[0:08] Call this meeting to order. All rise for
the pledge of allegiance.
[0:16] » 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
[0:26] justice for all.
[0:36] » We had one change to the agenda. We
removed 6C. Can I get approval of the
[0:41] agenda?
>> So moved.
[0:42] » Second.
>> All in favor, say "Aye."
[0:43] » Aye.
>> Opposed? Motion carried. Open forum.
[0:47] Well, nobody came to visit tonight, so
we're just going to move on.
[0:51] Approval of the minutes, bills, purchase
orders, investments. There is a
[0:56] resolution number 2026-28
[1:01] um from the Maroa Lions Club, uh $50,000
towards the Maroa Fire Department. Thank
[1:07] you very much for um helping the
department out. It will go to uh good
[1:13] thing.
Uh then there is a Doris Ruelan 10 years
[1:18] of recognition for being here and a step
increase for for Connor. Can I get a
[1:22] motion to approve?
>> So moved.
[1:24] » Second.
>> All in favor, say "Aye."
[1:26] » Aye.
>> Opposed? Motion is carried. Reports.
[1:29] Police Department report.
>> Okay. Okay. I received um the police
[1:33] report from Chief Maus for May 26. There
were a total of 36 traffic citations
[1:40] that were written in the month of May,
92 verbal warnings, and zero written
[1:44] warnings. For the month of May, we
received 396 requests for service. At
[1:49] this time last year, May 2025, we
received 281 calls request for service.
[1:55] At the end of May 25, we ended with ICR
251403.
[2:00] At the end of May 2026, we are at ICR
261512.
[2:05] And for the month of May 26, we received
28 agency assist calls.
[2:12] » All right. How come there were so many
enforcement citations?
[2:18] By code? Any idea? No?
>> I would have to ask.
[2:21] » That's that's fine. I'm just kind of
seeing a lot of them in there. Just
[2:25] It's normally not in there. Unless you
did like a an initiative or something.
[2:28] » Yeah, no.
>> Okay.
[2:34] All right. Community Development report,
Sheila.
[2:40] » So, the Planning and Zoning Commission
does have an action item tonight. Um,
[2:44] but then on Monday, June 29th, they'll
be holding a public hearing on the
[2:47] rezoning of the Stern's Electric parcel
and a request for a conditional use
[2:51] permit for the Mary Moose Child Care and
Preschool. Those items will come to you
[2:56] in July.
Um, we are also received word that we
[2:59] did receive a deed daycare grant of
$100,000, which is currently being
[3:03] reviewed by the city attorney and our
auditors.
[3:07] The Park Board meeting scheduled for
tonight has been moved to June 23rd
[3:10] because of the conflict. We are looking
ahead to the 2027 budget planning. It's
[3:15] been exciting to see all the use in the
park, including the campground, the
[3:18] basketball courts, the baseball fields.
We also again want to thank Freeport
[3:22] State Bank. Those new scoreboards are
very nice. But once again, you can see
[3:27] from the weather we're having Wednesday
rain, so the farmer's market again is
[3:31] being affected. And as was our first
pop-up splash pad.
[3:36] Building permits of over $5 million have
been issued to Roach Development for the
[3:40] 17 twin homes. They will be here with
full force in about a week with all the
[3:45] staking and infrastructure.
Um, a Matt has been meeting with city
[3:49] staff on the pre-construction of that.
And the streets and parks department
[3:54] will be handling all the installation of
the
[3:58] new city park next to Wabegon Crossings.
And so, you will see them working out
[4:01] there the third week of July installing
all that equipment.
[4:06] Um we did receive permit applications
for 406 2nd Avenue Northeast, which we
[4:11] refer to
as Casey's North. So, the tobacco and
[4:16] 3.2 license will be coming to you in
July for that facility. They are
[4:21] currently getting the gas pumps
inspected and are preparing to reopen
[4:25] that location.
Finally, the closing on the Jenny-O
[4:29] property is scheduled for tomorrow.
So,
[4:33] plans continue, work continues on that.
