What happened
- Consent agenda approved 4-0-0: financials, checks 77490–77623 and 6195E–7026E, and minutes of September 9 and October 6, 2025.
- Pay Application No. 2 to Fitzgerald Excavating & Trucking approved for $293,639.67, covering work from August 30 to October 3.
- Work Change Directive No. 1 issued for 2nd Street watermain after bedrock forced a switch from trenchless/directional drilling to conventional excavation; no notable price increase anticipated.
- Engineer Olinger reported 5th and 8th Street utility and grading work nearly complete, with concrete curb and driveways next week and paving at month's end.
- MnDOT planning meeting held September 30 on the 2031 Trunk Highway 60 project; city must notify MnDOT by next fall of significant utility work.
- Abby Polzine of Abdo reviewed MN Paid Leave, which the state implements January 1, 2026.
- Beth of Gallagher reported BCBS rates increasing 26.44%; MN Healthcare Consortium alternative would be a 6.14% increase; she visits city hall November 5.
- Jessi Sturtz of Abdo outlined the 2026 enterprise fund budget — water, electric, sanitary sewer, storm sewer — returning in December for final approval.
- 1983 Chevrolet Tender fire truck declared excess inventory 5-0-0; proceeds to the truck fund.
- November council meeting rescheduled to Wednesday, November 12 because November 11 is Veterans Day; motion carried 5-0-0.
- Agenda listed Resolution 2025-14/2025-24 accepting $10,000 in Kenyon Fire Relief Association donations ($3,000 Rose Fest, $7,000 truck fund).
What was asked 18 raised · 9 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.
BCBS is increasing rates by 26.44%. An alternative option would be to consider changing to MN Healthcare Consortium, which would be a 6.14% increase.
2026 employee benefits and open enrollment review.
At the meetingBeth presented the two options; no council decision was recorded.
The city stayed with Blue Cross Blue Shield for 2026, approved on the consent agenda at the November 12 2025 meeting. The Gallagher renewal exhibit in that same packet assigns the 26.44% increase to United Healthcare, not to Blue Cross, and puts the Blue Cross fully-insured renewal at 21.25% combined across all three plans. The Minnesota Healthcare Consortium alternative at 6.14% was not taken.
The minutes attribute the 26.44% increase to Blue Cross Blue Shield, but Gallagher's own renewal table in the same packet shows 26.44% as the United Healthcare quote and 21.25% as the Blue Cross renewal.
11-12-25 Council Packet, Gallagher 2026 Renewal Presentation · taken up again 2025-11-12
There are currently four enterprise funds in the city, water, electric, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer. Jessi will review the funds and bring it back to the council meeting in December for final approval.
2026 proposed enterprise funds budget presentation covering water, electric, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer.
The final 2026 enterprise fund budget came back to the December 2 2025 special council meeting as promised. It carries a net expense of $148,205 and a decrease in fund balance of $292,782 after depreciation.
12.2.25 Special Council Meeting · taken up again 2025-12-02
The city will need to notify MnDOT by next fall if any significant utility work is needed in conjunction with this project.
Report on the September 30 meeting with MnDOT planning staff about the 2031 Trunk Highway 60 project.
The city took the first step toward that notification on May 12 2026, approving the Visu-Sewer quote to televise sanitary mains under Highway 60 within the state right of way, on a 5-0-0 vote. Olinger framed it as the information needed to decide whether city utility replacement has to be folded into the state project. The reconstruction date had by then moved from 2031 to 2030 or later, and no written notice to MnDOT appears in our record.
Olinger described the project as the 2031 Hwy 60 project in October 2025 and as potential reconstruction in 2030 or later in May 2026.
5-12-26 Council Packet; KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2026-05-12
At this time, we also anticipate a corrective change order to revise completion dates and costs for the 2nd Street watermain work.
2025 Street & Utility Improvements progress update after bedrock forced a change in watermain installation method.
At the meetingWork Change Directive No. 1 was issued with no notable price increases anticipated.
