[0:08] Call this meeting to order. All rise for the pledge of allegiance.

[0:15] » I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the

[0:20] republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[0:25] justice for all.

[0:36] All right. Um, can I get a motion to approve the agenda?

[0:41] » There is one change, Mr. Mayor. Uh, 7G needs to be eliminated, please.

[0:45] » 7G is eliminated. >> So, motion.

[0:49] » Second. >> All in favor say I. I.

[0:51] » Opposed. Motion carried. Open forum. Uh if anybody would like to speak, they can

[0:56] stand on up and come over here and speak.

[1:03] I do have one thing. Um I got a uh a letter from the city of

[1:09] Holding for that they would like me to read and it reads to our neighboring

[1:13] fire departments. On behalf of the city of Holding for, our residents, and our

[1:18] entire community, we extend our deepest gratitude for your extraordinary service

[1:23] during the fire at the Holding for Mill on Sunday night. What unfolded was a

[1:28] devastating and emotional moment for the Bergs and for our town. Yet, in the face

[1:34] of loss, we witnessed something powerful. The unwavering dedication of

[1:39] the fire departments and private parties who responded without hesitation. 10

[1:44] departments came together, bringing tankers, equipment, and skilled

[1:48] firefighters to battle an intense and challenging blaze. Your teamwork,

[1:52] professionalism, and determination protected nearby homes and businesses

[1:58] pred uh preventing further destruction and brought comfort to our community

[2:02] watching a historic landmark burn. We know the long hours, the cold air,

[2:08] and the physical and emotional demand that came with the response of this

[2:12] scale. Your willingness to step in, support one another, to serve our city

[2:18] exemplifies the very best in what it means to be part of a shared community.

[2:23] Please accept our heartfelt thanks for your courage, your commitment, and your

[2:28] partnership. Holding for is stronger because of neighbors like you. With

[2:32] sincere appreciation, the city of Holding Fort.

[2:37] Um, otherwise if there's no one that would like to talk and I would just like

[2:41] to thank our fire department for all they did on a Sunday night for fire. Um,

[2:47] appreciate it. Thank you guys. >> Thank you.

[2:51] » All right, we have a consent agenda. Approve of the mills and purchase

[2:54] orders. Um, there's investments. There was a donation of $5,000 to the Mars

[3:00] Fire Department from Arbig, a 25 years service for Chief Mouse, a step increase

[3:06] for an employee. Can I get a motion to approve?

[3:10] » So move. >> Second. All

[3:11] » in favor say I. >> I.

[3:12] » Oppos. Motion carried. Uh, police department report. By the way, thank you

[3:17] for 25 years of serving our community, Chief. Appreciate everything you have

[3:21] done between police reserves, police chief, fire department, and everything

[3:25] else that you've done for us. We appreciate you.

[3:27] » Right on. >> All right. January 2026 in our traffic

[3:31] area, we had 15 citation, 81 uh verbal warnings, eight written warnings. Uh we

[3:35] ended on uh 272 calls or requests for service. Last year was 293. So a 21 call

[3:41] drop. Um a good amount of that is our rental inspections. We had fewer in

[3:45] January, but a bunch in February. So we'll see that number come back up. Um

[3:48] we also had u our first month being short staffed and then it was cold for a

[3:53] good snap in there as well as good and warm for a good snap in there, too. But

[3:55] the cold definitely slowed everybody down and everything down. Um you'll see

[3:59] the act the numbers will be more accurate now that we're a year into our

[4:02] new um software system and everything will bounce out. So last couple months I

[4:07] haven't been able to give you good numbers on what actually was happening

[4:09] because of that. Um seven agency assists. Those are lower than normal

[4:13] which is good to see. Uh you should see the new Durango on the road. That one's

[4:17] got the lighter color rims on instead of the dark colored rims, the one that I've

[4:19] been driving. So that one's out and about. Good to see that out on the road.

[4:22] And then the other one is up at Equipment right now. It'll come down for

[4:26] graphics. And I would say by middle of March, that one should be out and about,

[4:29] too. And then we'll be bidding another one come this fall. So

[4:33] um we received or um received a grant for an AED. There's a program through

[4:38] the U of M that um really focused on private donations to get AEDs in every

[4:43] squad car in the state. Uh we've got five of those that came from this

[4:46] program and now we got one more from the additional squad. So, it's good to see.

