Menahga City Council split on Juneteenth paid holiday

The Menahga City Council wrangled with adopting Juneteenth as a paid holiday for city staff.

The 2023 Minnesota Legislature added June 19, also known as Juneteenth, to the list of mandatory state holidays in which public business cannot be conducted.

In his report to the council on Monday, May 12, City Clerk-Treasurer Brett Gagnonpalick wrote, “Adopting Juneteenth as a recognized city holiday aligns our community with both federal and state standards, as it is now designated holiday at those levels. We are currently one of only a few cities in that state that have not adopted it, and our previous decision not to recognize it resulted in a grievance that cost the city time and money to resolve. By formally reckoning Juneteenth, we mitigate the risk of future labor disputes and related costs. This is a straightforward step toward consistency, fairness and fiscal responsibility.”

Councilor Durwin Tomperi argued the city already made a decision to let employees use their own PTO, if they wish, and no city business would be conducted on June 19.

“Why would we give them an extra holiday?” asked Tomperi, adding it’s a burden on taxpayers.

Mayor Jody Bjornson said, “The bottom line is it’s cheaper to pay for the holiday than another grievance and legal costs.”

Tomperi replied, “I thought that grievance was settled.”

According to the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC), Juneteenth became a federally recognized holiday in 2021.

The Minnesota law went into effect Aug. 1, 2023, requires cities to adjust their schedules to recognize June 19 as a holiday.

Councilor Mike Netland made a motion to decline June 19 as a paid holiday, seconded by Tomperi.

Bjornson said, “I would say it’s going to cause us problems, but we’ll vote.”

The motion failed, with Bjornson, Bill Hodge and Keith Waaraniemi opposed.

Bjornson made a motion to approve the holiday, seconded by Hodge.

Tomperi asked if the city budgeted for this cost.

Gagnonpalick said budgets are “guestimations,” so there are funds available. “We’re not running ourselves dry over one single holiday.”

Netland suggested using Juneteenth as a negotiating tool during labor negotiations.

Bjornson’s motion passed 3-2, with Netland and Tomperi opposed.

Juneteenth refers to June 19, 1865 when the Union Army announced the end of the Civil War and enforced the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing more than 250,000 enslaved people.

Gagnonpalick explained there’s a discrepancy in Wadena County records regarding property lines for Menahga School’s tennis and basketball courts.

“The school is definitely very concerned about this because they want to retop the courts,” he said.

Bjornson said the city has counted the courts as school property “since 1967 when the original deed was signed for $1 to the school. It can only be used for recreational and whatnot.”

Yet half of the tennis court is not within the school’s property lines, Bjornson continued. “We have to do a survey to get the west line toward the beach straightened out. I would say we could go right on their fenceline that’s on the edge of the tennis courts.”

There is no effect on taxes since both the city and school are nonprofits, he added.

The council agreed to designate the courts as school property, split the cost of a survey with the school and adjust property lines, as necessary.

In other business, the council did this:

• Approved step increases for Northbound Spirits Manager Heather Shepersky and Public Works Director Ron Yliniemi.
• Approved step increases for Northbound Spirits Assistant Manager Rachel Pietila and clerk Scott Nordback, based on successful evaluations by Shepersky.
• Increased police officer Joe White’s wage by one step based on his one-year anniversary and evaluation.
• Appointed Victoria Nurmi to the planning and zoning commission.
• Accepted $2,100 in donations to Hooked on Fishing, including $2,000 from the Menahga VFW.
• Accepted $875 in donations for Sounds of Spirit Lake.
• Learned the Menahga Police Department responded to 213 calls between April 8 and May 7, including one warrant arrest, 1 minor consumption state citation and one gross misdemeanor bus stop arm violation.
• Learned Greenwood Connection’s 60th anniversary will be celebrated on Aug. 16.
• Parks and Recreation Supervisor Bryan Soukup reported he interviewed potential lifeguards. A lifeguard chair will be built, with assistance from Ralph Cox, and installed by next week. He noted several fire pit pads at the city campground have cracked, due to age, and need to be repaired. Both campground and city beach bathrooms are open, Soukup said. New primitive campsites have been 
• Authorized city staff to hire a swim instructor and lifeguards, in collaboration with the personnel committee.
• Authorized trading in a 2007 Chevy for a used 3/4-ton truck, not to exceed $35,000 and  pending a satisfactory CarFax report. Public Works Director Ron Yliniemi said the department needs a bigger truck to haul a trailer with a skid steer.
• Followed city policy and denied billing adjustments for Craig Lawrey and Ericka Kjellberg
• Adopted seasonal grade 1 (currently assigned to James Moeller) and seasonal grade 2 (Ralph Cox) into the city’s pay scale.
• Closed the session for an evaluation of Gagnonpalick.