18 minute read
Local Municipality Minutes Upsala City, Burnhamville Township
Upsala City • March 7, 2022
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.
Advertisement
On roll call members present: Mayor Rollie Johnson, Council Members Lana Bartells, Wendy Rene, and Mitch Lange. Absent: Crystal Benson
Staff present: First Response Vice President Danielle Haus, Fire Chief Nick Johnson, Planning & Zoning Chair Don Marty, Public Works Director Mike Tschida, and City Clerk-Treasurer Michelle Stevens.
Minutes: Bartells moved to approve the regular city council meeting minutes from February 7, 2022, City Council Meeting, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Lange moved to approve the closed city council meeting minutes from February 7, 2022, City Council Meeting, 2nd by Rene. Motion carried unanimously.
Added agenda items: Bartells moved to approve the agenda as presented, 2nd by Rene. Motion carried unanimously.
Department Reports: Fire Department Report: Nick Johnson updated the council on the Fire Department’s activities including the purchase of new thermal imaging cameras. A prescribed burn is set for March 26, the second prescribed burn will be in a couple of months. He also reported that all the equipment for the SCBA’s is here.
Our citation paperwork from OSHA arrived. Chief Johnson has already remedied the hazmat training citation and the report to OSHA will be submitted tomorrow.
First Response Team: First Response Team Vice President Danielle Haus reported the calls for February. She said they will also participate in the prescribed burn for practice as well.
Maintenance Report: Tschida reported on water and sewer levels as well as the various tasks done throughout the City. Tschida also discussed the rehabilitation of Well #4. Staff was directed to hire Thein Well to rehab Well #4.
The posts around the Rec Building are getting dilapidated. The ideal solution would be to put curbing between the grass and gravel areas. Staff was directed to talk with the company that will be doing the curb on the Walnut Avenue extension and get a quote.
City Office Report: Stevens reviewed the March calendar and reported on the projects worked on in February.
Representative Ron Kresha will be at City Hall, March 8 from 1pm to 3pm; all are welcome to visit.
Planning Commission: Planning & Zoning Chair Don Marty stated that they have a new member on the Planning & Zoning, Alan (Fred) Gunderson. Mark Gilles will also be joining the commissioners at their March meeting. The addition of Fred and Mark completes the number of seats on the commission.
Mayor Johnson recessed the regular city council meeting.
Public Hearing: At 7:40 pm Mayor Johnson opened the public hearing to consider Ordinance #64 – an ordinance regulating Waste Collection.
Comments were heard concerning the proposed ordinance. Marty shared the comments submitted from Long Prairie Sanitation.
Bartells moved to close the public Hearing, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Called Council Meeting Back to Order: Mayor Johnson called the regular city council meeting back to order at 7:43 pm. Rene moved to approve Ordinance #64 Waste Collection with the added corrections submitted by P & Z Chair Marty, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Johnson recessed the regular city council meeting.
Public Hearing: At 7:47 pm Mayor Johnson opened the public hearing to consider Ordinance #65 – an ordinance regulating Septic Systems.
Marty reviewed the proposed ordinance and the reasoning behind it.
No comments were heard concerning the proposed ordinance.
Lange moved to close the public hearing, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Johnson called the regular city council meeting back to order at 7:49 pm. Bartells moved to approve Ordinance #65 Septic Systems, 2nd by Rene. Motion carried unanimously.
Unfinished Business: Walnut Extension Bid Award: Three bids were submitted at the virtual bid opening held by Moore Engineering March 3 at 10:00 am. Bids ranged from $110,037.00 to $131,001.50. Moore Engineering recommends that a contract be awarded to Burski Excavating, Inc.
Bartells moved to award the Walnut Avenue Extension Bid to Burski Excavating, Inc for $110,037.00, 2nd by Rene. Motion carried unanimously.
Upsala Senior Living: Johnson stated the Senior Living structure is enclosed and they will be shingling and installing windows next.
Heritage Days Meeting: Bartells stated they are trying to find more food vendors.
City Hall Open House: The Open House for the new city hall space was February 15 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Johnson stated that we did not have a lot of people show up, but there was good conversation with the people who attended.
