Watch the meeting
What happened
- Consent agenda approved, including payment of check numbers 74959 through 75042, 5-0-0.
- Resolution 2023-17 accepting Pearl Creek sewer project easements approved 5-0-0; one property owner signature still pending.
- Packet: 12 parcels/6 owners require easements, with $77,200 total compensation requested.
- Bolton & Menk construction engineering proposal approved for Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer and Street Improvement projects (packet estimate $204,254).
- Bolton & Menk construction engineering proposal approved for the 2023 Street Improvement Project.
- Ordinance 101 allowing chickens failed: Ayes Bailey and Sjolander; Nays Helgeson, Henke and Ryan.
- Online chicken survey results: 121 yes, 103 no, 17 unsure.
- Paycom selected for payroll processing, contingent on execution of agreement; quotes received from five firms.
- Agreement with Lodestar Psychology approved for police department therapy services, as required by new state law.
- Resolution 2023-16 awarding sale of General Obligation Bonds adopted; bonds sold at 3.93% interest, 15-year term, S&P confirmed A+ rating.
- Attorney Riggs reviewed interim Ordinance No. 102 imposing a cannabis moratorium; a public hearing would be needed at the August meeting.
- Compensation study quotes being gathered for City and KMU, targeted for August meetings.
What was asked 21 raised · 5 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.
PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS/RECOGNITIONS/PROLAMATIONS ENGINEERING Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer Improvements Engineer Olinger stated that the bids for the Pearl Creek Sewer project were opened last week and were lower than projected.
Engineering report on the Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer Improvements.
At the meetingStated as an update; no bid amounts given.
The Pearl Creek and Gates Avenue bids came in 19.2 percent below the engineer's estimate. BCM Construction bid $1,241,494.22 and won, against Minger at $1,327,721.90 and Heselton at $1,385,155.00, with the estimate at $1,536,065.
KENYON_BIDS.md, data/bids.csv · taken up again 2023-06-13
If the Council moves to proceed with the Ordinance a Public Hearing would have to be scheduled for the August Council meeting. Adopt Interim Ordinance No. 102 No discussion.
Attorney Riggs presented the draft interim ordinance imposing a cannabis moratorium, but the record shows only 'No discussion' under both action items.
At the meetingNo action recorded.
The items came back renumbered and passed a month later. On August 8 2023 the council adopted Ordinance No. 101, an interim ordinance authorizing a study and imposing a moratorium on cannabis businesses until January 1 2025, 4-0-0, along with Resolution 2023-11 for summary publication, also 4-0-0. A second ordinance numbered 102, prohibiting cannabis use in public places, came to the council on September 12 2023.
The July item was presented as interim Ordinance No. 102, but the moratorium was adopted in August as Ordinance No. 101, the same number the failed chicken ordinance carried in July.
8.8.23 and 9.12.23 Council Packets · taken up again 2023-08-08
If the Council moves to proceed with the Ordinance a Public Hearing would have to be scheduled for the August Council meeting.
Procedural requirement tied to adopting the interim cannabis ordinance.
At the meetingNo action recorded.
The hearing was held on August 8 2023 after at least ten days of published notice, as the ordinance recitals record. A further public hearing on the interim cannabis ordinance was held September 12 2023, at which no public comment was received.
8.8.23 and 9.12.23 Council Packets · taken up again 2023-08-08
Councilmen Ryan Had done research, also had talked to City employees and residents about allowing chickens. She ha concerns with who would enforce the ordinance.
Concern raised during review of Ordinance 101 allowing chickens within city limits.
At the meetingNo answer recorded; the ordinance motion then failed 2-3.
The enforcement question was never answered and it killed the ordinance. Police Chief Sjolander said he could predict non-compliance issues, the Planning Commission was not in favor of changing the ordinance, Attorney Riggs noted the code was amended in 1999 specifically to bar chickens in residential areas, and the motion failed 2 to 3. The council took the question up again with a Consider Revising Chicken Ordinance item on May 13 2025.
5-13-25 Council Packet, chicken ordinance history · taken up again 2025-05-13
There are already chickens in town. May be hard to enforce ordinance. It the ordinance is passed it should be reviewed again in a year.
Comment during debate on Ordinance 101.
