Kenyon/City Hall/Meetings/April 14, 2026
Regular meeting

Kenyon City Council, April 14, 2026

The Kenyon City Council met April 14, 2026, with Mayor Don Kirchmann presiding. The council filled its vacant seat by adopting Resolution 2026-11 appointing Deanna Gard as Council Member until the next election, appointing her to the Planning Commission, and administering her Oath of Office.

9motions
9 unanimousno split votes
5present
5resolutions
$2,000,000largest figure
Yesrecording posted

Watch the meeting

Meeting video, from the city's YouTube channel · open on YouTube
council appointment audit tif district housing development sewer infrastructure liquor licensing police staffing liability insurance

What happened

  1. Resolution 2026-11 appointed Deanna Gard as Council Member until the next election; oath administered by Mayor Kirchmann
  2. Gard also appointed to the Planning Commission, 5-0-0
  3. Consent agenda approved VFW liquor license renewal, 2026 sanitary and storm sewer rates, and Fire Hall use for a June 2, 2026 Community Summer Safety Event
  4. Resolution 2026-10 approved amendments to the Kenyon Firemen's Relief Association bylaws
  5. Checks 78020 through 78133 and 7261E through 7334E approved for payment
  6. Hired Donald Traurig, Caleb Beardsley and Tracy Erlandson as part-time liquor store employees
  7. Dustin Opatz of Creative Planning presented the 2025 City and KMU audits; receipt acknowledged 5-0-0
  8. Visu-Sewer quote approved to televise sanitary mains under Highway 60 ahead of possible 2030 reconstruction
  9. Resolutions 2026-12, 2026-13, 2026-14 and 2026-15 adopted for the Rebound Real Estate Sunset Homes project, including a TIF public hearing call
  10. Council voted not to waive LMCIT state liability limits of $500,000 per claimant and $1,500,000 per occurrence
  11. 2025 street and utility project restarted the week of April 13; final completion expected mid-July with punch list by August 30

What was asked 24 raised · 10 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.

2 answered from our records8 what happened next7 partly answered1 not a data question6 we hold no data
Unsourced claimBudget justification in SHPO scholarship budget sheet
Using the staff rate of $23/hour for Rachel and $38.16/hour for Scott, the total in-kind contribution is estimated around $2,262.92 to help us qualify for the 30 percent match.

Match calculation for the NAPC FORUM scholarship request.

Answered from our records

The arithmetic checks out exactly on a 37-hour split. Goven at 37 hours times $23.00 gives $851.00 and Lehner at 37 hours times $38.16 gives $1,411.92, which sum to $2,262.92 against the 74-hour total. The $38.16 figure is SHPO's established volunteer rate named in the budget justification instructions, not a payroll rate, so payroll records would still be needed to show it matches what Lehner is actually paid.

5-12-26 Council Packet, NAPC FORUM Scholarship Budget Sheet

Unsourced claimContractor's Application for Payment No. 5
2. Net change by Change Orders $ (37,814.00)

Current contract price stated as $2,256,815.25 against an original $2,294,629.25.

Answered from our records

The change order arithmetic is exact and holds through the end of the project. Deleting 204.40 linear feet of 10 inch directional drilled PVC watermain at $185.00 a foot gives $37,814.00, and the original contract of $2,294,629.25 less that deduction leaves $2,256,815.25. The same line carries at 100 percent complete in both the August 6 and September 8 2026 pay applications, so no further change order value was added.

5-12-26, 8-6-26 and 9-8-26 Council Packets; KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2026-09-08

PendingCity Attorney Scott Riggsfrom the minutes
Resolution 2026-12: Calling for a Public Hearing by the City Council on the Proposed Establishment of the Development Program for Municipal Development District No. 2 Establishment of TIF District No. 2-1 Therein and Adoption of a TIF Plan Therefor Motion by Sjolander seconded by Bailey to adopt Resolution 2026-12, Resolution 2026-13, Resolution 2026-14, and Resolution 2026-15. Motion carried 5-0-0. OLD BUSINESS 20 NEW BUSINESS LMCIT Liability Coverage Waiver Administrator Lehner stated that the City Council is

Resolution 2026-12 was adopted calling for the hearing as part of the Rebound Sunset Home project steps.

