Agenda and Minutes

City Council

Dec 8, 2008

CITY OF UPSALA
UNOFFICIAL MINUTES
December 8, 2008
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council of Upsala, MN met in regular session on Monday, December 8th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Upsala Fire Hall. In Attendance: Mayor Dan Cheney; Council Rollie Johnson, Robert Maciej, Dan Hovland, & Bethany Malisheske. Staff: Michele Caron, Frank Koopmeiners. Visitors: Gene Harren, Duane Harren, Jerry Theisen, and Don Anderson.

Meeting called to order by the Honorable Mayor Cheney at 7:05 p.m.

Minutes
• November regular meeting minutes were reviewed and corrections noted by Maciej. Mm by Maciej to accept November minutes with corrections of PC and UCDC meeting times at 6:00 p.m. rather than the published 6:30 p.m; second by Hovland; unanimously carried.

Agenda
• Reviewed-additions added-Mm by Maciej, second by Hovland to accept with changes; unanimously carried.

Visitors, Requests, Petitions
• Gene Harren, Jerry Theisen, and Duane Harren attended on behalf of Elmdale Township regarding a request from Camp Lebanon for additional maintenance from the city on sand/salting the two Holmen Corners”, and the one by the camp entrance. The city plows and applies sand/salt to some township roads in exchange for space in their building for our snow plow. Elmdale Township officials will contact Camp Lebanon with a phone number to call when they want extra attention on the corner, and it will be billed separately to Elmdale Township.
• Don Anderson WSN Quarterly visit-
Tower Road maintenance-The problem is the sub-base is failing due to the weight of the traffic on the road and it causes “alligatoring” of the tar. This is occurring on the south section of Tower Road.
There are three options: overlay (not recommended for long-term), reclaim which digs out the tar and into the sub base and recycles the materials back onto the road, or total reconstruction including widening of the road. The 2007 report created by WSN included the entire section of Tower Road, and not just the south section. Funds could be saved by only maintaining the south section at this time. This issue will be forwarded to the Planning Commission, and Don can look at the surface of the road again this spring. He did suggest Economic Development is requesting applications be sent in for projects cities may complete this summer for stimulus package data.
Water to church building site-Costly project due to a dead end connection at the school and the pressure needed for a sprinkling system. Whether the church goes with an in-house tank system or water from the city they will need pumps either way. Not cost effective for the city because ideally 100 foot lots along the roadway to connect and help pay for the addition of a water line is usually the rule. There are not enough residential connections available and likely hood of future ones is not there. It could cost approximately $50 per foot with out the pumps or the system to control it. Unfortunately it is much easier to connect new construction that has sprinkling requirements with a location closer to the existing water system. Don did state the church could look at a redesign of their building which may not require a sprinkled system, but whether that is feasible for their needs is not known.
• Gary Eggerth-verbal request to clerk- Mr. Eggerth noted the recycle fee went to $1.50 and the fuel surcharge of $1.00 was added by the contractor in 2008. He suggested the city council has a contract for services with Toms Refuse and should have refused the fuel surcharge.
Clerks informational response to the council:
The city pays $3.50 for recycling per month per household, and charges $1.50 to the residents; it also pays $18.00 per month per household for refuse, and charges $14.50 to residents. The contract indicates Toms Refuse can increase fees annually by a cost of living adjustment and the refuse fees have not been increased for 15 years. The clerk noted Little Falls paid $100 per can, is a larger contract and charges $14.61 per month. No other small cities were contacted for a comparison. Residents are encouraged to contact the clerk as Mr. Eggerth did with questions on refuse. Clarification of facts surrounding questions will keep everyone informed.
Ordinances, Resolutions
• 2008-27 Bullfrogs Liquor License Renewal-Mm by Maciej, second by Malisheske with approval based on completed paperwork regarding sheriff signature and insurance documents; unanimously carried.
• 2008-28 Accepting Donation $300 from Soltis family for Fire Department expenditures-Mm by Johnson, second by Maciej; unanimously carried.
• 2008-29 Upsala Community Development Commission Appointments, Vacancies and Thank You to outgoing member-Mm by Cheney, second by Hovland to acknowledge appointment of continuing members Bethany Malisheske and Marlys Juhnke and the vacancy created by Theresa Rudniki, and to thank each one for serving on the Upsala Community Development Commission, unanimously carried.
• 2008-30 Planning Commission Vacancies and Thank You to outgoing members-Mm by Hovland, second by Malisheske to acknowledge vacancies created by Dan Hovland and Ken Lange and to thank each one for serving on the Planning Commission; unanimously carried.
• 2008-31 Final Tax Levy-Mm by Cheney, second by Johnson to approve with no change to preliminary levy at $145,000 General and $7,757 Fire; total $152,757. The levy was not increased or decreased from 2008 to 2009.
The appointment of a new council member and consequently filling of vacancies on the commissions will happen once the Mayor has received notice from citizens that have expressed interest in the vacancies.
Maintenance Report-Frank Koopmeiners
• Water 23,167 gal/day down 2,317 gal/day-Sewer 1.93 hrs/day up .22 hrs/day
• Thein Well was out conducting well reports; everything was fine except some amperage readings were not consistent. Frank will get it checked.
• Snow removal on sidewalks discussed. It is the responsibility of owners to keep sidewalks cleared as soon after the snow fall as possible. Options were discussed on keeping areas cleared that are neglected by owners. Mayor will follow up on options.
Fire Department-none
Planning Commission Report-Dan Cheney
• Received a map from the U.S. Census Bureau to edit for correctness. Mayor will complete.
• Approved building permit for Tim Farris for temporary outdoor wood boiler. Commission approved conditional on the stack being high enough to allow smoke to leave immediate area. Commission has not ruled on outdoor wood stoves as yet.
• Lynda Tarbuck researching building inspector services.
• Group is looking at revising meeting dates and times for the future.
• Vacancies with D. Hovland and K. Lange leaving
Upsala Community Development Commission-Maciej, Malisheske
• Sign estimates are coming
• Vacancy
Recreation Building Board Report-Johnson
• Archery has not installed the approved lights, but may do so soon.
• Discussed group rental fees.
Unfinished Business
• Business Retention and Expansion seminar Mayor Cheney attended-learned ways to connect with businesses. May approach UCDC with strategies.
• Recognition of council members for long time service; Lloyd Klug had 35 years of service, just behind Bud Lillestrand with 47 years. A chronological name plaque with all city officers and employees at set anniversaries of service was mentioned as a way to recognize loyal service to the city. Mm by Hovland, second by Maciej approving a $40 expenditure for a plaque recognizing Lloyd.
• Grocery store parking lot maintenance-Johnson spoke with Paul and he will take care of it.
Financial Reports, Audit Bills, Miscellaneous-Caron
• Explanation of various reports; new CD for all capital improvements at Pine Country Bank because they had a good rate. This months CD that matures will be added to next months maturing CD and the institution with the best rate will be the depositor.
• Clerk requested closing the office over the Christmas week 12/22/08 and 12/24/08, and December 31st to allow flexibility that week for personal errands. Office will be open December 29th, and she will be answering messages, making deposits, and checking e mails. As usual if residents see the clerk at the office anyone can feel free to stop in, no matter what the office hours. Approved.
• Bills audited and ordered paid in the amount of $72,120.84. In addition, annual Fire Department and council payroll was disbursed in the amount of $11,283.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Caron, Clerk

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