LMC Annual Conference: The League of MN Cities Annual Conference will be held in
MELROSE TOWNSHIP NOTICE OF ANNUAL ROAD TOUR
The Melrose Township Board of Supervisors will conduct the annual Township Road Tour on Wednesday, April 27, 2022. Departure time will be at 9:00 a.m. from the Town Hall. Any changes in date or time will be posted on the bulletin board at the Town Hall. Cecilia Tylutki, Clerk
GREY EAGLE TOWNSHIP • DUST CONTROL
Grey Eagle Township will be contracting for dust abatement treatment of gravel roads for the 2022 season. Magnesium Chloride will be applied at the cost to the property owner of $41.00 per hundred feet. Cost sharing for 2022 will be limited to 400 ft. per property. If you are interested in having the gravel road treated in front of your property, send a check and a note indicating the area you wish to have treated and include your address to: Grey Eagle Township PO Box 202 Grey Eagle, MN 56336
Product will not be applied until payment is received. If you have questions call Mary Ann Primus at 320-815-8224. Mary Ann Primus, Grey Eagle Township Clerk
Burnhamville Township Residents and Landowners Dust Control for 2022
Burnhamville Township will again be applying a dust abatement product on township roads where requested by residents. The cost is $ .82 per foot. The township will pay half and the requesting property owner will pay half the cost.
Call by May 9, 2022 to be put on the list.
Interested residents may contact the clerk at 320-285-2050. You may also send check directly to: Burnhamville Township, 33624 170th St, Burtrum MN 56318 Shirley Hulinsky, Burnhamville Township Clerk
Duluth June 22-24. Staff was directed to register Johnson and Rene and for the conference.
New Business: Raffle for UBA: Lange moved to approve the Gambling Permit Application from the Upsala Ballpark Association to hold a Raffle on August 13 (Heritage Days) with no waiting period, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Temp Liquor License for St. Mary’s: Bartells moved to approve the application for a temporary on-sale liquor license April 8 at St. Mary’s Church, 2nd by Rene. Motion carried unanimously.
Re-Designating a Polling Place: Rene moved to approve Resolution 3-7-2022-1, a resolution re-designating a polling place after redistricting, 2nd by Lange. Motion carried unanimously.
Clean Up Day Grant: Bartells moved to approve Resolution 3-7-2022-2 a resolution accepting a Clean Up Day Grant from Morrison County in the amount of $886.14, 2nd by Rene. Motion carried unanimously.
Recycling Grant: Lange moved to approve Resolution 3-7-2022-3 a resolution accepting a Recycling Grant from Morrison County in the amount of $1,944.68, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Acknowledgements: Kudos to the Heritage Days Committee for being proactive and dedicated to making our town celebration a huge success. -To the Upsala Area School for lending their motorized lift to the City so staff could install new light fixtures in the Water Plant and the Fire Hall.
Financials: Lange moved to approve the bills as presented, 2nd by Rene. Motion carried unanimously.
Updates/FYI: Next regular City Council meeting will be April 4, 2022, at 7:00 pm.
Adjourn: Bartells moved to adjourn at 8:28 pm, 2nd by Rene. Motion carried unanimously.
Michelle Stevens, Clerk/Treasurer
Work Session: Mayor Rollie Johnson opened the work session meeting at 8:30 pm.
The City Clerk position and the part-time public works position were discussed.
Lange moved to adjourn at 9:30 pm, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.
Burnhamville Township • February 22, 2022
The regular meeting of the Town Board of Burnhamville was held February 22, 2022 at the Burtrum Community Center. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Mike Berscheit. Members present include Supervisors Bruce Johnson, Mike Berscheit; Clerk Shirley Hulinsky. Treasurer Pam Throener and Supervisor Joe Muellner were absent.
The minutes from the regular meeting of January 25, 2022 were approved on a motion by Sup. Johnson and second by Sup. Berscheit. Motion passed.
For correspondence the township received letters from a web design company, the IRS stating we are now filing 941, notice of the new legislative districts and the need to update polling resolution.
A motion was made by Sup. Berscheit to pay all bills numbered 6200 through 6212: Rev. $12,362.97; R& B $12,377.89; Fire $2,693.00. Sup. Johnson seconded the motion. Motion passed.
