Local Municipality Minutes

Email Minutes to htnews@icloud.com

Upsala City • May 1, 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 Mitch Lange, Lana Bartells, Wendy Rene, and Alan Gunderson. Staff present: Public Works Director Mike Tschida, and City Clerk-Treasurer Jane Popp.

Minutes: Rene moved to approve the regular city council meeting minutes from April 10, 2023, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda items: Lange moved to approve the agenda as presented, 2nd by Gunderson. Motion carried unanimously.

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

Task Order #3: Rene moved to approve Task Order #3 with Moore Engineering for survey and engineering services for the installation of the new water main, at a total cost of $58,125.00, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.

Independent Testing Technologies: Bartells moved to approve Independent Testing Technologies in Waite Park to provide drilling services as part of the watermain project at an estimated cost of $2,800.00, 2nd by Gunderson. Motion carried unanimously.

2022 Audit – Ryan Schmidt City Auditor: Ryan Schmidt presented Schlenner Wenner’s findings for the 2022 City Audit. Alan (Fred) Gunderson moved to accept the Audit Report from Schlenner Wenner & Co., 2nd by Lange.

Poppy Day – May 26th: Patti Gunderson talked about remembering the Veterans for National Poppy Day. Rene moved to proclaim May 26th as National Poppy Day, 2nd by Lange.

Department Reports: Fire Department Report: Chief Nick Johnson updated the council that all the new firefighters are all trained. They also had training on electric vehicles.

First Response Team: First Response Team Vice President Danielle Haus reported fifteen calls for April. May 29, 2023 they will have the Memorial Day Fundraiser at the REC Center.

City Separation Committee: Members from the First Response Team attended and discussed separating from the city.

Maintenance Report: Tschida reported on water and sewer levels as well as the various tasks done throughout the city. Just a reminder that sump pumps need to be drained outside of building and not down floor drains.

City Office Report: Popp reviewed the May Calendar and the minutes from the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization.

Planning Commission: Larry Bartells reported that the board had a request to split a lot.

Heritage Days: A meeting is scheduled for May 10, 2023, at 7:00 PM. The committee has everything set for Heritage Days.

New Business: Adoption of the Morrison County All-Hazard Mitigation Plan Resolution 5-1-2023-1 as explained by Matt LeBlanc, Morrison County Administrator. Rene moved to accept resolution 5-1-2023-1, approving the adoption of the Morrison County All-Hazard Mitigation Plans, 2nd by Gunderson. Motion carried unanimously.

Financials: Rene moved to approve the bills as presented, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously.

Updates/FYI: Next Regular City Council Meeting Monday, June 5, 2023, May 11th from 9:00-9:30 Coffee with a Council Member at the Community Center. May 19 & 20 City Wide Garage Sales, June 3 from 8:00-11:00 AM City Wide Clean Up Day.

Adjourn: Rene moved to adjourn at 8:40 pm, 2nd by Bartells. Motion carried unanimously. Jane Popp, Clerk/Treasurer

Grey Eagle Township • May 1, 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 and Tara Prout were also present.

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

Approval of Minutes: John made the motion to accept the April 3, 2023 Township minutes. Alan made the second. All in favor. Motion passed.

Tara Prout spoke to the Township Board about concerns of the road conditions on Cottontail Drive. She explained that the garbage service provider is refusing to pick up along their road. They would like to see the holes fixed, trees trimmed and gravel on the road before coming in. Most residents on this part of the road are seasonal. She felt it is a health and safety issue as no emergency vehicles would be able to access the road. After some discussion on how improvements could be made, as it is not a Township Road, John stated he will research some options, however, the Township cannot put monies into the roadway until it is improved and taken over as a Township Road.

Town Clerk’s Report: Clerk presented the claims list for April. Claims list included claims 3814-3824 for a total of $7,494.66. 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, and a letter from Arvig regarding the fiber installation. John made a motion to go ahead with the upgrade as long as it was within 10% of the present cost. Alan made the second, Motion carried.

The financial report was presented, Alan made the motion to approve, John made the second. All in favor, motion carried. CD renewalMotion by Alan and second by John to go with the best rate the Credit Union has to offer. All in favor. Motion carried.

Road and Bridge Report: Discussion on the road check that was done, located most of the culverts, Obtained permission from land owner to clear trees on west side of 311th.