[4:49] Well, probably catching that in the next couple weeks here. So, some extra money

[4:54] doesn't have to come out of our budget or anybody else's pockets. So, it's good

[4:57] to have and they definitely do their duties. So, um I think that's the gist

[5:01] of it unless there's any questions. >> Thank you.

[5:04] » Thank you, Chiefs. >> Community development director's report.

[5:11] » So, we have several agenda items tonight as we move forward to spring. It's

[5:15] always fun to talk about things like playgrounds and sports courts. So

[5:18] looking forward to that. Work continues on grant applications. I submitted an AP

[5:23] grant to help with the walking path in the Railroad West Park. And I'm

[5:26] currently working with a local business on a uh deed Minnesota Department of

[5:31] Employment and Economic Development grant for child care and for a child

[5:34] care center here in Melrose. Um since the last meeting, we were

[5:38] notified that we advanced in the next round of the small cities grant and

[5:41] invited to complete a full application. And I met with the small cities program

[5:46] people and they had a couple of suggestions for the full application,

[5:49] but they were impressed by the narrative and the case that was built for the

[5:53] needs of our community. Work moves forward on the Geno

[5:57] redevelopment, including we keep doing tours with the contractors. Um,

[6:01] agreements are being bounced back and forth between the legal teams and some

[6:05] proposals on the parking lot. So, I think this is now a week old. Last week,

[6:10] Tuesday, we were notified by Geno corporate executives of the sale of the

[6:13] new plant on the east side. We had a good discussion with them and look

[6:16] forward to meeting with the life science innovations team. Feedback from several

[6:21] local people who know and are familiar with LSI say this acquisition will be a

[6:25] positive thing for Melrose. Um, just to give you a heads up on your

[6:29] March meeting, I need at least two public hearings. One is for the small

[6:34] city's application. We need a we need to show proof that we had a public hearing

[6:38] and I received a request for a drainage and utility easement vacation in

[6:43] Highlands to allow someone to build a new house across some property lines. So

[6:47] to give you a heads up, those are coming.

[6:49] » Thank you. >> City engineer report.

[6:56] » All right. Good evening. As usual, a quick one for you. Uh so borings on the

[7:01] 2026 project should be happening either tomorrow or early next week. Uh once we

[7:05] get those in place and make sure there's no black dirt out there, we'll get those

[7:08] plans uh ready for council approval at the March meeting for getting that on

[7:12] the street. So um otherwise, everything else for me is a new business and I'll

[7:16] be back up in five minutes. >> Okay. Thanks.

[7:20] » All right, city administrator report. So, I'm going to roll from my city

[7:26] administrator report under new business, which is the city administrator um

[7:31] bridge plan discussion. So, this past week, I submitted my resignation as the

[7:38] city administrator effective as of April 3rd.

[7:43] The council and the um PUC met.

[7:49] There was a joint meeting that was held on February 24th where a discussion took

[7:53] place regarding what the next steps are for the city administrator position. The

[7:58] council and the PUZ were presented with three separate um executive search

[8:03] consultants proposals and the discussion was that

[8:09] they would like to interview David Drown and Associates. So, a joint meeting has

[8:16] been set up between the council and the PUC on March 9th at 5:30 p.m. where they

[8:22] will be talking to Pat Melvin with David Dr and Associates.

[8:26] In the interim, the discussion was also held about transition and at this uh the

[8:33] council and the PUC determined that the transition would include Chief Craig

[8:38] Mouse being the point of contact until such time that a new city administrator

[8:44] was hired. the uh mayor Joe Fininken and PUC

[8:51] commission member Eric Sanger met with all staff then on February 24th and they

[8:58] visited with them about the transition and what is going to be happening. So

[9:03] that is where we are to date with that. Um,

[9:08] I will save kind of my other stuff for when you guys have your formal meeting

[9:12] in March and we can kind of talk about, you know, where where you where the

[9:17] plans the plan is. So, that's kind of what I have for now. So,

[9:21] » perfect. All right. And then we're on the police department for uh short

[9:26] staffing. >> This is um something that has come

[9:29] before you before. So in this case, um, Chief Mous is going to be serving in a

[9:36] capacity to fill in for patrol work when because we are short staffed.

[9:42] Um, sorry, I should have this in front of

[9:46] me. My apologies. Um, if it's a period of 45 consecutive

[9:53] calendar days for staffing levels of the police department fall below the

[9:56] requisite staffing amount. Thank you, Connor.