At the meetingCouncil adopted Resolution 2026-12 along with 2026-13, 2026-14 and 2026-15 by 5-0-0 vote.

What happened next

The public hearing was held and the district created on June 30 2026, when the council adopted Resolution 2026-18 establishing Municipal Development District No. 2 and TIF District No. 2-1, the apartment building redevelopment district, together with Resolution 2026-20 for an interfund loan. The hearing itself covered the Kenyon Real Estate 2, LLC redevelopment and was conducted under Minnesota Statutes sections 469.124 to 469.133 and 469.174 to 469.1794.

KENYON_INCENTIVES.md; 7.14.26 Council Packet · taken up again 2026-06-30

Action itemHolli Gudknecht, Administration (agenda item report)
4. TIF Update for Sunset Home

Listed as item 4 under the Administrator Update section of the May 12, 2026 agenda.

What happened next

The TIF question was settled at the May 18 2026 work session, where the council approved $1,855,000 in tax increment assistance over 26 years for the Rebound Sunset Home site. That is more than double the $800,000 Northland Securities recommended. By the August 6 2026 meeting Rebound reported it was seeking $3,000,000 from investors.

The council granted 2.3 times the assistance its own financial advisor recommended.

KENYON_INCENTIVES.md, council record · taken up again 2026-05-18

PendingHolli Gudknecht, Engineering (agenda item report)
Motion approving Pay Estimate #5 for the 2025 Street & Utility Improvements

Fitzgerald Excavating application covering removals and early Langford Avenue utility work through 5/1/2026.

What happened next

The project moved well past Pay Estimate No. 5. Pay Application No. 6, covering work through May 29 2026, was approved July 14 2026, and Pay Application No. 8, covering work through July 17 2026, was approved September 8 2026 on a motion by Sjolander seconded by Helgeson. The September work was primarily sanitary sewer lining, grouting and manhole rehabilitation, with punch list repairs remaining.

7.14.26 and 9-8-26 Council Packets · taken up again 2026-09-08

Action itemHolli Gudknecht, Administration (agenda item report)
SUGGESTED ACTION: MOTION NEEDED to set work session date and time.

Administrator Update section of the May 12 agenda requires a motion to set the work session.

What happened next

The work session was held on May 18 2026 as proposed, and it was the meeting at which the council approved $1,855,000 in tax increment assistance over 26 years for the Rebound Sunset Home project.

5-12-26 Council Packet; KENYON_INCENTIVES.md · taken up again 2026-05-18

PendingCity Administrator Scott Lehnerfrom the minutes
Police Department Staffing Update Administrator Lehner stated that the full-time police officer position has been posted. There is also an opening for one or two part-time officers.

Police department staffing update given during the administrator report.

What happened next

The full-time police officer position was still unfilled on September 8 2026, posted until filled with no applicants at that point, leaving part-time officers covering while the chief and the one full-time officer were on vacation. The city reposted the job on July 28 2026 at $33.54 an hour entry, $38.57 at three to five years and $42.61 at five to ten years. That entry rate is the highest hourly figure in the 46 area job postings we hold.

9-8-26 Council Packet; data/jobs.csv, KENYON_JOBS.md · taken up again 2026-09-08

To look upCity Administrator Scott Lehnerfrom the minutes
Officer Misty England has taken a full-time position with another department but may continue doing some part-time hours in Kenyon.

England took a full-time position with another department.

What happened next

England did continue part time, but barely. Police Chief Sjoblom reported on July 14 2026 that Misty had worked one part-time shift so far. By September 8 2026 the department was relying on part-time officers to cover the chief's and the full-time officer's vacations.

7.14.26 Council Packet · taken up again 2026-07-14

To look upEngineer Derek Olingerfrom the minutes
Motion carried 5-0-0. 2025 Street & Utility Project Engineer Olinger stated that the 2025 street and utility project will be restarted during the week of April 13th. The final completion is expected to be mid-July with the punch list completed by August 30.

April report gave a mid-July completion; the May 12 engineering item gave a June completion.

What happened next

Neither schedule held, and the contract dates were formally reset. Change Order 2 in the July 14 2026 packet fixes substantial completion at July 18 2026 and ready for final payment at August 30 2026, and the same meeting reported 8th Street would not be paved until late October 2026 after the street settled. Fitzgerald had run into repeated private utility conflicts.