At the meetingThe ordinance motion failed 2-3, so no review was scheduled.
No one-year review was scheduled because the ordinance failed 2 to 3. The council did return to the subject on May 13 2025 with a Consider Revising Chicken Ordinance item supported by a chicken ordinance history document and a Kenyon Leader article, nearly two years later rather than one.
5-13-25 Council Packet · taken up again 2025-05-13
Resolution 2023-17: Accepting Easements Engineer Olinger updated the council on the progress of securing easements for the sewer project. The City is still waiting for signatures from one property owner.
Update on securing easements as part of Resolution 2023-17 accepting easements for the Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer project.
At the meetingCouncil approved Resolution 2023-17 accepting easements 5-0-0 despite the outstanding signature.
No signed easement from the last Pearl Creek property owner appears in our record. The project proceeded anyway, with the contractor starting in September 2023 and the work awarded to BCM Construction at $1,241,494.22. The city repeated the pattern two years later, adopting Resolution 2025-16 accepting Langford Avenue easements while one of four owners had not yet even been contacted.
The council adopted a resolution accepting easements while one property owner had not signed.
KENYON_BIDS.md; 8.8.23 and 9.12.23 Council Packets; 6-10-25 Council Packet
He also said that before the draft ordinance is considered the Council needs to discuss whether the City wants to regulate hemp products (THC edibles and gummies that have been available since last year).
Riggs said this question needed Council discussion prior to considering the draft interim ordinance.
At the meetingNo discussion was recorded.
The council never separately decided the hemp question. It adopted the moratorium on August 8 2023 as a study ordinance, which explicitly deferred regulatory decisions until the city could review model ordinances and administrative rules from the newly created Office of Cannabis Management. The record shows the answer postponed rather than given, and no hemp or THC edible regulation appears in our later record.
8.8.23 Council Packet · taken up again 2023-08-08
Request for City to relocate alley/ROW - Jeff and Ann Traxler Attorney Riggs stated that the City received the legal description from Rapp Surveying today (7/11). He will begin to prepare the deeds for the land swap.
Jeff and Ann Traxler requested a land swap of right-of-way abutting their property to enable a business expansion.
At the meetingRiggs said he would begin preparing the deeds; no Council action taken.
No deeds and no council resolution approving the Traxler land swap appear in our record. The Traxler expansion did move forward on the zoning side, with Ordinance 106 rezoning their parcel from I-1 General Industrial to C-2 General Commercial on the October 8 2024 agenda. The recorded deeds or the resolution vacating and conveying the right of way would settle the swap.
The October 8 2024 agenda line describes the rezoning as I-1 to G-2 while the ordinance title in the same packet reads I-1 to C-2.
8.8.23 Council Packet; 10-8-24 Agenda
Jeff and Ann Traxler are requesting that the City to do a land swap of right-of-way area that abuts their property to the west.
Legal agenda item on relocating an alley/ROW.
At the meetingNo decision; attorney is preparing deeds.
No council vote on the land swap is in our record. The related rezoning was acted on fifteen months later through Ordinance 106, moving the Traxler parcel from general industrial to general commercial. A council resolution conveying the right of way, or the recorded deeds, would settle whether the swap happened.
8.8.23 Council Packet; 10-8-24 Agenda
Kelly has worked with that company previously and had a good experience. Motion by Ryan second by Henke to approve proposal of Paycom. Approval contingent on execution of agreement.
Council selected Paycom for contracted payroll processing after reviewing updated quotes.
At the meetingMotion carried 5-0-0 with the contingency.
The signed Paycom service agreement is not in our archive. Our bid record shows the August 2023 payroll round ending in a staff recommendation for Paycom with no award motion on file.
KENYON_BIDS.md
Respondents were asked if they supported allowing Chickens n residentially zoned areas. The results were 121 yes, 103 no, and 17 unsure.
Reported as part of review of draft Ordinance 101 allowing chickens.
At the meetingReported as the survey result; Council debated its reliability.
We hold no raw survey data or methodology, only the reported totals of 121 yes, 103 no and 17 unsure, which is 241 responses in a city of 1,811 people with 732 households. The survey was run on the city website by Library Director Otte. The response file with any residency check is what is missing.