[10:00] Do you want this? >> Well, I have that part. I wanted to look

[10:04] at the actual, but that's fine. >> So, anyway, so um you guys have entered

[10:09] into for short staffing before with the police department is put, uh Chief Craig

[10:14] Mouse. So if they go into a period of over 45 consecutive calendar days,

[10:22] um the staffing levels of the police department fall below the requisite

[10:26] staffing amount, then the arrangement described in this notice which you have

[10:32] will apply but not before that 45day period.

[10:36] So this is limited exceptions as far as um theou itself.

[10:43] the chief is obviously going to um receive additional compensation

[10:48] and again um it's really at the soldier discretion of

[10:54] the city as far as how they want to do this. This is again the second one that

[10:57] they have put in place. And so when the chief has to serve in

[11:05] any capac other capacity within the police department, he will be

[11:09] compensated per thisou. So that's what we have.

[11:14] » All right. Can I get a motion to approve?

[11:17] » So move. >> Second. All

[11:18] » in favor say I. >> I.

[11:19] » Oppos. Motion is carried. >> Similarly, you have before you um Mr.

[11:25] our street park supervisor Andrew has been acting because we have been short

[11:30] staffed on the public work site as well. Um and so Andrew has

[11:36] been acting he has actually moved um he has actually taken on additional duties

[11:42] and the way our policy works is that if you're working outside your class or

[11:47] your job description then you are adequately should get compensated for

[11:51] some of that. So for Andrew, um the recommendation really is to move him to

[11:57] step four at this time and not wait until he would normally be at step four,

[12:02] which would be in July. So I would say the council to provide consideration

[12:06] approving a step increase for Andrew at this time.

[12:09] » And I just like to say thank you, Andrew, for stepping up and helping out

[12:12] down there with with the other employees. Uh it's been a big help.

[12:17] Appreciate all that you've been doing. Can I get a motion to approve? So move.

[12:21] » Second. All in favor say I. I >> opposed. Motion is carried.

[12:25] » Um, city of Mau's quarterly financial reports.

[12:33] You can run the slides for me. Thank you.

[12:38] » Good evening, mayor and council members. Tonight, I'll be presenting the quarter

[12:41] 4 financial summary, highlighting general fund performance, key trends

[12:45] across other funds, and take a brief look ahead to 2026.

[12:50] Overall, the city remains in a stable financial position. Revenues performed

[12:54] well. Expenditures were managed carefully, and we continue to maintain

[12:58] strong fund balances. I'll walk through the major highlights, explain a few

[13:02] year-over-year changes, and then change close with what we're focusing on as we

[13:07] move into the next budget cycle.

[13:12] Um, general fund revenues exceeded budget expectations overall with all

[13:16] major categories meeting or surpassing projections except charges for services.

[13:21] Individual expense expense categories show both increases and decreases. Total

[13:26] expenses remain below the overall budget level. Year end net position is slightly

[13:31] below the prior year primarily due to lower building permit revenues and

[13:34] non-reoccurring grant revenues received in the pri previous year. Fourth quarter

[13:39] revenues reflect receipt of the second half properties tax settlement and the

[13:43] second half LGA distribution. Overall general fund revenues performed

[13:48] well and exceeded our budget projections. Most major revenue

[13:52] categories met or outperformed expectations. The only category that

[13:56] came in below budget was charges for services. Strong performance in interest

[14:01] income, intergovernmental revenue, and miscellaneous revenue helped offset that

[14:05] shortfall. Overall revenues finished the year at approximately 104% of budget.

[14:14] While we saw some categories come in higher and others lower than budget,

[14:18] overall spending remained under the total budget amount. Departments managed

[14:22] expenditures carefully throughout the year. This reflects continued cost

[14:26] awareness and monitoring across operations. Overall department

[14:30] expenditures were generally well controlled in 2025. administration and

[14:34] finance, public safety, public works, and planning and development all

[14:38] finished under budget.

[14:42] Um, year end net position is slightly below the prior year. This is primarily

[14:46] due to lower building permit activity compared to last year. In addition,

[14:50] certain grant revenues received in the prior year were one-time in nature and

[14:54] did not repeat this year. This represents a normalization following

[14:58] last year's elevated revenues, not a structural imbalance.

[15:03] The MATA fund remained stable, supported by the plan transfer from the general

[15:07] fund as well as solid investment earnings in capital projects. Net income

[15:12] was positively impacted by county reimbursement related to the street

[15:16] project, which which strengthened the fund position at year end. Fire

[15:20] department revenues performed well in the fourth quarter with fire charges

[15:23] coming in at 124% of budget for quarter 4. Ambulance activity remains strong

[15:29] with run volumes higher than budget and net income finishing above prior year.

