Agenda and Minutes

City Council

Jan 12, 2009

Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council of Upsala, MN met in regular session on Monday, January 12th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Upsala Fire Hall. In Attendance: Mayor Dan Cheney; Council Rollie Johnson, Robert Maciej, Bethany Malisheske, and Joan Olson Staff: Michele Caron, Frank Koopmeiners. Visitors: Rob Schumer.

Meeting called to order by the Honorable Mayor Cheney at 7:03 p.m.
Oath of Office given to newly appointed council member Joan Olson.

Minutes
December regular meeting minutes were reviewed and additions noted by the clerk that bills paid after the meeting to end the budget year were in the amount of $5,054.79. Mm by Johnson to accept December minutes with above mentioned additions; second by Malisheske; unanimously carried.

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

Visitors, Requests, Petitions
Rob Schumer for St. Mary’s Church presented two bingo permits for approval. Mm by Maciej, to approve permits, second by Johnson; unanimously carried.

Ordinances, Resolutions
2009-1 Organizational resolution stating usual orders of business for 2009. Mm by Maciej, to approve resolution 2009-1, second by Johnson; unanimously carried.
2009-2 Appointment of Joan Olson to vacant council position. Mm by Johnson, to approve resolution 2009-2, second by Maciej; unanimously carried.

Maintenance Report-Frank Koopmeiners
Sewer waiver signed by property owner that did not install pipe as recommended by excavator and Frank Koopmeiners from curb to house.
Snowplow repair done by Central Hydraulics at $724.56.
Reminder by council to burn brush pile this year
Estimates (3) on lawn tractor with and without snow blower. Discussion on snow blower and cost vs. return on investment. Snowmobiles drive through piles and residents get frustrated with shoveling sidewalks over. Everyone is responsible for sidewalk in front of property regardless that snowmobiles cannot be caught driving through snow banks. The cost of city taking over cleaning sidewalks estimated at $4,000 per year. Mm by Cheney to purchase lawn tractor at the Sauk Rapids bid without a snow blower and to offer the school a purchase of the old one at the cost of the trade in plus sales tax per their request, second by Johnson; unanimously carried.

Fire Department-none

Planning Commission Report-Dan Cheney
No Meeting in January/a vacancy for an at-large member exists
Outdoor wood boiler permit application submitted by Depas. No ordinance preventing wood boilers and it is on the goal list for 2009 to review requirements for outdoor wood boilers. Mm by Cheney to approve the permit for an outdoor wood boiler for Scott and Lynn Depa, second by Johnson; unanimously carried.
Clerk presented the issue with addressing. Some addresses have not been turned in to the county, others at the county do not match the city, and residents have their addresses different from the city. This could be because the physical addresses are not used for mail. The planning commission could help in this project.

Upsala Community Development Commission-Maciej, Malisheske
Sign estimates are in for the three dimensional welcome signs: Everything signs $6,648, Froggy’s $5,805. Froggy’s may be less because they created the original sign.
Horizon health will be at the next meeting to discuss satellite health options
Lake Country Journal in contact with Upsala Historical Society and UCDC for an article this spring featuring Upsala.

Recreation Building Board Report-Johnson
No meeting in January; next meeting February 3rd.
Clerk forwarded Toning plus Lease for addition to agenda in February.
Clerk reviewing usual city funds to recreation building fund. City used to collect $2,400 rent and pay $2,772 out in expenses of: $1,000 check to fund, $744 Tom’s Refuse, and $1,028 insurance; repairs not included. The board will keep an eye on the fund and report to the council, as the receipts and disbursements are now all from the fund. 2009 proposed budget presented by clerk.

Unfinished Business
Recognition plaque for Lloyd Klug 35 years service created. Mayor Cheney will set up a time to present it to him and all that can are encouraged to attend.
Historical information gathered by Dan Hovland on the numerous people that have served the city of Upsala in various positions. Discussion looking for ideas how we can commemorate these public servants.
Letter from Jim Klug read at the meeting regarding the official resignation of his father, councilman Lloyd Klug. The clerk by statute was required to send him a check for 2008 council wages as we had not received a resignation and health absences cannot be penalized by withholding wages. The letter returned the check to the city as Lloyd was unable to participate in the remainder of the term.
Animal ordinance discussion regarding survey to residents and what it could include. A report from council regarding a specific animal running at large will be handled with a letter. This particular resident has received a letter before.

New Business
Water rates will remain the same for now. Several scenarios were examined and none were able to allow enough revenue to cover the costs. The fund is down due to the number of vacant homes in the city.
Shared expenses for clerk with Flensburg-Upsala city council would like them to share 50/50 for training and meetings clerk attends. She will present it to them, but is aware their budget may need to be addressed first.
Wages city employees-September budget planning included at least 3% and the usual amount calculates to an increase of 3.56%. Council noted many jobs are not getting much of an increase at this time. Mm by Maciej to increase the city employees by 3%, second by Johnson; unanimously carried. Leave time hours and employment contract revisited.

Financial Reports, Audit Bills, Miscellaneous-Caron
Explanation of various reports; clerk noted a CD is coming due and rates will need to be checked and $100,000 from checking account will be placed into the CD as an additional revenue source for six months until at which time the need for operating cash will be assessed.
Bills audited and ordered paid in the amount of $10,620.66. In addition, annual Fire Department, and council payroll was disbursed in the amount of $11,283.

Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Caron, Clerk

Minutes are official once approved at the next meeting

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