Kenyon/City Hall/Meetings/July 13, 2021
Regular meeting

Kenyon City Council, July 13, 2021

The Kenyon City Council met July 13, 2021 with Mayor Doug Henke presiding and Council Member Dan Rechtzigel absent. Chris Knopik of Clifton, Larson, Allen LLC presented the 2020 City and KMU audits, reporting the city received an "Unmodified" or clean opinion, "which is the highest rating achievable." Engineer Derek Olinger updated the council on Red Wing Avenue, which has been paved with most punch list items complete; Wencl Construction asked to extend final completion from June 26 to October 1 to allow late-season reseeding, but Attorney Scott Riggs advised no change order until the work was performed, with liquidated damages to be discussed in August.

12motions
12 unanimousno split votes
4present, absent: Dan Rechtzigel
1resolutions
$203,974largest figure
Norecording posted
audit street construction fiber optic rezoning american rescue plan fema flood repairs parking rose fest

What happened

  1. 2020 City and KMU audits received an "Unmodified" (clean) opinion, the highest rating achievable
  2. Pay request No. 10 to Wencl Construction approved for $203,973.96 for work through June 26
  3. Pay request No. 5 to A-1 Excavating approved for $57,513.00 for work through June 26
  4. Wencl requested final completion extension from June 26 to October 1; attorney advised no change order until work is done
  5. Low bid from Crane Creek Asphalt accepted to pave 4th Street alley between 4th and 6th Street, funded from "Street Department Capital"
  6. Griffin Construction low bid of $77,448.80 accepted for FEMA flood repairs; city awarded an $89,922.50 FEMA grant
  7. MetroNet agreement approved: $30 per pole annually to KMU plus five percent subscriber fee, contingent on bond/letter of credit and detailed maps and schedules
  8. Ordinance 98 adopted rezoning two Robert Kyllo parcels (PID# 66.540.1380 and #66.660.0101) from I-1 to C-2
  9. Resolution 2021-11 adopted accepting an estimated $203,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds over two years
  10. 23 police chief applications received; Personnel Committee to interview 10 applicants (7 by Zoom, 3 in person)
  11. 15-minute parking zone approved in front of the post office rather than the requested 10-minute zone
  12. Rose Fest requests approved, including street dance permit, parade permit, street closures, 5K route, fire hall wrestling and a temporary liquor license

What was asked 23 raised · 15 settled

Every question, assignment, pending figure and unsourced claim from this meeting, quoted from the record, each checked against the county, census, listing, bid and budget data we hold.

3 answered from our records12 what happened next7 partly answered1 we hold no data
To look upAdministrator Mark Vahlsing / Engineer Olingerfrom the minutes
Vahlsing recommended paving the entire two blocks of the alley to paid for out of the "Street Department Capital" fund. Crane Creek submitted the low bid for paving the two blocks of alley.

Council accepted the low bid to pave the alley west of Red Wing Avenue between 4th and 6th Street.

At the meetingCouncil accepted the low bid without a dollar figure recorded.

Answered from our records

Crane Creek Asphalt bid $7,727.70 against Bituminous Materials at $9,592.50, a margin of $1,864.80, with the full alley paving project recorded at about $29,000. Crane Creek paved the alley west of Red Wing Avenue between 4th and 6th Street by August 10 2021.

factbook KENYON_BIDS.md; 8.10.21 Council Minutes

Unsourced claimEngineer Derek Olingerfrom the minutes
Griffin Construction from Chatfield, MN submitted the low bid at $77,448.80. The city was awarded a FEMA Grant of $89,922.50 for this project.

FEMA flood repair bid award.

At the meetingCouncil accepted the low bid 4-0-0.

