See http://www.web2py.com/books/default/search/29?search=Conditional+models
Nico de Groot
if request.controller == '':
response.models_to_run = ...
You could use conditional models. Just make an empty folder in /models with the name of a (new) controller. Put the functions that don't need any models inside that controller.
I think in the alphabetically first model I will use
if request.controller == '':
response.models_to_run = ...
if request.controller == 'my_upload_controller':
response.models_to_run = []