8.8.23 Council Packet; dashboard/data/census.json
OLD BUSINESS X.A Review Ordinance 101 - Allowing Chickens within City Limits - (If adopted) Ordinance 2023-15 Approving Summary Publication of Ord. 101.
Follow-on item to the chicken ordinance, which failed 2-3.
At the meetingNo action recorded.
Resolution 2023-15 had nothing left to publish once the chicken ordinance failed, and no later action on it appears in our record. The number 101 was reassigned within a month to the cannabis moratorium, whose summary publication went through as Resolution 2023-11 on August 8 2023. A clerk's resolution register would confirm whether 2023-15 was formally withdrawn.
8.8.23 Council Packet
Motion carried 5-0-0. 2023 Street Maintenance Improvement Project Engineer Olinger reviewed the pavement management plan for the city this year. Quotes for reclamite work to seal specified streets were solicitated. One proposal was received.
Review of the 2023 Street Maintenance Improvement Project pavement management plan.
At the meetingReported; Council approved Bolton and Menk construction engineering for the street project but no award of the reclamite quote is recorded.
No reclamite award appears in our bid record for 2023, which carries the year's asphalt work as the 2023 Street Improvements contract to Bituminous Materials at $450,693.95 against Crane Creek $463,585.62, SL Contracting $535,437.60 and an estimate of $547,705. A single-quote solicitation matches the Pearl Creek televising pattern, where the city reissued an RFP in 2022 after receiving one quote and drew three the second time. The reclamite proposal itself and any payment record would settle whether it was awarded.
KENYON_BIDS.md; 8.8.23 Council Packet
See S&P summary attached below for more information on the bond rating. The bonds sold at a 3.93% interest rate and a 15 year term.
Presentation of the proposed bond sale terms preceding Resolution 2023-16.
At the meetingCouncil adopted Resolution 2023-16 awarding the sale 5-0-0.
We hold no bond award documents and no Standard and Poor's report, though the packet says the rating summary was attached. The 2023 terms of 3.93 percent over 15 years compare with 4.44 percent over 20 years on the 2025A issue, a 51 basis point rise across two years at the same A+ rating. The city's bond levy rate then rose 35.91 percent for pay 2026 while its general rate fell 0.38 percent.
8.8.23 and 8.12.25 Council Packets; taxes/levy.html
The city has received updated quotes from five firms. Kelly Perry has met with representatives of all the payroll firms.
Old business review of quotes for contracted payroll services.
At the meetingCouncil approved the Paycom proposal 5-0-0.
Our bid record holds four payroll firms from the August 2023 round, not five: Paychex at $6,540 plus $1,650 setup, Paycom at $6,515 plus $2,100, ADP at $8,250 and Paylocity at $5,758 plus $1,000. Staff recommended Paycom and no award is recorded in the bid file. The earlier March 2023 round had three quotes, Paychex $7,655, ADP $5,032 and Abdo $20,820 plus $9,500, and was deferred. The fifth firm's quote is what is missing.
The administrator said updated quotes came from five firms, but our bid record holds four from that round.
KENYON_BIDS.md, data/bids.csv
He stated that the city was hoping to get 4 or 5 quotes and have them ready for the August City Council and KMU meetings.
New business update on a study comparing City pay scales with comparable cities.
At the meetingUpdate only; no quotes presented.
No City or KMU compensation study quotes appear in our bid record for 2023 or any later year. The four or five quotes Vahlsing expected do not surface again in the archive.
KENYON_BIDS.md · would settle it: The written compensation study quotes
In order to cover the costs of the payroll service, the hours that the city pays toward the PD/City Administrative position could be reduced.
Funding mechanism proposed for contracting out payroll processing.
At the meetingVahlsing said the personnel committee reviewed the concept and is supportive.
No documented change to the hours the city pays toward the police department and city administrative position appears in our record, and no cost comparison was ever produced. The only later coverage change we hold is the April 2025 shift of night patrol hours, described as a cost saving with more coverage and fewer on-call hours, which is a different matter. The personnel committee record or a payroll before-and-after would settle it.