The Swanville Lions donated $1,000 to the township to do repairs to the Bass Lake access.
The tree trimming on 331st Ave went well and more will be done in the spring when the snow is gone. The board was informed that 160th St. by Lady Lake also needs trimming and supervisor will advise contractor when to do it.
With the 2020 census complete the legislative districts have been changed. Todd County is now all Senate District 5 and House District 5B. Sup. Berscheit made a motion to approve Resolution #2022-1 Reestablishing precincts and polling place. Sup. Johnson seconded the motion. Motion passed. Resolution is on file in the clerk’s office.
The board set a time for the March 8 township election set up as 4 pm with the polls open from 5 pm to 8 pm. Township annual meeting will follow at 8:20.
In the road report the contractor is busy plowing and sanding as needed.
Treasurer’s report showed a balance of $75,270.11. Sup. Berscheit motioned to approve and Sup. Johnson seconded the motion. Motion passed.
The board proceeded to audit the books of the clerk and treasurer. Everything was found in order.
A motion was made by Sup. Berscheit.to adjourn the meeting which was seconded by Sup. Johnson. Motion passed. Meeting was adjourned at 7:58 p.m. Next regular meeting will be on Tuesday, March 29 at 7 pm in the Burtrum Community Center. The township annual meeting will be held on March 8 at 8:20 pm.
Shirley Hulinsky, Burnhamville Township Clerk
A Language Funny
The teacher heard one of her students, Johnny, use some off-color language and was shocked. "Johnny Martin, don't you ever use language like that again, not near me, not in school, not anywhere! Where on earth did you learn that?" "I got it from my dad, Miss Rollins," replied Johnny. "Well, your father should be ashamed. I doubt you even know what all that means?" "Oh Miss Rollins, I do," said Johnny. "It means the car won't start."
Todays Thought
Based on the amount of laundry I do each week, I'm beginning to think there are people who live here that I haven't met yet.
Tom Kuehne Insurance
Solving your insurance problems!
• Senior Health Solutions • Health Insurance • Life Insurance & Annuities
TOM’S AUTO BODY
Complete Auto Body & Paint Repair
Free Estimates 320-266-4935
34741 Cty Rd 2 • Grey Eagle
RJ's Country Store
28916 County Rd. 17 - St. Rosa 320-836-2583
Gas/Diesel/Premium • Propane Exchange Groceries • Pep's Pork • Schaefer's Market Harry's Pizza • Bait • ATM
201 Degraff • PO Box 186, Swanville, MN
320-360-0343 • tom@swanvilleinsurance.com
IMMEDIATE OPENINGS!
Pondview Estates Independent Senior Housing ∙ Albany
• Beautiful 1 Bed/1 Bath Apartments • Income Qualified – Very Affordable • Must be 62 years or older
Call Today to Schedule a Tour! 320-845-2969
Pondview is located just 20 minutes West of St. Cloud
Do you or someone you know have some thoughts to share about the Catholic Church?
Pope Francis is calling a Synod in which all churches are to have listening sessions.
Please come and/or invite others to this opportunity. All faith denominations are invited as well as anyone who may not attend church regularly. Our Church is broken and in need of healing. Come to one of our group times or if you prefer to be part of a one-to-one conversation, email: synod@stcdio.org or go online for a self-guided: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HGRMJ6X
Group Listening Consultations (60-90 min) Apr 25 @ 7 pm St. Edward's - Elmdale Apr 26 @ 6:30 pm St. Mary's - Upsala Apr 27 @ 8:30 am St. Francis Assisi - St. Francis Apr 28 @ 9:30 am Immaculate Conception - St. Anna May 1 @ 6 pm St. Columbkille - St. Wendel May 3 @ 7:30 pm All Saints - Holdingford
Minnesota continues to be “ground zero” for this latest round of highly pathogenic bird flu which, so far, has impacted 26 states to varying degrees. The latest count has 43 confirmed sites in our state, with nearly two million birds affected. Seventeen counties have had positive locations, stretching from the Rochester area in the south to around Detroit Lakes in the north. To date, 38 commercial sites have tested positive, in addition to five backyard flocks. In our area, Kandiyohi County has reported six outbreaks, Stearns five, with Swift and Big Stone counties each having one. Morrison County has the most outbreaks in the state with seven. Nationally, the count is 144 commercial sites and 53 backyard flocks.
