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 12th day of August 2025. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Donald Kirchmann.
The following members were present: Mayor Donald Kirchmann, Council Members Lee Sjolander and Elana Brunner, and Kim Helgeson
Absent: Mary Bailey
Also, present: City Administrator Scott Lehner, Administrative Assistant Holli Gudknecht, Engineer Derek Olinger, Brittni Schmitz, Michelle Otte, Wayne Ehrich, Keith Allen
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
CITIZEN COMMENT
ADOPT AGENDA
Addition: / XII / New Business / D / Approval to Hire Full-time Office Staff
Motion by Sjolander seconded by Brunner to approve the amended agenda.
Motion carried 4-0-0.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Sjolander second by Helgeson to approve the Consent Agenda, which includes:
Tobacco License – Dollar General
Resolution 2025-14: Accepting Kenyon Fire Relief Association Donations to the City of Kenyon
Financials and Payment of check numbers, 77308 through 77409; 5858E through 5963E
Minutes of July 8, 2025 and July 16, 2025
Motion carried 4-0-0.
PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS/RECOGNITIONS/PROLAMATIONS
ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE
Update on Finance Officer Position
Administrator Lehner stated that the personnel committee reviewed the Finance Director job description and updated the title from Finance Director to Finance Officer.
2026 Budget Process
Administrator Lehner stated that a 2026 budget action item calendar was attached for reference.
A council work session to review the 2026 draft budget has been scheduled Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at 5:30 pm.
ENGINEERING
Project Update - 2025 Street and Utility Improvements
Engineer Olinger stated that all property owners were notified again of their assessment amounts. Fitzgerald has been completing various contract documents. It is anticipated that Fitzgerald will start a few of the streets this year .
Pearl Creek & Gates Ave Utility Improvements – Closeout
Engineer Olinger stated that BCM fulfilled their contractual obligations in July, therefore the project is ready for final payment and closeout.
Pearl Creek Sewer Pay Application #12-Change Order #2
Motion by Sjolander seconded by Helgeson to approve pay estimate #12 and change order #2 with final payment of $36,840.56 contingent upon submittal of contractor closeout documentation.
Motion carried 4-0-0.
Local Road Improvement Program – Grant Application
Engineer Olinger stated that reconstruction of 6th Street near the school has been on the capital improvement plan for many years and is currently scheduled for completion in 2028. This project would not be affordable without receiving a grant. The city applied for a grant in 2023 but was not awarded the grant. He recommended applying again.
Motion by Helgeson seconded by Brunner to direct Bolton & Menk to prepare an application for the 2025 LRIP grant not to exceed $1500. Motion carried 4-0-0.
LEGAL
FINANCIAL
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
Repairs to Front of City Offices
Administrator Lehner stated that water leaks into the front window of the library office. An estimate was received from a contractor. Lehner recommended completing this work before any further damage is done.
Motion by Brunner seconded by Kirchmann to proceed with the estimate from L&M Construction to repair the front windows of city hall. Motion carried 4-0-0.
High Mercury Results – FYI Wayne Ehrich
Public Works Supervisor Ehrich reported that the sewer plant was out of compliance with mercury levels when tested in May. Pollution Control was notified. The potential problem area has been identified, and the business will be contacted for an inspection.
Abdo Contract
Administrator Lehner reviewed a new proposed Abdo contract that would supersede the old contract. He recommended postponing the hire of a finance officer to allow Abdo time to get our accounting back on track. There is substantial clean up to be done from the past two years.
Motion by Helgeson seconded by Brunner to approve the contract with Abdo for a term from September 1, 2025 to December 31, 2026. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Approval to Hire Full-time Office Staff
Administrator Lehner stated that the office staff is overloaded. He was seeking approval to start looking at hiring another full-time office staff.
Motion by Sjolander seconded by Helgeson to authorize the personnel committee to start putting parameters together for an additional full-time position. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Schedule for Upcoming Meetings
KMU Meeting: Tuesday, August 21st @ 11:00 a.m.
EDA Meeting: Tuesday, August 26th @ 8 a.m.
City Council Meeting: Tuesday, September 9th @ 7 p.m.
COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTS
Administrator Lehner appreciated the council’s support with the Abdo contract and staff. He will try to make cuts where possible. He also expressed appreciation for the hard work of all staff.
Council member Sjolander wished all staff members well. He encouraged people to come out and support Rose Fest.
Council member Brunner commented that it would be nice to get the finance position cleaned up.
Council member Helgeson thanked everyone for working hard. She wished everyone a Happy Rose Fest
Eve and encouraged everyone to enjoy Rose Fest.
Mayor Kirchmann thanked everyone for taking on extra tasks.
Motion by Helgeson seconded by Brunner to adjourn the meeting at 8:13 p.m. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Holli Gudknecht, Deputy City Clerk
Donald Kirchmann, Mayor
