City of Minnetrista - Consent Agenda Item - Request to Approve a Conditional Offer of Employment for Melissa Robbins as Police Officer

Sep 15, 2026

City Council consent agenda item requesting approval of a conditional offer of employment for Melissa Robbins to serve as Police Officer with the City of Minnetrista. The request addresses an existing Police Department vacancy created by an officer’s promotion and a chief’s retirement. Approval is contingent on completion of a background investigation, psychological evaluation, and pre-placement physical exam. Robbins’ qualifications include law enforcement education and nearly six years of service as a police officer, with recommendations covering pay level, performance evaluations, probation terms, and a signing incentive.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

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Pages3

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Consent Agenda Item

Subject and Request

Overview of Vacancy and Hiring Process

Candidate Qualifications and Recommendations

Summary and Council Action

Conditional Offer Letter to Melissa Robbins

CITY OF MINNETRISTA CONSENT AGENDA ITEM Subject: Request to Approve an Offer of Employment for Melissa Robbins as Police Officer Prepared By: Allie Polsfuss, Assistant City Administrator, on behalf of the Personnel Committee: Council member Cathleen Reffkin, Councilmember Peter Vickery, City Administrator Jasper Kruggel, and Finance Director Brian Grimm Meeting Date: April 21, 2025 Issue The City Council is being asked to approve an offer of employment for Melissa Robbins as Police Officer, filling the current vacancy. Overview There is a vacancy in the Police Department due to Chad Griggs ’ promotion to Sergeant on March 27, 2025 following Chief Falls’ retirement on March 26, 2025. The Police Officer position was posted from February 10th-March 3rd in anticipation of this vacancy, and we received one application. The candidate was initially interviewed on March 5th by Deputy Chief Squires, Sergeant Cummings, and me. A final interview was conducted on March 18th with Chief Falls, Deputy Chief Squires, and me. Melissa Robbins is the final candidate for the Police Officer position. The Personnel Committee provided direction to continue the contingent offer segment of the process. At tonight’s City Council meeting, we are asking the City Council to approve this conditional offer of employment (Attachment A,) contingent upon Ms. Robbins successfully completing a background investigation, psychological evaluation, and physical exam. A little more information on Melissa’s background: she holds a Law Enforcement degree from Anoka Ramsey Community College and began her career volunteering as a Reserve Officer with the Medina Police Department in 2015 and then began as a Community Service Officer in Medina in 2017. In 2019, she was hired as a Police Officer in Buffalo, where she has served for nearly 6 years. She has experience as a Critical Incident Instructor, Field Training Officer, and we believe she will be a great addition to our department. Due to her experience and qualifications, the Personnel Committee recommends entering Ms. Robbins into level five ofthe LELS 116 Police Officer Union pay schedule at $48.32/hr with performance evaluations and six months and one year with possible pay adjustments per the LELS \#116 Officers Labor Agreement. Due to the difficulty in recruiting Police Officers, the Personnel Committee also recommends offering a signing incentive of $3,000 . Half would be paid after six months of successful employment and half would be paid after a year of successful employment. The candidate has accepted the terms of this conditional offer letter. Summary On behalf of the Personnel Committee, we are asking for approval of this conditional offer of employment at tonight’s City Council meeting. We expect Melissa to join our staff next month. Recommended City Council Action: The Personnel Committee recommends approval of the full offer of employment for Melissa Robbins as Police Officer with the City of Minnetrista, based on successfully completing all aspects of the conditional offer of employment. Municipal Offices 7701 County Road 110 West Minnetrista, MN 55364-9552 [Email: ](Email: minnetrista@ci.minnetrista.mn.us)[minnetrista@ci.minnetrista.mn.us](Email: minnetrista@ci.minnetrista.mn.us) March 18, 2025 Melissa Robbins Dear Melissa, This is a conditional offer of employment for the Police Officer position with the City of Minnetrista. Final approval of your hiring will be granted by the Minnetrista City Council at a future City Council meeting, but this conditional offer allows us to continue with the final steps of the hiring process. A few additional items need to be successfully completed, including a pre-placement physical examination, a pre-placement drug and alcohol screening test, a psychological evaluation, and a complete background investigation to our satisfaction in order to finalize your position. These items are at the City’s expense. In

FAQs

What pay level and signing incentive are recommended for Melissa Robbins?

The committee recommends entering her into Level 5 at $48.32 per hour and offering a signing incentive, split between payments after six months and after one year of successful employment.

Sep 15, 2026

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