[15:35] Overall, these funds continue to demonstrate stable operations and

[15:39] positive financial trends heading into 2026.

[15:44] As we look ahead to 2026, our focus remains on strategic and sustainable

[15:48] financial management. We will continue aligning departmental spending with

[15:52] council's 26 priorities, ensuring resources are directed toward core

[15:57] services and community needs. On the investment side, we will work to

[16:01] optimize returns while maintaining appropriate liquidity to support

[16:04] operations and upcoming capital projects. We are also planning

[16:09] proactively for future fire and police capital replacement needs, ensuring

[16:12] long-term readiness for public safety, infrastructure, and equipment. Finally,

[16:18] long-term financial sustainability remains a key priority, maintaining

[16:22] strong reserves, monitoring revenue trends, and positioning the city for a

[16:26] stable operations in future budget cycles. Overall, our approach for 26 is

[16:31] proactive, balance, and focused on long-term stability.

[16:34] Do you have any questions? >> Thank you, Jackie.

[16:41] All right, we're on the action items. So, what we all have here is liquor

[16:46] license renewal applications. Uh, so we'll have uh intoxic intoxicating

[16:51] liquor on sale, off sale, Sunday on sale renewals. Then there's a club and Sunday

[16:57] on sale renewals, 32 malt liquor off sale, wine license renewals.

[17:03] Uh, everybody has been background checked and everything, so everything's

[17:07] good to go, right? >> Mhm.

[17:08] » All right. Can I get a motion to approve?

[17:10] » So move. >> Second.

[17:11] » All in favor say I. >> I. opposed. Motion is carried. Uh world

[17:16] seal project 2026. Is that going to be? >> Yep.

[17:22] » Pretty straightforward.

[17:26] » Yeah. So, uh if you saw it in the back, it was really ahead of time the map.

[17:30] Otherwise, it's just the annual Silco projects that we go forward every year

[17:34] and we just need ad or a motion to advertise a bit. So,

[17:38] » all right. Did they have any concerns or anything? All right. Can I get a motion

[17:42] to approve? >> Second. All

[17:45] » in favor say I. >> I.

[17:46] » Motion carried uh Main Street sidewalk project.

[17:53] » All right, I'll cover this one. So, myself, Sheila, and Andrew, I I walked

[17:57] the Main Street sidewalk last week right before it snowed again. Uh, so good

[18:01] timing on that. We can see everything that was out there. It's not getting

[18:04] better. As anybody's probably noticed out there, the settlements are getting

[18:07] worse at at the buildings and behind the curb. and we all know the tripping

[18:10] hazard that that is. Unfortunately, the number that they gave us last fall to do

[18:14] it isn't going to cut it anymore and it's going to get us above the bidding

[18:17] threshold. Um, so I think we're going to have to probably take that that project

[18:21] away from just being a quote and actually bid it out.

[18:25] And what I my main concern is that we actually probably survey it, make sure

[18:28] that we're meeting ADA grades. I'm afraid that to put it back in, we

[18:31] wouldn't do those. We'll be tearing it out in three years. That that's my fear.

[18:35] So, I'd like to actually get some survey out there, actually confirm that it's

[18:39] put in correctly, and then bid it. So, I don't have a contract or anything with

[18:43] you guys tonight. Just looking for input from the council. Is that the direction

[18:46] you want to go, or do you want to have Andrew or the guys keep patching it?

[18:50] They do it. What they've done worked, but it certainly doesn't look as nice as

[18:53] we'd like to see on our main street. >> What's driving the cost? Is it labor

[18:57] material? Both? >> Yes.

[18:59] » Yes. >> Um, couple that with uh they did a

[19:03] really bare bones job. Uh they're going to replace what's there and that's it.

[19:07] We need to connect the curb to that sidewalk so we don't see that settlement

[19:10] again. They didn't have doll bars in there. We're going to put them in. Uh

[19:13] they didn't have chunks of curb replacement that need to happen. Those

[19:16] got to happen. There's two ped ramps that got to get switched out. Most of

[19:18] them unfortunately are good yet, but two of them do have to change. So

[19:23] » So we want to just hold off on it or move forward without getting the

[19:27] council's input on it. So I guess this isn't so much an action item as a

[19:30] direction to staff item. If you did it in two years, would it have to go out to

[19:34] bids? So, if you did two different projects, we did some of it this year.