Answered from our records

Both figures hold and the project finished under both. Griffin Construction was awarded the work at $77,448.80 and the final payment in January 2022 was $76,662.80, $786.00 under the bid, leaving the $89,922.50 FEMA grant $13,259.70 above the actual cost. The grant award letter and bid tabulation themselves are not in our holdings.

factbook KENYON_BIDS.md; 1-11-22 Agenda packet · taken up again 2022-01-11

Requestminutes (agenda addition)from the minutes
CITIZEN COMMENT ADOPT AGENDA Addition: / XI / New Business / C / 5 / Approval for Wrestling to be Held at Fire Hall and Authorize Temporary Liquor License to Fire Dept. for August 18 Motion by Ryan second by Bailey to approve the amended agenda.

Late agenda addition tied to Rose Fest events.

At the meetingApproved as part of the Rose Fest requests motion, 4-0-0.

Answered from our records

The council approved the wrestling event at the fire hall and the fire department's temporary liquor license as part of the Rose Fest requests motion, carried 4-0-0. The same bundled approval pattern recurs in later years, including the July 12 2022 motion approving Rose Fest requests with a temporary liquor license to the fire department, carried 5-0-0.

7.12.22_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2022-07-12

RequestWencl Construction, contractor (reported by Engineer Olinger)from the minutes
ENGINEERING Red Wing Avenue Construction Update Engineer Olinger stated that Red Wing Avenue has been paved and a majority of the punch list items have been completed. Wencl Construction requested that the project final completion date be extended from June 26 to October 1.

Red Wing Avenue construction update; paving done and most punch list items complete.

At the meetingNo action taken; Attorney Riggs recommended no change order until the work is performed and terms met, with further discussion in August.

What happened next

The reseeding was done in mid-September 2021 by the subcontractor and the project was considered complete at the October 12 2021 meeting, with any remaining repairs left to warranty and final paperwork expected the following month. Pay Request No. 12 of $3,230.25 for work through October 7 was approved 5-0-0.

9.14.21 and 10.12.21 Council Minutes · taken up again 2021-10-12

Action itemEngineer Derek Olingerfrom the minutes
Olinger suggested that the City look at the actual liquidated damages that have incurred. This can be discussed more at the August meeting.

Deciding how to handle Wencl's request to extend the completion date past June 26.

At the meetingNo figure given; deferred to the August meeting.

What happened next

The liquidated damages were settled by negotiation at $7,500. Discussions with Wencl were still continuing in November 2021, and in January 2022 the council took up Change Order #4, which removes the liquidated damage provisions from the contract and replaces them with revised damages of $7,500. No calculation of the damages actually accrued under the contract appears in our holdings.

11.9.21 Council Minutes; 1-11-22 Agenda packet · taken up again 2022-01-11

PendingAttorney Scott Riggsfrom the minutes
Attorney Riggs recommended that no change order be done until the work has been preformed and the terms have been met.

Recommendation on the Wencl completion-date extension request.

At the meetingCouncil took no action on the change order at this meeting.

What happened next

The attorney's advice held through 2021 and the change order came only at closeout. Change Order #4 and final Pay Request #13 of $52,376.34 were approved together in January 2022 on a 5-0-0 roll call, contingent on receipt of the final closeout paperwork from Wencl Construction.

1-11-22 Agenda packet · taken up again 2022-01-11

RequestA-1 Excavating, contractor (reported by Engineer Olinger)from the minutes
A-1 Excavating is requesting a change order to extend the completion date of July 2, due to the additional utility service work at the north end of the project that was added in May.

Business Park/Utility Extension project update.

At the meetingNo action; the extension awaits issuance of the MnDOT permit and a known timeline.

What happened next

The extension was granted once the permit arrived. Change Order #6 set substantial completion at August 13 2021 and final completion at September 10 2021 and was approved 5-0-0. A-1 finished the Highway 60 utility work, and final Pay Request No. 8 of $80,834.72 was approved in October 2021 contingent on closeout documentation.

8.10.21, 9.14.21 and 10.12.21 Council Minutes · taken up again 2021-08-10

To look upEngineer Derek Olingerfrom the minutes
A-1 Excavating is requesting a change order to extend the completion date of July 2, due to the additional utility service work at the north end of the project that was added in May. The MnDOT permit has not been issued yet for this project.

Project timeline for Engel Drive utility extension depends on the permit.