At your July meeting, we will be holding
[4:37] a public hearing to declare a TIF
district for that site, which will
[4:41] include both sides of 5th Avenue. This
is a requirement of the deed grant. And
[4:46] a deed grant is also being currently
written for the east side of 5th.
[4:50] So, work on that project continues.
>> Thank you, sir.
[4:54] » Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
All right, city engineer report.
[4:59] » All right, good evening. Talk a little
bit about the 2026 street project that
[5:03] is underway. The curb and gutter that is
being done has been replaced and is
[5:06] taken care of and ready to go.
They will be in town on Monday milling
[5:10] up the pavement on 4th
and then reclaiming it after that. So,
[5:13] they're going to take the top inch and a
half off, which tends to be a little bit
[5:16] loose and cracked up. They'll take that
off and haul it out and then they'll
[5:19] grind the remaining pavement along with
the gravel into a
[5:22] a good mixture.
And then we'll take out the excess.
[5:25] There'll be a little bit of extra and
then put our new pavement back. So, that
[5:27] should happen by the middle or end of
next week we should have new pavement on
[5:31] everything. So, this project will be
pretty much wrapped up in another week.
[5:34] So,
weather dependent, all the usual
[5:38] qualifiers that come with construction
schedules, but that's how it sits as of
[5:41] right now. So,
good news on that end.
[5:45] We finished up the plans for the Main
Street sidewalk replacement. I put a
[5:48] picture in my report for you guys to
show you what it's going to look like, a
[5:52] section of it. So, the first 6 ft next
to the building will be really flat, and
[5:56] then the portion between that and the
curb will be a little bit steeper, not
[6:00] noticeably steeper, not something crazy,
but that's that's the way ADA requires
[6:03] it. So, that's what it's going to look
like.
[6:06] As we get those ready to go, we're going
to go ahead and meet with businesses and
[6:08] show them what it's going to look like
at each at each building so they know
[6:12] what's coming.
And then we'll work on the schedule with
[6:14] contractor to see how that goes. So,
we'll go out for bids.
[6:17] » Tony gets up for me there. One quick
question there, is that 6-in thick
[6:20] concrete?
>> Yes, sir.
[6:21] » Is that standard for sidewalks? Seems
really thick for a sidewalk.
[6:24] » So, standard on sidewalk always used to
be 4 in, right? That was That was the
[6:27] norm until we started using skid loaders
to clear it with snow.
[6:31] So, that that's the That's in a downtown
scenario like that where we have heavier
[6:35] equipment on it. Yeah, we go 6 in every
time. That's all That industry road all
[6:38] the way down was 7 6-in concrete as
well.
[6:41] Yep.
>> That's kind of what
[6:42] » That's kind of what I was wondering,
with using the heavy equipment on it.
[6:45] » Yep, that's exactly why it's done. Yep.
And that's pretty much a standard in a
[6:48] downtown setting. It's not just Melrose,
it's everywhere.
[6:52] » Sounds good.
>> Yeah, so look for bids from me in the
[6:54] July meeting and we'll get that covered
and see where that ends up and further
[6:57] discussion at that point.
Questions?
[7:01] All right, thanks.
>> Point of contact, city administration,
[7:05] Jackie.
>> Um the Public Utilities Commission met
[7:09] on June 8th. The following items were
discussed and acted upon during the
[7:12] meeting. Electric Department is working
with Roach Development to identify and
[7:16] plan for the utility needs associated
with the upcoming Railroad Avenue
[7:20] Northwest project. DGR Engineering will
review the project design and provide
[7:25] recommendations as needed. The County
Road 169 project utility work is
[7:30] substantially complete with only minor
remaining items to be finalized.
[7:34] The Electric Department completed a
generation test run.
[7:38] The quarterly generation test is
scheduled for June 30th.
[7:42] Water and wastewater staff continue to
work through planning items related to
[7:45] the blower building project.
Specifications and preliminary budget
[7:49] estimates are anticipated within the
next 2 months. A key area focus is
[7:53] developing a bypass plan to maintain the
plant operations during construction and
[7:58] minimize service disruptions while the
project is underway.