[19:39] » That's an option. >> Spaced it out. Maybe

[19:42] » that could do it. Yes, that would that would work. We could do one block at a

[19:45] time or whatever that that approach would be. That would absolutely work.

[19:47] Keep quotes from public contractors. And the real question is, do we want to

[19:51] bid it with our 2026 retreat project or a side or separate from it? They're kind

[19:55] of different type projects. One's a concrete project, one's an asphalt

[19:59] project. So, I I don't know that we gained a heck of a lot of bidding them

[20:01] together, but again, just looking for input from the council.

[20:06] » Okay, Julian. >> Uh, well, I trust you guys making that

[20:13] right decision for us.

[20:19] » And you just put straight up concrete. You wouldn't put the exposed aggregate

[20:22] or you wouldn't stamp it. It would just be

[20:24] » nothing decorative. We'd go lesson learned and go to plain concrete.

[20:29] I think it'd be a big savings to just do it all at once instead of into two

[20:33] pieces though. >> There's a savings that'll be had for

[20:36] that for sure. You know, you always are going to have some mobilization cost

[20:39] that you'll avoid if you do that, but you would be able to just quote it out

[20:42] if you broke it broke it in half. So, I mean, there are there's a benefit to be

[20:45] to both. >> I would say just do it all at once.

[20:48] It'll go up another 10 15% in 2027. So, >> concrete prices have not been anything

[20:55] close to stable. that 10 15% is absolutely an accurate statement. So

[21:00] » if that's the case then at the next meeting I'll get something together for

[21:02] you guys to formally approve and what it is.

[21:06] » Have to do that. >> Sounds good.

[21:07] » And there is um undesated fund reserves in the street department.

[21:12] » Okay. >> We are running a deficit in that

[21:14] particular >> then yeah let's at least uh go ahead and

[21:19] get a quote on it. Yeah for sure. >> Well no we'd have to do formal

[21:22] » business.

[21:25] Okay. All right. We are on to do we have to

[21:31] make a motion to do that or that's just consensus to come back to it. Right.

[21:35] » Yeah. The motion will be made at uh in March, Dave. Um and he'll bring back his

[21:41] engineering contract and his design contract, right? Or would you bring back

[21:45] the whole package? >> We'll bring back everything with it uh

[21:48] to get the survey for the survey stuff together.

[21:51] » Perfect. So it's not as a consensus. All right.

[21:55] Then we are on to the PP01-2026-201

[21:59] preliminary central career. >> Yes. We have two items coming over to

[22:03] you tonight from the Meadows Planning and Zoning Commission. So the first

[22:07] item, the Planning and Zoning Commission had a public hearing on Monday, January

[22:11] 26 for the purpose of considering a preliminary platform to Centricare.

[22:16] We've discussed this before. Um when Kira bought the assisted living in the

[22:20] nursing home, um those buildings are very tied together. You all know what

[22:25] Pine Villa looks like. We're trying to figure out what's centric care and

[22:28] what's and so they've presented a preliminary plat with some shared common

[22:30] laws. Uh planning and zoning commission looked at it. They approved the

[22:34] preliminary plat subject to a bunch of things that need to be done before the

[22:38] final plat is brought forward. So I had the planning report as approved by the

[22:44] planning and zoning commission in your packets. So tonight we're asking for

[22:48] consideration um to consider the recommendation of the

[22:51] planning and zoning commission and determine whether to approve or deny the

[22:54] preliminary plan. >> Okay. Again motion to approve.

[22:57] » So move second. >> All in favor say I.

[23:00] » I oppose. Motion carried. We have CUP1 uh 01-2026-401

[23:08] uh entering use permit. Melrose Area Arts Council

[23:12] Campbell Enterprise Northwest Inc. Yes. And tonight we have members of the

[23:17] arts council and the artist of the mural here present with us. Um we do have a

[23:22] sketch. Uh the planning and zoning commission held a public hearing on

[23:27] January 26 to consider the interim use permit application from the Mrose Area

[23:31] Arts Council and Campbell Enterprises. This would be a mural on the east facing

[23:36] side of the Midwest Automatic Building. Um in your packet was the panel

[23:43] discussion. So, a couple conditions. This is written up as an interim use

[23:47] permit as opposed to a conditional use permit. Conditional use permits run with

[23:51] the land just as long as it's there. Interim use allows them to put a set

[23:56] time limit on it. And it in the recommendation of the planning and

[24:00] zoning commission was seven years subject to maintenance at all times. If

[24:05] they decide to go with another sketch three years from now, they have to come

[24:08] back because it's this is the sketch that's approved. So any change of the

[24:13] sketch would have to be run through another interim use permit. And our

[24:18] process is very clear that the owner of the mural is the building, not um the

[24:24] artist or the arts council. So for example, if this building were to sell,

[24:28] the owner of the building would have every right to take it down. I think the

[24:31] arts council is well aware of that. And the maintenance is up to the owner of

[24:37] the property. So if you have any questions for the

[24:40] arts council or Justine who is the artist, she is here tonight.