At the meetingNo issuance date given.

What happened next

The MnDOT permit for the Highway 60 utility work was received at the end of July 2021. A-1 Excavating began work on the utility extension on August 2 2021 and expected to finish within days.

8.10.21 Council Minutes · taken up again 2021-08-10

Action itemEngineer Derek Olingerfrom the minutes
Once the permit is received ant the time line is known, the Engineers can work with the contractor to extend the completion date.

Handling A-1 Excavating's requested completion-date change order.

What happened next

The engineers did negotiate the new dates. Change Order #6 moved substantial completion to August 13 2021 and final completion to September 10 2021, and the council approved it 5-0-0 on a motion by Rechtzigel seconded by Ryan.

8.10.21 Council Minutes · taken up again 2021-08-10

Action itemCouncil (motion by Gard, second by Ryan)from the minutes
Motion by Gard second by Ryan to approve the MetroNet Agreement contingent on MetroNet posting a bond or letter of credit and providing detailed installation and GIS maps and a block-by-block schedule for construction for each area of the city they plan on working.

Approval of the city-wide fiber optic system agreement.

At the meetingApproved 4-0-0 contingent on those items.

What happened next

The conditional 2021 approval lapsed and a different agreement was signed instead. The attorney worked on finalizing the original agreement and then heard nothing from MetroNet for about a year, after which a franchise letter agreement was approved 5-0-0 in April 2022 with video service removed and high-speed internet only. In June 2022 the council began an easement for a MetroNet equipment cabinet on Fire Hall property, 4-0-0.

The 2021 approval was conditioned on a bond or letter of credit, GIS maps and a block-by-block construction schedule, none of which appear anywhere in our record before the city approved a fresh agreement in 2022.

4.12.22 Council Minutes; 6.14.22 Council Minutes · taken up again 2022-04-12

PendingAdministrator Mark Vahlsingfrom the minutes
The committee will interview 10 applicants on June 21st and 22nd. Seven out of state applicants will interview via zoom and three Minnesota applicants will interview in person.

Old business update on the police chief hiring process.

At the meetingStatus report only; no hire made.

What happened next

The chief hired came from the county, not from the out-of-state field. On July 28 2021 the council approved appointing Jeff Sjoblom of the Goodhue County Sheriff's Department as the next Police Chief, starting August 23 2021, after Chief Sjolander retired on August 2. The personnel committee's interview results and written recommendation are not in our holdings.

8.10.21 Council Minutes · taken up again 2021-07-28

To look upAdministrator Mark Vahlsingfrom the minutes
Resolution 2021-11 Accepting the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Established Under the American Rescue Plan Act Administrator Vahlsing stated that the City of Kenyon would receive an estimated $203,000 in federal funding over the next two years.

Resolution 2021-11 accepting Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.

At the meetingCouncil adopted Resolution 2021-11 accepting the funds; the amount remained an estimate.

What happened next

The final figure came in at about $206,000, roughly $3,000 above the $203,000 estimate. In April 2022 the council adopted Resolution 2022-11 electing the standard allowance under the revenue loss provision 5-0-0, which the attorney said gives the city the most flexibility in spending the money.

4.12.22 Council Minutes · taken up again 2022-04-12

RequestPost Office (reported by Administrator Vahlsing)from the minutes
NEW BUSINESS Ten-Minute Parking in Front of Post Office Administrator Vahlsing stated that the Post Office has requested a 10-minute parking area in front of their building.

New business item on parking in front of the post office.

At the meetingCouncil approved a 15-minute parking zone instead, 4-0-0.

What happened next

The council granted a 15-minute zone rather than the 10 minutes requested, on a 4-0-0 vote, after review by the police department and public works. The city has handled later requests of this kind the same way but at the requester's expense, approving a handicap space in front of Main Street Dental in December 2025 with the business paying all installation costs.

12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated

RequestRobert Kyllo, property owner (reviewed by Attorney Riggs)from the minutes
Rezoning Request – Robert Kyllo Attorney Riggs reviewed the request from Robert Kyllo to rezone two parcels (PID# 66.540.1380 and #66.660.0101) he owns from I-1 (General Industrial) to C-2 (General Commercial).