Change Order No. 1 was tabled in February 2026 and approved on March 10 2026 by a 5-0-0 vote. It extended the 2025 completion dates to cover the 2nd Street watermain work so liquidated damages would no longer apply to the 2025 season. No dollar value for the change order appears in our record.
3-10-26 Council Packet · taken up again 2026-03-10
One more pay application is anticipated next month.
Pay Application No. 3 covers work through October 31, 2025.
Pay Application No. 3 covering October 4 to October 31 was approved December 9 2025 at $494,533.51 on a 5-0-0 vote. It was not the last one. Pay Application No. 4 sat on the same December 9 agenda, so at least two more followed the October statement, and the running total through application 3 includes the $293,639.67 approved in November.
The engineer said one more pay application was anticipated, but applications 3 and 4 both appeared on the December 9 2025 agenda.
12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet · taken up again 2025-12-09
Declare 1983 Chevrolet Tender Fire Truck as Excess Inventory Fire Chief Wayne Ehrich stated that the Fire Department voted to dispose of the 1983 Chevrolet Tender Fire Truck.
Fire Department voted to dispose of the aging tender truck.
At the meetingCouncil approved declaring it excess inventory 5-0-0.
The council granted the request at the October 14 2025 meeting, declaring the 1983 Chevrolet Tender excess inventory on a 5-0-0 vote moved by Kirchmann and seconded by Brunner. The fire department's own vote record and any council resolution number are not in our data.
11-12-25 Council Packet, October 14 2025 minutes · taken up again 2025-10-14
LEGAL FINANCIAL OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS MN Paid Leave Abby Polzine from Abdo reviewed the new MN Paid Leave that the state of MN is implementing on January 1, 2026.
Review of the new state Paid Leave program and its impact on the city.
At the meetingPresentation given; no action recorded.
The council acted on Minnesota Paid Leave on November 12 2025, approving on the consent agenda that the city and the employee each pay half the premium. The December 9 2025 packet carries the draft policy confirming the January 1 2026 effective date and payroll deductions starting that day. The program runs 12 weeks, or 20 weeks combined, alongside the federal 12-week unpaid FMLA entitlement.
11-12-25 and 12.9.25 Council Packets · taken up again 2025-11-12
ENGINEERING 2025 Street and Utility Improvements Engineer Olinger stated that Fitzgerald Excavating has utility and grading work nearly complete on both 5th and 8th streets. Concrete curb and driveways are scheduled to be poured next week with paving planned for the end of the month.
2025 Street and Utility Improvements construction status update.
The schedule held. By December 9 2025 Fitzgerald had paved both 5th and 8th Streets and was patching 2nd and Forest Streets, with Pay Application No. 3 covering October 4 to October 31 at $494,533.51. The engineer's December assessment was that Fitzgerald met the goal of finishing and paving everything opened up during the 2025 season.
12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet · taken up again 2025-12-09
However, unanticipated bedrock within 2nd street was found, so the method of installation was switched to more conventional excavation.
Explaining the reason for Work Change Directive No. 1 on the 2nd Street watermain.
The bedrock finding held up through the contract amendment. The December 9 2025 packet restates it as unforeseen shallow bedrock requiring changed construction methods, and Change Order No. 1 built on it was approved March 10 2026 on a 5-0-0 vote. We hold no field or geotechnical documentation of the rock itself.
12.9.25 and 3-10-26 Council Packets · taken up again 2026-03-10
Beth will be at city hall on November 5 to present options to employees. 2026 Proposed Enterprise Funds Budget Jessi Sturtz from Abdo outlined the key items for consideration in this year's enterprise fund budget.
Open enrollment for 2026 employee benefits.
We hold no record confirming the November 5 2025 employee session took place. The decision it fed did get made: on November 12 2025 the council approved remaining with Blue Cross Blue Shield for 2026 and splitting the Minnesota Paid Leave premium half and half with employees. An employee sign-in sheet or Gallagher's meeting confirmation would settle whether the November 5 session happened.