The May 12 2026 packet said all work should be complete by the second or third week of June 2026, but the contract's own substantial completion date was July 18 2026 and paving ran to late October.

7.14.26 Council Packet, Change Order 2 · taken up again 2026-07-14

To look upfrom the minutes
Schedule of Upcoming Meetings KMU Meeting: Tuesday, March 17th @ 3:00 p.m. EDA Meeting: Tuesday, March 24th @ 8 a.m.

Meeting schedule printed in the April 14, 2026 minutes.

What happened next

The schedule was corrected in the very next packet. The May 12 2026 agenda lists KMU for May 19 and the EDA for May 26 with council on June 9, and the July 14 2026 packet carries the same forward-looking dates plus a June 2 Planning Commission meeting. The stale March 17 and March 24 entries were a carry-forward error in the April minutes.

The April 14 2026 minutes list upcoming meetings on dates that had already passed.

5-12-26 and 7.14.26 Council Packets · taken up again 2026-05-12

Action itemEngineer Derek Olingerfrom the minutes
Two televising quotes were received. Motion by Bailey seconded by Helgeson to approve the quote from Visu-Sewer to televise under Highway 60.

Infrastructure study of utility mains below Hwy 60 in preparation for potential reconstruction in 2030 or later.

At the meetingCouncil approved the Visu-Sewer quote 5-0-0.

Partly answered

The council approved the Visu-Sewer quote 5-0-0 on May 12 2026, but no completed televising report or findings appear anywhere in our record through September 8 2026. The dollar amount of the quote was never entered in the minutes either. Visu-Sewer's report and invoice would settle both.

5-12-26 Council Packet; KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2026-05-12

RequestHolli Gudknecht, Administration (agenda item report)
Scott and Rachel would like to attend this conference.

Historical Preservation Training item under New Business for May 12.

Partly answered

The cost is fully itemized at $3,614.14 for the two staff: each of Lehner and Goven at $450 registration, $195 parking for four nights and five days at $39, and $1,162.07 for four hotel nights. No council motion approving attendance appears in our record. The minutes recording that vote would settle it.

5-12-26 Council Packet, NAPC FORUM Scholarship Budget Sheet

Action itemCity Administrator Scott Lehnerfrom the minutes
They are learning fast and contributing to the city's well-being. 19 KMU Job Description Administrator Lehner stated that the job description is complete and will be posted April 17.

Administrator update on a finished KMU job description; a KMU Job Update is listed on the May 12 agenda.

Partly answered

KMU staffing stayed open through the last packet we hold. A KMU Job Update sat on the May 12 2026 agenda and a KMU Staffing Update on the September 8 2026 administrator report, five months after the April 17 posting date. The position was the Line Worker and Water Operator job description Lehner had been revising with KMU staff. Applicant counts and any hire are what is missing.

4-12-26, 5-12-26 and 9-8-26 Council Packets

Unsourced claimEngineer Derek Olingerfrom the minutes
This information will be used to clarify the prioritization of sewer needs in this area, and whether city utility replacement needs to be incorporated into the state's project. Two televising quotes were received.

Basis for selecting Visu-Sewer to televise under Highway 60.

At the meetingCouncil approved the Visu-Sewer quote without the amounts being recorded.

Partly answered

Two quotes is confirmed and Visu-Sewer took the award on May 12 2026, but neither dollar amount is in our record. The award met the two-quote requirement of Administrative Policy No. 34.

KENYON_BIDS.md

Unsourced claimCity Administrator Scott Lehnerfrom the minutes
State statutes limit a city's tort liability to a maximum of $500,000 per claimant and $1,500,000 per occurrence.

Explanation before the council voted on the LMCIT liability coverage waiver.

At the meetingCouncil voted 5-0-0 not to waive the LMCIT state liability limits.

Partly answered

The governing chapter is named elsewhere in our record: the September 8 2026 developer agreement refers to the maximum monetary limits on liability established by Minnesota Statutes chapter 466. We do not hold the statute text confirming the $500,000 per claimant and $1,500,000 per occurrence figures, nor the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust coverage documents behind the $2,000,000 optional limit.