Rezoning request following a June 30 Planning Commission public hearing.

At the meetingCouncil adopted Ordinance 98 approving the rezoning, 4-0-0.

What happened next

Ordinance 98 approving the rezoning of PIDs 66.540.1380 and 66.660.0101 from I-1 General Industrial to C-2 General Commercial was adopted 4-0-0 after the June 30 2021 Planning Commission hearing. The same industrial to commercial conversion recurs, for Paul and Lisa Peterson in July 2024 and Jeffrey and Ann Traxler in November 2024, and the Peterson parcels at 98 Gunderson Boulevard became the Dollar General site, whose estimated market value goes from $138,700 to $972,800 for pay 2027.

7.9.24 and 11.12.24 Council Packets; factbook dashboard/data/entities.json and taxes/data/kenyon_tax.json

PendingEngineer Derek Olingerfrom the minutes
Olinger suggested that the City look at the actual liquidated damages that have incurred. This can be discussed more at the August meeting.

Red Wing Avenue construction update.

What happened next

The Red Wing Avenue completion and liquidated damages discussion carried past August: on August 10 2021 the engineer reported the project mostly inactive pending reseeding, on September 14 2021 a meeting with Wencl was set before the October council meeting to discuss liquidated damages and project closeout, and on October 12 2021 the project was declared complete with pay request No. 12 to Wencl for $3,230.25 approved. As of November 9 2021 discussions with Wencl on liquidated damages were still continuing.

11.9.21_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2021-11-09

Unsourced claimAdministrator Mark Vahlsingfrom the minutes
OLD BUSINESS Police Chief Hiring Administrator Vahlsing reported that 23 police chief applications have been received. The Personnel Committee reviewed the applications on June 30.

Police chief hiring update.

Partly answered

The application log is not in our holdings, so the count of 23 cannot be verified. The process closed quickly after, with Jeff Sjoblom appointed on July 28 2021. The dates as recorded do not sequence properly, since the committee is said to have interviewed 10 applicants on June 21 and 22 and to have reviewed the applications on June 30.

The record places the personnel committee's review of applications on June 30, after the June 21 and 22 interviews it would have produced.

8.10.21 Council Minutes

Unsourced claimEngineer Derek Olingerfrom the minutes
Motion carried 4-0-0. 4th Street Alley Paving Engineer Olinger stated that there is an on-going issue with the drainage from the alley west of Red Wing Avenue between 4th and 6th Street. Paving this alley would be the only way to fully resolve this issue.

Justification for the 4th Street alley paving project.

At the meetingCouncil accepted the low bid to pave the alley.

Partly answered

No engineering drainage study comparing alternatives appears in our holdings, so the claim that paving was the only full fix rests on the engineer's statement alone. The work was done, with Crane Creek paving the alley by August 10 2021, and no later passage reports whether the drainage problem was actually resolved. A drainage study of the alternatives would settle it.

8.10.21 Council Minutes; factbook KENYON_BIDS.md

Unsourced claimAdministrator Mark Vahlsingfrom the minutes
MetroNet agreed to pay KMU a pole fee of $30 per pole annually and pay a five percent fee based on subscribers.

Terms of the proposed city-wide fiber optic agreement.

At the meetingCouncil approved the agreement contingent on other conditions.

Partly answered

The signed agreement text is not in our holdings and the terms changed before signature, since the agreement actually approved in April 2022 dropped video service and covered high-speed internet only. Neither the $30 annual pole fee nor the 5 percent subscriber fee can be confirmed from our record. The executed franchise agreement would settle it.

4.12.22 Council Minutes and Council Packet & Agenda Updated

Unsourced claimAdministrator Mark Vahlsing reporting public worksfrom the minutes
This request was reviewed by the police department and public works. Public works recommended a 15-minute parking zone due to the signs already being in inventory.

Post office parking request review by police department and public works.

At the meetingCouncil adopted the 15-minute zone.

