Melrose Select Board Approves $3.5 Million State Wastewater Grant Application

MELROSE — November 19, 2020 — Melrose Select Board approved a $3.5 million state wastewater grant resolution and a general fund business aid transfer as COVID-19 dominated the November 19 meeting. CentraCare Melrose Administrator Brian Milk told the board the regional test positivity rate had jumped from 5 percent in the spring to 22 percent, with 30 percent of St. Cloud hospital beds occupied by COVID patients and roughly 30 CentraCare employees entering quarantine daily; he described a new plan making Sauk Centre a dedicated COVID-only hospital while Melrose absorbs obstetrical and surgical volume. The board voted unanimously to support the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority grant application and to advance the wastewater project to bid, then approved Resolution 2020-61 — transferring general fund surplus dollars to the Melrose Area Trade Association for business assistance grants — on a 4-1 vote after council member Tony Clawson questioned the legal authority behind the transfer. City Administrator Justin Heying briefed the board on Governor Walz's Executive Order 20-99 closing restaurant dining rooms through December 18, and the board agreed to close the city's senior center for the duration while directing City Attorney Scott Demick to draft an updated emergency powers resolution for the mayor.