9-8-26 Council Packet; 5-12-26 Council Packet

To look upSHPO scholarship budget sheet
Parking On-Site ($39 per car) $390.00 $288.00

Budget sheet submitted with the NAPC FORUM scholarship application.

Partly answered

The $390.00 request reconciles cleanly as $39 a day for five days for two people. The $288.00 total reconciles to nothing at the $39 daily rate, since $288 divided by $39 is 7.38 days. Four nights for two people at $39 would be $312 and five days for one person would be $195, which is the per-person figure used elsewhere in the same application. A corrected budget sheet from the applicant is what is missing.

The parking line requests $390.00 but totals $288.00, and neither figure is reachable from the other at the stated $39 daily rate.

5-12-26 Council Packet, NAPC FORUM Scholarship Budget Sheet

To look upDustin Opatz, Audit Director, Creative Planningfrom the minutes
PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS/RECOGNITIONS/PROLAMATIONS Creative Planning 2025 Audit Review Dustin Opatz, Audit Director from Creative Planning, presented a summary of the 2025 City and KMU audits and an overview of the overall City financial condition.

Opatz presented a summary of the 2025 audits and overall city financial condition.

At the meetingCouncil voted 5-0-0 to acknowledge receiving the audit presentation.

Partly answered

We do not hold the written 2025 audit reports, but two of their findings surface in later packets. The 2025 audit forced cash deficit loans that were reversed across at least seven funds during 2026, and the auditor flagged the Granicus and Catalis subscriptions as an unbudgeted 2025 variance. The audit work itself was competitively bid in December 2024 and awarded to BerganKDV at $27,540 against CLA at $97,640, and BerganKDV now presents as Creative Planning. The management letter is what is missing.

KENYON_BIDS.md, KENYON_IT_SPEND.md; 6.9.26 and 8-6-26 Council Packets

QuestionCity Administrator Scott Lehnerfrom the minutes
Attorney Riggs stated that the City Council can fly the flag they choose, but they cannot regulate what flag is flown throughout the city.

Lehner sought clarification for the council on flag authority.

At the meetingRiggs said the council may choose the flag it flies but cannot regulate flags flown elsewhere in the city; item was informational only.

Not a data question

This is a legal question answered by the city attorney, not a matter of record our data can settle. Attorney Riggs gave the opinion at the meeting that the council may choose which flag it flies but cannot regulate flags flown elsewhere in the city. Any written opinion or statute citation behind that is the attorney's to produce.

5-12-26 Council Packet

To look upEngineer Derek Olingerfrom the minutes
This information will be used to clarify the prioritization of sewer needs in this area, and whether city utility replacement needs to be incorporated into the state's project.

Purpose of the Hwy 60 televising work ahead of a potential state reconstruction in 2030 or later.

We hold no data

Nothing in our record answers whether city utility replacement must be folded into the state Highway 60 project. The televising was authorized May 12 2026 and no results were reported through September 8 2026. The Visu-Sewer findings plus MnDOT's project scope and schedule would settle it.

5-12-26 Council Packet · would settle it: Televising results plus MnDOT's project schedule and scope for the Hwy 60 reconstruction

PendingCity Administrator Scott Lehnerfrom the minutes
Police Department Data Request Administrator Lehner stated that he wanted to make the council aware of a data request situation happening at the police department. There is a person who has been a steady data requester. The LMC along with Attorney Riggs have been involved.

Lehner informed the council of a steady data requester at the police department.

We hold no data

We hold no police department data practices request log and no League of Minnesota Cities or attorney guidance on the responses. The later references to chapter 13 in our record are boilerplate inside the Rebound developer agreement, unrelated to the requester. The city's data request log and the attorney's written guidance would settle it.

5-12-26 and 9-8-26 Council Packets · would settle it: The data practices request log and the attorney/LMC guidance on responses

PendingRachel Goven, Administrative Assistant (application contact)
Scholarships will be awarded on a first come, first served basis, until all funds have been expended.

Scholarship application for NAPC FORUM 2026 attendance by Lehner and Goven.