Partly answered

The public works sign inventory list is not in our holdings, so the stated reason for choosing 15 minutes over 10 cannot be checked. The city does treat sign cost as decisive in these cases, since it later approved a business-requested parking sign only on the condition the business paid all installation costs. The sign inventory is what is missing.

12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated

Unsourced claimEngineer Derek Olinger (relaying Wencl's rationale)from the minutes
This would allow additional time to reseed areas with poor growth, since the optimal window for late season seeding is mid-August to mid-September.

Rationale for extending the Red Wing Avenue completion date to October 1.

Partly answered

No agronomic or specification reference for the seeding window appears in our holdings. The record does show the work landing at the very end of the stated window, with the subcontractor reseeding the bare spots in mid-September 2021. The city's later plans point to the MnDOT Seeding Manual as the governing reference for seeding instructions, which would settle the optimal dates.

9.14.21 Council Minutes; 8-6-26 Council Packet Updated

Unsourced claimChris Knopik, Clifton Larson Allen LLCfrom the minutes
PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS/ RECOGNITIONS/PROLAMATIONS 2020 Audit Summary – Chris Knopik of Clifton, Larson, Allen LLC Chris Knopik presented a summary of the 2020 City and KMU audits and an overview of the overall City financial conditions. The city received an "Unmodified" or clean opinion on the audit, which is the highest rating achievable.

2020 audit summary presentation.

Partly answered

The full 2020 audit report and management letter are not in our holdings, so neither the opinion nor the claim that unmodified is the highest rating achievable can be verified. The pattern is consistent across years, with unmodified opinions also recorded for the 2021, 2022 and 2024 city and KMU audits. The opinion letter itself would settle it.

8.15.22, 9.12.23 and 7.8.25 Council Packets

Action itemAdministrator Mark Vahlsingfrom the minutes
Vahlsing recommended paving the entire two blocks of the alley to paid for out of the "Street Department Capital" fund.

Recommendation on how to fund and scope the alley paving.

At the meetingCouncil accepted Crane Creek Asphalt's low bid 4-0-0.

Partly answered

Crane Creek Asphalt won the 4th Street alley paving at $7,727.70 for the bid item against Bituminous Materials at $9,592.50, with the full two-block job recorded at about $29,000, and the paving was done by August 10 2021 in the alley west of Red Wing Avenue between 4th and 6th Street. The Street Department Capital fund balance is not in the record; the council's related practice is an annual year-end transfer of the street maintenance budget balance into the capital fund, with the amount set by the auditors.

KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2021-08-10

Questionfrom the minutes
Once the permit is received ant the time line is known, the Engineers can work with the contractor to extend the completion date. Questions concerning the seeding of alfalfa and the heavy infestation of weed growth were addressed.

Business Park/Utility Extension project update discussion.

At the meetingThe minutes state the questions were addressed but record no answer.

We hold no data

The answers given were never recorded and no engineer's written response on the alfalfa seeding or the weed infestation appears in our holdings. The later project updates cover permit timing, completion and miscellaneous repairs but never return to the seeding question. A written response from the engineer would settle it.

would settle it: The engineer's written response on seeding and weed control

Decisions 12 motions

MotionMoved / secondedVote
Approve the amended agendaRyan / Bailey4-0-0
Approve the Consent Agenda, which includes payment of check numbers 72426 through 72531; 3749E through 3766E; and additional checks 72532 through 72552Henke / Ryan4-0-0
Approve pay request No. 10 to Wencl Construction in the amount of $203,973.96 for work completed through June 26thRyan / Gard4-0-0
Approve pay request No. 5 to A-1 Excavating in the amount of $57,513.00 for work completed through June 26thBailey / Henke4-0-0
Accept the low bid from Crane Creek Asphalt to pave the 4th Street alley between 4th and 6th Street. MotionGard / Ryan4-0-0
Accept the low bid of $77,448.80 from Griffin Construction for the FEMA Flood repairsHenke / Bailey4-0-0
Approve the MetroNet Agreement contingent on MetroNet posting a bond or letter of credit and providing detailed installation and GIS maps and a block-by-block schedule for construction for each area of the city they plan on workingGard / Ryan4-0-0
Adopt Ordinance 98: An Ordinance to Rezone a Parcel of Land Owned by Robert Kyllo from I-1 (General Industrial) to C-2 (General Commercial)Bailey / Henke4-0-0
Approve a 15-minute parking zone in front of the post officeBailey / Gard4-0-0
Adopt Resolution 2021-11Gard / Ryan4-0-0
Approve the Rose Fest requests including; Street Dance Permit - Municipal Liquor Store and VFW, parade permit, street closures, 5K run/walk route, wrestling to be held at the fire hall, and a temporary liquor license to the fire departmentHenke / Mortensen4-0-0
Adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.mRyan / Bailey4-0-0