Our neighbor to the west, South Dakota, has also been hit hard, with 35 positive sites so far. Iowa, the nation’s leading egg producer, has had positive tests at two large laying operations that resulted in the depopulation of 13 million chickens.
That’s a big part of the reason we’ve seen a rapid increase in the price of eggs. Minnesota is the leading state for turkey production, so it stands to reason most of the positive locations reported here have been in turkey flocks. This avian flu will also have an impact on the price of turkeys at the store, how much so depends on the duration of the outbreak. According to state veterinarian Dr. Beth Thompson, the virus that causes bird flu likes cold, damp weather similar to what we’ve experienced most of this spring season so far. The 2015 outbreak didn’t subside until we had warmer weather in May.
One of the last items taken up by the Legislature before we adjourned for the Easter/ Passover break was passing emergency funding for the Department of Agriculture. The $1 million appropriation will provide testing and other materials necessary for the department’s work against bird flu. It’s anticipated that additional money will be needed soon and could possibly be added to the drought relief bill that’s scheduled to be worked on by a joint House-Senate conference committee. I serve on that committee and we anticipate starting to meet shortly after returning to the Capitol on Tuesday.
Just over five weeks remain in the current legislative session as this non-budget year is taking on the look of a regular budget session. That’s because of the well-publicized state surplus, and various groups wanting a piece of it. A cautionary note has to do with using this one-time money for projects that become locked into the base budget and become annual expenses. The surplus has largely been caused by increased consumer spending resulting in higher sales tax receipts, and higher income tax revenue brought on by increases in wages. The underlying cause of all this spending is the mountain of federal money that came into our state from Washington, some $72 billion, as the result of the programs designed to lessen the effects of the pandemic.
Those programs have largely ended, and what we are left with is inflation, currently at the highest rate in 40 years. Two of the largest price increases are for fuel, up 49 percent in the past year, and used cars, up 35 percent. Prices at the grocery store are also up, but by lesser amounts. Consumers, especially those on fixed incomes, are being hit hard.
Another cost increase coming our way is from federal bankers trying to slow down inflation by raising interest rates. Long term mortgage rates are going up, which will probably put the brakes on the housing market. And short term rates are also trending higher, which will affect those carrying balances on their credit cards. My feeling is that the economy is heading for a contraction, and caution should
Kutter Insurance Agency
FOR ALL YOUR INSURANCE NEEDS!
www.kutterinsuranceagency.com
Insuring cars, homes, boats, farms & recreational vehicles for the past 30 years! Michael W. Kutter • Janine L. Kutter 107 Main Street, Grey Eagle 320-285-2299 • 800-955-6051
NICKEL PINES POINTS PRESS REFUSE RIPEN ROSES SAILS SNACK SPINE STORED STOUT STYLES SWEETS SWINGS SWISS TAXES TEDDY THORN TODAY TRUNK TURNS URANIUM VIDEOS WEEKS WRECK YOLKS
be advised as Minnesota makes judicious use of its surplus. These current conditions won’t last forever!
You can always call my office at (651) 296-4317, my home phone at (320) 239-2726 or email me at rep.paul.anderson@house.mn if you need additional information.
Stearns Co. Sheriff’s Office
Crash: April 12, 2022: At 8:01 a.m., the Stearns County Emergency Communications Center received a call of a single vehicle crash with injuries. The incident location was on County Road 126 near County Road 185 just northwest of Melrose.
Upon arrival at the scene, a deputy located a Buick Le Sabre and a juvenile male lying on the ground next to the vehicle. The male reported that he had not been ejected but that he was experiencing severe back pain and felt better lying down. Tire marks at the scene led responders to believe the juvenile male left the right side of the road, vaulted a field approach, and crashed into a plowed field. The juvenile male was transported to the Melrose Hospital where he was treated for his injuries. Stearns County Deputies responded as well as Melrose Ambulance and Melrose Fire.