We hold no data

We hold no SHPO award notice, so we cannot say whether Kenyon received the $3,614.14 or any part of it. The request equals the entire itemized cost of sending both staff, which means the city sought full coverage under a program that funds first come, first served with a 70 percent federal share against a 30 percent local match. SHPO's award letter would settle it.

5-12-26 Council Packet, SHPO Scholarship Application 2026 · would settle it: SHPO's award notice confirming the scholarship amount granted to Kenyon

Action itemSHPO scholarship application instructions
The post-conference reimbursement request is due on Monday, August 31, 2026.

Required of scholarship recipients after attending NAPC FORUM.

We hold no data

We hold no completed reimbursement form, receipts, in-kind labor forms or session list for the August 31 2026 SHPO deadline. Nothing in the September 8 2026 packet, the last we hold, reports on it. The submitted reimbursement package would settle it.

5-12-26 Council Packet, SHPO scholarship instructions · would settle it: Completed reimbursement form with registration, lodging and parking receipts

Unsourced claimCouncil Member Kim Helgeson (motion)from the minutes
Motion by Helgeson, seconded by Kirchmann to follow past City precedence to not waive LMCIT State Liability limits.

Wording of the motion on the LMCIT liability coverage waiver.

At the meetingMotion carried 5-0-0.

We hold no data

We hold no prior year LMCIT waiver forms for Kenyon, so the claim of past precedent cannot be checked. The signed waiver elections from earlier renewal years would settle it.

5-12-26 Council Packet · would settle it: Prior years' LMCIT waiver forms signed by the city

Unsourced claimHolli Gudknecht, Administration (agenda item report)
every city that is a Certified Local Government (including Kenyon) is required to attend FORUM

Justification for sending two staff to the Minneapolis conference.

We hold no data

We hold no Certified Local Government agreement or SHPO guidance stating that FORUM attendance is required. The SHPO material we do hold describes scholarships awarded first come, first served until funds run out, reimbursed to the Certified Local Government rather than the attendee, which reads as optional support rather than a mandate. The city's CLG agreement would settle it.

The packet calls FORUM attendance required for every Certified Local Government, while the SHPO scholarship terms in the same packet describe a competitive first come, first served award that can run out of funds.

5-12-26 Council Packet, SHPO scholarship material · would settle it: The CLG agreement or SHPO guidance stating the training attendance requirement

Decisions 9 motions

Who did what

PersonAt this meeting
Don Kirchmann
Mayor
Called the meeting to order, administered the Oath of Office to Deanna Gard, seconded motions, and thanked applicants for the council vacancy
Deanna Gard
Council Member
Appointed by Resolution 2026-11, appointed to the Planning Commission, and sworn in
Mary Bailey
Council Member
Moved adoption of Resolution 2026-11, the consent agenda, the Visu-Sewer quote and adjournment; thanked Engineer Olinger for the new school sidewalk
Kim Helgeson
Council Member
Seconded multiple motions and moved not to waive LMCIT state liability limits
Lee Sjolander
Council Member
Moved approval of the agenda, acknowledgment of the audit presentation and adoption of Resolutions 2026-12 through 2026-15; thanked city staff
Scott Lehner
City Administrator
Reported on part-time employees, KMU job description posting, police staffing, the state flag question, a police data request, and the LMCIT liability waiver decision
Derek Olinger
City Engineer
Presented the Highway 60 sewer televising quotes and updated the council on the 2025 street and utility project schedule
Scott Riggs
City Attorney
Explained the four Rebound Sunset Home resolutions and the city's options on flag display
Dustin Opatz
Audit Director, Creative Planning
Presented a summary of the 2025 City and KMU audits and the city's financial condition
Holli Gudknecht
Administrative Assistant / Deputy Clerk
Recorded and signed the minutes
Misty England
Police Officer
Noted as having taken a full-time position with another department, though she may continue part-time hours in Kenyon
Wayne Ehrich
Public Works Superintendent
Attended the meeting
Armani Tucker
Officer
Attended the meeting
Rachel Goven
Administrative Assistant
Attended the meeting
Donald Traurig
Part-time liquor store employee
Hire approved on the consent agenda
Caleb Beardsley
Part-time liquor store employee
Hire approved on the consent agenda
Tracy Erlandson
Part-time liquor store employee
Hire approved on the consent agenda