8.8.23 Council Packet; 4-8-25 Council Packet · would settle it: A documented staffing/hours change and cost comparison
The Council is here to serve the public and they voted yes. Councilmen Helgeson – It was hard to tell if the survey is accurate as far as who may have voted.
Doubt raised about the validity of the online chicken survey results.
At the meetingNo answer recorded.
Nothing in our record shows whether the online survey verified that respondents were Kenyon residents. The tool was a form on the city website, which runs on GovOffice, with no controls documented. The survey configuration or its response log would settle it.
8.8.23 Council Packet; KENYON_IT_SPEND.md · would settle it: Survey controls showing whether respondents were verified city residents
He stated that a recently approved state law requires that law enforcement agencies provide therapy services for offices.
Justification for the Lodestar Psychology counseling and therapy agreement for the Police Department.
At the meetingCouncil approved the Lodestar Psychology agreement 5-0-0.
We hold no citation or text for a Minnesota law requiring law enforcement agencies to provide therapy services, and no cost for the Lodestar Psychology agreement. The police department's revenue side did move sharply in the same period, with state police aid budgeted at $26,000 for 2023 and $64,000 for 2024. The statute and the signed Lodestar agreement would settle both the mandate and the price.
8.8.23 and 12.12.23 Council Packets · would settle it: The citation and text of the state law requiring officer therapy services
Administrator Vahlsing has approved 2 building permits for townhomes in Trondheim area. 10 City Administrator Vahlsing stated that Library Director Michelle did a great job with the survey for Chickens on the City web site.
General comments on city activity.
At the meetingStated as information.
We hold no building permit records for the two Trondheim townhomes. Our parcel data covers 1,015 parcels in the Kenyon City taxing district but carries no permit history. The city's issued permit file would settle it.
8.8.23 Council Packet; taxes/data/kenyon_tax.json · would settle it: The issued building permit records for the Trondheim townhomes
Administrator Vahlsing has approved 2 building permits for townhomes in Trondheim area. 10 City Administrator Vahlsing stated that Library Director Michelle did a great job with the survey for Chickens on the City web site. Police Chief Sjoblom reminded the Council that National Night Out was August 1.
Reminder to Council during staff comments.
At the meetingStated as a reminder.
We hold no confirmation of the August 1 2023 National Night Out or any city participation plan. Nothing in our event records covers it. The police department's event notice or the city calendar would settle it.
8.8.23 Council Packet · would settle it: Confirmation of the event date and city participation plan
Decisions 9 motions
Who did what
| Person | At this meeting |
|---|---|
| Doug Henke Mayor | Called the meeting to order, moved to approve the amended agenda and the Bolton & Menk construction engineering proposal, voted against the chicken ordinance, and thanked council members and the Park Board for the Farmers Market. |
| Kim Helgeson Council Member | Moved approval of the consent agenda and the 2023 Street Improvement construction engineering proposal; questioned the accuracy of the chicken survey and thanked the community for supporting the Farmers Market. |
| Lee Sjolander Council Member | Moved to approve Ordinance 101 allowing chickens and moved approval of the Lodestar Psychology agreement; said the ordinance should be reviewed again in a year. |
| Mary Bailey Council Member | Moved Resolution 2023-17, seconded the chicken ordinance motion, and moved to adjourn. |
| Molly Ryan Council Member | Moved approval of the Paycom proposal and Resolution 2023-16; raised concerns about who would enforce the chicken ordinance. |
| Mark Vahlsing City Administrator | Presented revisions to the chicken ordinance and survey results, reviewed payroll service quotes recommending Paycom, and updated the Council on the compensation study. |
| Scott Riggs City Attorney | Reviewed draft interim Ordinance No. 102 on cannabis and reported receiving the legal description for the Traxler land swap from Rapp Surveying. |
| Derik Olinger City Engineer | Reported Pearl Creek sewer bids came in lower than projected, updated Council on easements, and reviewed the pavement management plan and construction engineering proposals. |