[8:01] Well 10, the new well, staff continues
to work with the well contractor to
[8:06] address operational issues. Testing is
anticipated soon with the goal of
[8:10] resolving outstanding items and bringing
the well fully online.
[8:14] And for the city updates,
um Alexandra Evenson resigned from her
[8:20] administrative assistant permit tech
position to pursue another employment
[8:24] opportunity. The city has been accepting
applications to fill the vacancy. The
[8:28] application period closed on Monday,
June 15th at 4:30 p.m. and staff are
[8:33] currently reviewing applications.
City administrator recruitment, the
[8:38] search process has been narrowed to four
finalists from a pool of 31 applicants.
[8:43] DDA Recruitment Services presented seven
candidates for consideration. Interviews
[8:48] with the four finalists are scheduled
for June 30th and selection process is
[8:52] moving forward as planned.
We're going to start the 2027 budget
[8:56] planning. Staff budget meetings are
scheduled for July 1st to establish
[9:01] departmental priorities, develop men
proposed budgets, and identify capital
[9:05] projects and major equipment purchases
anticipated over the next 5 to 10 years.
[9:11] In the streets and parks department,
Steve Cortenbusch has submitted his
[9:14] resignation from the three-quarter time
streets and park department position.
[9:19] We'd like to thank Steve for his service
and contributions to the city and wish
[9:23] him the very best in his future
endeavors.
[9:26] A seasonal employee in the streets and
parks, Nate Neil Nathey, expressed his
[9:30] interest in this position
and streets and parks position and has
[9:35] transitioned into that role. Recruitment
efforts are now underway to fill the
[9:39] resulting seasonal position vacancy.
And in the police department, Amanda
[9:44] Rosetti and Alex Broadwell began
employment with the city during the week
[9:48] of June 8th.
As this is the first
[9:52] time law enforcement position for both
officers, they are currently
[9:55] participating in field training and
onboarding. It is anticipated that they
[9:59] will be ready for independent patrol
duties by August or September.
[10:06] » All right. Sounds good. Thank you.
We are on the new business.
[10:11] Bridge plan. The piece The PUC
recommended on May 11th
[10:16] the meeting to have
the ad hoc committee review the
[10:19] compensation for additional duties
during the vacancy of the city
[10:22] administrator. At the direction of ad
hoc on May 20th, Chief Moose is
[10:27] presenting a memorandum of
understanding. Chief Moose is
[10:30] recommending approval for compensation
for additional duties during the vacancy
[10:35] of the city administrator. Um there is
um
[10:38] the bridge plan then one for Chief Moose
and Doris Reimann.
[10:43] After there's any questions, got to get
a motion to approve.
[10:46] So moved.
>> Second.
[10:48] » All in favor, say "Aye."
>> Aye.
[10:49] » Opposed?
Motion is carried.
[10:52] Um so we will be doing uh interviews on
June 30th for our future city
[10:58] administrator.
So um we are looking at providing
[11:01] consideration to approving a um
uh reimbursement for the candidates that
[11:07] are driving in for the interview.
Just make it a little easy for them to
[11:12] get here on June the 30th. Is there any
questions or concerns?
[11:15] » I thought we didn't have to. I thought
it was just
[11:17] an incidental we could just come out of
the general fund.
[11:20] I think we actually had a vote on it.
[11:24] » Um
>> I think we should put a cap on it.
[11:28] Like 200 bucks or something.
>> I would support that, sure, whatever.
[11:33] » Just pay for the gas.
>> I thought we were trusting whatever.
[11:37] » Yeah, I Yeah, I thought they could
actually have no idea.
[11:39] » administrators, we are trusting that
they
[11:42] » We would just
>> make good.
[11:43] » Yeah, let's We're paying for fuel and
maybe if they're
[11:48] I think we should just let it. I don't
think they're traveling too far. Um
[11:52] » Yeah, I don't know.
>> Just by all means.
[11:55] » remember what the furthest one was
coming from.
