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Upsala City Council Proceedings

Minutes of the City Council 
January 4, 2023
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: Mayor Rollie Johnson, Council Members Wendy Rene, Lana Bartells, Alan Gunderson, and Mitch Lange.
Staff present: Public Works Director Mike Tschida, and City Clerk-Treasurer Jane Popp.
Minutes
Lange moved to approve minutes from December 5, 2022, City Council Meeting, 2nd by Rene. Motion carried unanimously.
Added agenda items
Bartells moved to approve the agenda as presented, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Department Reports:
Fire Department Report
Nick Johnson reported two fire calls and a lot of medical calls. Fire hydrants and sidewalks need to be cleared of snow. Two new radios are coming from the County. Four new members will need turn out gear and a grant will cover for two of them. Joint Fireboard meeting will be January 17th,2023 at 7:00pm at City Hall.
First Response Team
First Response Team Vice President Haus was absent so Nick Johnson reported twelve calls for December.
Maintenance Report
Tschida reported on water and sewer levels as well as the various tasks done throughout the City. Tschida replaced water heater and has been plowing a lot of snow.
City Office Report
Popp reviewed the January Calendar and reported on the projects worked on in December. The City open house was a good turn out for the weather conditions.
Planning Commission
Planning & Zoning Johnson talked about a need for more housing, town homes, storage sheds and more businesses
Unfinished Business:
Park Bathrooms – hoping to have it done early Spring.
Website – Tina is still working on it and waiting for more photos and videos.
New Business:
2023 Elected Leaders Institute
  Rene moved to approve the council members that are interested in attending the Elected Leaders Institute in Alexandria to provide city leadership on March 3 & 4, 2023, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Temporary Liquor License – 
St. Mary’s
Rene moved to approve the temporary liquor license to St. Mary’s Church on February 11, 2023, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Temporary Liquor License – 
St. Mary’s
Bartells moved to approve the temporary liquor license to St. Mary’s Church on March 31, 2023, 2nd by Rene. Motion carried unanimously.
Gambling Permit
Bartells moved to approve the Gambling Permit for St. Mary’s Church March 31, 2023 with no waiting period, 2nd by Rene. Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Pro-Tem
Rene moved to approve Lana Bartells as Mayor Pro-Tem; and as such will be an official signer of City documents, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Morrison County Record and Long Prairie Leader as Legal Publisher
Lange moved to approve the Morrison County Record and Long Prairie Leader as the City’s legal publishers for 2023, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
2023 Designations and Appointments
Rene moved to approve the appointments for 2023 as presented, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Designating the Polling Place – Resolution 1-4-23-1
Lange moved to approve the designating polling place at 320 Walnut Ave as presented, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
2023 Fee Schedule – 
Resolution 1-4-23-2
Rene moved to approve Resolution 1-4-23-4 adopting the 2023 Fee Schedule as presented with the edits, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Allowing Transfer of Electronic Funds – Resolution 1-4-23-3
Lange moved to approve Resolution 1-4-23-3 allowing the Transfer of Electronic Funds, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Allowing Handwritten and Computer-Generated Checks – Resolution 1-4-23-4
Bartells moved to approve Resolution 1-4-23-4 allowing Handwritten and Computer-Generated Checks, 2nd by Rene. Motion carried unanimously.
Liability Coverage Waiver
Bartells moved to not waive the monetary limits on municipal tort liability established by Minnesota Statute 466.04, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Local Board of Appeal & Equalization
Bartells moved to approve Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 1:00 am at the Upsala City Hall as the date, time, and location for the annual Local Board of Appeal and Equalization, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Thank you and Acknowledgements
Johnson congratulated Brady Burggraff, Scott Taylor, and Joe Trettel for winning the Residential Holiday Decoration Contest this year and receiving $150, $100, and $50 in Upsala Bucks, respectively. He also congratulated Charlie Gunderson Cabinets, Buffy’s Bar & Grill and Elmdale Insurance for winning the Business Holiday Decorations Contest and receiving $150, $100, and $50 in Upsala Bucks, respectively. It was fun to see the decorations up this year!
Thank you to Crystal Benson for her years of service as city council member. Thank you from the Friends of the Upsala Public Library for the new sign.
Financials
Rene moved to approve the bills as presented, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Updates/FYI
Next Regular City Council Meeting will be February 6 at 7:00 p.m.
Adjourn
Bartells moved to adjourn at 8:20pm, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Jane Popp, Clerk/Treasurer
Work Session
The council performed personnel reviews for City staff.
 