| Jeff Sjoblom Police Chief | Requested approval of the Lodestar Psychology therapy agreement and reminded Council that National Night Out was August 1. |
| George Eilertson Northland Public Finance | Reviewed proposed bond sale terms; reported bonds sold at 3.93% interest for a 15-year term with an A+ S&P rating. |
| Holli Gudknecht Administrative Assistant | Recorded the minutes and prepared agenda item reports. |
| Wayne Ehrich Public Works Director | Attended the meeting. |
| Brian Homeier Police Officer | Attended the meeting. |
| Kelly Perry City staff | Met with representatives of all the payroll firms and had prior good experience with Paycom. |
| Jeff Traxler Property/business owner | With Ann Traxler, requested a City land swap of right-of-way abutting their property to facilitate a planned business expansion. |
| Ann Traxler Property/business owner | With Jeff Traxler, requested the right-of-way land swap. |
| Michelle Otte Library Director | Conducted the online chicken survey on the City web site; thanked by the Mayor and City Administrator. |
Organizations named: Bolton & Menk, Inc., Paycom, Lodestar Psychology, Northland Public Finance, Standard and Poors, Rapp Surveying, Kenyon Municipal Utilities (KMU), Kenyon Police Department, Kenyon EDA, BCM Construction, Cemstone Concrete Materials, LLC, Wilstor LLC, Kennedy & Graven, Chartered, Kenyon Public Library
Figures
| Amount | What |
|---|---|
| $77,200 | Total compensation requested by property owners for Pearl Creek sanitary sewer easements (7 parcels, 3 owners) |
| $204,254 | Bolton & Menk estimated total fee for Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer & Gates Ave construction engineering services |
| $161,406 | Construction observation, testing and survey portion of the Bolton & Menk proposal |
| $21,752 | Contract administration (meetings, reviews, close-out) portion of the engineering proposal |
| $11,550 | Project management portion of the engineering proposal |
| $9,546 | Final easement and design modifications portion of the engineering proposal |
| $1,000 | Payment to Cemstone Concrete Materials, LLC for permanent utility easement |
| $1,200 | Payment to Wilstor LLC for permanent utility easement |
| $2.00 | Per-hour temporary wage increase for Deputy Clerk/Administrative Assistant proposed to be made permanent |
Said at the meeting
Engineer Olinger stated that the bids for the Pearl Creek Sewer project were opened last week and were lower than projected.
Derik Olinger, City Engineer · packet, verbatim
He had talked to residents about allowing chickens but had received mixed results.
Mayor Doug Henke · minutes, verbatim
Stated that more people wanted chickens in the survey.
Council Member Mary Bailey · minutes, verbatim
There are already chickens in town.
Council Member Lee Sjolander · minutes, verbatim
It was hard to tell if the survey is accurate as far as who may have voted.
Council Member Kim Helgeson · minutes, verbatim
He stated that a recently approved state law requires that law enforcement agencies provide therapy services for offices.
Police Chief Jeff Sjoblom · packet, verbatim
Resolutions and ordinances
- Motion carried 5-0-0Res. 2023-17
- Approving Summary Publication of an Ordinance Authorizing a Study and Imposing a Moratorium of the Operation of Cannabis Business No discussiRes. 2023-11
- Approving Summary Publication of OrdRes. 2023-15
- Awarding the Sale of General Obligation Bonds – Pearl Creek Sewer Main and Street Improvement projectsRes. 2023-16
- No discussionOrd. 102
- Allowing Chickens within City Limits Administrator Vahlsing stated that revisions were made to the draft ordinance regulaOrd. 101
Agenda
Each item links to where it appears in the packet.
- I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
- II. CITIZEN COMMENTS
- III. ADOPT AGENDA
- III.A Adopt Agenda
- IV. CONSENT AGENDA
- V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES and APPOINTMENTS
- V.A Approval of Minutes and Appointments
- V.B Change $2.00 per hour temporary wage increase for Deputy Clerk/Administrative
- VI. PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS
- VII. ENGINEERING
- VII.A Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer Improvement project
- VIII. LEGAL
- VIII.A Review of Ordinance 102 (interim ordinance) Cannabis.
- VIII.B Jeff and Ann Traxler – Request for City to vacate alley/ROW
- IX. FINANCIAL
- X. OLD BUSINESS
- X.A Review Ordinance 101 - Allowing Chickens within City Limits
- X.B Review Quotes for Payroll Services
- XI. NEW BUSINESS
- XI.A City/KMU Compensation Study update.
