Melrose City • May 15, 2014

The Melrose City Council met in a Regular Meeting on Thursday, May 15, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. at the Melrose City Center pursuant to due notice being given thereof. Present were Council Members Joe Finken, Jenny Mayers, Dick Christenson, Tony Klasen, Mayor Tim Vogel, City Administrator/Treasurer Michael Brethorst and City Clerk Patti Haase. Mayor Vogel presided thereat. The Council then recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
A motion was made by Ms. Mayers, seconded by Mr. Christenson and unanimously carried to approve the agenda as submitted.
The Council recognized and commended Police Chief John “JJ” Jensen for his 31 years of service with the Melrose Police Department. Mayor Vogel presented Chief Jensen with a retirement memento in recognition of the City’s appreciation of his contributions to the City during his years of service. Council Member Finken expressed his gratitude to Chief Jensen for his service to the community and to the Melrose Fire Department. Council Member Mayers also thanked Chief Jensen for his years of service and his commitment and dedication to the community and to his Department.
Resident Steve Kortenbush addressed the Council requesting that they look into the foreclosed property located at 15 1st Street SE. There is a freezer with spoiled meat in the yard that is not locked or chained. Mr. Kortenbush noted that this is a concern as there are children in the neighborhood not to mention the stench is horrific. He has contacted the Stearns County Public Health Department regarding the matter. Minnesota State Statutes 609.675 states that whoever, being the owner or in possession or control, permits an unused refrigerator or other container, and, sufficiently large to retain any child and with doors which fasten automatically when closed, to be exposed and accessible to children, without removing the doors, lids, hinges or latches, is guilty of a misdemeanor. The previous owners have left the state and attempts to contact the mortgage company have been unsuccessful. City Administrator Brethorst commented that he, along with Police Chief Maus, would work through abatement to resolve the issue.
Council Member Finken stated that staff should have invited all parties involved with the Appeal of the Dangerous Animal Order primarily those residents who had encounters with the animal. Mr. Finken stated that, in the future, staff must make notification to all parties that hold an interest in the matter of an appeal hearing. Council Member Finken did provide an update stating the dog has since been euthanized.
Mayor Vogel commented that Chuck Walz walks every morning and picks up garbage and disposes of it properly. Mr. Walz is to be commended for his diligence in picking up the litter in the community. Just one way we all can help to make a difference.
Council Member Mayers noted that the Car Show and Cook Off will be held on Saturday, May 31 at the Sauk River Park from noon until 11:00 p.m. There will be live music with the Enterprise Band playing from 3-6 p.m. and Solid Silver from 6:30-10:30 p.m. The event supports brain cancer research. The following items were considered for approval under the Consent Agenda:
a. The minutes from the Council’s April 14 Special Joint Meeting with the Commission, the April 17 Local Board of Appeal and Equalization Meeting, the April 17 Special Joint Meeting, and the April 17 Regular Meeting. b. List of bills in the amount of $411,846.68.
c. List of investments for the month of April.
d. Resolution No. 2014-15 – Donation in the amount of $100 from the Roving Hillbillies Snowmobile Club towards the Melrose Area Ambulance Department.
e. 1) The Council to give consideration to approving the Community Festival License Application for The Dam Bar for the Working Together for a Cure Car Show and Fund-raising Event to be held Saturday, May 31, 2014 at the Sauk River Park. Per City Code, the application has been reviewed and signed off by the City Administrator and Police Chief. This event must comply with City Code Chapter 113.23(C) which deals with Community Festivals – Public Property. Approval is contingent upon the City Clerk receiving all required documentation.
2) The Council to give consideration to approving the Community Festival License Application for Melrose Bowl, Inc. for the Melrose Fire Department Fund Raising Event – Volleyball Tournament/Outdoor Concert to be held Friday, June 27 and Saturday, June 28 at Melrose Bowl. Per City Code, the application has been reviewed and signed off by the City Administrator and Police Chief. This event must comply with City Code Chapter 113.23(C) which deals with Community Festivals – Private Property. Approval is contingent upon the City Clerk receiving all required documentation.
f. The Council to give consideration to approval of the following Temporary On-Sale 3.2% Malt Liquor License application: 1) Melrose Chamber of Commerce for the Riverfest Celebration – June 28, 2014
Approval of the license should be contingent upon receipt of the necessary certificates of insurance as to dram shop and general liability coverage.
g. Gambling Resolution No. 2014-16: Resolution Approving Gambling License to the Melrose Area Chamber of Commerce for an exemption from lawful gambling license to conduct a bingo on June 28, 2014 at the Riverfest Celebration at 206 5th Ave NE in Melrose.
h. Request from Community Education Director Stacey Austing-Jacobson to consider a donation of $9,250 to the Melrose Area School’s 2014 Summer Recreation Program. The City donated $9,250 towards the Community Education Summer Recreation Program in 2013. This donation was included in the City’s adopted 2014 budget.
A motion was made by Mr. Christenson, seconded by Mr. Finken and unanimously carried to approve the Consent Agenda items.