11-12-25 Council Packet consent agenda · taken up again 2025-11-12
ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE Administrator Lehner stated that Sue Dodds will be done helping at city hall soon. He is figuring out what the next steps will be.
Administrator update on city hall staffing.
At the meetingNo specific plan was stated at the meeting.
City hall staffing was still an open agenda item eleven months later, with an Administrative Assistant Update listed on the administrator's report for September 8 2026. No staffing plan or job posting for the duties Sue Dodds covered appears in our record. The contracted alternative did harden instead: Abdo's 2027 proposal reached $164,800 across financial solutions, HR and payroll.
9-8-26 Council Packet
A work change directive was issued with no notable price increases anticipated. 2025 Street and Utility Improvements – Fitzgerald Excavating & Trucking -Pay Application No. 2 Motion by Brunner seconded by Kirchmann to approve pay application #2 to Fitzgerald Excavating in the amount of $293,639.67.
Unanticipated bedrock in 2nd Street forced a switch from trenchless/directional drilling to conventional excavation.
At the meetingStated as no notable increase; final cost not yet determined.
No final cost reconciliation for the changed installation method is in our data. The December 9 2025 packet says the pay estimate would include an estimated amount due for 2nd Street watermain changes under future Change Order No. 1, and the council approved that change order on March 10 2026 without a figure entered in the minutes. Against a contract awarded at $2,294,629.25, the executed change order with its dollar amount is what is missing.
KENYON_BIDS.md; 12.9.25 and 3-10-26 Council Packets · taken up again 2026-03-10
Declare 1983 Chevrolet Tender Fire Truck as Excess Inventory Fire Chief Wayne Ehrich stated that the Fire Department voted to dispose of the 1983 Chevrolet Tender Fire Truck. They are requesting council approval to sell the old fire truck. Proceeds would go into the truck fund.
Fire Department voted to dispose of the old tender truck and asked council approval to sell it.
At the meetingMotion carried 5-0-0 to declare the truck excess inventory.
No sale record and no deposit amount for the 1983 Chevrolet Tender appears in our data. The December 9 2025 packet reports a different vehicle going to auction, the 1988 C70 Chevrolet Tanker, and records the only truck fund deposit we hold for 2025, a $27,000 donation from Fire Relief gambling proceeds. The auction result or the treasurer's deposit entry would settle what the tender brought.
The truck declared excess inventory was the 1983 Chevrolet Tender, but the vehicle reported headed to auction in December 2025 is the 1988 C70 Chevrolet Tanker.
12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet
Beth will be at city hall on November 5 to present options to employees. 2026 Proposed Enterprise Funds Budget Jessi Sturtz from Abdo outlined the key items for consideration in this year's enterprise fund budget. There are currently four enterprise funds in the city, water, electric, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer.
Framing the 2026 enterprise fund budget discussion.
The four funds named are consistent with the quarterly compilations Abdo prepared through 2026, which present the General Fund separately from the enterprise funds, and with the final 2026 enterprise budget adopted December 2 2025 at a net expense of $148,205. We do not hold the city's audited financial statements, which is where the authoritative fund listing sits.
12.2.25 Special Council Meeting; 6.9.26 and 8-6-26 Council Packets
Trunk Highway 60 Project Engineer Olinger stated that a meeting was held with MnDOT planning staff on September 30 regarding 56 the 2031 Hwy 60 project.
Trunk Highway 60 project update.
We hold no notes or MnDOT correspondence from the September 30 2025 meeting, only the engineer's report of it. What followed is on the record: the council approved televising the sanitary mains under Highway 60 on May 12 2026, and by then the reconstruction was described as 2030 or later rather than 2031. MnDOT's own meeting record would settle what was agreed.