Who did what

PersonAt this meeting
Doug Henke
Mayor
Called the meeting to order; moved approval of the consent agenda, the Griffin Construction FEMA bid and Rose Fest requests; seconded the A-1 pay request and the Kyllo rezoning ordinance
Molly Ryan
Council Member
Moved approval of the amended agenda, Wencl pay request No. 10 and adjournment; seconded several motions
Mary Bailey
Council Member
Moved approval of A-1 pay request No. 5, the Kyllo rezoning ordinance and the 15-minute post office parking zone
Tom Gard
Council Member
Moved acceptance of the Crane Creek alley paving bid, the MetroNet agreement and Resolution 2021-11; commented that the water tower painting turned out nice
Dan Rechtzigel
Council Member
Absent
Mark Vahlsing
City Administrator
Recommended paving both alley blocks from Street Department Capital; presented the MetroNet request, police chief hiring update, post office parking request and ARPA resolution; thanked the Rose Fest committee
Holli Gudknecht
Administrative Assistant
Recorded and signed the minutes
Derek Olinger
Engineer
Reported on Red Wing Avenue paving and completion extension, Business Park/Utility Extension progress, the 4th Street alley drainage issue and FEMA repair quotes
Joe Rhein
Engineer
Attended the meeting
Randy Eggert
KMU Superintendent
Attended the meeting
Wayne Ehrich
Public Works Director
Attended; public works recommended a 15-minute parking zone due to signs already in inventory
Scott Riggs
City Attorney
Advised against a change order until work is completed; recommended moving forward with MetroNet; reviewed the Kyllo rezoning request
Chris Knopik
Clifton, Larson, Allen LLC
Presented the 2020 City and KMU audit summary and overview of city financial conditions
Michelle Vlasak
Reporter, Kenyon Leader
Attended the meeting
Linda Bean
Attendee
Attended the meeting
Robert Kyllo
Property owner
Requested rezoning of two parcels from I-1 to C-2, approved by the Planning Commission June 30 and adopted by council

Organizations named: Clifton, Larson, Allen LLC, Wencl Construction, A-1 Excavating, Crane Creek Asphalt, Griffin Construction, FEMA, MnDOT, MetroNet, Kenyon Municipal Utilities (KMU), Kenyon Planning Commission, Kenyon Leader, Kenyon Fire Department, Municipal Liquor Store, VFW, Rose Fest Committee, U.S. Post Office, Kenyon EDA

Figures

AmountWhat
$203,973.96Pay request No. 10 to Wencl Construction for Red Wing Avenue work completed through June 26
$57,513.00Pay request No. 5 to A-1 Excavating for Business Park/Utility Extension work through June 26
$77,448.80Griffin Construction low bid accepted for FEMA flood repairs
$89,922.50FEMA grant awarded to the city for the flood repair project
$203,000Estimated federal Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (ARPA) money to the City over the next two years
$30Per-pole annual fee MetroNet agreed to pay KMU

Said at the meeting

The city received an "Unmodified" or clean opinion on the audit, which is the highest rating achievable.

Minutes (re: Chris Knopik presentation) · minutes, verbatim

Attorney Riggs recommended that no change order be done until the work has been preformed and the terms have been met.