Police Chief Jensen presented the Police Department’s April report. He noted that a total of three citations were issued in the month of April. There were 53 verbal warnings. Chief Jensen stated there were 164 calls for service during this month compared to 249 for April of 2013. The year-to-date number of calls is 669 compared to 826 in 2013. For the month of March 2014, the Department received 21 agency assist calls. Police Chief Jensen spoke briefly thanking the present Council and all past Council Members for their support throughout his career.
During the period from April 10 – May 7, the City Attorney has given significant attention to the following for the City:
• Charter Communications Headend Lease Agreement: Reviewed proposed terms of amendment to Charter’s Headend lease with City staff. Prepared draft of amendments to lease agreement.
• Verizon Tower Lease: Reviewed draft of lease agreement prepared by Verizon with City staff. Identified cost and insurance language that needed further revision. Prepared language assigning costs and requiring documentation of insurance coverage and forwarded to City staff for discussions with Verizon
• Zoning Ordinance: Reviewed terms of Zoning Ordinance and prepared opinion interpreting dwelling regulation requirements.
• Dangerous Dog Ordinance: Reviewed state statutes and City ordinance concerning dangerous dogs, including hearing requirements on appeal of dangerous dog designations. Reviewed requirements with City staff and prepared material for use at hearing.
City Administrator/Treasurer Brethorst presented the General Fund Financial First Quarter Report. Administrator Brethorst noted that the General Fund revenue is at 2% and the expenditures are at 16%. Revenues are low because the first half of property tax revenue is not received until June. Also the first half of LGA is not received until July. Property tax and LGA together make up 73.9% of the revenue budget.
Mayor Vogel noted that at the April 14 Special Joint Meeting, approval was given to move forward with the appointment of part-time Maintenance Worker Ron Tieman to a full-time Streets/Parks – Water/Wastewater Maintenance Worker. Also discussed was the hiring of a summer/seasonal worker to help with lawn maintenance, etc. at 20 hours per week for the summer months only. The rate of pay is $9.50 per hour. This individual would be shared amongst the Departments.
A motion was made by Ms. Mayers, seconded by Mr. Klasen and unanimously carried concurring with the Utilities Commission approving the hiring of a temporary summer/seasonal worker.
Mayor Vogel next reported that Grove Township has requested permission to build a turn-around at the end of Spring Haven Road. This turn-around/cul-de-sac would be placed on City property (well field). The road is currently maintained by Grove Township. Upon further review of the property, it has been determined that the property is owned by Grove Township not the City of Melrose; therefore, no action is required.
Mayor Vogel stated that the Council, at its April 17 meeting, adopted Ordinance No. 4-17-2014-1, An Ordinance Amending Melrose City Code Chapter 32, Section 32.01, Parks and Recreation Board. The Board shall consist of five members appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the City Council. Two members of the Board shall be members of the Melrose Area Development Authority, two members shall be members of the Planning and Zoning Commission, and one member of the Board shall be from the City Council. At the Council’s April 17 meeting, Joe Finken was appointed as the Council representative.
MADA, at its April 15 meeting, by consensus, nominated Bob Mayers and George Jensen for appointment to the Parks and Recreation Board by the Mayor with the consent of the Council as the MADA representatives. Since the Planning and Zoning Commission has not met since the Council adopted the Ordinance an email was sent to Planning and Zoning Members seeking volunteers to serve on the Parks and Recreation Board. Kevin Thomes and Josh Thieschafer have volunteered to serve on the Board.
Mayor Vogel appointed George Jensen and Kevin Thomes to two-year terms and Bob Mayers and Josh Thieschaefer to three-year terms, all successor appointments will be for three-year terms. The Council concurred with the appointments.
Chief Jensen conducted the Swearing-in Ceremony with an Oath of Office and pinning of badge for Craig Maus as the new Police Chief. Newly appointed Police Chief Maus then conducted the Swearing-in Ceremony with the Oath of Office and pinning of badge for Police Officer Matt McDonald.
Kevin Frazell with the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) has contacted City Administrator Brethorst to submit an application to serve on the LMC Board of Directors. If Administrator Brethorst’s application is approved, he will resign his Board seat on the Minnesota Association of Small Cities.
The Council, by unanimous consensus, concurred with the Commission approving Administrator Brethorst submitting his application to serve on the LMC Board of Directors. The following informational items were discussed:
a. The minutes from the Utilities Commission’s April 14 Regular Meeting and the April 16 Special Meeting.
b. The Minnesota Department of Revenue has presented the City of Melrose a Certificate of Appreciation for allowing the use Melrose City Center as a volunteer tax preparation site.
c. A total of five applicants applied for the GIS/Public Works Internship. After reviewing the applicant pool and recent staffing change overs, it was determined that this internship should not be filled in 2014 but to consider the internship in 2015.
d. The Council, at its March 20 meeting, approved the purchase of a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 to replace the Street Department’s 1989 Ford F250 and authorized staff to sell the original box off the new Chevy 2500 HD and replace with a utility box. Staff has obtained two written quotes and will be moving forward with the purchase. Staff has also obtained quotes for a Tommy lift for Unit #23 and will be moving forward with the purchase.
A motion was made by Mr. Finken, seconded by Mr. Klasen and unanimously carried that the meeting be adjourned at 6:40 p.m. Patricia Haase, City Clerk