[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.

Melrose City Council Meeting 06-17-2026

Transcript