The Melrose City Council met in a Regular Meeting on Thursday, January 4, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at the Melrose City Center pursuant to due notice being given thereof. Present were Council Members Dick Christenson, Tony Klasen, Justin Frieler, Mayor Joe Finken, City Administrator Michael Brethorst, and City Clerk Patti Haase. Council Member Josh Thieschafer was absent. Mayor Finken arrived at 6:05 p.m. Council Member Klasen presided thereat.
The Council then recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
A motion was made by Mr. Christenson, seconded by Mr. Frieler and unanimously carried to approve the agenda as amended.
Council Member Klasen then opened the floor to public comment. There were no comments.
Approval of the following:
a. The minutes from the Council’s November 8, 2017 Special Joint Meeting with the Commission, and the December 14 Regular Meeting
b. 1) Assistant Weed Inspector: Mayor to appoint for a one-year term. Streets/Parks Supervisor Gary Middendorf will serve in this position.
2) City Forester: Mayor to appoint for a one-year term. Streets/Parks Supervisor Gary Middendorf will serve in this position.
3) Animal Control Officer: Mayor to appoint for a one-year term the Melrose Police Department as the City Animal Control Officer.
c. 2) Animal Shelter: The Council to give consideration to designating the Minnesota Veterinary Associates, Inc. as the Animal Shelter. The Council to take action on this designation.
d. Resolution Designating Official Depository and Supplemental Depositories for City Funds. This resolution designates Central Minnesota Credit Union – Melrose as the official depository for 2018 and the Finance Director is given the authority to name additional depositories for the deposit of funds.
The Council may wish to again grant the Finance Director the authority to name the depositories. This could be done with the understanding that Central Minnesota Credit Union – Melrose, and Freeport State Bank – Melrose would also be used as depositories.
The motion designating the depositories of City funds should include the following, “For the purpose of being certain that all funds in financial institutions will be insured, the Finance Director shall have the authority pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 118A.02, Subd. 1, to name depositories for the deposit of funds so as to make certain that all City funds are either insured or collateral has been pledged by the depository as security, as permitted by M.S., Chapter 118A.”
e. Gambling Resolution No. 2018-2 Resolution Approving Gambling License to the Melrose Lions
A motion was made by Mr. Frieler, seconded by Mr. Christenson and unanimously carried to approve the Consent Agenda items.
Consideration was then given to the following appointments:
1) Acting Mayor: Council to take action appointing an Acting Mayor for a one-year term. Council Member Josh Thieschafer served as Acting Mayor for the year of 2017. Mayor Finken is recommending Mr. Thieschafer be reappointed as Acting Mayor for 2018.
2) Public Utilities Commission: The Mayor to appoint a Council Representative for a one-year term to the Public Utilities Commission. Dick Christenson served as the Council Representative for the year of 2017. Mayor Finken is recommending Mr. Christenson be reappointed to the Public Utilities Commission as the Council representative for a one-year term.
3) Planning and Zoning Commission: The Council to appoint two members for a four-year term. Incumbents Adam Paulson and Mike Klaphake are seeking reappointment to the Planning and Zoning Commission. No other applications have been received. The Mayor to appoint a Council Representative for a one-year term to the Planning and Zoning Commission. For 2017, Tony Klasen served as the Council Representative.
Mayor Finken is recommending reappointing Adam Paulson and Mike Klaphake, each for a four-year term, and Tony Klasen as the Council Representative for a one-year term to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
4) Melrose Area Development Authority (MADA): The Mayor to appoint a Council Representative for a one-year term to the Melrose Area Development Authority. For 2017, Josh Thieschafer served as the Council Representative. Mayor Finken is recommending reappointing Josh Thieschafer as the Council Representative for a one-year term to the Melrose Area Development Authority.
5) Parks and Recreation Board: Mayor to appoint and Council to concur a Council Representative to the Parks and Recreation Board to serve a one term. For 2017, Justin Frieler served as the Council Representative. Mayor Finken is recommending reappointing Justin Frieler as the Council Representative for a one-year term to the Parks and Recreation Board.
6) Melrose Fire Relief Association: Mayor to appoint and Council to concur a Council Representative to the Fire Relief Association. Tony Klasen served as the Representative in 2017. Mayor Finken is recommending reappointing Tony Klasen to serve as the Council Representative to the Fire Relief Association Board for a one-year term.
7) Melrose Housing and Redevelopment Authority: Mayor to appoint and Council to concur a Council Representative to serve a one-year term to the Melrose Housing and Redevelopment Authority. The Council to adopt Resolution No. 2018-3 Resolution of Appointment. Mr. Christenson introduced Resolution No. 2018-3, Resolution of Appointment to the Melrose Housing and Redevelopment Authority. The motion was seconded by Mr. Frieler with a roll call vote recorded as follows: For: Council Members Christenson, Frieler, and Klasen; Against: None; Absent: Council Member Thieschafer, and Mayor Finken
A motion was made by Mr. Christenson, seconded by Mr. Frieler and unanimously carried approving the aforementioned appointments.
