[Music] rise for the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. We do have a few uh add-ons to the agenda. Uh there is a C ask me uh union negotiations which will be a closed meeting towards the end. Um there is
another addition our city clerk is going to retire. So we will need to um post for her job uh and go through that. Is there anything else >> other than agend forum? We're going to have central care talking to us. So um there's anything
else. Can I get a motion to approve the agenda? >> So second on >> favor say I. >> I motion carried. Open forum. Like to welcome welcome Jen up to Good evening. Um, for those of you who don't know me, I am Jen Cheeta. I'm the
president for uh, Centric Care Melrose and Payneesville. Just here to give some updates. Um, it's been a little bit um, since I've been here. Um there's been lots of um conversations in the community about um what I talked about last time which was our journey ahead um
and our workforce reduction that took place um over the last uh two months. So like many healthcare systems um Centric Care continues to face the headwind the pressures the financial pressures of the rising costs um and then our regulatory
changes along with our reimbursement rates um that are really just not covering the true cost of what healthcare is. Um Centricare made this decision um to hopefully have the stability for the future. Um many of you have probably heard that both Mayo and Alina instead of doing workforce
reduction ended up closing facilities and our goal is to not have that happen. Uh most of the workforce reductions uh were on the administr on the administrative and leadership um and support roles. Uh throughout the um system there were a few patient care
positions um but our goal was really not to disrupt um the care that our patients receive. um impacted employees um received notification and um of those 155 um took different positions um
throughout the system. So that was really good to hear. Um but we really have a future that we have to uh figure out, right? We have um a large population over 72% of our patients across our system now are either um
Medicare, Medicaid or PAMAP and those reimbursement rates just continue to go down. Um um the self-pay and bad debt continue to climb. So facing those headwinds will be an ongoing discussion that we have um with our board members
and how we're going to make changes. So, I'll stop there and ask the council if you have any questions for me on the workforce reduction. Okay. Um, I do have some exciting news though. We'll start with that and then we'll go to the exciting news. Uh, we have a couple new things happening. Uh,
Melissa George is a nurse practitioner. Uh, she's been working in our emergency room in Melrose. Um, she is now moving over to the clinic and so she took a full-time position. um she provides family medicine along with that emergency care focusing on that prevention, compassionate treatment um
and supporting patients. And so she's a new provider um for patients to select. We've received a grant um for a safe room project um in our emergency room. So, we have one room that has now been converted into what we call a safe room and it's really designed to have the
safety for patients that are experiencing a mental health crisis um along with keeping the staff safe that care for them. Um so, it was funded through the Minnesota Department of Health grant um and we had certain criteria that we had to um um follow
with that. We do have great partnership with our Melrose PD group. Um, this will help with um keeping our patients safe and being able to not have to have somebody with them in the room. Um, you'll start to see some check-in kiosks in Melrose where patients can check in
on a kiosk when they're coming in across all of our sites. Um, more in the St. Cloud region have had these. Um, that just offers a more it's faster and it's more convenient for patients that choose to do that. Um, but we'll still have our registration process available.
Um, we put up a blessings box, um, for those of you that haven't seen it or don't know about it, but there is a blessings box outside of our old emergency room, and it's a 24-hour access for non-p perishable food, toiletries, and other essentials. And
so, it's really based on take what you need, um, but give what you can. So, I shared this at the chamber meeting. Um, this is not anything that benefits centric care. This is really meant for our community. Um and so patient um people of the community can come and
take as they need and then also um put items in it or drop it off at the front desk at um our campus here in town. We um have been live with this for a few months and every day it needs to be filled which is great to see. Um but
just know that um this is definitely not something um um patients have, you know, been asking about um the give part of it. And so there's lots of flyers around and we shared them now with the schools. So if you know of anybody, make sure you
um tell them about that. So those are my updates. Does anyone have anything for me? >> Well, I just wanted to say it was so nice to catch up with you. We had that meeting with Colleen and I and and you and um Vicki. Um it was really nice to
catch up. It's been a long time and you know we've all been busy you know between you know from CO to now there's been so many changes on all levels city you know in the healthcare system. It was something that something that was very beneficial for for me to do. Um it
was nice to talk about you know what we were just talking about with the health care system the changes like even with you know ambulance how you know improving all that other stuff and even our working together I mean >> absolutely >> so much more we can do just like u we talked about like like try cap that time
did you get any information on that yet? >> That's on me because I just got back from from LA. >> Um but yeah so you know it's something that we want to get going and you know help each other out. It makes a difference because, you know, our health care system is such a big part of our community and um all of us in the
community need to help step up and and help, you know, central care too. You know, we have to work together as a team. So, I really appreciate meeting up with you. I um was glad. >> Yeah, absolutely. And I couldn't agree more. I mean, my my role that I play, I definitely want to be, you know, a part
of the community. I want to be somebody where you could ask questions if there's um concerns out in the community, but in a small town like this, I think being leaders and how we cast that shadow of um how we want to make things better. Um you know, we're fortunate we have um um
an advisory board. Um two of the members work for the city of Melrose and and you know, they're great conversations. I actually was in a board meeting all day today uh retreat and and um one of the things we talked about is we talk a lot about the things the bad things that are
happening you know as I started with our OJA work um but we're what we're missing is the connection between myself our board members and all of our communities on what we're doing really well and so that's going to be big key focus into the next fiscal year for us. So
>> I did think of one question. >> Yeah. So, our federal government's obviously shut down and one of the big hang-ups is healthcare. So, depending on which way, is it doom or gloom either way or is it kind of >> Yeah. So, um I was walking in with Tony and I was telling him our uh meeting
today started at 9:00 and it was either 1:30 or 2:00. Um and the next speaker that came up said, "If you're not depressed yet, you will be by the end of the day." because it really depends on what happens um when our government comes back as to what's going to happen
with our uh Medicare reimbursement and this just isn't you know centric care right people have a choice on where you want to get your healthcare this is everywhere but on our Medicare u Medicaid reimbursement rates um something has to change for all of these
healthcare facilities to remain open so >> well thank you >> like I said thank Thank you, Jen, for you know, educating me. I I learned a lot and it was a great thing. So, thank you for all you do for the community, too. Okay. >> Thank you.
>> Thanks, Jen. >> Is there anybody else that would like to talk at the open forum? >> We're on to the students. >> Oh, that's why I said if any students want to come up and talk, it's your time.
I think you get brownie points from >> we're on the consent agenda. Approval of the minutes, approval of the bill's purchase orders, approval of the investments. We do have a couple donation resolutions. Resolution number 2025-44,
a donation amount of 50,67016 from the Maryland State Bank for the scoreboards, pitching mills, and the groomer for the sock river park. Uh thank you very much for that. It's been a long time coming, so we really appreciate uh Freeport helping us out.
Resolution number 2025-45, a donation amount of $500 from an anonymous donor to the Mars Fire Department. Resolution number 2025-46. Um $775.50 from Coburns to the Mororrow Fire
Department. Um Granger hazmat test kit. Um then there's another resolution number 2025-47, $500 from the St. Rosa JC's towards the Muro's ambulance, new equipment.
Then there was um two um pay apps uh in there for the main street project from 2024 and then there's another one for Highland Boulevard extension project and there was three fire department hires. Can I get a motion to approve, please? So move.
>> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I oppose. Motion carries. uh presentation and induction of a police officer. Matthew Host is a new member. Uh Craig, can you give us a little insight? >> So, Officer Host has been with us since
the end of July. Uh he graduated out of the Alexandria Technical College. Um the Harvard of the West for law enforcement anyway, it's what we call it. Um went through about 12 weeks or so of training. Uh basically after about week seven or eight, we were popping him in
his own car and we were real confident with what was going on. We just wanted to make sure that he had the confidence when he hit the road on his own that uh um he could go out there and do things with minimal uh supervision and um we're seeing that so far. Uh beginning of this month is when he went on his own and we
went to a full schedule. So, um it's been two to three weeks give or take that he's been rolling the streets working night shifts and uh you get to plop right into the schedule right away. So, we're hoping for uh long-term success here, but uh got to make sure that he uh squares in and gets everything uh all proper on this end
anyway. >> All right, sounds good. So, Matthew, would you come up here and take uh the police officer oath of office for us, please? >> All right. >> Yeah. Why don't you come back here? I'll just move this one here.
I'll give you this in case you get nervous talking on camera, which I don't want. >> So, if you can raise your right hand, >> I Matthew Host >> I, Matthew Host, >> and duly appointed as a police officer for the city of Melrose. >> I have been duly appointed as a police
officer for the city of Melrose >> and the state of Minnesota >> and the state of Minnesota. do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will defend, enforce, and obey the Constitution of the United States >> that I will defend, enforce, and obey the Constitution and laws of the United
States. >> The state of Minnesota, >> state of Minnesota, >> and the laws of the ordinance of the city of Mel >> and the laws and ordinances of the city of Mel. >> That I will obey the lawful orders of my supervisor officers >> that I will obey the lawful orders of my
superior officers. and regulations of the Norris Police Department >> and and the regulations of the Maryland Police Department. >> That I will protect the rights, the lives, and property >> that I will protect the rights, lives, and property >> of all the citizens and uphold the honor of the police profession.
>> of all citizens and uphold the honor of the police profession. >> With my life in the need to be the best of my ability, so help me God. >> With my life, if need be, to the best of my ability, so help me God. >> Congratulations. some technology.
>> Congratulations. >> And then uh you want to pin it on him right here? >> Yeah. >> Go ahead. I'll stand out of that one. >> Know our timer. Somebody's got to go on shift right now.
That's me. [Applause] Thank you. >> All right, we are on to uh public hearing. Ordinance number 2023-25, odd and even parking. It is 6:15 p.m.
Who wouldn't like to start that off? >> Not me. You can talk to Craig or Joe or whoever. >> I don't have the proper verbiage in front of me, but I'll give you the backstory on it. So, there was some concerns about uh plowing roads and those sorts of things and getting people to move around so that all that can
happen. and it was discussed at the last council meeting um briefly as far as how that should work, what it should look like, and obviously we're to the point now where the public has the opportunity to uh speak regarding it. Um from talking with some of the council members uh is there is some concerns from citizens as far as um the consistency of
it or is there going to be over enforcement and on this um and that was an area that was brought up at last month's meeting as well. Um there is some concerns about the consistency. If it is only during snowfalls, what is justifiable as far as making sure we're doing enforcement or not doing
enforcement? Is it any snowfall? Is it uh a measurable amount and what is that measurable amount? So those are some of the areas that have been discussed um related to all that. But that's where the public has the opportunity now to speak, I guess, and um voice their concerns as far as what is a a good option. I believe that the council
members have heard from some people um because they've expressed some of that to me as well. Um, if it's something that uh the public is in favor of or the council's in favor of, we're definitely willing to work with it. Uh, if it's something that um needs maybe more education or maybe more some time to talk about it, that's an option as well. So, I'm just putting out there for
everybody to review or be able to speak on. So, >> okay. Is there anybody in the public that would like to speak on this matter first? All right. Would the council like to Is it with this on right now?
>> I did have people. So, go ahead. I'd like to hear everybody else's. >> No, I didn't have any honestly I didn't have anybody contact me. Um, but reading the actual ordinance and I don't know if this is it's a little hard to interpret it because obviously
from one day to the next it says I'll just read it quick. No person may park any motor vehicle or trailer, nor leave any motor, vehicle, or trailer parked upon even side of the street on even calendar days between the hours of 12:01 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. from November 1st,
April 1st. Okay? So, on you can't park on the even numbered side of the street on even calendar days from 12:01 to 7 a.m., right? Because if you if you're parking your car the day before,
you have to think about what day it is, what what's the date on 12:01 at 12:01 a.m. So, it's actually you have to park it according to the ordinance, you have to park it for the next day because that's when the
ordinance is in effect. So, however this is written, as long as it's simple for people to think when they're parking in the car, typically you park on the even side of the street if it's an even calendar day in my opinion. However, however that's
pans out then, right? So, as long as it's easy to interpret, I think it's in my mind the easiest way to think about it would be I'm coming home from work, I park on the even side of the street. If it's an even calendar day, 2 4 6 8 whatever, right?
>> Park on the even side, not on the odd side. The way the ordinance is written. If somebody's actually looking at it, it looks like you can't park it for the next day on in that that even even odd odd, but
it is because it's only 12:01 a.m. Does that make sense? So, it's I don't know if there's any way we can simplify the way it's worded. So it's easier easier to interpret, but as long as it's >> I never caught that. I
>> see what I'm saying. It's it's >> so >> I never caught it either, but I think it's because I was explaining it >> verbally. >> Yeah. Then you always think about the people that work the night shift and they get home at
4 or 5 in the morning. Yeah. They'll just park where everybody else is parked. Side of the street where everybody else is parked at. Right. Right. So I think Tony, the way that you're interpreting is that on the even side or the even side would park on the even
side of the calendar or with an even numbered calendar date, they would park on that side of the street, the even side of the street. I think the intent or the purpose at least in my head is the way I'm reading it is that it should be that is not the side you park on.
>> Right. And that's what that's the way I'm interpreting it is on even calendar days you park on the odd side of the street is the way this kind of reads, isn't it? >> Right. That's the way it reads. >> Yeah, >> I would definitely. So, how however it works out, I think we could just kind of
make sure it's >> I mean, I guess on the enforcement side, we just it would just flip in what's in my head, but or what uh >> but yeah, I can see where that'd be an area of confusion, >> right? >> If I may. >> Yeah, >> it's very similar to the way St. Cloud
has their ordinance set up. So, if you're getting home as a dayshift person, parking before midnight, >> you park on the calendar day. So, if it's even park on the even side. >> Yep. Because at 12:01 then it's an odd day. So you need to be off of the odd
side, >> right? >> That's not the way this is reading >> in my mind. >> 12:01, right? It >> says enforceable 12:01 you can't park. >> So as long as you're parking before midnight you park on the same side as what the calendar says. So even day you
park on the even side. Odd day you park on the odd side because at 12:01 you cannot be parked on now the opposite side. It says, "No person may park any motor vehicle or trailer nor leave any motor vehicle or trailer parked upon the even side of the street on even counter
days between 12:01 and 7:00." >> Y >> So if you get home and you park on, let's say it's the second and you park on the even side of the street, at 12:01 you're out of you're out of compliance. >> No. At 12:01 it becomes the third. You cannot park on the odd side of the
street. So, you are planning for the day in advance is what the >> Okay. You you make sure this makes sense because I I think it's still the opposite because it says you can't park on even side of street on even calendar days between the hours of 12:01. >> Yeah. The way I'm I'm understanding is
you're planning a planning a day ahead. So, if you come home on the 2nd >> Yep. >> that you are planning then for the third not to be on that side. >> And that's an odd odd date. And here it says even, >> right? So, >> well, later on it does talk about the odd side of it. >> Okay. All right. As long as we as long
as we review it one more time before we adopt it. How's that sound? >> Or make sure we clarify it upon adoption that people park on even side of street on the second. It's okay. How's that sound, >> Mark?