[24:46] » Sheila, thank you. Um and um I guess a question, there have been updates to the

[24:51] sketch itself. If I may present that um here it's a much more detailed version

[24:58] of what you see before you. Um, I'm sorry that I did not include it in the

[25:02] agenda, but as you can see, it is Main Street, the craft plan, um, the old

[25:06] church and farms in background.

[25:12] » Any questions or suggestions? >> Very nice.

[25:15] » That looks great. >> Thank you.

[25:19] » Thank you very much. No problem. >> Yeah. So the action item is to consider

[25:24] the recommendation of planning and zoning and to approve or deny the

[25:27] interim use permit for the arts council and camel enterprises.

[25:30] » U quick question uh when is start date and how long do you think it'll take

[25:34] you? >> It should take about four months. Uh the

[25:37] process has already begun of sketching. Um

[25:41] what will be done is a scaled down version of the painting about a third of

[25:45] the size. So the total size that will appear on the building is 30 by 10 ft.

[25:50] So the one/3 size is 10 by 3T which will be done by June 1st. Correct.

[26:00] » Yes. >> That's the supply. Yes.

[26:05] » All right. Looking forward to seeing. That would be fantastic.

[26:08] » Thank you. >> Can I get a motion to approve, please?

[26:11] » Second. >> All in favor say I.

[26:12] » I. >> Oppos. Motion is carried.

[26:17] » Pickle ball court park. So Andrew and I are looking at each other to figure out

[26:22] who wants to present on this one. Um the council to provide consideration on a

[26:27] second pickle ball court. So the park board met on February 4th and they have

[26:31] received two quotes for a second pickle ball court. This will be located

[26:35] directly west of the existing court. We're hearing from pickle ball players

[26:40] that it's fun to play in groups and they want two courts. So um requested action

[26:45] tonight is to consider the construction of a second court and award the project

[26:48] to boing masonry the lower bidder >> and funds are there.

[26:52] » Yep. Yes. >> I've heard the same thing from the

[26:57] public that they would like to see more. >> Um it's good thing I see there people

[27:02] there a lot. So >> that's like the in thing nowadays.

[27:07] » Yeah. And it's something that looks like it's going to stick around. So that's

[27:12] Can I get a motion to approve, please? >> Second.

[27:14] » All in favor say I. >> I oppos. Motion carries.

[27:18] » All right. G was cancelled and then we on the playground equipment for um

[27:22] Railroad West Park. >> Yes. G will we be bringing back for your

[27:26] March meeting. We just need to get a little clarification on the bids that we

[27:30] have. Um so H is the playground equipment. um that we are building a new

[27:35] park on in Railroad West which will be located between the apartment building

[27:39] and the Roach townhouse project. Uh the park board reviewed estimates at its

[27:44] February 4th meeting and is recommending the flagship landscape structures. I

[27:50] think there might be a sketch. >> That's the one they chose. They like the

[27:54] rock wall and there's a little zipline, little mini zip line over there and it

[28:00] is targeted for five to 12 year olds. Um Andrew is here to answer questions and

[28:05] Mark who is the chair of the park board can answer any questions.

[28:10] » Any questions?

[28:14] » Can I get a motion to approve? So move >> second. All in favor say I. I.

[28:20] » All right. Motion is approved. um fireh hall workout room renovation.

[28:27] » So as part of the ongoing um wellness that we are required to have

[28:36] for our public or I'm sorry our emergency medical services and just

[28:40] overall wellness. A budget was set aside and approved for 26 for a new workout

[28:48] room in the fire hall. So, Fire Chief Buddy has received two quotes for new

[28:52] exercise equipment. The first is from REP, which includes a trainer machine,

[28:57] dumbbell set, weightlifting rack, weight bench, squat bar, racks, and various

[29:02] other equipment. That quote was $13,3.31.

