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 14th day of July 2026. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirchmann.
The following members were present: Mayor Don Kirchmann, Council Members Lee Sjolander, Mary Bailey, Deanna Gard
Absent: Kim Helgeson
Also, present: City Administrator Scott Lehner, Engineer Derek Olinger, Administrative Assistant Holli Gudknecht, Heather Dewitz, Police Chief Sjoblom, Stephanie Brezina, Chad Caron, Billy Dyrdahl, Pete Wagner, Dan Wagner
Via Zoom: Jessi Sturtz, Kristi Trisko
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
CITIZEN COMMENT
Pete Wagner from the Kenyon Market stated that the grocery store has started to take a downward turn and it has gotten difficult to stay in business in town. Part of this is due to new competition in town. Dan Wagner, Kenyon Market owner, added that as far as continuing the store, it is looking to close or sell to an intown resident. There are approximately twenty employees that have been notified of the situation. The Wagners asked if there was anything the council could do to help, like a coalition or a cooperative.
ADOPT AGENDA
Motion by Bailey seconded by Gard to approve the agenda. Motion carried 4-0-0.
CONSENT AGENDA
Councilmember Gard requested that Item IV/A/ Approval of the Liquor at Depot Park be removed from the Consent Agenda and added to XII/New Business/F.
Motion by Gard seconded by Bailey to approve the following Consent Agenda items, excluding the approval of the liquor license at the Depot Park:
Approve Request for Liquor at Depot Park – Brandi Kyllo, July 25, 2026
Adopted Resolution 2026-21 Adoption of Election Judges for 2026
Approved payment of check numbers 78317 through 78422; 7448E through 7509E.
City Council Meeting Minutes of June 9, 2026
City Council Special Meeting Minutes of June 30, 2026
Motion carried 4-0-0.
PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS/RECOGNITIONS/PROLAMATIONS
Motion by Sjolander seconded by Kirchmann to open the Public Hearing at 7:16 pm.
Administrator Lehner stated that this Public Hearing was required for the Flom Disposal, Inc. rate increase.
Billy Dyrdahl asked how much the rates went up and how the garbage cart size is determined.
Motion by Bailey second by Gard to close the Public Hearing at 7:20 p.m.
Motion carried 4-0-0.
ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE
Recognition of Pool Staff – Addison Lindell, Cosette Rice, and Leah Widholm
Lehner stated that last month the council had requested that three pool staff be recognized for a rescue at the pool. All three staff members declined to attend the council meeting and did not wish to be publicly recognized. Mayor Kirchmann thanked them for their actions.
Election Update
Lehner stated that Affidavits of Candidacy for open council positions could be filed from July 14 to July 28. The primary election will be held on Tuesday, August 11.
KMU New Hire
Lehner stated that Parker Burdorf started for KMU yesterday.
Personnel Policy Update
Lehner stated that Abby and he have been working on updating the personnel policy. It is close to being done. The department heads will review it next and then it will go to the personnel committee for review.
ENGINEERING
2025 Street & Utility Project
Engineer Olinger stated that most of the reconstruction work within Langford Avenue is now complete and sod has been laid. The last remaining major item of work is sewer lining and manhole rehabitation of various sewer mains throughout town. Crews have installed the liner system, but they still need to install manhole liners, adjust castings, and grout service connections.
2025 Street and Utility Improvements – Fitzgerald Excavating & Trucking -Pay Application No. 7
Pay request No. 7 includes work completed through July 3, 2026.
Motion by Bailey seconded by Sjolander to approve pay application #7 to Fitzgerald Excavating in the amount of $461,189.14. Motion carried 4-0-0.
2025 Street and Utility Improvements – Change Order #2
Engineer Olinger stated that some settlement of service line trenches is visible within 8th Street. The original contract required that 8th Street (and any other remaining streets) be paved with the final lift of asphalt by July 18th . To allow for additional settlement time, we are recommending that final paving for 8th Street be delayed until the end of this construction season. We are also including Langford Avenue in this change order since final pavement is not yet placed in that street. All other work within the contract is still required to be completed by July 18th . Remaining Punch list corrections must be completed by August 30th .