>> I guess as a newbie I is it that big of a deal? I mean, we can't levy fines and tow for a snow emergency. >> So snow emergencies are six inches or more. We we have I think Mark Mouse did one once in my 25 years. So those are
rare. Um it's the 2 in or the you know the plowable amounts that aren't going to put the whole city at halt kind of thing that build up over time. And a conversation I had with one of the um council members was do we maybe enforce
24 hours to maybe as strictest degree that it almost is nauseating. um that we're doing it. Um and the conversation I had with Andrew, the streets supervisor, is that when they plow around one, they just move it far enough ahead. They're not in that area
that they just got plowed around. And in theory, they're just creating as much or more of a headache because they moved their vehicle in the 24 hours or they moved it so it could be plowed for the spot they were just in, but they now left a pile and not enough room for their plow to actually clear that spot. So, if they're dumping them to the other
side of the street with the odd even, that maybe gives us an advantage for them to truly have one side of the street completely open, clean up and follow. Um, and maybe it's more of a conversation that we have with these people that have been um of concern. Is that great that you moved it, but put on
the opposite side of the road so they can actually clean the road. >> Is it normally residential or main street or >> It's residential. And it's generally the heart of town where there's limited, you know, the one stall garages that have been there, you know, when house originally built or um the lack of ability to get off of the street is some
of it. Um, >> so some of them have cleared >> doing it for themselves is right because they're going to run out of parking spot because there's not going to be an open place plowed >> in theory, but then once that all freezes up and they maybe they leave for the day for work or whatever else and that freezes up, then it becomes a
concern for the the rest of the public too when our streets just get more and more narrow as the the winter goes on. Um, and then the thicker it is, the more worker duties that the machinery has to do as well. Um, and that's if they have the chance to
get back after coming back through and doing the cleanup work >> days later. >> Did call a couple people. One of the things that the people that do park in the street regularly, well, obviously figure it out, but how many people in Melrose
don't park regularly and won't even be aware of the ordinance after a while, >> right? >> So, you're going to warn on those occasions or >> Yeah, the intent would be especially with a new ordinance. We always do s significant amount of war warnings beforehand. Um it it this is like almost
any ordinance or like any law or rule out there. You're pointing at about a handful of people and the rest of the society has to take the burden for it. Um so that's it was just an it's an idea. It's something that uh we put some work into to see that if it's effective or
not. Um maybe it's not something that the citizens or the council's interested. I think it's a good option. I don't know that like I said it's might be have some some education just so that we're reading it right and that we're explaining it right to people on
the street. Um but yeah that's what this discussion is for. >> Jolene, you have something. >> I think if we do it as just plainly odd and even we do we need to have a time you know
because everybody's aware of what time of day it is no matter what. You know, I have talked to some people on it. Everybody agrees we need to do something because a handful of people
and and and I will say on Main Street by my place, you have the same people doing the same thing exactly like you're saying. Um, common sense would tell you, okay, I'll park on the other side of the street since it's all clean.
I don't know what it takes for people to see that because you're right because all a sudden they leave in the morning at 7:30 8:00 and then you have somebody who's got a older car driving down Main Street then they hit the snow and wrecks their bumper or whatever. Yeah, it's
it's it's um it's a pain for people and for Andrew's crew. They work really hard. you know, they start early in the morning and, you know, by 10 11 o'clock they have at least three or eight hours in already and and they need to rest. Um,
I I wouldn't mind having it, but I don't want to use it. I would rather educate people if that means putting a hammer down a little bit because it's going to be the same ones. I think if you see most people, they're going to move it if they know. I mean, common
sense tells you when you see it snowing at 10:00. I get up early. I move it. Try to move my kids vehicles around. I'm just sort of u not that I'm wishy-washy about it, but yeah, I I I think we should just
So, Mr. familiar with with that conversation. My area of concern then is if if we have it and we don't use it or we have and we only use it periodically, then I don't know that's effective either. >> So my question is if we table this,
how soon can we bring it back up, Patty? If if it just keeps going south this winter, >> so you know, if if anything >> back next month we want to. >> Yeah. I I'm just wondering if we can go after this, you know, in November and
December if there's no change, then bring it up and maybe >> Yeah. wait till January and do it. If if we can't get people to, you know, be smart enough to move their vehicles. >> That's fair. And I guess conversation we I would have with our officers then is
that any 24-hour parking is >> it's a it's the second priority of the evening kind of thing. You know, it's not the first thing you're going to do all every night all night, but it's going to be something that's on the list for do you mean to whether it's marking tires or just snow piled up kind of thing? You're definitely going to have to start.
>> I would assume there'd be a time period where after we after we'd adopt it, you'd throw a leaflet on there under the windshield wiper saying, "Hey, new ordinance down, you got to be moving your car every day, >> right?" And that that be the intent is
not just a little square piece that we currently use for written warrants. It probably come with something bright orange with printing and whatever else and probably some heavy duty stock paper or even something that can resist some weather so that it's is very noticeable. >> Maybe it's the public embarrassment then that gives
>> but you were talking about not adopting it just yet. So >> like well basically well that would be the thing. There is a few things we could do. We could put it on our Facebook could put it on the police Facebook. We could put it on the fire department Facebook. We could put it in
the utility mailers that would go to the houses, not directly to people. Um I mean we could try these things and say if this does not work, we are going to enact and um talk to your neighbors about this
because we need to have clean streets for safety. Um I I don't know. That's that's the way I would probably want this to go in the action items. Um, I know it's a pain. It's just it stinks
that it's 15 people out of 3,622 people that are causing these headaches. So, I don't know. I guess what we can do is um think about it, go to reports, and then deliberate when it comes up in a few
minutes if that would be something want to do. Okay. So, huh? >> You have to close public hearing. >> Well, no. Let's do it. It's 6:30. So, we're going to close the public hearing and we will take action in a little bit.
>> Thank you for explaining. Chief, now would you give the pleas? >> Sure. I'm I'm already here. Might as well. >> Uh September in our traffic area, we had uh 37 citations, 118 verbal warnings, one written warning. Uh for 2025, we had 361 calls, requests for service. Last
year was 317, so we're up by 44 there. Uh the end of 24 we were on ICR 2532. This year we're on 262 26. So an increase of 94 over last year overall. Uh 12 incency assists. Those seem to kind of hang around that mid- teens to
you know almost barely double digits. So it's either been maybe enough departments are filling back up that we got enough people on the road or nobody wants to talk to us and just don't ask us coming. I don't know. But we're always willing to help and we're always asking for help when we need it as well.
Uh some areas to um make the council aware of. We had a an audit done on our body camera system. Um it's required under state law every two years. Uh they haven't delivered back the information on what the finalization of it all is. All of the uh videos that they requested
to see were present. Um so that's not an issue. It's uh maybe some modifications to our current policy that reflects more of some changes that uh legislation has been adopted and changed in the last couple years that um ours is more vague than maybe what it should be. But uh
with vagueness then becomes more interpretation and sometimes in people's favor sometimes not. So um we'll wait to see when they send that report back, but that's been uh taken care of. So it'll be 2027 before we need to do that again and then we'll send all those findings down to the legislative board that handles all those things. I've been
working with the school, the uh public school anyway right now on uh school reunification. Uh our school system uses the the Alice train uh if you're familiar with any of that. It's for um active threats and anything that would happen within inside of school district.