Fire: April 16, 2022: At approximately 12:21 PM, the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a call of a structure fire at the address of 41665 147th Avenue in Holding Township. The caller, Cyril Feia, 44, of Holdingford, reported that he had been operating a skid-steer in a shed which was filled with hay. He later found the shed was fully engulfed. The shed was reported to have pieces of farm equipment, hay, and straw inside of it. There were no reported injuries, and the shed was considered a total loss.
The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office and Holdingford Fire responded to the scene.
CLASSIFIED ADS HELP WANTED: Laborers & truck drivers. Apply at Herdering Inc., St. Rosa 320836-2621. 4/21P
ST. MARTIN SPRING City-Wide Garage Sales, Saturday, April 30th: 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Watch for balloons.
WANTED TO BUY: Butcher cows, bulls, fats & walkable cripples: also horses, sheep & goats. 320-235-2664. SC-odB
WANTED TO BUY: Louden hay trolley, must be complete working condition. Please call 651-739-2715. 4/21 FOR SALE: LiftMaster & AllStar garage door remotes $10-$25. Boyds Bears-Spooky $10. Antique chimney flue cover $15. Call 320-815-1768.
FOR SALE: 16 ft Crestliner, 25 hp Johnson, trailer, electric start, console, $1995. Call 320-360-0343. TK5/12
FOR SALE: Farmall tractor, wide front, Schwartz loader, like new tires. Snow, manure and dirt bucket, chains, $4000. Call 320-360-0343. TK5/12
FOR SALE: (5) 2657017 Goodyear Wranglers, like new. Call Marvin 320-260-2159. tfn
FOR SALE: Truxedo tonneau cover, 6 1/2 ft. Chevy or GMC pickup, used 3 months, all accessories. Call Marvin 320-260-2159. tfn
FOR SALE: 3 Henry rifles: 22, 357 magnum, 44 magnum with scopes, cases & ammunition. Call Marvin 320-260-2159. tfn
DK’S DK’S Tree & Landscaping, LLC. Tree & Landscaping, LLC.
Trim & Remove Trees, 55 ft. Boom, Brush Removal, Stump Grinding & Removal,Hedge Trimming, Firewood Available Including Delivery, Residential Landscaping & Bobcat Work
320-630-0670 - David Kuhl
Free Estimates, Fully Insured Swanville • www.dkstree.com Accept VISA, Discover or Master Card
Todd County Employment Opportunities
Todd County is looking for reliable, service-oriented individuals to serve the citizens of Todd County in the following positions: Deputy Auditor/Treasurer (part-time)
Social Worker (full-time)
To learn more about these openings and how to apply visit the official Todd County website at https://www.co.todd.mn.us or https://www.governmentjobs.com/ careers/cotoddmn. Questions may be directed to Todd County Administration (320) 732-6155. EOE
HELP WANTED: Maintenance Assistant
Part-Time Maintenance Assistant for a 24 Unit Elderly/Disabled Tenant Apartment Complex in Grey Eagle. Duties include, but not limited to, exterior maintenance of the grounds (no lawn mowing), buildings & equipment, assisting tenants with problems or quesitons, assisting with repairs inside the building as needed, garbage removal from building, etc. Flexibility of work hours is required as hours are weather dependent during winter snow season. Candidate will need good communication skills in daily interactions. Candidate will work with the building manager and interior caretaker to maintain a safe and pleasant environment for tenants. Applications may be obtained from Margaret Newberg, Village View property manager. Phone 1-320-285-3973. The deadline to turn in applications is May 6, 2022. Successful applicant must be able to start work by June 1, 2022.
Help Keep Local Seniors and Veterans at Home!
Alternative Senior Care is seeking caregivers to assist with one on one in home care for clients. We provide excellent home and personal cares for individuals from 2 to 24 hours a day.
• We provide paid training: no experience required • We offer competitive wages up to $17.64 an hour with a Monthly Bonus • Some of the many benefits include Aflac and a retirement plan • Many opportunities to grow with our career ladder including college scholarships! • Exceptional office team with 24 hour/ on call support • You can work with our schedulers to build a schedule that works with your lifestyle! • Requirements: TB test, clean driving record, valid driver's license and background clearance, must be able to help with light housekeeping, transportation and personal cares