Organizations named: Kenyon VFW, Kenyon Firemen's Relief Association, Creative Planning, Kenyon Municipal Utilities (KMU), Visu-Sewer, LHB, Inc., Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), Rebound Real Estate, League of Minnesota Cities (LMC), League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT), Kenyon Planning Commission, Kenyon Economic Development Authority (EDA)

Figures

AmountWhat
$500,000state statutory tort liability limit per claimant under LMCIT coverage
$1,500,000state statutory tort liability limit per occurrence under LMCIT coverage
$2,000,000maximum additional insurance coverage cities may purchase annually

Said at the meeting

Attorney Riggs stated that the City Council can fly the flag they choose, but they cannot regulate what flag is flown throughout the city.

City Attorney Scott Riggs · packet, verbatim

Administrator Lehner stated that the full-time police officer position has been posted.

City Administrator Scott Lehner · packet, verbatim

Attorney Riggs stated that all four of the following resolutions are related to the Rebound Sunset Home project.

City Attorney Scott Riggs · minutes, verbatim

Council Member Bailey thanked Engineer Olinger, and everyone involved for the new sidewalk by the school as part of the street project.

Council Member Mary Bailey · packet, verbatim

Mayor Kirchmann thanked Deanna for joining the council and all the others who showed interest in the position.

Mayor Don Kirchmann · minutes, verbatim

Resolutions and ordinances

  • Appointing Deanna Gard to serve as Council Member until the next electionRes. 2026-11
  • Approving Amendments to the Bylaws of the Kenyon Firemen's Relief Association Approve payment of check numbers 78020 through 78133; 7261E thrRes. 2026-10
  • Approving the Professional Services Agreement with LHB, IncRes. 2026-13
  • Approving the DEED Grant Contract Agreement for the Rebound Real Estate Sunset Homes Project Resolution 2026-15: Approving the Sub-Grant ContRes. 2026-14
  • Resolution 2026-13, Resolution 2026-14, and Resolution 2026-15Res. 2026-12

Agenda

Each item links to where it appears in the packet.

  1. I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
  2. II. CITIZEN COMMENTS
  3. III. ADOPT AGENDA
  4. III.A Adopt the Agenda for 4-14-26
  5. IV. CONSENT AGENDA
  6. IV.A Consent Agenda:
  7. V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES and APPOINTMENTS
  8. V.A Approval of:
  9. VI. PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS RECOGNITIONS/PROCLAMATIONS
  10. VI.A Creative Planning 2025 Audit Review
  11. VII. ENGINEERING
  12. VII.A Hwy 60 Sewer Televising
  13. VIII. LEGAL
  14. VIII.A Resolution 2026-13: Approving the Professional Services Agreement with LHB, Inc.
  15. VIII.B Resolution 2026-14: Approving the DEED Grant Contract Agreement for the Rebound
  16. VIII.C Resolution 2026-15: Approving the Sub-Grant Contract Agreement for the Rebound
  17. VIII.D Resolution 2026-12: Calling for a Public Hearing by the City Council on the Proposed
  18. IX. FINANCIAL
  19. IX.A March 2026 Financial Reports and Payment of Claims
  20. X. OLD BUSINESS
  21. XI. NEW BUSINESS
  22. XI.A LMCIT Liability Coverage Waiver
  23. XII. F.Y.I. - Department Updates
  24. XII.A FYI - 4/14/26
  25. XIII. COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTS
  26. XIV. ADJOURNMENT
  27. II. APPOINT COUNCIL MEMBER
  28. A. On-Sale Liquor License Renewal- Kenyon VFW
  29. C. Approval of use of Fire Hall for Community Summer Safety Event – June 2, 2026
  30. D. Resolution 2026-10: Approving Amendments to the Bylaws of the Kenyon Firemen's
  31. A. City Council Meeting Minutes of March 10, 2026
  32. B. Approve Hire of Donald Traurig, Caleb Beardsley, and Tracy Erlandson Part-Time
  33. A. Creative Planning 2025 Audit Review
  34. VII. ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE
  35. A. Part-time Employee Update
  36. B. KMU Job Description
  37. C. Police Department Staffing Update
  38. D. MN Flag
  39. E. Police Department Data Request
  40. A. Hwy 60 Sewer Televising
  41. A. Resolution 2026-13: Approving the Professional Services Agreement with LHB, Inc.
  42. B. Resolution 2026-14: Approving the DEED Grant Contract Agreement for the
  43. C. Resolution 2026-15: Approving the Sub-Grant Contra

Full packet text (194k characters)

The minutes

Official minutes as adopted, from 5-12-26 Council Packet Updated; 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 April 2026. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirchmann.

