Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a City Council Meeting was duly held in the City Council chambers at 7:00 p.m. on the 8th day of April 2025. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Donald Kirchmann.
The following members were present: Mayor Donald Kirchmann, Council Members Kim Helgeson, Mary Bailey (arrived at 7:17 p.m.), and Elana Brunner
Absent: Lee Sjolander
Also, present: City Administrator Scott Lehner, Administrative Assistant Holli Gudknecht, Engineer Derek Olinger, City Attorney Joe Sathe, Public Works Supervisor Wayne Ehrich, Officer Brian Homeier, Lizzie Cooper-Kenyon Leader, Doug Ims-Icon LLC, John Lee, Josh Johnson, Todd Greseth, Bailey Ament, Bonnie Rapp, Brenda Tellez, Caleb Langer, Lorry and Jennifer Kispert, Shannon & Pat Shea,
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
CITIZEN COMMENT
Pat Shea provided information on a proposed wind farm that is trying to move into the Kenyon area. She stated that this is a huge 300-megawatt farm project that would have 60-85 turbines. She wanted to get awareness out there since this would probably affect the city in some way.
Bailey Ament questioned what the process was for allowing chickens in the residential area for educational purposes. She presented possible options of allowing chickens in Kenyon and reviewed what some surrounding cities allow. She is interested in raising chickens as part of her homeschool instruction and her children’s 4-H project. She requested to be added to the May council agenda to allow educational chickens.
Todd Greseth, Goodhue County Commissioner, stated that the May meeting will be held at Kenyon City Hall. He stated that their budget is up in the air right now, waiting to see where government cuts will be. If you have any questions for the commission, please come to the May meeting in Kenyon.
ADOPT AGENDA
Motion by Helgeson seconded by Brunner to approve the agenda. Motion carried 4-0-0.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Bailey second by Helgeson to approve the amended Consent Agenda, which includes:
Payment of check numbers, 77014 through 77071; 5383E through 5499E
Budget Transfers:
• Kenyon Area Historical Society - $2,500 Gunderson House Management Fees
• Rose Fest - $2,000
• Kenyon Fire Relief - $10,000 Budget Donation, $3,000 2025 Audit Portion, $250 Fire and Rescue Admin. Fee
Minutes of March 11, 2025
On-Sale Liquor License Renewal- VFW
Kenyon Fire Relief Association Request for Liquor Permits
1. April 26, 2025 Fundraiser
2. June 21, 2025 Firemen’s Dance
Motion carried 4-0-0.
PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS/RECOGNITIONS/PROLAMATIONS
ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE
KMU Process Update: Administrator Lehner stated that there is a meeting scheduled with KMU and the personnel committee on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.
Hiring of Police Officer:
Administrator Lehner stated that four qualified candidates applied for the police officer position. The four candidates are scheduled to be interviewed on April 15.
Congrats and Thank You to Josey Homeier:
Administrator Lehner thanked Officer Josey Homeier for her contributions and service time with the City of Kenyon. She will be moving on to a DNR job. Best Wishes.
Administrator Calendar
Administrator Lehner stated that he will be out of the office on Friday, April 11, 2025. He is closing on a house in the area.
ENGINEERING
2025 Street and Utility Improvements
Engineer Olinger stated that six bids were received by the April 2, 2025 deadline. The pricing was competitive. The bids are still being evaluated for conformance with project requirements. The bid will be awarded following the assessment hearing during the May council meeting. The assessment hearing process and the assessment criteria that the council will need to set were discussed.
Resolution 2025-12: Declaring Cost to be Assessed and Calling for Assessment Hearing 2025 Street & Utility Improvements
Motion by Bailey seconded by Kirchmann to adopt Resolution 2025-12. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Doug Ims of Icon, LLC stated that his company was the low bidder on the street project, but he was told by the city engineer that his bid would not be recommended because of the way he bid the job. He felt that the city engineer was out of place to make this recommendation. He would like to be informed of the meeting where the bid would be awarded.
2025 Chip Seal Project
Engineer Olinger stated that four quotes were received for the chip seal project. $90,000 was budgeted for the project. The low bid was approximately $60,000. Olinger would like to expand the contract by $20,000 to cover what was planned for 2026. This would still come in $10,000 under budget.
Motion by Helgeson seconded by Bailey to award the chip seal contract to Pearson Bros. as written, with additional approval to exceed the total quoted by up to $20,000 as directed by the City Engineer. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Capital Finance Planning Workshop
Engineer Olinger stated that the city’s financial advisor is invited to review the plans for current and future capital investments every few years. A capital finance planning workshop meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. Motion carried 4-0-0.
LEGAL
FINANCIAL
Explanation of Recently Received IRS Statements
Finance Director Kyllo explained two letters that she received, one from the IRS and the other from MN Department of Revenue claiming money was owed to them from quarter three of 2023. Both claims are legitimate, and the city needs to pay these bills plus penalties.
OLD BUSINESS
2025 Agreement with Luis Tellez – Taco Express
Administrator Lehner stated that at the March council meeting, the council decided not to renew the city’s agreement with Taco Express for 2025. Bonnie Rapp and Brenda Tellez, who is the daughter of the Taco Express owners, were present and stated that they were shocked to learn that the contract was not being renewed. They learned about the non-renewal from a newspaper article. Administrator Lehner apologized for not informing them of the decision before it came out in the newspaper. He stated that they were requesting that the city allow them to remain on city property for one more year because of the short notice. This would allow them to find an alternative place for business in 2026.
Motion by Helgeson seconded by Bailey to authorize Administrator Lehner to negotiate and execute a limited agreement with Taco Express for 2025. Motion carried 4-0-0.
NEW BUSINESS
LMCIT Liability Coverage Waiver
stated that the City Council is required to choose either to waive or not to waive the monetary insurance liability limits. State statutes limit a city’s tort liability to a maximum of $500,000 per claimant and $1,500,000 per occurrence. These limits apply whether the claim is against the city, against the individual officer or employee, or against both. Cities can choose to waive the state liability limits. Cities can purchase additional insurance coverage up to $2,000,000 annually.
Motion by Helgeson, seconded by Kirchmann to follow past City precedence to not waive LMCIT State Liability limits. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Schedule for Upcoming Meetings
KMU/Personnel Committee Meeting: Wednesday, April 9th @4:00 p.m.
KMU Meeting: Tuesday, April 15th @ 4:00 p.m.
EDA Meeting: Tuesday, April 22nd @ 8 a.m.
City Council Workshop Meeting: Tuesday, April 29 @ 6:00 p.m.
City Council Meeting: Tuesday, May 13th @ 7 p.m.
COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTS
Mayor Kirchmann thanked Officer Josey Homeier and wished her well.
Council Member Helgeson congratulated Officer Josey Homeier. She thanked her for her service to the city and wished her the best. She also reminded everyone of the Easter egg hunt on April 19 at the Depot Park.
Council Member Bailey thanked the city staff for their work.
Motion by Helgeson seconded by Bailey to adjourn the meeting at 8:12 p.m. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Holli Gudknecht, Deputy City Clerk
Donald Kirchmann, Mayor