11-12-25 and 5-12-26 Council Packets · taken up again 2026-05-12
PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS/RECOGNITIONS/PROLAMATIONS Thank you to Luke Cordes for Eagle Project Work in the City Wayne Ehrich recognized and thanked Luke Cordes for his work on his Eagle Scout project. Luke landscaped around the city entrance sign and the police station.
Recognition of Luke Cordes for Eagle Scout project work in the city.
We hold no Eagle Scout project documentation. We do hold the history of the sign Cordes landscaped around: the community entrance sign went out for quotes on September 12 2023 at $23,873 to $25,653 from Anderson Memorial, $14,500 to $20,500 from Lewiston Monument, $19,355.60 from Precision Signs and $16,512.51 from Schad-Tracy, with staff recommending Schad-Tracy and the award still unresolved in November 2023.
KENYON_BIDS.md
Date of November Council Meeting Administrator Lehner stated that the November council meeting falls on Veterans Day, November 11. According to Minnesota Statutes, public business cannot be conducted on a holiday.
Explaining why the November council meeting had to be rescheduled.
At the meetingCouncil moved the meeting to Wednesday, November 12, 5-0-0.
Our legal dataset covers city website and public notice statutes across 88 verified entries and holds no statute on conducting public business on a holiday. The citation Lehner referred to cannot be confirmed from what we hold.
CITY_WEBSITE_LAWS.md · would settle it: The specific Minnesota Statute citation on holiday meetings
COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTS Council Member Helgeson congratulated city hall and the library on winning grand prize at the Fall Festival decorating contest.
General council comments congratulating staff after the Fall Festival.
We hold no Fall Festival decorating contest results. Nothing in our Kenyon event archive covers this contest, which sits outside the Rose Fest material we do hold. The festival organizer's contest record would settle it.
KENYON_ROSEFEST archive · would settle it: Fall Festival decorating contest results
Decisions 6 motions
Who did what
| Person | At this meeting |
|---|---|
| Donald Kirchmann Mayor | Called the meeting to order and seconded the pay application motion; moved to declare the fire truck excess inventory |
| Lee Sjolander Council Member | Arrived at 8:29 p.m. |
| Mary Bailey Council Member | Moved to approve the agenda, seconded the consent agenda and the November meeting reschedule, and moved to adjourn |
| Elana Brunner Council Member | Moved approval of Pay Application No. 2 and of rescheduling the November meeting; thanked staff and the Park & Rec committee for Fall Festival |
| Kim Helgeson Council Member | Moved approval of the consent agenda; congratulated city hall and the library on the Fall Festival decorating contest grand prize |
| Scott Lehner City Administrator | Reported Sue Dodds finishing at city hall and explained the Veterans Day meeting conflict |
| Holli Gudknecht Administrative Assistant / Deputy City Clerk | Recorded the minutes and prepared agenda item reports |
| Wayne Ehrich Fire Chief / Public Works | Recognized Luke Cordes for his Eagle Scout project and requested approval to dispose of the 1983 Chevrolet Tender fire truck |
| Luke Cordes Eagle Scout candidate | Recognized for landscaping around the city entrance sign and the police station |
| Derek Olinger City Engineer, Bolton & Menk | Reported on 5th and 8th Street construction, the 2nd Street work change directive, and the MnDOT Highway 60 meeting |
| Jessi Sturtz Abdo | Outlined key items in the 2026 enterprise funds budget; will return in December |
| Abby Polzine Abdo | Reviewed the new MN Paid Leave program taking effect January 1, 2026 |
| Beth Klimmek Gallagher | Reviewed 2026 employee benefits and insurance rate options; will present to employees November 5 |
| Sue Dodds Helping at city hall | Reported to be finishing her work at city hall soon |
Organizations named: City of Kenyon, Fitzgerald Excavating & Trucking, Bolton & Menk, Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), Abdo, Gallagher, BCBS, MN Healthcare Consortium, Kenyon Fire Department, Kenyon Fire Relief Association, Kenyon Park & Rec committee, Kenyon Municipal Utilities (KMU), Kenyon EDA
Figures
| Amount | What |
|---|---|
| $293,639.67 | Pay Application No. 2 to Fitzgerald Excavating & Trucking for the 2025 Street and Utility Improvements, work from August 30 to October 3 |
| $10,000 | Total Kenyon Fire Relief Association donation in the resolution listed on the consent agenda |
| $3,000 | Portion of the Fire Relief Association donation designated for Rose Fest |
| $7,000 | Portion of the Fire Relief Association donation designated for the Kenyon Fire Department Truck Fund |
Said at the meeting
Administrator Lehner stated that Sue Dodds will be done helping at city hall soon.