Uh the reunification part isn't real great in that program. So they researched um another program called I love you guys. Um and that seems to have a really good piece to it. So we're working on that. We want to kind of get that worked through and hammered out with the school public school first and
then introduce that to uh St. Mary's and the area learning center as we have it maybe fine-tuned and figured out because there's a lot of moving parts if we can do it for 800 students. I think we can do it for smaller, you know, buildings as well. So that we've been working on having
meetings monthly on that. So um and as I said earlier and with the swearing in of officer host, we are fully staffed for the first time in 22 months. So, it's been interesting to see what our schedule is actually supposed to be, but it's been good. >> Any questions?
>> Oh, thank you, Chief. Okay, >> we'll see you a little later. >> Community development director Sheila. >> So, on Monday night, planning and zoning is going to have a public hearing for a conditional use permit for a resident wanting solar roofing materials. We've
been down this road before, so we're we're getting pretty good at those conditional use permits. At the Sterns County Commissioners meeting on October 7th, interesting information was shared about the impact of the loss of the Veteran Service Office in Melrose. The director of the Veteran Service Office
stated they found their office had a 7.4% decrease in interactions in Western Sterns County. Specifically, in the Sock Center zip code, there was a 51% decrease in interactions with veterans. So, the goal for 2026 is the establishment of a permanent veteran
office in Melrose. It is currently in their budget for 26. We are um really rooting for that to stay in there. Um there hasn't been an office in Melrose since the K7 building expanded the Beacon program and the veteran service office was moved out. It was
kind of a COVID thing as well. Most uh county employees are working from home. So, we Colleen and I have worked on this one for a couple years. We've been tenacious in trying to get them to come back to town. The Sock River Park campground was closed on October 1st.
The final results for the summer showed revenue of $30,945.93. Previously, our high year was uh 24, which was 21,763. So, very significant increase with the campground, all the amenities. Um, and
Andrew and his staff really keeping it up, making it look nice. On October 14th, we received word from Pollution Control Agency. We've been working with the Brownsfield section trying to help a local resident on a property which is possibly contaminated,
the Bully Cleaner site. And so, we continue to work with them. We've had a couple new things come up since my report that was in your packet. We received word from Sterns County about a tax forfeite parcel. It turns out that along Craft Drive over near Rose Park
and Blue Door Storage, there's a little slice of property about 1,000 ft of Craft Drive which is up for tax forfeite. So, by consensus, we are hoping you just let us put in the minimum bid, which is $320 to pick up that parcel. There's no
real danger to us because there's an easement through it, but to make it simple and cleaner, and we've been working with um city attorney on resolving this issue. We also have now found out that as promised last year when we passed our
cannabis ordinance that the goalpost is moving a little bit on cannabis. We do have our existing ordinance that affects full cannabis businesses, but the state of Minnesota has now decided that those lowdosese THC retailers, including the sea stores like Spirits Liquor, Ron's
Oil that have been selling for two years without issue, now have to register with the state and we need to establish a policy in Melrose for their registration. So, we will be needing probably to bring another ordinance to
you to deal with the lowd dose THC stores. It's a new issue, but they need cities to sign off. We need to have a formal registration process. We need to work with Chief Mouse on compliance checks, whatever that looks like. So, we'll be
bringing that to you soon. Later in the agenda, I have some items on some funding that we're applying for in addition to the ones on the agenda. Um, Colleen and I have been working on small cities. So, we had approached Central Minnesota Housing Partnership to join with us in a
small cities application. They don't have the manpower or the staff to help us. Um, Sterns County HR has agreed to help us. We just want to confirm with you all that we should go forward with this. As you'll recall, Sterns County HR also has
a housing trust fund and several of our residents have been able to take advantage of that. I've got a thick file on my desk of residents I have met with. This really helps them rehab their homes, get them more environmentally or energy efficient siding, shingles,
things that they can't afford. We have a few people whose basements are leaking and it's been helping with that. Um, Sterns County HR is going to run out of money at some point and so we were hoping for a small cities grant to help the remaining residents that are interested in the program. So, if it's
something you think we should pursue, we will continue putting that and bring a resolution to you next month. That application is due on November 26th. You have a meeting on November 21st, so we would have time to put that resolution in next month's packet. >> Is there any downside? Why wouldn't we
want want to >> paperwork? >> Just paperwork. >> No, I I've seen some of the houses around town. It makes a big difference. >> I just wanted to know there's a downside. It doesn't sound like it other than extra work for you guys. or is it >> it's just a the challenge sometimes is
people understanding that they can take advantage of the program when we did this a few years ago. Well, of course it was during COVID and it was just there was a lot of different things that happened. So, we really didn't have folks that took advantage of it. There is an income limit. Um and so, you know, you have to qualify that way, but we
feel that we have enough folks that would qualify. Um it's a competitive process so there's no guarantee that we're going to get it but we are going you know because there's other communities in the area that would be applying as well. Um but it's just a matter of you know what your needs are
that type of thing and you kind of tell the story and then it's a matter of and that's why we have to do a survey as part of it if people are are interested in it you know um we want to go citywide before it was targeted in just an area. So, I think if we're able to make that
larger, it's going to really help us. So, um that's kind of I wouldn't say it's a downside, but those are some of the things that we have to think about. And um I I'm confident we can, you know, Sheila and I can do the application
together. That's not the issue. Um it's just a matter of our people going to come forward then and take advantage of the program. >> And they really did when we put the notice in their utility billing saying that Sterns County HR had the program. Yeah, >> that's how I got all these initials and so I have file stated.
>> Yep. >> So, with the one that you would apply for, um, would this help out people that like have first-time military home, you know, because I remember a couple of them couldn't qualify under one, right? >> Yeah. This is just income levels, but the income levels have gone up a little bit. And like um, Colleen said, it's not
just we don't have to target one or two neighborhoods. We can go citywide this time. >> Okay. And then also coming up, you've got a mention in um information items about the openings on our boards. Since I'm board liaison for several of those boards, I want to put a plug in. If you're interested in parkboard, if
you're interested in planning and zoning, if you're interested in mATA, we do have openings. And so we're fun groups to work with. So >> thank you. Uh Dave's not here. City engineering report. So uh Colleen, you said you'd get it. >> Sure. In the past month, SC has been
primarily focused on closing out 24 and 25 projects. Main Street, um, all the paperwork is completed and the permits have been closed. That was mad or excavating. Highlands Boulevard extensions was Northern Lines Contracting. Final paperwork right now
is pending. Final payment will be held until the paperwork is complete in a manner that works. Erosion control permit has been transferred to a builder on site from Northern Lines. Riley Construction is planning to make the repairs to Fifth Avenue that was uh
our 2025 project that are not properly draining. A small catch basin is required at the nursing home entrance that will have a project cost associated with it, but the payment repairs are done under warranty and completed at Riley Construction's cost. We expect a
payment in November for all the work completed in 25 and final payment of retainage in the spring following the turf establishment. And that is what was in Dave's report this time. >> Okay. Does anybody have any questions?