Attorney Scott Riggs · minutes, verbatim

Olinger suggested that the City look at the actual liquidated damages that have incurred.

Engineer Derek Olinger · minutes, verbatim

Vahlsing recommended paving the entire two blocks of the alley to paid for out of the "Street Department Capital" fund.

Administrator Mark Vahlsing · minutes, verbatim

Councilman Gard commented that the water tower painting turned out nice.

Council Member Tom Gard · minutes, verbatim

Administrator Vahlsing thanked the Rose Fest committee for all their work.

Administrator Mark Vahlsing · minutes, verbatim

Resolutions and ordinances

  • Accepting the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Established Under the American Rescue Plan Act Administrator Vahlsing stated that the CiRes. 2021-11
  • An Ordinance to Rezone a Parcel of Land Owned by Robert Kyllo from I-1 (General Industrial) to C-2 (General Commercial)Ord. 98

Full packet text (0k characters)

The minutes

Official minutes as adopted, from 7.13.21 Council Minutes; text extracted from the PDF.

Council Meeting was duly held in the City Council chambers at 7:00 p.m. on the 13th day of July 2021. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Henke.

Present
Mayor Doug Henke, Council Members Molly Ryan, Mary Bailey, and Tom Gard
Absent
Dan Rechtzigel
Also present
Administrator Mark Vahlsing, Administrative Assistant Holli Gudknecht, Engineer Derek Olinger, Engineer Joe Rhein, KMU Superintendent Randy Eggert, Public Works Director Wayne Ehrich, Michelle Vlasak reporter for Kenyon Leader, Attorney Scott Riggs, Linda Bean, Chris Knopik

The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Citizen Comment

Adopt Agenda

Addition: / XI / New Business / C / 5 / Approval for Wrestling to be Held at Fire Hall and Authorize Temporary Liquor License to Fire Dept. for August 18

Motion

Motion by Ryan second by Bailey to approve the amended agenda. Motion carried 4-0-0.

Consent Agenda

Motion

Motion by Henke second by Ryan to approve the Consent Agenda, which includes payment of check numbers 72426 through 72531; 3749E through 3766E; and additional checks 72532 through 72552.

Motion carried 4-0-0

Presentations / Public Hearings / Recognitions / Prolamations

2020 Audit Summary – Chris Knopik of Clifton, Larson, Allen LLC Chris Knopik presented a summary of the 2020 City and KMU audits and an overview of the overall City financial conditions. The city received an "Unmodified" or clean opinion on the audit, which is the highest rating achievable.

Engineering

Red Wing Avenue Construction Update

Engineer Olinger stated that Red Wing Avenue has been paved and a majority of the punch list items have been completed. Wencl Construction requested that the project final completion date be extended from June 26 to October 1. This would allow additional time to reseed areas with poor growth, since the optimal window for late season seeding is mid-August to mid-September. Attorney Riggs recommended that no change order be done until the work has been preformed and the terms have been met. Olinger suggested that the City look at the actual liquidated damages that have incurred. This can be discussed more at the August meeting.

Pay Request #10 – Wencl Construction
Motion

Motion by Ryan second by Gard to approve pay request No. 10 to Wencl Construction in the amount of $203,973.96 for work completed through June 26th. Motion carried 4-0-0.

Business Park/Utility Extension Project Update

Engineer Olinger stated that A-1 Excavating has completed the curb, pavement, and turn lane for Engel Drive. A-1 Excavating is requesting a change order to extend the completion date of July 2, due to the additional utility service work at the north end of the project that was added in May. The MnDOT permit has not been issued yet for this project. Once the permit is received ant the time line is known, the Engineers can work with the contractor to extend the completion date. Questions concerning the seeding of alfalfa and the heavy infestation of weed growth were addressed.

Pay Request #5 – A-1 Excavating
Motion

Motion by Bailey second by Henke to approve pay request No. 5 to A-1 Excavating in the amount of $57,513.00 for work completed through June 26th. Motion carried 4-0-0.