Minutes of the Special Upsala City Council
Wednesday, January 4, 2023
Call to Order/Attendance 
The Special Closed City Council meeting was called to order at Upsala City Hall by Mayor Rollie Johnson at 8:30 p.m.
On roll call members present were: Mayor Rollie Johnson, Wendy Rene, Lana Bartells, and Alan Gunderson, and Mitch Lange.
People present: Mike Tschida, Public Works; and Jane Popp, Clerk/Treasurer.
Personnel Performance Reviews
Tschida’s personnel performance review was conducted.
Popp’s personnel performance review was conducted.
Adjourn 
Rene moved to adjourn at 9:00 pm, 2nd by Gunderson. Motion carried unanimously.
Jane Popp, Clerk/Treasurer
 
Minutes of the City Council February 6, 2023
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: Mayor Rollie Johnson, Council Members Lana Bartells, Alan Gunderson, Mitch Lange, and Wendy Rene.
Staff present: Public Works Director Mike Tschida, and City Clerk-Treasurer Jane Popp.
Minutes
Lange moved to approve the regular city council meeting minutes from January 4, 2023, 2nd by Rene. Motion carried unanimously.
Special Meeting Minutes
Rene moved to approve the regular city council meeting minutes from January 4, 2023, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Added agenda items
Bartells moved to approve the agenda as presented, 2nd by Rene. Motion carried unanimously.
Presentations, 
Citizen Appeals/requests:
Department Reports Fire Department Report
Chief Nick Johnson was absent, so Danielle Haus updated the council on the Fire Department’s activities.
The fireboard meeting went well. The new members started training and new gear has been ordered.
First Response Team
First Response Team Vice President Danielle Haus reported fourteen calls for January. The calls have been increasing. The team will be volunteering at Ice Fest. The First Response will be doing a food drive at Paul & Kathy’s but the date is to be determined.
Maintenance Report
Tschida reported on water and sewer levels as well as the various tasks done throughout the City.
City Office Report
Popp reviewed the February Calendar and that she has been working with the Auditors.
Planning Commission
Larry Bartells reported that the Planning Commission did not meet last month.
Heritage Days
Parade will start at 4:00 and they are working on the details.
Unfinished Business:
Park Bathrooms
Johnson contacted Chris Kremer to check if he will be able to finish the project this Spring.
Update Website
The new website is up and running. The videos and photos look great.
Contractor’s Application 
for Payment
Bartells moved to approve the signature for the contract application of final payment to Burski Excavating for Walnut Avenue Extension, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
New Business:
Approval of Raffle for UBA on Heritage Days
Rene moved to approve the Gambling Permit Application from the Upsala Ballpark Association to hold a Raffle on August 12 (Heritage Days) with no waiting period, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Recycling Grant 
Resolution 2-6-2023-1
Rene moved to accept resolution 2-6-2023-1, accepting a Recycling Grant from Morrison County in the amount of $2,042.70, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Clean Up Day Grant 
Resolution 2-6-2023-2
Lange moved to accept resolution 2-6-2023-2, accepting a Clean Up Day Grant from Morrison County in the amount of $935.92, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Electric Charging Station 
was discussed.
City Wide Garage Sales will be 
May 19 & 20, 2023
Minnesota Municipal Clerks Annual Conference March 21-24, 2023
Rene moved to approve Jane Popp to attend the Minnesota Municipal Clerks Annual Conference, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Lions Pull Tabs & Supplies to be stored in the REC Building
Bartells moved to store the Lions Pull Tabs & supplies in a 15 x 15 enclosure in the Southeast corner of the REC Building with an exterior door. The Lions will build the enclosure and pay rent of $50.00 a month, 2nd by Gunderson. Motion carried unanimously.
Thank you/Acknowledgements:
Financials
Rene moved to approve the bills as presented, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Adjourn
Bartells moved to adjourn at 8:31pm, 2nd by Rene. Motion carried unanimously.
Jane Popp, Clerk/Treasurer
M15C
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Long Prairie Leader

P.O. Box 479
21 3rd Street S
Long Prairie, MN 56347
Phone: (320) 732-2151
Email: info@lpleader.com

 

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