>> All right. We are on to action items. Um, ordinance number 10-23-25-1 odd and even parking. Um, we were talking about that before. Um, I did have one question last month. I requested um did did uh we get anything from the school like how their system
works? Uh, can we, you know, call people? Have you? >> So, we did do some research on that. Um, Craig and I had talked about it. Uh, Stacy and I had talked about it. The way the school districts is set up is um
it's it is an app that, you know, parents can sign up for, but they also have a a an integrated system that's very different than ours. One of the ways that we can um look at is, you know, we have our Aptigy app out there. So, it's, you know, people can sign up
for it. we can push on that. Um, but if we were to do something where every resident was notified, that's just at this point pretty cost prohibited. Um, even in talking to Eric Denny from Arvik, I'm not sure that we have a way to do that. That's the challenge that we
have because you have cell phones and you have landlines and you primarily have cell phones now. Um, but the cell phone people can put the app on their phone and then that's how they get notified. So, it's really probably pushing the technology that we have right now, which is that app, um, to get
people noticed. And I know your concern, Mr. Mayor, was with the people that have landlines and the elderly that may not use Facebook or have some of those other ways. Um, you know, again, we have a utility billing, that type of thing. Um,
I'm certainly open to suggestions or other ideas. Um, you know, maybe one of the things that we do is, you know, I don't I guess I don't know exactly. Um, I don't know if church bulletins would allow us to put some public service messages in there.
Certainly, we could put some stuff in the paper as well. Um, >> hand out calendars for holiday kickoff that says no parking every other day. >> Yep. Or something like that, right? Um, so I think that's um that's kind of and you know I don't know
if Craig has anything to add to that, but that's really it's um it's really our app that and most people you know just pushing that to get people to sign up for it and then being able to see it on our app
is kind of a rat. >> I do have a quick question. Is there any place in town where if you make every park on one side of the street is is there going to be enough parking everywhere? There should be. Correct. We don't have >> It's just I think it's the culacs and you're like I live on a corner and then
it's a cult. So I think those are going to be the ones because it's tight. >> Oh yeah. >> Yeah. I mean I have a long enough driveway that I don't have to worry about it. But others, you know, >> Well, you can borrow a spot in your driveway if you got a big enough driveway, right?
>> Yeah. But also if you start looking like on first and second street, third street, south, I mean you have a lot of older homes. >> You have a lot of cars, >> you know. >> Oh yeah. >> Yeah.
>> But they've been pretty good about communicating. Barry's been good with you guys, right? I don't, you know, you could try it for a winter and see how it goes. Not get real hard on the the enforcement because I think once it
starts, I think people get used to it pretty quick because I do I I notice it too. like you're driving down the side streets or the the uncontrolled intersection areas and there are there are areas that the plow hasn't been able to hit in weeks because it's just and it
does it makes a mess and it's not as efficient for the guys to get back and clean it up and supposed to be good stewards of the you know tax dollars and if we can work more efficiently that's less overtime less whatever if we can just get streets cleared more
efficiently I I think it makes sense. Um, and it's not a lot to ask for people to park on the other side of the street, >> right? >> I think it does. I think it does read correctly. It's just that it's confusing. So, if we can just add a line
saying simple as even calendar days, you get home from work, park on the even side of the street. Get home from work, odd odd days, park on the outside of the street, wherever. Because it's a little confusing the way it you have to interpret it. But anyway,
um that's up to you guys, but I don't know if you want to delay it a month or >> I mean >> get some more feedback from maybe I don't know if we can stop and talk to some of the people that have cars on the streets and just ask them what they think. Would it be a big
burden or would it not? >> You know, like like for me right now, I personally would vote against it right now. I would I would like to try other things first. Um I I would rather table it in my opinion and see if we got problems after we visit with people or
start, you know, >> like you have a problem with putting an ordinance in. >> I I do. I you know, the more rules and like I said, 30 people are screwing it up for every >> Right. Right. So, if we can send out a
letter of education, >> that's the that's the direction you'd like to see that go. I would like to find a way to I I think I don't think I'm going to win either way on anything, you know. I just think it's just I wish people would just be smart about it.
>> But I don't know why nobody Yeah. I mean, that's my opinion. I would rather do it this way. Try to educate them. Say, "Hey, this is the way it's going to be if if you screw it up." Then I would be all in on it. if if it would happen how many times if they're falling this
winter and >> whatever. I mean, >> yeah, >> I try to get my cars off as fast as I can. I mean, you see me every I I try to get half of it plowed out and put all the cars Oh, seriously. I I keep them off the streets when it's snow out cuz I
I know they want to go very fast past my house and push it all the way up to my house when they go past. I make their days. Yeah. I guess whatever Mark, whatever you guys feel um >> question for clean and you guys were talking about that notification. Why
doesn't doesn't m have like a CRM where we track cell phones where we could do like an opt-in opt out campaign? So you could do a mass message. You have to provide an opt out. >> But but if you don't it's it's not so much probably the folks that have the cell phones. It's how do you get to the
people that have the landlines? That's more the challenge, >> you know what I mean? >> But that's where it be like a multi- tiered front. So if you did the mailer, you did the thing, >> maybe you get people talking because text messaging by itself should be
pretty cheap. I mean, >> yeah. Yeah. And again, we have if you haven't signed up for our app, you could you get notifications on that. So we >> you have their cell phone data already living in your billing system, right? >> Not all not everyone. everyone. No, not everyone. In fact, we don't have
everyone. And here's a challenge, a bit of the challenge that we have is, let's just take this as an example. So, on first, um, I'll just use first as an example. There's probably, you know, there's three houses in a row and there's probably, I would say, a dozen
cars that are parked on the street. And you know, we can send it to whoever the utility bill is of the owner, but that not they don't necessarily own the cars that are on the street, you know, if there's other people living at the household >> cuz it's a rental >> or it's a multi-generational, you know,
so you have um several generations living in one household. And you know, um I think that I mean we certainly can try to do a however to get the information out there and to educate people, but um
you know, if you have six people living in a house and they all have a car, I don't know. They don't necessarily pay they they aren't the owners on the account of the utility and we'd have their cell phone number, but not everybody else's. >> Understood.
However, everyone can sign up for our app. >> Sounds like talking stuff is that that information is actually private, right? Just release it to the city, >> right? >> There have to be an opt in or opt out situation and I don't know how we go
about contact to try and get them into the system. >> It's embedded to the cell phone. When you send a message, it says, "Do you wish to opt in?" And then you click yes. Do you want to participate in these messages? Yes. And then you can type stop at any time and opt out. know if
our utility would allow that to happen. >> I don't know. >> That'd be a question for our attorney. >> Yeah. >> Well, you said even if we don't have the names, we still, for example, we sent out that, you know, flyer here this past
weekend. It would go to every address. At least we've made every attempt, >> right? Um, so whenever >> we could through our newsletter, we could do something because they have all the addresses of everyone. You know, you have the really nice newsletter that
just got put together and that same group that does that. We could put together a mailing >> from you with your signature. >> Oh, we just blow tornado sirens at 10:00 at night. If we're going to plow the next day, we just blow off the tornado sirens. Everybody knows. Get out and
move your car. Hey, that's a good idea. >> Bad idea. >> And there's no leaves on the tree, so everybody will hear it. >> I mean, like I said, I would personally like table it, but um all of you decide. Uh if someone wants to entertain a
motion to approve or not approve, you guys decide or table it, I'll leave it up to all of you. I don't know what the weather forecast is, how much it's going to snow in the next month, but I think if we tabled it for one month or delayed the implementation of it for a month, I mean, it maybe give us a little more
time to get the word out, get flyers and the utility bills, stuff like that. >> And and maybe we need to put it on the Facebook page. >> Yeah, because I do I do respect your opinion, you know, and I do respect that. Um, but I also do respect our city
staff that has to deal with the >> for sure >> the snow removal. So, um, >> but I think we do everything we can Facebook and everything to get this information out that we're going to do this if we don't have cooperation.