Some others of concern for brushing were along Chipmunk Rd, south end of 321st, 150th had a couple spots and across 28 near Reimers. John will get quotes for the work that needs to be done. John will also contact a crack filling company to get on a list for this year. Discussion on possible road work on the west end on 130th – digging out the frost boils and using the road saver/dust control to improve the roadway. John will check with Todd County if there are any cost sharing programs to help with replacement of the two cement culverts in the future.

Hinman Lawn Service sent a bid for the beach and dock work at $50 per hour plus $250 for dock install and removal. John made a motion to accept that bid, Alan made the second. All in favor, Motion carried. Lee Buchholz sent a bid for $105.00 per hour for ditch mowing. John made a motion to accept the bid. Alan made the second. All in favor, Motion carried. Dust control will get started once Erv has had a chance to prepare the roads.

Additional agenda item: Agenda items for next month will include the insurance review, after the valuation has been done. Putting posts up for culvert locating, and Mark Erdmann from BBL.

Public Comments: None

Adjourn: Motion to adjourn by Alan, second by John. All in favor Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.

Minutes not approved.

Mary Ann Primus, Clerk/Treasurer

Card of Thanks

Thank you to family and friends for all the prayers, food, cards, and memorials for Mom. Thank you to the Mother of Mercy staff for caring for our Mother for so many years. Also to the Moments Hospice team for all your support.

Many thanks to Father Dan and Father David for the beautiful service, the musician, and the people who served the lunch. Special thanks to the team from Patton Schad Funeral Home for all your care & guidance. We truly appreciate all of you.

The Family of Rita Ritter

To Submit a Card of Thanks the cost is $5.00 for the first 50 words, 10¢ for each additional word. MUST BE PREPAID. Mail to: Hometown News, 29442 120th St., Grey Eagle, MN 56336.

Proudly Wear a Poppy

By Kristi Brezinka Wacker, Upsala American

Legion Auxiliary Unit 350

National Poppy Day is May 26, 2023. To understand what this day signifies, knowing the history of Poppy Day aids in understanding.

At the end of World War I, the American Legion adopted the red poppy as a symbol of freedom and the blood shed by troops in wartime. The symbol comes from the poem In Flanders Fields by Lt. Col. John McCrae whom wrote the poem in 1915 after witnessing the death of a friend and fellow soldier.

The opening line of the poem reads “In Flanders Fields the poppies blow, between the crosses, row on row.” This powerful opening refers to the poppies that sprang up in the soil of newly dug soldiers’ graves in Belgium and France.

Shortly after In Flanders Fields was written, Monia Michaels, from Georgia, read the poem while attending an YMCA Overseas Conference and was moved by the last stanza:

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders Fields

Michaels then authored her own poem titled We Shall Keep the Faith. The last verse of her poem captures her idea to honor those lost in war by wearing a red poppy.

And now the Torch and Poppy Red

We wear in honor of our dead.

Fear not that ye have died for naught;

We’ll teach the lesson that ye wrought In Flanders Fields.

She then shared her poem with gentlemen at the conference, who were excited about the idea and gave her $10 (a great deal of money back then) and asked for poppies to wear.

Michaels bought 25 red silk poppies for the conference attendees to wear. She also wore a poppy on her collar until she returned home in 1919. After she returned home, she taught disabled veterans, became known as “The Poppy Lady” and was instrumental in having The American Legion assemble poppies for the American Legion Auxiliary in 1921.

The American Legion Auxiliary adopted the poppy as its memorial flower in 1921, and, in 1924, in conjunction with The American Legion, instituted the national Poppy Program to protect the memorial poppy from becoming commercialized by outside interests.

Each year, American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary volunteers distribute millions of poppies, most handmade by veterans and auxiliary members, in exchange for contributions to assist veterans, and active-duty military and their families where financial and medical need is evident.

I proudly wear a poppy in remembrance of soldiers lost in wars, including a great uncle, and in honor of my grandfather, uncles, and my father who all served in the United States Military. I also wear a poppy to show support for those currently serving, and because I know the sacrifices made for us to be free.

Soon you may see cans of poppies, or Legion and Auxiliary groups with tables outside of local businesses with poppies that they are supplying. Please remember that all funds go to assist veterans and active-duty military and their families where financial and medical need is evident. I encourage you make a donation and Proudly Wear a Poppy in remembrance, honor and support.

A Wash Funny

One day a housework-challenged husband decided to wash his sweatshirt.

Seconds after he stepped into the laundry room, he shouted to his wife, "What setting do I use on the washing machine?" "It depends," she replied. "What does it say on your shirt?"

He yelled back, "DENVER BRONCOS."

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