Melrose Council Pledges $1 Million Toward School Pool and Fitness Center

MELROSE -- May 19, 2022, Melrose City Council commits $1 million in hospital sale proceeds to a school district pool and fitness center, pending an August bond vote. The council voted unanimously Thursday to authorize Mayor Joe Finken and Councilor Justin Freeler to negotiate a recreational facilities program agreement with Independent School District 740 under Resolution 2022-33, which would direct funds from the city's past CentraCare Health hospital sale toward an eight-lane pool, locker rooms, and multipurpose fitness space at Melrose Area Schools. The contribution would not come from the general fund. The council also approved a 27 percent jump in municipal liability insurance to $125,215 through the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust, and authorized purchase of two Mittendorf-owned parcels for $180,000. Earlier in the meeting the council celebrated the Melrose Area High School speech team's first-ever Class A state team championship, with three individual state titles claimed by Gracie Schaad, Drew Ponzack, and Ellie Heller.