[11:58] » Southern Minnesota.
>> But I think it's a it's a goodwill
[12:02] offering to cuz No, it is, yeah. Give
people to come. Otherwise
[12:06] » I just don't know that we need to
you know,
[12:11] put a
Just put a quick cap on it cuz whatever
[12:14] cuz you don't want to
get billed for $1,000 and have to
[12:17] question it.
>> Well, we can usually use the federal
[12:20] mileage rate and we know their
addresses, so
[12:23] » That's true. You can just Google it. You
can question it if you need to.
[12:26] » Yeah. And I think you could put the put
that um
[12:29] » All right.
>> the mileage rate is Is that fair?
[12:34] » Yeah.
>> Mileage rate, there's no cap on it, so
[12:36] » Yeah, whatever mileage is within reason.
>> like a tour, yeah.
[12:39] » Okay.
[12:42] All right, can I get a motion to
approve?
[12:44] » So moved.
>> Second.
[12:45] » On favor, say aye.
>> Aye.
[12:47] » Opposed? Motion is carried through.
Action item, joint powers agreement and
[12:53] a court data services subscriber
amendment between the State of Minnesota
[12:57] Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the
City of Melrose and Melrose Police
[13:01] Department.
>> Okay. The Melrose Police Department uses
[13:05] the Minnesota Criminal Justice Data
Communications Network, which is
[13:08] administered by the Minnesota Bureau of
Criminal Apprehension Apprehension to
[13:13] continue assessing these law enforcement
databases and resources. The City of
[13:17] Melrose must enter into a new joint
powers agreement with the State of
[13:21] Minnesota. This agreement outlines the
department authorized access
[13:25] responsibilities and restrictions and
it's effective for 5 years. In addition,
[13:30] the city must approve a court data
service subscriber amendment, which
[13:33] supplements the existing agreement with
the BCA and the state court
[13:36] administrator's office.
This amendment allows the police
[13:39] department to access court-related data
and establishes the terms and conditions
[13:44] governing that access.
The
[13:47] The agreements are required for the
Melrose Police Department to maintain
[13:50] access to the state criminal justice and
court information systems and to comply
[13:54] with state requirements and governing
their use. Um according to Chief
[13:58] Melrose, this item is a routine renewal
of existing agreements, and approval
[14:02] will allow the police department to
continue accessing
[14:06] and the CJDN and court data systems
necessary for daily law enforcement
[14:11] operations.
So, the council to give consideration to
[14:15] approve resolution 2026-29,
the joint powers agreement, and the
[14:19] court data system subscriber agreement
between the state of Minnesota and the
[14:23] city of Melrose.
>> All right. Any questions?
[14:26] » It was recently inexpensive, too. It was
like 600 bucks or something like that,
[14:29] right?
Annually.
[14:32] » Uh
>> Yeah, right. That's what it was.
[14:34] » Yeah.
>> So
[14:36] » Second.
>> All in favor, say aye.
[14:38] » Aye.
>> Opposed?
[14:40] Motion is carried. Purchasing policy
proposed change and
[14:44] » Okay.
>> Checking in on that one.
[14:46] » With um the changes that we've been been
having in staff, um
[14:50] one of the things that we've run into is
the cards The purchasing policy itself
[14:55] won't be changed. The limits that people
are going to be authorized to use are
[14:59] not going to change, but we're running
into um
[15:04] charging up the credit cards
and have to pay them off during the
[15:07] month, which can kind of be uh
administrative
[15:11] hassle. So, um they haven't been
increased in 10 years. So, we're um
[15:16] asking to increase the credit cards at
Magnifi
[15:20] Financial for the city administrator and
finance director from 10,000 to 15,000
[15:25] and for cards issued to department heads
and supervisors from 5,000 to 10,000.
[15:32] » So, the purchasing limit right now
I mean, without getting council
[15:37] approval, that's not changing.
>> None of that will change. It's just
[15:40] literally the limit of the card. Yep.
>> limit
[15:42] » Yep.
>> Okay.
[15:44] » Nothing else is changing.
