Upsala City • September 7, 2021

Upsala City • September 7, 2021
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, Lana Bartells, Brian Lange, and Mitch Lange. Absent was Crystal Benson.
Staff present: First Response Vice President Andrea Douvier, First Response President Garrett Doucette, Planning & Zoning Commission Chair Don Marty, and City Clerk-Treasurer Michelle Stevens.
Minutes: Brian Lange moved to approve minutes from August 2, 2021, City Council Meeting, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Brian Lange moved to approve minutes from August 9, 2021, Special City Council Budget Meeting, 2nd by Mitch Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Added agenda items: Bartells moved to approve the agenda as presented, 2nd by Mitch Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Presentation, Citizen Appeals: Long Prairie Sanitation will take over Monday, October 4: Long Prairie Sanitation owner Terry Lanoue requested changes to the garbage and recycling dates. September 24 will be the last day for recycling on Fridays and September 29 will be the last day for garbage pickup on Wednesdays.
The new schedule will be Mondays for garbage and recycling pickup. Garbage will be every Monday starting October 4; recycling will be every other Monday starting October 11.
Long Prairie Sanitation will be replacing the recycling bins with co-mingling recycling carts.
City Wide Business Trick-or-Treat: Garrett Doucette discussed the Trunk-or-Treat that was offered last year due to COVID. This year he is requesting a business Trick-or-Treat. The Council directed staff to move forward with the idea. Since Halloween falls on a Sunday, the Council decided to have the event be held on October 29 from 3:30 to 6:00 pm.
Sand Volleyball: Garrett Doucette explained about the open gym volleyball in town. He suggested putting in a sand volleyball court by the rec building or in the city park. Estimated cost for one court would be approximately $2,000.00. The Council directed staff to investigate a location.
Department Reports: Fire Department Report: Brian Lange informed the Council on the Fire Department events for Heritage Days. September 11 is the hog roast and raffle at Bullfrogs.
First Response Team: Douvier updated the Council on the First Response Team calls. They will be hosting their annual Open House on October 3.
Maintenance Report: Tschida handed in his report on water and sewer levels as well as the various tasks done throughout the City.
City Office Report: Stevens reviewed the calendar and updated the Council on the month’s events. She reminded the Council of the Budget meeting that will follow this meeting as well as explained that the Deadline for the Preliminary Budget to the County is due by the end of the month. She also talked about the billing snafu that happened with the new software program and how staff fixed it.
Planning & Zoning Commission: Marty reported on the Planning Commission’s meetings. He also discussed the Walnut Avenue extension past the townhomes including an intersection to connect to Hillcrest in the future.
Public Hearing – 120 Basswood: At 7:32 Mayor Rollie Johnson recessed the regular city council meeting and opened the public hearing to review the Conditional Use Permit for 120 Basswood’s Airbnb.
Planning & Zoning Chair reviewed the issue that the addition of the teepee as a rental unit at 120 Basswood Ave violates the current Conditional Use Permit.
Eighteen letters of support were read, comments from the public were heard. Mayor Rollie asked to hear from the public. Several people talked in support of the teepee to be a rental unit.
Jill Zasadny and Joan Wingert explained that the proceeds from the teepee would be donated to a program to help with the issue of sex trafficking of indigenous girls.
At 8:19 pm Brian Lange moved to close the Public Hearing, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Rollie Johnson re-opened the regular council meeting.
After a lengthy discussion Brian Lange moved to rescind the current CUP that was issued in 2018 for 120 Basswood Avenue and issue a new CUP recommended by the Planning & Zoning which – in part – states that the teepee cannot be used as overnight accommodations, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Unfinished Business: Heritage Days Meeting: Bartells reported to the council that Heritage Days was a huge success. They are already starting to plan for next year.
Upsala Senior Living TIF Plan – Jason Murray: The City’s financial advisor Jason Murray with David Drowns office discussed how Tax Increment Financing works, and reviewed the TIF Plan for Upsala Senior Living.
The Council gave Murray the go ahead to approach the developer and negotiate the terms of the Tax Increment Assistance.
New Business: T-Moblie Grant: Council directed staff to apply for the T-Mobile Grant to improve City Hall or the City Park pending on the grant execution timelines.
Morrison County Hazardous Mitigation Plan: The County Sheriff’s Office is looking for input for their Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Raffle Permit: Brian Lange moved to approve the Raffle Permit requested by Upsala EMS to be held on Sunday, October 3, 2021, at the Fire Hall with no waiting period, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
LMC Fall Forum: The Regional Fall Forum will be held in Royalton October 20 from 1:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Mayor Rollie encouraged everyone to attend.
Acknowledgements: Congratulations to the Upsala Division 2 Junior Legion Team taking 2nd place at the state tournament!
An appreciation to everyone in our community who helped clean up after the big storm! Everyone’s help made our city look beautiful in short order.
Appreciation to Mike and Frank for putting in extra hours and making sure the water tower and the lift stations stayed functioning during the extended power outage.
Congratulations to Sheila Bergren on becoming an American Citizen.
Financials: Brian Lange moved to approve the bills as presented, 2nd by Mitch Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Updates/FYI: The second budget meeting will follow this meeting.
The next Regular City Council Meeting will be October 4 at 7:00 pm.
Adjourn: Brian Lange moved to adjourn at 9:38 pm, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Michelle Stevens, Clerk/Treasurer

Upsala City • September 7, 2021
Call to Order/Attendance: Mayor Rollie Johnson called the City Council Budget Meeting to order at 9:40 pm.
The pledge of allegiance was recited.
On roll call members present: Mayor Rollie Johnson, Brian Lange, Mitch Lange, and Lana Bartells. Absent was Crystal Benson.
People present: Clerk/Treasurer Michelle Stevens.
Budget: The budget for 2022 was reviewed.
Mitch Lange moved to raise the City’s levy by 4.75%, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Adjourn: Mitch Lange moved to adjourn at 10:15 pm, 2nd by Brian Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Michelle Stevens, Clerk/Treasurer