>> Yeah. And as the chamber director, I could put it on that, you know, Facebook page and our personal pages. >> Yeah. >> You know, >> so we're going to table it, right? Is that what we're talking about? And then we're going to get the word out say that we're thinking about doing this. So, watch out for
>> an ordinance coming to the pipe. >> Yeah. >> Be aware that it might get implemented. I don't know then at the nove November meeting or something. >> Right now, it would probably be a tie because I'm not going to I want to hear more. So, and if you >> Jolene vote. So, it's we probably really
should wait for Travis anyways as the tiebreaking vote. >> All right. Well, then as of right now, we will be tableling that action item. >> We don't need we don't need to vote on that, right? I'll just table it. >> Yeah, just table it. >> Mr. Mayor, if I may get clarification.
So, in order for us to get the word out and make sure we're following what the council is wanting, we will go ahead and put in our utility bills and on our Facebook page letting people know that we are considering an odd even parking so that you park odd days you park on
the odd side, even days you park in the even side during a certain amount of time. So, we want to make you aware. The challenge with that is are you seeking opinion from people or are you just simply saying this is coming up? That's that's where I need a little bit
of clarification. >> That's what I asked for. How much is it going to cost to get a phone? That's what I asked at the last council meeting. >> Yep. >> And and that's um what I wanted to know. What is it going to cost? What can we do for tech using technology to our advantage, which
>> we have very good people here that know how to do it. Um that's what I was wanting. So um but yeah, I think we can use our Facebook page to our advantage. We can use um even put it on the you know that work on the mata page to do
that. Um we can have the police department share it. I mean we can share it through the fire department. I mean we're going to be in the chamber. We we have so many ways we can share. And I just look at the Meta page when they had a unique boutique and I think we had like 75 shares on that with all people
looking at it. So So people are looking at these at these um on Facebook. >> So >> I think you know we need to do that. Would that work? >> Yep. I still am I are we telling folks
that it's coming and that they just need to be aware of it or are you seeking opinion? I think we explained that we've seen issues with it in the past winters with with cars not moving and being able to plow in spots. So, we are considering as a city >> passing an ordinance,
>> okay, >> to make, you know, >> I don't think it's that big of a burden, honestly. It's people will get used to it. It's not saying like I believe I don't know if it's Freeport or whatever, but it's zero parking on the street all winter long, >> right? >> It's not nearly as burdensome as that.
So, >> okay. Got it. >> Okay. >> All right. Let's move this forward. Uh, we are on special assessments for uh solid waste. Don Williamson. Uh, would you like to do you need to say anything or >> No, I need to. You're on. >> Okay. >> Well, actually, if you want me to
explain it a little. >> Yeah. Other way, it's clear if you want. >> Um, so, West Central every year, um, we send out letters to the property owners who are delinquent in their West Central solid waste bills pursuant to Minnesota statute 443.015. 015 property owners
have been notified that they can appear before the city council to dispute their charges. Don Williamson from West Central is present here to address any of those concerns from residents and attached in your packet was the letter that was sent out along with the state
statute. I am happy to report since that letter went out, I do think we've had a couple that have been resolved. So, we are down to one, two, three, four, five, six, seven. Um, yeah, we're down to seven folks that
would be getting this or it would be going on their taxes. In two cases, it actually would be going to the land lord. So, um, in that case, we'll probably try and get a hold of the landlords and say, you know, if you don't pay this, it's going to go against
your house. But the rema and then one is a foreclosure, so a mortgage company has it. The remaining four are owners, so it would go to them. Um the highest bill that we have is 23850 and the lowest bill we have is 2807. So
the total that would go on the tax rolls is $92323. We did this last year and uh West Central was able to get their first payment in June and they will get their second payment the end of December. So because that's on folks's taxes, if they
pay their taxes, these guys get paid. there is a little bit of an administrative fee on it and that covers any costs that we as city have for that. So in addition to them having to pay their bill, they do have to also pay that fee which is or it goes on their
taxes I should say. So um and if I don't know if there's anyone here that has concerns or needs to talk to Don. >> All right. >> Can I get a motion to approve then? >> So move second. >> All in favor say I. I I >> oppos. Motion carried.
>> Good. >> We're good. >> Yeah, we should be good. >> Thank you so much. >> All right. Ordinance number 102325 2025-2 amending section 400 uh district law regulation of the zoning ordinance. >> Yep. As promised, uh the Melrose
Planning and Zoning Commission had a public hearing on Monday, September 29th to talk about changing those setbacks in the R2 district. As you recall, we approved variance, but in approving the variance, we discussed how it made good
sense to change it permanently in the R2 district. So before you tonight is an ordinance recommending that the public street sideyard setback be changed to 25 side corner sides combined setback be changed to 31 and the accessory building
side corner set back be changed to 25 in the R2 district to now match the R1 district. >> I don't have a problem with it. Can I get a motion to approve? So move >> second. All in favor say I. >> Oppos. Motion is carried. Uh resolution
number 2025-48, uh local road improvement program. >> As mentioned before during my report, we're working on some funding applications. One of them is the local road improvement. This is administrated administered by MDOT. Similar to the
active transportation grant we received for the sidewalk on 168. What we're looking for is to find some funding for that Ninth Street project that you all have been talking about in your budget meetings. Um, we will be making the argument for regional roads, farm to market, and addressing the safety concerns, trying to relieve some of the
congestion on that intersection of fifth and fifth by the school. Working on some letters of support. We cannot apply for the funds for the cost of engineering or utilities. So, while this road is estimated at 1.5 million, the most we can apply for in money is 755,000,
which is just the streets portion. The odds are long. Definitely not making promises on this one. When we applied for the same program for Main Street, there was a hund00 million being awarded. This time there's only 47 million. And so if we didn't get it for Main Street, I think the odds are long on ninth, but it's an automatic no if we
don't try. >> So I'm ask the county was in favor of it, too, right? >> The county has already passed the resolution supporting it. They have to ask uh act as our fiscal sponsor and they were in support. It was uh Jod's last meeting when she approved that. So >> yeah. So I ask the council to give
consideration to adopting resolution uh 2025-48 supporting the application. >> Make a motion to approve please. >> So move >> second please say >> I. I motion carried. >> Resolution number 2025-49 resolution amending the boundary uh
boundaries of tax increment financing in district number 12-1. >> Yeah. Staff recently met with Jason Murray, our TIFF consultant. He advised that pursuant pursuant to Minnesota statutes, we need to amend the boundaries of district district 12-1.
This is the district that was created after the fire and if everything with craft drive um craft plant. Uh Riverside Flats did develop on that lot. But the other parcels which were included in the tiff district which include the elfring
property, the ILAS rental building, Eminem holdings which is now a parking lot, the post office advantage insurance and Sterns County's corner which is the one with all the utility boxes over by Ilas Body Shop and some of our public
parking is all included in that tiff district. If it's not utilized or developed upon within five years, we need to drop them from the district. So, I'm asking you to consider resolution 25-49 amending those boundaries to drop those parcels. >> Right. Can I get a motion to approve?
>> So, move. >> Second. >> Okay. >> Say I. >> I motion carried. Resolution number 2025-50, a resolution approving a contaminant investigation and wrap development grant application, submitting local match, and authorizing
contract signatures. >> Yep. So, the next resolution I'm asking you to consider is a contamination investigation and wrap development grant application that we're putting together with DED. It's due by November 1st. We've been told by deed staff um we have talked about doing a redevelopment grant
with them, but they said the first step is to apply for this contamination investigation funds to make sure we know what the soils and everything look like before we work on redevelopment. So, I'm asking you to consider resolution 2025-50 approving the grant application to
investigate for any contamination. >> Um I forgot to ask you with this one. Now, with any of the soil boarding, >> anything happens there Mhm. >> Are you responsible for it? >> We're just investigating. >> Okay. Not that all of a sudden we drew a
hole and little red building ends up in the river. >> Okay. >> If it does wind up in the river, what's our >> If it does, I I don't want to be part of that one. So, all right. Well, that's the case. I can get you a motion to approve, please. >> So, move second. All >> f say I.