>> Because it in my mind I had it that
[15:47] we're increasing the
>> No.
[15:49] » purchasing power without council
approval.
[15:51] » The amount that someone can purchase
it's all of those are still going to
[15:54] stay the same. It's just the limit
itself.
[15:56] » Okay. Yeah, I have no problem with that
because
[16:00] Yeah.
>> I'll make a motion.
[16:02] » Okay. Is there a first?
Second?
[16:04] » I'll second.
>> Second.
[16:06] » All those in favor say aye.
>> Aye.
[16:07] » Opposed?
Motion is carried. Uh medical services
[16:11] 5-3 fuel
>> So, the planning and zoning commission
[16:15] acting as a board of adjustment and
appeals met on Monday, May 18th the
[16:20] purpose of holding
a public hearing for a variance request
[16:24] and approval of the final plat of the
CentraCare Health System to split a
[16:27] parcel.
We've talked about this one um kind of
[16:31] at length. The parcel was legally
described as lot one block one medical
[16:36] services plat two. The purpose of the
lot split is to delineate between the
[16:40] property now owned by CentraCare Health
System and that owned by Cura.
[16:44] And the variance request is regarding
setbacks.
[16:48] Basically, in 2024 when Cura purchased
the property
[16:52] um they entered into a lease, but they
did not do anything with the real
[16:56] estate.
It includes the separation of a building
[17:00] with and so CentraCare has also
presented a reciprocal easement
[17:03] agreement to address the party walls and
the access points.
[17:07] With the variance there are zero
setbacks because literally they share a
[17:12] wall.
Um
[17:14] emergency services has toured. Chief
Maus and Chief Buddy went in so that
[17:19] they understand for purposes of response
time what is going on there.
[17:25] I included in your packet the planning
report as approved by planning and
[17:29] zoning as well as the supporting
documentation.
[17:33] We did leave room in that planning
report for if our building official or
[17:38] if the Department of Health or Human
Services has anything they require for
[17:41] purposes of licensure either on the
hospital side or the nursing home side.
[17:46] We want to make sure that they have room
to do what they have to do.
[17:49] So tonight we ask the council to
consider recommend the recommendation of
[17:53] the planning and zoning commission and
determine whether to approve or deny the
[17:56] final plat and variance request from
Cura.
[18:00] » And you're okay with that Chief of the
Fire Department?
[18:04] » Yeah.
[18:06] There's an alarm system there that we
tried to separate it sometime but it's
[18:10] not working out.
[18:12] » All right.
Thank you for checking on that. Can I
[18:15] get a motion to approve?
>> So moved.
[18:18] » Second.
>> All in favor say aye.
[18:20] » Aye.
>> Opposed?
[18:21] Motion is carried.
>> Good work on that Sheila. That was all
[18:24] That was a lot of information.
>> Yeah, there's a lot to that one.
[18:29] Uh hiring of firefighters.
[18:33] There is Chief Buddy conducted interview
on June 15th for open firefighter
[18:39] positions contingent upon successful
background checks and pre-employment
[18:43] physicals and drug screening. He's
recommending the following individuals
[18:47] hired: Ashton Tool and Aiden Matt. Is
there any questions? Can I get a motion
[18:52] to approve?
>> So moved. Second.
[18:54] » All in favor say aye.
>> Aye.
[18:55] » Opposed? Motion is carried.
All right. Hiring of a part-time street
[19:00] parks maintenance worker.
[19:05] I guess we talked about that that would
be Neil Neidy as a part-time streets
[19:10] parks maintenance worker as presented.
Is there any questions?
[19:14] Can I get a motion to approve?
>> So moved.
[19:17] » Second.
>> All in favor say aye.
[19:18] » Aye.
>> Aye.
[19:19] » Opposed? Motion carried. Informational
items, the next council meeting. There's
[19:23] nothing else. Can I get a motion to
adjourn?
[19:26] » So moved.
>> Second.
[19:27] » All in favor say aye.
>> Aye.
[19:28] » Opposed? Meeting adjourned.