Local Municipality Minutes

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Grey Eagle Township • April 3, 2023

Call to Order: Mike Rohe called the meeting to order at 8:00 pm. The pledge of allegiance was recited.

Members Present: Mary Ann Primus, Mike Rohe, Alan Roering and John Young. Erv Herdering was also present.

Agenda Approval: A preliminary agenda was presented. Mike asked if there were additions to the agenda. Alan made the motion to accept the agenda. John made the second. All in favor. Motion carried.

Approval of Minutes: John made the motion to accept the March 6, 2023 Township minutes. Alan made the second. All in favor. Motion passed.

Town Clerk’s Report: Clerk presented the claims list for March. Claims list included claims 3801-3813 for a total of $32,424.26. This includes the 1st half of the fire contract. Alan made the motion to pay the claims. Mike made the second. John needed to abstain from Hometown News claim. All in favor. Motion carried. Mail included a letter from P&Z including info on septic updates, Mike will attend. Advertising and a gas survey were also part of the mail received. CD info was shared about institutions offering 5% on CD deposits.

The financial report was presented, Alan made the motion to approve, John made the second. All in favor, motion carried.

Road and Bridge Report: John had calls about snow being pushed across the roadways and leaving piles on the roadway. Perhaps we should send postcards before the next snow season to all property owners as a reminder that this is illegal.

Road check is set for April 21 at 1:00, weather permitting. Notices for dust control, beach maintenance and ditch mowing will be posted and published. Dust control bid from Erv H. was presented – at .89 per foot at 18 ft. wide. Cost sharing for property owners would be $44.50 for 100 ft. Some discussion on whether to do more dust control, as a way to keep more gravel on the roads. It was decided to add more gravel to the roads that need it and bring this topic up at the next annual meeting. John will contact Midwest Asphalt to get on the list for crack filling. Weed Meeting- some new weeds to watch for, grant application possible.

Additional agenda item: Short courses reviewed roads not maintained, and the use of social media. Insurance coverage was discussed, check out replacement cost with MAT.

Erv H. provided bids for the 2023 season gravel- $10.25 per yard. Hauling as directed by Township Board. Gravel crushed to meet Township specifications. Alan made the motion to approve the bid for gravel. John made the second, all in favor, motion carried. Blading bid for the 2023 season at $115.00 per hour. Fuel charge added as needed. Blading done as directed by Township Board. John made the motion to approve the blading bid. Second by Alan, all in favor, motion carried. Need to pull in the sides on the gravel to allow for water to run off. Erv stated approx. 1 inch of gravel is lost each year, due to dust and run off.

Public Comments: None

Adjourn: Motion to adjourn by John, second by Alan. All in favor Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

Minutes not approved.

Submitted by Mary Ann Primus, Clerk/Treasurer

Upsala City • April 10, 2023

Call to Order/Attendance The City Council meeting was called to order at Upsala City Hall by Mayor Rollie Johnson at 7:02 P.M. The pledge of allegiance was said.

On roll call members present: Mayor Rollie Johnson, Council Members Lana Bartells, Wendy Rene and Alan Gunderson. Absent: Mitch Lange Staff present: Public Works Director Mike Tschida, and City Clerk-Treasurer Jane Popp.

Minutes Bartells moved to approve the regular city council meeting minutes from March 7, 2023, 2nd by Rene. Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda items Bartells moved to approve the agenda as presented, 2nd by Rene. Motion carried unanimously.

Presentations, Citizen Appeals/requests: Clif Allen from Moore Engineering discussed the options for replacing the water line on main street.

Department Reports: Fire Department Report: Chief Nick Johnson updated the council about the gambling permit for the Firemen’s Relief Association and asked about attending conferences.

First Response Team: First Response Team Vice President Danielle Haus reported thirteen calls for March. The First Response team completed the refresher course. May 29, 2023 they will have the Memorial Day Fundraiser at the REC Center. The First Response will also be volunteering at the Community Center for the evening meal.

Maintenance Report: Tschida reported on water and sewer levels as well as the various tasks done throughout the city. REC Building is complete for the Lions supplies & storage.

City Office Report: Popp reviewed the April Calendar. Popp stated that she attended the MCFOA conference in St. Cloud March 21-23, 2023.

Planning Commission: Larry Bartells was absent. The trailer court area was discussed.

Heritage Days: A meeting is scheduled for April 12, 2023. The committee is excited about a miniature golf course, food trucks and much more to come.

Unfinished Business: Fire & EMS Ledgers, Allocations and Contract The Fire/EMS contract was sent to each entity. Bartells moved approving to send invoices to each entity for the Fire/EMS payment allocations and to request the entities to send the signed contracts back to the City, 2nd by Rene. Motion carried unanimously.

Park Bathrooms: The contractor stated that the city is first on the list to finish the bathrooms.

New Business: Sourcewell Grant for Plow Truck Resolution 4-10-2023-1 Rene moved to accept resolution 4-10-2023-1, approving to send in the grant application for up to $50,000 from Sourcewell, 2nd by Gunderson. Motion carried unanimously. Approve State of Minnesota Joint Powers Agreement Resolution 4-10-2023-2 Bartells moved to accept resolution 4-10-2023-2, accepting the State of Minnesota Joint Powers Agreement, 2nd by Rene. Motion carried unanimously.