>> Oppos. Motion is carried. >> Same old thing, police vehicle purchase. gets here. >> Sure. >> Would like to see one. >> Meeting's not over yet. >> Same old but new. >> We only have to stay an hour. >> Oh. >> Oh, 1 hour.
>> Seems pretty easy. >> I wish I could leave with you. >> My things are playing. >> Not quite. >> Oh, yeah. That's right. >> Uh we are uh asking for council approval to purchase a police vehicle. Uh we did
receive five quotes. uh three related to the uh Dodge product and two related to the Ford product. Um we did as best comparisons as we could between the two um two motor vehicles as far as motors and all those sorts of things options and
that idea. Um in your packet those should have been included for review. An area that was of interest is that uh the two uh local dealers that we narrowed down to as far as whether it was a Ford or Dodge were very comparable to state
contract pricing. Um the uh Alb Chrysler bid was $847 higher than state contracting and the John Whis bid was $1,100 and some change um compared to state contracting. So it's good to see that our local dealers are able to get closer to state contracting um whenever
possible. So, um, with that being said, it is our intent to or our request to move forward with the Dodge through Albany Chrysler, um, at $40,866. Um, compared to the other quotes that are available at this time, >> everybody's okay driving a Dodge.
>> Uh, that was actually the conversation I had with the individual that will get assigned this car, and they felt as though that was a good option. >> We do have one in our fleet right now. They felt it was a good machine and that they're willing to uh cross over
>> instead of stay with the blue oval. >> All right. >> No, no information on build times with these. So, just so you're aware, >> but if you are wondering, this is supposed to be the week. >> What was that? >> Long as the price is locked in. >> The price should be locked in. All right. This is supposed to be one of the
estimated delivery dates for the vehicle that we ordered about this time last year, the eighth time >> for an estimated delivery date. >> All right. I'm I'm game. I don't know if it can I get a motion to approve. >> So move. >> Second. All >> favor say I.
>> I. Motion carried. >> Uh then uh H we are looking at selling the 200 3 Chevy 3/4 ton pickup. uh put it on Minnesota bid website. Um do we have any problems with that?
>> All right. Can you get a motion to approve it? >> So move. >> Second. All >> in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Motion is carried. >> All right. There is no old business. New business. Um there is a notice of appointments. Again, Sheila said it
before. Uh >> item business. >> Oh yeah. Okay. Okay. You want it back under action? Okay. >> Put it under new business. >> Yeah. Well, let's put it under I here on
action items. >> Well, after putting up with me for over 20ome almost 20 years, uh Patty Hazy is going to go into retirement. Um we're very happy for you, Patty. You've done a lot of great things for
our community. Yeah. And uh we're definitely going to miss you a lot. So, >> and thanks for striking out all the swearing I do at meetings. It It means a lot to me. I um So, that means we need to um find somebody to fill her shoes.
So, we will need to um >> advertise for it. >> Is there any questions or concerns? >> All right. Can we >> We're going to do the standard advertising posted externally and Yes. >> Wherever.
>> Yep. League of Minnesota cities start. >> Yep. All those places. >> So, yeah. So, that's uh taking a motion that we approve that. >> So, move. >> Second. >> Favor say I. >> I. >> Oppose. Motion carried. And and I hope next month, you know, since November
will be our last meeting, um really appreciate everything you've done for us. Okay. >> All right. There's no old business. on a new business. Again, there was a notice of some appointments that are coming up next year. Uh planning and zoning,
there's two members for four-year terms. Um the HA board, M's Housing Redevelopment Authority, there is one five-year term that will be open. Public Utilities Commission, there will be one member for a three-year term. M Area Development Authority, one member for a
six-year term. Parks and Record, uh two members, three-year terms. Um so, if anybody is interested, uh feel free. there are apps at uh city hall and can they get them online? >> So my question on this um area is I was
at my H um board meeting today and one of the concerns that was brought up was the um the graphic of where they can be living. So for instance I wanted to bring someone in that has the address of
Freeport and they said that she was not allowed to apply because She had to be in the Melrose. >> That's a state statute because we went through that that time. It's a state statute. >> Okay. Because it's not an H. >> No, but it's a state statute because um I remember that time with Marlene. Um
she was on the board for almost 20 years and they found the state >> stately who I went to ask. So >> Oh, not Marlene. Marlene B. No, it was Marlene Clawson. >> She was on the the H board. So she actually had resigned
>> because It's a state statute. >> So, how come it is that way for those boards, but like our like our city administrator or you know some some of the other role plays are not under that same rule. >> Um question >> that's so crazy
>> because the the HR is technically owned by the city of you know under it's it's sort of like the public utilities commission. We technically own it, but we don't. You know, and that's the same with uh the H
board. You know, if we have that board in place in case if there is something, let's just say if there's something bad that could happen, I believe we can um go back in and take it over. I don't know if if you can answer that um Joe or not, but I believe that technically I know
there years ago we we there was some people in the city that contemplated wanting to change the public utilities back to be owned by the the taxpayers instead of the rateayers. Um but it didn't. So
there are things that we can do and it's sort of I don't know how how to say it. But as for just an employee working, I don't know. I I I believe I don't know. >> I think you'd have to talk to the politicians who pass the laws to figure
out what their mindset was when they passed those laws, >> right? >> Because >> like I'm going to get far with that. >> You know, there's a lot of times there's no rhyme or reason. Consistency >> for our for our rural area, it would make sense for us to be able to utilize,
you know, someone from New Munich, someone from St. Rose, someone from Greenwald, someone from Freeport, you know, >> but also you you always have to look at that too. What happens if one then we get another and get another then they don't have the values of potentially the citizens of all.
>> Yeah. >> You know, so we have I I personally think you know that people like city people from Freeport run from city council, >> right? >> You know, that's where you start getting into these gray areas in my opinion, >> right? But I just remember I think Tony I don't know if you remember that with
Marlene Clawson but I remember we had to go through it. thought it was the stupidest thing ever. So she you wouldn't find a better person. But when she was elected on they still lived in city limits then they moved out to >> right still in school district. >> Right. And that's what I was thinking was
>> Yeah. School district. Okay. >> So sorry. >> No, they thought it was council decision when I was at my board meeting today. So that's why I wanted to bring it forward and ask because I obviously that was before my time. So >> Okay. >> Thank you. Yep. No problem. All right.
Well, then the other new business is Verizon agreement. Who wants to >> So Joe's gonna kind of address this. Um the one thing I did want to point out to you is I just pro provided you with this information. So this is more the on the financial impact side of it. Um he's
going to talk and address you to you about what this is and why they're doing it, that type of thing. um just to give you and then we'll get into kind of the financing options of it. But, you know, um yeah, I I think it's worth a discussion
because they're pretty much telling us they're kind of holding our feet to the fire and saying we either have to go with option one or two and you know, I'm not so sure we have to do that. So, I think it it warrants a discussion at this point. So, Joe's can take over from here.