City Administrator Scott Lehner · packet, verbatim
According to Minnesota Statutes, public business cannot be conducted on a holiday.
City Administrator Scott Lehner · packet, verbatim
BCBS is increasing rates by 26.44%.
Beth Klimmek, Gallagher · minutes, verbatim
However, unanticipated bedrock within 2nd street was found, so the method of installation was switched to more conventional excavation.
Engineer Derek Olinger · packet, verbatim
Fire Chief Wayne Ehrich stated that the Fire Department voted to dispose of the 1983 Chevrolet Tender Fire Truck.
Fire Chief Wayne Ehrich · packet, verbatim
Council Member Helgeson congratulated city hall and the library on winning grand prize at the Fall Festival decorating contest.
Council Member Kim Helgeson · minutes, verbatim
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 the Agenda for October 14, 2025
- IV. CONSENT AGENDA
- IV.A Approve the Consent Agenda Items Including:
- V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES and APPOINTMENTS
- VI. PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS RECOGNITIONS/PROCLAMATIONS
- VI.A Presentation/Recognition
- VII. ENGINEERING
- VII.B Truck Highway 60 Project
- VIII. LEGAL
- IX. FINANCIAL
- X. OLD BUSINESS
- XI. NEW BUSINESS
- XI.A MN Paid Leave
- XI.B Employee Benefits/Open Enrollment – Beth from Gallagher
- XI.D Declare 1983 Chevrolet Tender Fire Truck as Excess Inventory
- XI.E Date of November Council Meeting
- XII. F.Y.I. - Department Updates
- XII.A FYI for October 14, 2025
- XIII. COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTS
- XIV. ADJOURNMENT
- A. Resolution 2025-14: Accepting Kenyon Fire Relief Association Donations to the City of
- A. City Council Meeting Minutes of September 9, 2025
- B. City Council Special Meeting Minutes of October 6, 2025
- A. Thank you to Luke Cordes for Eagle Project Work in the City
- VII. ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE
- B. Trunk Highway 60 Project
- A. MN Paid Leave
- B. Employee Benefits/Open Enrollment – Beth from Gallagher
- D. Declare 1983 Chevrolet Tender Fire Truck as Excess Inventory
- E. Date of November Council Meeting
- XIII. OTHER BUSINESS
- A. Schedule of Upcoming Meetings
Full packet text (930k characters)
The minutes
Official minutes as adopted, from 11-12-25 Council Packet(1); text extracted from the PDF.
Council Meeting was duly held in the City Council chambers at 7:00 p.m. on the 14th day of October 2025. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Donald Kirchmann.
- Present
- Mayor Donald Kirchmann, Council Members Lee Sjolander (here at 8:29 pm), Mary Bailey, Elana Brunner, and Kim Helgeson
- Via Zoom
- Jessi Sturtz-Abdo, Beth Klimmek-Gallagher, Abby Polzine-Abdo
- Also present
- City Administrator Scott Lehner, Administrative Assistant Holli Gudknecht, Wayne Ehrich, Randy Eggert, Doug Henke, Luke Cordes, Chris Cordes
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Citizen Comment
Adopt Agenda
Motion by Bailey seconded by Brunner to approve the agenda. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Consent Agenda
Motion by Helgeson second by Bailey to approve the Consent Agenda, which includes:
Motion carried 4-0-0Presentations / Public Hearings / Recognitions / Prolamations
Thank you to Luke Cordes for Eagle Project Work in the City
Wayne Ehrich recognized and thanked Luke Cordes for his work on his Eagle Scout project. Luke landscaped around the city entrance sign and the police station.