- XI.B Therapy and Consulting Services Agreement – Police Department
- XI.C Pearl Creek Sewer Main and Street Improvement Projects Bond Sale–George
- XII. F.Y.I. - Department Updates
- XII.A FYI- Department Updates
- XIII. COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTS
- XIV. ADJOURNMENT
- A. City Council Meeting Minutes of June 13, 2023
- B. Change $2.00 per hour temporary wage increase for Deputy Clerk/Administrative
- A. Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer Improvements
- A. Review of Ordinance No. 102 (interim ordinance) Cannabis
- B. Request for City to relocate alley/ROW Jeff and Ann Traxler
- A. Review Ordinance 101 Allowing Chickens within City Limits
- B. Review Quotes for Payroll Services
- C. Therapy and Consulting Services Agreement – Police Department
- A. City and KMU Compensation Study
- B. Pearl Creek Sewer Main and Street Improvement Projects Bond Sale–George
- XII. OTHER BUSINESS
- A. Schedule of Upcoming Meetings
Full packet text (306k characters)
The minutes
Official minutes as adopted, from 8.8.23 Council Packet Agenda; text extracted from the PDF.
Council Meeting was duly held in the City Council chambers at 7:00 p.m. on the 11th day of July 2023. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Henke.
- Present
- Mayor Doug Henke, Council Members Kim Helgeson, Lee Sjolander, Mary Bailey, and Molly Ryan
- Absent
- None
- Also present
- City Administrator Mark Vahlsing, Police Officer Brian Homeier, Attorney Scott Riggs, Public Works Director Wayne Ehrich, City Engineer Derik Olinger, Administrative Assistant Holli Gudknecht, police Chief Jeff Sjoblom, McLellan & Linda Bean, Jerry & Diane Barrett, Nicole Eggert
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Citizen Comment
Adopt Agenda
Motion by Henke second by Ryan to approve the amended agenda. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Consent Agenda
Motion by Helgeson second by Bailey to approve the Consent Agenda, which includes payment of check numbers, 74959 through 75042.
Motion carried 5-0-0Presentations / Public Hearings / Recognitions / Prolamations
Engineering
Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer Improvements
Engineer Olinger stated that the bids for the Pearl Creek Sewer project were opened last week and were lower than projected. Resolution 2023-17: Accepting Easements Engineer Olinger updated the council on the progress of securing easements for the sewer project. The City is still waiting for signatures from one property owner.
Motion by Bailey second by Helgeson to approve Resolution 2023-17 Motion carried 5-0-0.
Construction Engineering Proposal
Engineer Olinger stated that Council approval was needed for costs related to construction engineering services including surveying for the Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer project.
Motion by Henke second by Ryan to approve the construction engineering proposal from Bolton and Menk for the Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer and Street Improvement projects. Motion carried 5-0-0.
2023 Street Maintenance Improvement Project Engineer Olinger reviewed the pavement management plan for the city this year. Quotes for reclamite work to seal specified streets were solicitated. One proposal was received. Construction Engineering Proposal
Motion by Helgeson, second by Bailey to approve the proposal from Bolton and Menk for construction engineering services for the 2023 Street Improvement Project. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Legal
Review of Ordinance No. 102 (interim ordinance) Cannabis
City Attorney Riggs reviewed the draft interim ordinance authorizing a study and imposing a moratorium of the 8 operation of Cannabis. Summaries of the new law, and a copy of the interim ordinance are attached. He also said that before the draft ordinance is considered the Council needs to discuss whether the City wants to regulate hemp products (THC edibles and gummies that have been available since last year). If the Council moves to proceed with the Ordinance a Public Hearing would have to be scheduled for the August Council meeting.
Adopt Interim Ordinance No. 102
No discussion.
Resolution 2023-11 Approving Summary Publication of an Ordinance Authorizing a Study and
Imposing a Moratorium of the Operation of Cannabis Business No discussion.