4th Street Alley Paving Engineer Olinger stated that there is an on-going issue with the drainage from the alley west of Red Wing Avenue between 4th and 6th Street. Paving this alley would be the only way to fully resolve this issue. Vahlsing recommended paving the entire two blocks of the alley to paid for out of the "Street Department Capital" fund. Crane Creek submitted the low bid for paving the two blocks of alley.

Motion

Motion by Gard second by Ryan to accept the low bid from Crane Creek Asphalt to pave the 4th Street alley between 4th and 6th Street. Motion Carried 4-0-0.

FEMA Flood Repairs

Engineer Olinger reviewed the quotes that were received for the FEMA Flood repairs. Griffin Construction from Chatfield, MN submitted the low bid at $77,448.80. The city was awarded a FEMA Grant of $89,922.50 for this project.

Motion

Motion by Henke second by Bailey to accept the low bid of $77,448.80 from Griffin Construction for the FEMA Flood repairs. Motion carried 4-0-0.

Legal

MetroNet Agreement

Administrator Vahlsing stated that MetroNet requested approval to begin construction of a City-wide fiber optic system including internet, phone, and video services. MetroNet agreed to pay KMU a pole fee of $30 per pole annually and pay a five percent fee based on subscribers. Attorney Riggs recommended moving forward with the agreement.

Motion

Motion by Gard second by Ryan to approve the MetroNet Agreement contingent on MetroNet posting a bond or letter of credit and providing detailed installation and GIS maps and a block-by-block schedule for construction for each area of the city they plan on working.

Motion carried 4-0-0
Rezoning Request – Robert Kyllo

Attorney Riggs reviewed the request from Robert Kyllo to rezone two parcels (PID# 66.540.1380 and #66.660.0101) he owns from I-1 (General Industrial) to C-2 (General Commercial). The Planning Commission held a public hearing on June 30, 2021 and approved the rezoning change. There were no public comments.

Motion

Motion by Bailey seconded by Henke to adopt Ordinance 98: An Ordinance to Rezone a Parcel of Land Owned by Robert Kyllo from I-1 (General Industrial) to C-2 (General Commercial).

Motion carried 4-0-0

Old Business

Police Chief Hiring

Administrator Vahlsing reported that 23 police chief applications have been received. The Personnel Committee reviewed the applications on June 30. The committee will interview 10 applicants on June 21st and 22nd. Seven out of state applicants will interview via zoom and three Minnesota applicants will interview in person. NEW BUSINESS Ten-Minute Parking in Front of Post Office Administrator Vahlsing stated that the Post Office has requested a 10-minute parking area in front of their building. This request was reviewed by the police department and public works. Public works recommended a 15-minute parking zone due to the signs already being in inventory.

Motion

Motion by Bailey second by Gard to approve a 15-minute parking zone in front of the post office.

Motion carried 4-0-0
Resolution 2021-11 Accepting the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Established Under the

American Rescue Plan Act Administrator Vahlsing stated that the City of Kenyon would receive an estimated $203,000 in federal funding over the next two years. The funds must by accepted by resolution.

Motion

Motion by Gard second by Ryan to adopt Resolution 2021-11. Motion carried 4-0-0.

Rose Fest Requests
Motion

Motion by Henke second by Mortensen to approve the Rose Fest requests including; Street Dance Permit - Municipal Liquor Store and VFW, parade permit, street closures, 5K run/walk route, wrestling to be held at the fire hall, and a temporary liquor license to the fire department. Motion carried 4-0-0.

Schedule of Upcoming Meetings

KMU Meeting: Tuesday, July 20 @ 2:00 p.m. EDA Meeting: Tuesday, July 27 @ 8:00 a.m. City Council Meeting: Tuesday, August 10 @ 7 p.m.

COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTs

Councilman Gard commented that the water tower painting turned out nice.

Administrator Vahlsing thanked the Rose Fest committee for all their work.

Motion

Motion by Ryan second by Bailey to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m. Motion carried 4-0-0.

Holli Gudknecht, Administrative Assistant Douglas Henke, Mayor