Administrator Update
Administrator Lehner stated that Sue Dodds will be done helping at city hall soon. He is figuring out what the next steps will be.
Engineering
2025 Street and Utility Improvements Engineer Olinger stated that Fitzgerald Excavating has utility and grading work nearly complete on both 5th and 8th streets. Concrete curb and driveways are scheduled to be poured next week with paving planned for the end of the month. Pay application No. 2 includes work from August 30 to October 3 in the amount of $293,639.67.
Work Change Directive Form No. 1
Engineer Olinger stated that the 2nd Street watermain work has started. This work was originally planned to be installed using trenchless/directional drilling methods, which was intended to minimize surface disruption. However, unanticipated bedrock within 2nd street was found, so the method of installation was switched to more conventional excavation. A work change directive was issued with no notable price increases anticipated. 2025 Street and Utility Improvements – Fitzgerald Excavating & Trucking -Pay Application No. 2
Motion by Brunner seconded by Kirchmann to approve pay application #2 to Fitzgerald Excavating in the amount of $293,639.67. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Trunk Highway 60 Project
Engineer Olinger stated that a meeting was held with MnDOT planning staff on September 30 regarding
56 the 2031 Hwy 60 project. The city will need to notify MnDOT by next fall if any significant utility work is needed in conjunction with this project. LEGAL
Financial
Old Business
New Business
MN Paid Leave
Abby Polzine from Abdo reviewed the new MN Paid Leave that the state of MN is implementing on January 1, 2026. The plan would provide partial wage payments and job protection to individuals who have a qualified medical or family situation.
Employee Benefits/Open Enrollment – Beth from Gallagher
Beth from Gallagher reviewed the 2026 benefits. BCBS is increasing rates by 26.44%. An alternative option would be to consider changing to MN Healthcare Consortium, which would be a 6.14% increase. Beth will be at city hall on November 5 to present options to employees.
2026 Proposed Enterprise Funds Budget Jessi Sturtz from Abdo outlined the key items for consideration in this year's enterprise fund budget. There are currently four enterprise funds in the city, water, electric, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer. Jessi will review the funds and bring it back to the council meeting in December for final approval.
Declare 1983 Chevrolet Tender Fire Truck as Excess Inventory
Fire Chief Wayne Ehrich stated that the Fire Department voted to dispose of the 1983 Chevrolet Tender Fire Truck. They are requesting council approval to sell the old fire truck. Proceeds would go into the truck fund.
Motion by Kirchmann seconded by Brunner to declare the 1983 Chevrolet Tender fire truck as excess inventory. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Date of November Council Meeting
Administrator Lehner stated that the November council meeting falls on Veterans Day, November 11. According to Minnesota Statutes, public business cannot be conducted on a holiday.
Motion by Brunner seconded by Bailey to reschedule the November council meeting to Wednesday, November 12. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Schedule for Upcoming Meetings
KMU Meeting: Tuesday, October 21st @ 3:00 p.m. EDA Meeting: Tuesday, October 28th @ 8 a.m. City Council Meeting: Wednesday, November 12th @ 7 p.m.
Council And Staff General Comments
Council Member Helgeson congratulated city hall and the library on winning grand prize at the Fall Festival decorating contest. She thanked everyone for coming out and attending Fall Festival and is looking forward to Christmas in Kenyon.
Council Member Brunner thanked all staff and the Park & Rec committee for their work on the Fall Festival.
Motion by Bailey seconded by Helgeson to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m. Motion carried 5-0-0. 57 Holli Gudknecht, Deputy City Clerk Donald Kirchmann, Mayor