[29:09] The second quote is from Titan Fitness which includes a trainer machine,

[29:13] weightlifting rack, weight bench, dumbbell weight sets, racks, and

[29:16] additional equipment for 11,9328. A quote was also received for new

[29:23] flooring in the wait room from Hennan floor covering.

[29:27] Council to provide consideration to approving quotes for the fireh hall

[29:31] workout room renovation project. I'm going to put

[29:35] » Craig on the spot or Joe, whoever wants to speak to this if they have additional

[29:40] information. >> Uh I know the original equipment was

[29:44] donated from was it Anytime Fitness, Joe?

[29:47] » Lifetime Fitness. >> Lifetime Fitness. And that was a former

[29:49] um firefighters family. >> Yes.

[29:52] » That uh donated that. And it was used from commercial grade stuff, but it's

[29:56] definitely done its time and >> um some it's not safe to use anymore.

[30:00] So, I think it's good that we're replacing the equipment. I think that

[30:02] this will be a much used upgrade between all three emergency departments and I

[30:08] believe it's open to city staff as well because it's city building. So

[30:10] » yeah. Do you know the difference between the two courts?

[30:13] » Uh it looked as though almost everything is very similar. They might have um had

[30:17] one piece of equipment that wasn't completely a match as far as the exact,

[30:21] you know, usage or whatever you want to call it. So, I would say either one's

[30:26] going to be adequate as far as whichever choice would be made unless uh fire

[30:32] chief Bod had one that was a better recommendation.

[30:35] » He just gave both quotes. It looks like >> if I could speak for a second, I did

[30:39] talk a little bit about it. He did did have recommendations on the he thought

[30:43] that equipment was just a little bit heavier maybe. So, he did recommend that

[30:48] one. If anything, his recommendation would be that one. Based off the

[30:52] durability potential and based off of talking to the individuals he's been

[30:56] discussing with for the equipment, they felt that that one might be a little

[31:00] better option for our setup. >> Do we have to approve the specific one?

[31:04] » Yes, you can approve. If you want to approve the specific one, that would be

[31:08] great. So then they can get it ordered. Um, just so you're aware, this came in

[31:13] far under bid for what we had allocated in the budget for this project.

[31:18] » Yeah. So, it' probably be 7 I1 and 7 I3 would probably be the ones.

[31:23] » Yep. 7 I1 and 7 I3. I would say you should make

[31:26] » a motion. >> Are you going to maintain the stuff at

[31:29] the city administration building as well or is that stuff going to go away?

[31:33] » That'll all stay there. >> That all stay there, but we're not

[31:36] looking for funds at some point to update that either. What we've done in

[31:40] the past is any excess or surplus in the police department budget, we've made

[31:43] purchases. >> Um,

[31:46] » primarily that's who is using it. Um, city staff is always welcome to use it

[31:49] as well, but primarily that's who's using it. So, we'll just use excess

[31:52] funds at times if anything needs to be upgraded or changed.

[31:55] » And we just actually that was repainted and there were new mats put in there

[31:59] what, four years ago? >> About that.

[32:01] » Yeah.

[32:05] » Can I get a motion to approve it that way? So

[32:08] » second. >> All in favor say I.

[32:10] » I. >> Motion carried.

[32:12] » Uh fee schedule amendment.

[32:19] » Um after further review of the fee schedule that was approved for 2026,

[32:23] there is just a couple amendments that um we're asking to make. So rows 175

[32:29] through 177 under the park um shelter rental there were the forprofit not for

[32:36] profit and um groups over 300 on there and we never really use those lines. So

[32:41] just to keep it even or easy for rental we'd like to just take that down to one

[32:47] line. And then um per Chief Moody he would like to add per truck under the

[32:52] fire department um rate as well.

[32:58] All right. Can I get a motion for that fee amendment?

[33:03] » Second. All in >> favor say I.

[33:05] » I. >> Motion carried. And then the other part

[33:08] is the 2026 2027 uh League of Minnesota's IT worker comp

[33:15] compensation insurance quote. >> Okay. We received a quote back for the

[33:18] 2627 workers compensation. The council to give consideration approved in the

[33:24] quote received from League of Minnesota City's insurance trust for workers

[33:27] compensation insurance for period of March 7th 26 through March 7th 27. The

[33:33] net premium costs for the upcoming period are $72,439.

[33:38] The quote in 25 was $55,962 which is an increase of 29%. Due to

[33:45] claims history, the experience modification changed to a 1.03 03 debit

[33:50] for the 2627 coverage period up from a 73 credit for the 2526 coverage period.