Request for City to relocate alley/ROW - Jeff and Ann Traxler
Attorney Riggs stated that the City received the legal description from Rapp Surveying today (7/11). He will begin to prepare the deeds for the land swap. Jeff and Ann Traxler are requesting that the City to do a land swap of right-of-way area that abuts their property to the west. They need the land swap to help facilitate a planned expansion project of their business. Further information is attached below
Old Business
Review Ordinance No. 101 Allowing Chickens within City Limits
Administrator Vahlsing stated that revisions were made to the draft ordinance regulating Chickens based on discussion at the June Council meeting.. Revisions were made to the areas regulating chicken coops. He also reviewed the results of the on-line survey conducted on the City web site. Respondents were asked if they supported allowing Chickens n residentially zoned areas. The results were 121 yes, 103 no, and 17 unsure.
Mayor Henke- Thanked Library Director Otte for her work with the survey on the City web site. He had talked to residents about allowing chickens but had received mixed results. He was still against allowing chickens in the City.
Councilmen Ryan Had done research, also had talked to City employees and residents about allowing chickens. She ha concerns with who would enforce the ordinance.
Councilmen Bailey- Stated that more people wanted chickens in the survey. The Council is here to serve the public and they voted yes.
Councilmen Helgeson – It was hard to tell if the survey is accurate as far as who may have voted.
Councilmen Sjolander – He was torn on the idea of allowing chickens. He wants to give residents what they want. There are already chickens in town. May be hard to enforce ordinance. It the ordinance is passed it should be reviewed again in a year.
Motion by Sjolander, Second by Bailey to approve ordinance 101 Allowing Chickens in the City limits
Ayes Nayes
Bailey Helgeson Sjolander Henke Ryan
Motion failed.
Resolution 2023-15: Approving Summary Publication of Ord. 101
No discussion
Review Quotes for Payroll Services
Administrator Vahlsing stated that staff has been continuing to review options for contracting payroll processing. The city has received updated quotes from five firms. Kelly Perry has met with representatives of all the payroll firms. In order to cover the costs of the payroll service, the hours that the city pays toward the PD/City Administrative position could be reduced. The personnel committee has reviewed the concept and is supportive. Staff would recommend using Paycom. Kelly has worked with that company previously and had a good experience.
Motion by Ryan second by Henke to approve proposal of Paycom. Approval contingent on execution of agreement. Motion carried 5-0-0.
New Business
City and KMU Compensation Study Administrator Vahlsing updated the Council that staff is getting quotes for a compensation study. This study compares City pay scales with comparable cities. He stated that the city was hoping to get 4 or 5 quotes and have them ready for the August City Council and KMU meetings.
Therapy and Consulting Services Agreement – Police Department
Police Chief Sjoblom requested Council approval of an agreement with Lodestar Psychology to provide counseling services and therapy for the Police Department. He stated that a recently approved state law requires that law enforcement agencies provide therapy services for offices.
Motion by Sjolander seconded by Ryan to approve agreement with Lodestar Psychology for therapy services for the Police Department. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Pearl Creek Sewer Main and Street Improvement Projects Bond Sale – George Eilertson –
Northland Public Finance George Eilertson- Northland Public Finance reviewed the proposed bond sale terms for the 2023 public works projects. As part of the bond sale Standard and Poors reviewed the City financial standing and confirmed the A+ rating. See S&P summary attached below for more information on the bond rating. The bonds sold at a 3.93% interest rate and a 15 year term.
Resolution 2023-16: Awarding the Sale of General Obligation Bonds – Pearl Creek Sewer Main and
Street Improvement projects.
Motion by Ryan second by Helgeson to adopt Resolution 2023-16. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Schedule of Upcoming Meetings
KMU Meeting: Tuesday, July 18th @ 4:00 p.m. EDA Meeting: Tuesday, August 1st @ 8:00 a.m. City Council Meeting: Tuesday, August 8th @ 7 p.m
Council And Staff General Comments
Council member Helgeson thanked community for supporting Farmers Market.
Mayor Henke- Farmers Market has had a good turnout. Thanked Councilmen Helgeson, Bailey Ament and Park Board for work on the market. Administrator Vahlsing has approved 2 building permits for townhomes in Trondheim area.
City Administrator Vahlsing stated that Library Director Michelle did a great job with the survey for Chickens on the City web site.
Police Chief Sjoblom reminded the Council that National Night Out was August 1.
Motion by Bailey second by Helgeson to adjourn the meeting at 8:22 p.m.
Motion carried 4-0-0