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 July 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
Via Zoom: Kim Helgeson
Absent: Mary Bailey
Also, present: City Administrator Scott Lehner, Administrative Assistant Holli Gudknecht, Engineer Derek Olinger, City Attorney Scott Riggs, Officer Brian Homeier, Police Chief Jeff Sjoblom, Officer Armani Tucker, John Lee, Josh Johnson, Jed Johnson, Officer Dan England, Wayne & Donna Lexvold, Deb & Stuart Kohn, Sara Tucker, Tom & Ann Dee Larkin
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
CITIZEN COMMENT
ADOPT AGENDA
Motion by Brunner seconded by Sjolander to approve the agenda.
Roll Call Vote: Kirchmann – Aye, Sjolander- Aye, Helgeson - Aye, Brunner – Aye
Motion carried 4-0-0.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Kirchmann second by Brunner to approve the Consent Agenda, which includes:
Approve Rose Fest Events: Street Dance Permit – Municipal Liquor Store, Parade Route, Street Closures, Car Show, KW Athletic Booster Club 5K Run/Walk
Resolution 2025-21: Approve Rescinding of Resignation in the City of Kenyon
Resolution 2025-20: Approving the Performance Evaluation and Wage Increase for the City Administrator for the City of Kenyon
Financials and Payment of check numbers, 77217 through 77307; 5762E through 5857E
Minutes of June 10, 2025 and June 30, 2025
Appointment Kenyon Fire Department Volunteer Blake Hilke
Roll Call Vote: Kirchmann – Aye, Sjolander – Aye, Helgeson - Aye, Brunner – Aye
Motion carried 4-0-0.
PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS/RECOGNITIONS/PROLAMATIONS
Continued Assessment Hearing - 2025 Street & Utility Improvements
Motion by Sjolander seconded by Brunner to open the public hearing at 7:04 pm.
Roll Call Vote: Kirchmann – Aye, Sjolander- Aye, Helgeson - Aye, Brunner – Aye
Motion carried 4-0-0.
Engineer Olinger stated that this Public Hearing was a continuation of the June 10, 2025 public hearing. No public comments were received.
Motion by Sjolander seconded by Brunner to close the public hearing at 7:06 pm.
Roll Call Vote: Kirchmann – Aye, Sjolander – Aye, Helgeson - Aye, Brunner – Aye
Motion carried 4-0-0.
Oath of Office for Kenyon Police Officer Armani Tucker
Mayor Kirchmann recited the oath of office for Officer Armani Tucker. Administrator Lehner welcomed Armani to the department.
ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE
Update on Interim Finance Director
Administrator Lehner stated that Sue Dodds has been helping part time in the finance office. Abdo is helping with the payroll. The personnel committee will meet next week to review the Finance Director job description so the position can get posted.
Abdo Service Proposal to City of Kenyon
Administrator Lehner has been working with Abdo to determine what finance services we could contract with them in the interim period. He would like to have more information on the services and costs for the special council meeting on July 16.
ENGINEERING
2025 Street and Utility Improvements – Bid Acceptance
Engineer Olinger stated that the project was advertised last month with four bids received. He recommended awarding the contract to the low bidder, Fitzgerald Excavating of Goodhue, MN to include the three alternates.
Resolution 2025-19: Accepting Bid 2025 Street & Utility Improvements
Motion by Bailey seconded by Helgeson to adopt Resolution 2025-19 accepting the bid from Fitzgerald Excavating with the addition of alternates 1, 2, and 3.
Roll Call Vote: Kirchmann – Aye, Sjolander – Aye, Helgeson - Aye, Brunner – Aye
Motion carried 4-0-0.
Assessment Adoption – 2025 Street & Utility Improvements
Engineer Olinger stated that the assessment roll was updated with the most current bid pricing. The proposal has an assessment term of 15 years with a 5.25% interest rate with partial or full prepayments allowed through November 15, 2025 without penalty.
Resolution 2025-15: Adopting Assessment 2025 Street & Utility Improvements
Motion by Sjolander seconded by Helgeson to adopt Resolution 2025-15.
Roll Call Vote: Kirchmann – Aye, Sjolander – Aye, Helgeson - Aye, Brunner – Aye
Motion carried 4-0-0.
Construction Engineering Agreement – 2025 Street & Utility Improvement
Engineer Olinger reviewed the scope and fees for the construction engineering and surveying services through the end of this project in 2026. These costs were included in the overall project budget.
Motion by Brunner seconded by Sjolander to approve Bolton & Menk’s scope and fee for construction engineering.
Roll Call Vote: Kirchmann – Aye, Sjolander – Aye, Helgeson - Aye, Brunner – Aye
Motion carried 4-0-0.
LEGAL
FINANCIAL
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
Abdo Payroll Contract
Administrator Lehner explained Abdo’s payroll contract. Abdo will be assisting with payroll processing until a finance director is hired.
Motion by Sjolander seconded by Brunner to approve using Abdo for purposes of doing payroll until a finance director is hired.
Roll Call Vote: Kirchmann – Aye, Sjolander – Aye, Helgeson - Aye, Brunner – Aye
Motion carried 4-0-0.
Schedule for Upcoming Meetings
KMU Meeting: Tuesday, July 15th @ 2:00 p.m.
EDA Meeting: Tuesday, July 22nd @ 8 a.m.
City Council Meeting: Tuesday, August 12th @ 7 p.m.
COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTS
Administrator Lehner thanked all the council members for their support. He thanked council members for joining meetings remotely while on vacation and thanked Engineer Olinger for helping with the audio at the meeting.
Council member Sjolander stated that staff have been out working hard to keep the city looking nice. Staff is greatly appreciated.
Council member Brunner appreciated our pool staff and stated our staff are awesome.
Council member Helgeson thanked everyone for their hard work.
Mayor Kirchmann commented on keeping up the great meetings.
Motion by Kirchmann seconded by Brunner to adjourn the meeting at 7:39 p.m.
Roll Call Vote: Kirchmann – Aye, Sjolander – Aye, Helgeson - Aye, Brunner – Aye
Motion carried 4-0-0.
Holli Gudknecht, Deputy City Clerk
Donald Kirchmann, Mayor
