volunteers who helped make Heritage Days and our 100 anniversary an amazing success!
Financial: Lange moved to approve the bills as presented, 2nd by Olson. Motion carried unanimously.
Adjourn: Olson moved to adjourn at 8:51 p.m., 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Michelle Stevens, Clerk/Treasurer
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