Motion by Kirchmann seconded by Bailey to approve Change Order #2. Motion carried 4-0-0.
LEGAL
Kenyon Crossing Update – Agreement, Approval, etc.
Attorney Riggs stated that two public hearings were held and the TIF District for Kenyon Crossings was already adopted. He recommended approval of the agreements and contracts to keep the project moving forward.
Resolution 2026-24: Approving Contract for Private Development and Sub-Grant Agreement with Kenyon Real Estate 2, LLC for Certain Property in the City of Kenyon.
Motion by Bailey seconded by Gard to adopt Resolution 2026-24. Motion carried 4-0-0.
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
616 9th Street Fence Variance Request
Kristi Trisko from Bolton & Menk stated that the Planning Commission held a public hearing last week concerning Brezina’s fence variance. She reviewed the facts and findings from the hearing. The planning commission recommended approval of this variance with four recommended conditions. Brezina commented that her neighbors to the west have someone living in the camper that is parked next to her property line and she requested that the camper be moved. She felt the neighbors need to adhere to the same rules that she needs to follow.
Resolution 2026-22 Adopting a Fence Variance Located at 616 9th Street
Motion by Sjolander seconded by Kirchmann to adopt Resolution 2026-22. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Budget Update – Abdo
Jessi Sturtz from Abdo summarized the key items for consideration in the 2027 budget. The proposed 2027 budget levy increase is 19.5% from 2026. The council stated they would like to work the levy down to a maximum 9% increase. The council requested a report showing the breakdown of what is spent on outside services and contracted services. They would like a budget work session to be scheduled in August.
Flom Contract Approval
Administrator Lehner stated that the current agreement for Solid Waste hauling with Flom Disposal expired on June 30, 2026. Attorney Riggs developed a new 3-year agreement with Flom Disposal. The new agreement contains increased rates.
Motion by Bailey seconded by Gard to approve a three-year solid waste hauling agreement with Flom Disposal. Motion Carried 4-0-0.
Resolution 2026-23 Authorizing Application for Grant Navigator Support for the City
Lehner stated that the EDA is requesting approval to seek support through the League of Minnesota Cities’ Grant Navigator program to identify and pursue grant opportunities for a comprehensive accessibility and recreation improvement project centered on Depot Park and a future accessible trail connection to the Trondheim neighborhood. Through the Grant Navigator Program, the LMC would provide grants up to $5,000 to use for the process of identifying potential grant funds for city projects.
Motion by Bailey seconded by Gard to adopt Resolution 2026-23 authorizing application for Grant Navigator support for the city. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Reschedule August Council Meeting
Lehner stated that the August 11 council meeting would need to be rescheduled due to the primary election.
Motion by Sjolander seconded by Bailey to reschedule the August council meeting for Thursday, August 6 at 7:00 pm. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Approve Request for Liquor at Depot Park – Brandi Kyllo, July 25, 2026
Councilmember Gard expressed her concern about allowing liquor in a family park with children close by. There does not sound like the permit has any stipulations or rules currently in place to regulate this. Attorney Riggs stated that there used to be no alcohol allowed in the parks. The council looked at this and said they wanted to allow alcohol in parks. The council did not want to put stipulations on it, but we sure could do that, but right now that is not what is on the books.
Motion by Bailey seconded by Sjolander to approve the liquor permit for alcohol at the Depot Park on July 25, 2026. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Schedule of Upcoming Meetings
KMU Meeting: Tuesday, July 21st @ 3:00 p.m.
EDA Meeting: Tuesday, July 28th @ 8 a.m.
Planning Commission meeting: Tuesday, August 4th @ 6:00 pm
City Council Meeting August: August 6 @ 7 p.m.
COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTS
Council Member Sjolander thanked city staff for all their work. He made note of the increased scooter and electric bike activity in town and reminded residents to be aware of them.
Mayor Kirchmann stated that he would love to see Deanna Gard run for a council position. She had a lot of good questions at the meeting.
Motion by Bailey seconded by Sjolander to adjourn the meeting at 8:49 p.m. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Holli Gudknecht, Deputy Clerk
Donald Kirchmann