[33:57] Overall workers compensation rates for 26 have decreased for the third year in

[34:01] a row. It is recommended that the council again approve the reg regular

[34:05] premium option. The general fund share of the premium is $60,022

[34:10] and the utility share is $12,417 compared to 42,531

[34:17] and for 13,431 respectively for the past year. The

[34:22] council to give consideration approving the League of Minnesota's workers comp

[34:26] insurance at the regular premium option. >> Any questions?

[34:31] » Can I get a motion to approve? >> So move.

[34:33] » Second. All in favor say I. opposed. Motion is carried.

[34:38] » All right. Hiring police officer. >> Yes, we received three applications for

[34:43] the open officer position. We interviewed two. One person did withdraw

[34:46] prior to interview time as they had received a position somewhere else

[34:50] already. Uh we extended a conditional offer to uh Miss Kylie Forsir. Um the

[34:56] offer is contingent upon her passing a successful background check,

[35:00] psychological and pre-employment drug and physical exam. Um, we're

[35:04] recommending that uh, Miss Forsier be hired at step one in the wage scale and

[35:08] after six months of uh, full-time employment and a favorable full

[35:12] evaluation, we would make the recommendation to move her to step two.

[35:16] » All right. Motion to approve. So move. >> Second. All

[35:19] » in favor say I. >> I motion carried. And hiring a police

[35:23] reserve officer. >> Yes. We also got an application from uh

[35:27] Kaden Swanson for a police reserve position which has been either

[35:30] non-existent or very limited as far as that um program being um used in the

[35:35] last several years. Um this has also continued upon a successful background

[35:39] check, pre-employment physical and drug test. Um Kaden Swanson is actually the

[35:43] son of Chris Swanson who worked here. He left in 2012 give or take to go to

[35:47] Alexandria Police Department. So um Kaden will be going to AL in the fall to

[35:52] be a police officer as well. Sounds great.

[35:55] » Okay, get a motion to approve. >> Second.

[35:59] » All in favor say I. I >> opposed. Motion carried.

[36:03] » Uh hiring of a seasonal street arts worker go through every year, right?

[36:09] » Yep.

[36:15] » Historically, city has hired a seasonal part-time worker to assist with summer

[36:18] workload. Uh I'm here to request an approval to hire temporary summer

[36:21] seasonal worker on the need on a needed basis uh to assist with lawn and park

[36:25] maintenance, cleaning, etc. Therefore, I'm requesting the council to approve

[36:29] the hire of seasonal parttime workers. >> Can I get a motion to approve?

[36:33] » Some move. Favor say I. >> I motion is carried. Old business for

[36:40] Minnesota paid family leave. >> So u your memo as written is not

[36:46] correct. So what we found out is we had approved this for 26, 27, and 28. We

[36:53] should not approve it for 28 because we're tying it back to the contracts,

[36:57] your union contracts. So we are simply asking for the language to be amended in

[37:03] theou to only reflect January 1st, 2026 through December 31st, 2027.

[37:13] » Any questions or concerns? Can I a motion to approve, please? So move.

[37:19] » Second. >> All in favor say I.

[37:21] » Oppos. Motion carried. >> We're on the information items, schools

[37:25] and training. Uh a few people from the fire department going to different

[37:30] schools. Uh there's going to be a Sterns County Commissioners Board meeting. Uh

[37:35] April 7th, 2026 at 6 p.m. in Mau, which should be pretty uh interesting. Uh I

[37:40] think people should show up for that. It doesn't happen but once a year that the

[37:43] county will do their county meetings outside of St. Cloud and they will be

[37:47] having a a large discussion about the DNR with people here hunting with either

[37:54] shotguns or uh rifles in this area. So should be a pretty interesting meeting.

[37:59] So might be a good thing for people to attend. And then there's the next city

[38:04] council meeting which is Thursday, March 19th at 6 pm.

[38:09] » If I may, Mr. Mr. Mayor, a couple things and this just happened today. So, um on

[38:14] March 9th, there's a joint meeting between the public utilities commission

[38:18] and the city council. That meeting is designed at 5:30 and that is

[38:23] specifically to work um to talk to David Associates. And then on March 12th at 7

[38:29] a.m. there will be a closed meeting for union negotiations.

[38:34] » Okay. Good.

[38:38] All right. All right. Unless there's anything else, can I get a motion to

[38:40] adjurnn? >> Second.

[38:42] » All in favor say I. >> Oppos. Meeting adjourned.

Melrose City Council Meeting 02-26-2026

Transcript