Approve Upsala Firemen’s Relief Association Gambling Permit Resolution 4-10-2023-3 Gunderson moved to accept resolution 4-102023-3, approving the Upsala Firemen’s Relief Association Gambling Permit, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously. Approve Crack Sealing Rene moved to accept the estimate of $16,000.00 or less contingent on another quote for crack sealing city streets, 2nd by Gunderson. Motion carried unanimously.

Verbal Agreement with Nicholas Frieler Rene moved to approve to pay Nicholas Frieler $15,000.00 as agreed verbally with Mayor Rollie Johnson for the removal of the garage on the property at 218 Main Street South due to the water main break, 2nd by Gunderson. Motion carried unanimously.

Financials: Bartells moved to approve the

Melrose Township Notice Of Annual Road Tour

The Melrose Township Board of Supervisors will conduct the annual Township Road Tour on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. Departure time will be at 8:30 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

Burnhamville Township Residents & Landowners Dust Control for 2023

Burnhamville Township will be applying a dust abatement product on township roads where requested by residents. The cost is $ .89 per foot. The township will pay half and the requesting property owner will pay half the cost. Call by May 12, 2023 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 Clerk bills as presented, 2nd by Rene. Motion carried unanimously. Updates/FYI: Next Regular City Council Meeting will be May 1, 2023, April 13th from 9:00-9:30 Coffee with a Council Member at the Community Center. April 19 starting at 1:00 Lo- moved

Forever Young Choir Seeking New Members

Submitted by Pat Engen, Forever Young board secretary

Every summer for the past several years, a group of Forever Young seniors and other singers meets once a week in Melrose with director Bonnie Nelson to practice a variety of choir selections. The 30 to 40 members are as varied as the music--from retired professional musicians to church choir members to people who “just like to sing” with a community choir that offers inspiration, commaraderie, challenge, and fun in alternating degrees. The group welcomes new members each year from the surrounding area, and this year is no exception.

Nelson has chosen songs and set May 18 as the start date for women’s sectionals, with May 25 as the start date for men’s sectionals. Members are welcomed throughout the early months of practices, which continue through September and culminate in three area concerts in October. Interested individuals should contact Bonnie Nelson at 320-492-3782. There is no charge for joining, and couples as well as individuals are welcome. Music is furnished.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

By Connie Nelson, Victim Advocate, Hands of Hope Resource Center

Most of us are a bit uncomfortable talking about sex, but we need to get past the blushing and have constructive conversation about sexuality and sexual abuse. Knowledge is essential to prevention, and that is the goal. By talking about it, we are promoting healthy behaviors that encourage healthy sexuality in ways that enrich our lives. Healthy sexuality is comprised of consensual, respectful relationships free of coercion and violence.

Our children, as young as twelve, are being impacted by misconceived messages of sexuality and are being sexually abused. Sexual abuse whether online or any other way is emotionally damaging, unforgettable, and often results in lifelong harm and agony. Over 70% of all sexual assaults are never reported to anyone. Victims are blamed and shamed for being part of this behavior. A clear message needs to be sent that there is NO disgrace in being a survivor of sexual assault, but that shame lies ONLY with the aggressor. Sexual offenses are not usually a reckless event, they are knowing, and often intentional, and most sexual offenses are committed by someone familiar to the victim. Most sexual aggressors are motivated by a need to control their victim. There is also adult sexual victimization as well and the characteristics are quite similar, as few are reported and most of the time the aggressor is known to the victim.

We need to start believing and supporting victims when they report sexual abuse. Rarely is someone falsely reporting that kind of violence. A negative response to victims can worsen the trauma for them, and foster an environment where perpetrators face no consequences for their crimes. Statistics show that

BLENKERS ROOFING, LLC

Gutters • Soffits Fascia • Siding

Melrose • 320-256-5400 sexual predators very rarely attack only once, many re-offend multiple times.

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault and would like to have a confidential conversation about it, please feel free to contact an advocate at Hands of Hope Resource Center at 320-732-2319 or online at www.handsofhope.net.

Stearns Co. Sheriff’s Office

Crash: April 18, 2023: At approximately 11:07 p.m., the Stearns County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a motorcycle crash with injuries at County Road 13 and 400th Street in Melrose Township. The incident location is approximately two miles north of the City of Melrose.

Jose Luis De Deos Camacho Jr. 21, of Minneapolis, was driving a 2009 Yamaha R6 sports bike southbound on County Road 13 approaching 400th Street. Christofer Munoz De Jesus, 24, of Paynesville, was a passenger on the motorcycle. The motorcycle went off the roadway prior to 400th Street, hitting a road approach and launching the motorcycle airborne for approximately 25 yards. The motorcycle continued in the ditch for approximately another 25 yards before coming to a rest and was believed to have rolled multiple times. At some point the occupants were thrown from or fell off of the motorcycle.

De Jesus and Camacho Jr. were given medical attention by Melrose Fire and Rescue prior to being transported to Melrose Hospital and Sauk Centre Hospital by Melrose Ambulance. Camacho Jr. was later airlifted to the St. Cloud Hospital. The crash remains under investigation. Both Camacho Jr. and De Jesus were wearing helmets at the time of the crash. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Melrose Fire and Rescue, Minnesota State Patrol, and Melrose Ambulance.