Um, yeah. So, just to provide a little background, Verizon has a signed an agreement with the city back in July of 2014 to basically lease space on the water tower for some of their antennas. Um, the initial lease term was for 10
years and then it had several five-year options to renew. So we're in the city is in the first fiveyear option extension period if you will. So they're locked technically locked in for another four years at this
point. Um what Verizon is doing and they're doing this kind of all over the area is they're switching to these 5G um sites if you will that are much smaller and and not
I don't know all the technical stuff, but they don't operate the same way as like the large antennas that you see on the, you know, 200 foot mass and stuff. So, they're they're trying to to go to this these 5G packets, but it sounds
like they still want to have the option in the space on the tower. So, um they're approaching the city saying, "Hey, we'd like to renegotiate this lease." Um and they presented a couple of options. Um that being that they
would uh would like a new lease essentially commencing on January 1 of 2026. Um they would uh start with an initial annual rent of $30,000.
It would uh increase by 3% every year. And the lease itself would have six uh five-year renewal terms. So essentially it would be a 30-year lease. Um right now the current lease started back
in 2014 um at an an initial annual rent of 31,000. And so with all of the annual 3% increases, I think what do we figure out, Colleen? We're up around 42 45,000.
We're at 40 44198 for uh yeah 45,000 for 25. >> Yeah. So that's where we're at now and it'll increase 3% a year for at least the next four years. So we could just simply say nothing and say no, we're
we're good. Um at which point the lease would run another four years. at the end of the four years, they would have the option to extend the current lease another five years, or they could just say, you know, we're done and we'll we'll remove our equipment. Um, again,
what they're asking is that we basically renegotiate the lease, start a new lease, um, obviously with less favorable payment terms, um, uh, starting at the beginning of the year.
Um and as Colleen said, you know, she ran some numbers to kind of explain the financial side of it, but um I guess from the legal side of it, we don't have to do anything right now if we don't want to. Uh but they have approached the
city with these uh these options. I should say the other option they presented was a 99-year easement with a lump sum payment of $600,000 was the other option they were asking for.
>> Do you have know when we need to give them an answer on this? >> November. They were looking Yep. They're looking for something in November. And you know again I kept we kept asking the question well we already have this so what happens at the end of our existing
one and the sense that we get is they're like well you know we're not going to renegotiate with you so you know you have that revenue for 5 years but if you're not willing to work with us then you know we kind of go away now whether or not that is
you know that's just kind of part of their strategy perhaps or if that's true I do know that the 5G is a lot smaller and that our site, you know, it's a bigger site for them. Um, you know, the risk that you run if if we do that then is what happens to the cell service in
our community. Um, are they going to have those 5Gs or what are they going to do? I don't know. So, the numbers that are in front of you are, you know, what the continue with the current lease option. And so you're looking at a um at the end of that lease roughly $235,000
would be what our revenue source would be at the end of 29. The numbers don't run exactly just because of how it's set up. Um if you started in 26 with them and ran through 30, your revenue would be 159274.
And then if you took advantage of those options and kept going, you know, we're looking at about 1.2 2 million over a period of 30 years. Now, keep in mind that if we continued on the pace that we were with the on the other side of it,
you know, that number is closer to 1.8 million. I don't necessarily know if that's an option. I don't think it is. Um, but we are going to have an initial loss in revenue of about $75,000 over a period of five years from Verizon.
But again, if they say at the end of five years, you know, we're going to take our toys and go home, then um you know, I don't know where that leaves us. I do think if we're able to present these numbers to them, I would like to go back and see if Joe and I can negotiate a different you know, they
started at 30,000, so where's where's the opportunity to negotiate to make that number bigger? You know what I mean? She kind of indicated when we talked to Lori on the phone that she might be willing to consider that. So, I'd like Joe and I to have the opportunity to go back to Verizon and
say, "Hey, we're losing a lot of money on this deal." So, you know, you guys have to do come up a little bit in terms of what you're willing to give us for lease. >> Do we do we have any other services on our water towers? AT&T or T-Mobile or anybody else?
>> We have a lot of the school has stuff up there. The >> I'm talking sell services like Verizon, the big >> Do we have any other major carriers up there? >> We have the T-Mobile's on South T-Mobile. Okay. >> So, whatever. What I would like to do is
>> T-Mobile's on the cell tower, right? >> Since we since we really don't know what Verizon's angle is here, >> we get a hold of T-Mobile and just ask them. >> What do you guys think? Are they going to be here for 30 years or they not going to need the space? Does that make sense? >> So, we kind of know whether or not they
they what the demand is for that >> space yet. >> We've worked a little bit. I mean, can you give me your opinion? >> I don't know. I'd have to research. I don't know how they do their 5G back haul if they do microwave or if they actually have fiber to these little micro sites or not. So there's, you
know, they can do they typically like to do microwave to their small sites just because you don't have to pay an extra service fee to like a >> Do you know where any sites are around? >> I don't. >> We have I would assume they're very highly dense dense
>> device usages, you know, where >> the wide band. I thought they upgraded these two to wideband, but I thought they did. That's why I don't understand because we have an amendment from 22 where they went to 5G on top of the towers. >> Yeah. When we just got done painting them, then they went and >> Yep. So that's a hard part because we
already had they have 5G up there. >> So this is why >> from other areas like other towns what >> they're all going through the same thing with Verizon right now. Same thing. >> Yep. It's all these lead. They're going to everybody doing these >> lead mobile comparable to >> not really not in terms of the service
side of it. No, not as much. >> You think they're using that for their little internet bods that they're putting out there? >> I don't. Yeah, >> I don't know. >> I don't know though that we need to do anything right now. I think >> Yeah, it's fair. I would I would say I would think that somebody to negotiate
with them first and >> you know like you said we don't technically have to do something. So at least give you a few months to >> negotiate and see if there's something better or like you said if there's a different angle or you know whatever you think. The only problem is at least
according to them um they're saying hey we have to move on if you guys aren't able if you kick this can down the road is you know and again it's >> well but look what happened last what did take two years for them to actually get to the contract >> it took two plus years for them to
actually agree to the contract and then to pay us for it we were behind >> so it's like I think a couple more months I >> So you guys are I mean if we go back to the table and say hey can you give us more rental money or something. >> Well, or just say, are you going to come back in three more years and do the same
thing or in five years all a sudden you're going to drop it down? What is what is the future outlook? Right? >> Well, we have a count how many how many how many renewable periods were there? Four or five. >> We're on the first five. I think we have one other one, but they're optional.
That's that's the language that it is. You know what I mean? It's automatic, but it's an option. So, either either us or them kicked it out of it. So, >> Right. But I'm saying if we just stick with that agreement, this dollar that one will maintain
>> Verizon wants to stay in town in four years. This this old accelerator plan or whatever if you want that will be in force because we're still on the old agreement if they want the space yet, right? >> Yeah. Yeah. There's two under the currently >> for like 25 years
>> two more fiveyear extensions that they can exercise, >> right? Yeah. >> Okay. >> I mean, I I I don't want to give everything away to Verizon, but you know, for the citizens of Noah's, a lot of people have Verizon. We should at least look into
>> what can we do for the citizens on this one, look at. So, yeah, I I think I have no problem with them looking into it, see what you can do, >> and if it's a month or two, whatever, then come back or whatever you think. >> Are we all okay with that? >> Yeah, I'm okay with that. That seems
reasonable. Okay. All right. and I use my Wi-Fi. So, >> um, so here we do have to go over a contract. So, we're going to actually close the meeting. Um, >> do you want to go over theformational items quickly? >> I I was going to say that. Um, but, um,
theformational items that we had for tonight, uh, there was utility commission meeting minutes from September 8, uh, 2025. And then there was some school conferences um that's in the street department um went to here back in October 1st. Um but that's all
there was for uh schools and conferences and the utility meetings. So then um I would like to make a motion that we close the meeting and um whoever does not need to be here we can call it a
night. So pass it. [Music]