1) The Council next gave consideration to designating the Grievance Representative for 2018. The Utilities Commission will also designate their Grievance Representative for 2018 at its January 8, 2018 meeting. For 2017, Joe Finken was the Council representative and Jeremy Kraemer was the Utilities Commission representative. Mayor Finken to be considered for reappointment as a Council Member to serve as Grievance Representative for 2018.
2) The Council gave consideration to appointing a member to the Ad Hoc Labor & Personnel Committee for future labor discussions. In 2018. Council Member Josh Thieschafer served as Council Representative and Eric Seanger served as the Utilities Commission representative for this Committee. The Utilities Commission will be appointing a representative at its January 8, 2018 meeting. The Council to take action appointing a representative to the Ad Hoc Labor & Personnel Committee for 2018. Mayor Finken is recommending reappointing Mr. Thieschafer as the Council Representative to the Ad Hoc Labor & Personnel Committee for 2018. A motion was made by Mr. Frieler seconded by Mr. Christenson and unanimously carried approving the aforementioned appointments. A motion was made by Mr. Frieler seconded by Mr. Christenson and unanimously carried approving the aforementioned appointments.
Council Member Klasen stated that staff has updated the 2018 Fee Schedule to include the revised room rental rates approved by the Council at its December 14, 2017 meeting. Fess for full day rental of meeting rooms B & C have been set at $65 for a full day and $45 for ½ day. There will also be a $100 Security / Damage Deposit. The Council to take action adopting Ordinance No. 1-4-2018, An Ordinance Summarizing and Reaffirming Fees for City Licenses, Permits and Services, Establishing a Fee Schedule of Fines and Providing for Subsequent Review, Modification and Amendment. Fees to be set as per Exhibit A. Mr. Christenson introduced Ordinance No. 1-4-2018 An Ordinance Summarizing and Reaffirming Fees for City Licenses, Permits and Services, Establishing a Fee Schedule of Fines and Providing for Subsequent Review, Modification and Amendment. Fees to be set as per Exhibit A. (See attached ordinance.) The motion was seconded by Mr.. Frieler with a roll call vote recorded as follows: For: Council Members Klasen, Christenson, and Frieler; Against: None; Absent: Council Member Thieschafer, and Mayor Finken.
Council Member Klasen noted that on January 3, 2018, Michael Creelman submitted his letter of resignation effective January 17, 2018. As per the historical direction of the Council, a full staff review was conducted. The review showed that the current workload and projected workload warrants a full-time staff position. The residents who use the Planning and Zoning services have come to expect a timely turnaround for permits, questions, and guidance to conduct their projects. The same is true for development related questions and efforts. Based on this review and office work load, it is Staff’s recommendation to retain the Community Development Director position as a full-time staff position.
A motion was made by Mr. Christenson, seconded by Mr. Frieler and unanimously carried adopting the job description and pay scale for the Community Development Director position.
A motion was made by Mr. Christenson, seconded by Mr. Frieler and unanimously carried authorizing staff to post for the vacancy of the Community Development Director.
Mayor Finken arrived at 6:05 p.m. and chaired the remainder of the meeting
Mayor Finken stated that the City Council has approved the concept for the replacement of the Melrose Dam with a rock arch rapid. As per State Law, the Sauk River Watershed District could place this on their master project list, if the City were to petition the Board to consider this project. Council Christenson inquired as to if whether the riverfront property owners could be assessed for the improvements. City Administrator Brethorst stated that it is a possibility and something that would need to be discussed. Mr. Brethorst stated that the Sauk River Watershed District will make this determination. A motion was made by Mr. Frieler, seconded by Mr. Klasen and unanimously carried to petition Sauk River Watershed to include the Rock Arch Rapids to their master plan and seek funding.
Mayor Finken noted that the City Council has approved the concept for the replacement of the Melrose Dam with a rock arch rapid plus have approved the channel realignment, retaining wall removal, new bridge design and associated bank stabilization. As per State Law, the SWCD could apply for funds on behalf of the City of Melrose and abutting property owners. A motion was made by Mr. Klasen, seconded by Mr. Christenson and unanimously carried to petition SWCD to include the Sauk River Melrose Dam and replace it with a Rock Arch Rapids, channel realignment, retaining wall removal, new bridge design and slope
The Council by consensus scheduled to host the German students on Monday, February 12, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.
The following informational items were discussed:
a. Great River Regional Library Change in Hours.
b. The League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust has approved returning a $6 million dividend to members of the property/casualty program this year. Melrose received a dividend in the amount of $9,990. Attached is a summary
c. Charter Communications Price Change and Charter Communications Channel Changes.
A motion was made by Mr. Frieler, seconded by Mr. Klasen and unanimously carried that the meeting be adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
Patricia Haase, City Clerk