Present
Mayor Don Kirchmann, Council Members Kim Helgeson, Lee Sjolander, Mary Bailey, Deanna Gard
Also present
City Administrator Scott Lehner, Administrative Assistant Holli Gudknecht, Engineer Derek Olinger, City Attorney Scott Riggs, Officer Armani Tucker, Heather Dewitz, Rachel Goven, John Lee, Public Works Superintendent Wayne Ehrich

The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Appoint Council Member

Resolution 2026-11 Appointing Deanna Gard to serve as Council Member until the next election.

Motion

Motion by Bailey seconded by Helgeson to adopt Resolution 2026-11. Motion carried 4-0-0.

Motion

Motion by Kirchmann seconded by Bailey to appoint Deanna Gard to the Planning Commission. Motion carried 5-0-0.

The Oath of Office will be administered by the Mayor for Councilmember Gard The Oath of Office was administered to Deanna Gard by Mayor Donald Kirchmann.

Citizen Comment

Adopt Agenda

Motion

Motion by Sjolander seconded by Helgeson to approve the agenda. Motion carried 4-0-0.

Consent Agenda

Motion

Motion by Bailey second by Helgeson to approve the amended Consent Agenda, which includes:

Motion carried 5-0-0

Presentations / Public Hearings / Recognitions / Prolamations

Creative Planning 2025 Audit Review

Dustin Opatz, Audit Director from Creative Planning, presented a summary of the 2025 City and KMU audits and an overview of the overall City financial condition.

Motion

Motion by Sjolander seconded by Kirchmann to acknowledge receiving the audit presentation.

Motion carried 5-0-0

Administrator Update

Part-time Employee Update

Administrator Lehner reported that the new part-time employees are establishing roles and responsibilities. They are learning fast and contributing to the city's well-being. 19 KMU Job Description Administrator Lehner stated that the job description is complete and will be posted April 17. Police Department Staffing Update Administrator Lehner stated that the full-time police officer position has been posted. There is also an opening for one or two part-time officers. Officer Misty England has taken a full-time position with another department but may continue doing some part-time hours in Kenyon. MN Flag Administrator Lehner wanted to clarify the city's options on the State flag choice. Attorney Riggs stated that the City Council can fly the flag they choose, but they cannot regulate what flag is flown throughout the city. This topic was for informational purposes only. Police Department Data Request Administrator Lehner stated that he wanted to make the council aware of a data request situation happening at the police department. There is a person who has been a steady data requester. The LMC along with Attorney Riggs have been involved.

Engineering

Hwy 60 Sewer Televising

Engineer Olinger stated that he had previously discussed the need for an infrastructure study for utility mains below Hwy 60 in Kenyon, in preparation for potential reconstruction in 2030 or later. To move forward with this study, televising sanitary mains within the state right-of-way needs to be reviewed. This information will be used to clarify the prioritization of sewer needs in this area, and whether city utility replacement needs to be incorporated into the state's project. Two televising quotes were received.

Motion

Motion by Bailey seconded by Helgeson to approve the quote from Visu-Sewer to televise under Highway 60. Motion carried 5-0-0.

2025 Street & Utility Project Engineer Olinger stated that the 2025 street and utility project will be restarted during the week of April 13th. The final completion is expected to be mid-July with the punch list completed by August 30.

Legal

Attorney Riggs stated that all four of the following resolutions are related to the Rebound Sunset Home project. The signed resolutions are steps needed to move the process forward to keep the project on schedule. Resolution 2026-13: Approving the Professional Services Agreement with LHB, Inc.

Resolution 2026-14: Approving the DEED Grant Contract Agreement for the Rebound Real

Estate Sunset Homes Project

Resolution 2026-15: Approving the Sub-Grant Contract Agreement for the Rebound Real Estate

Sunset Homes Project

Resolution 2026-12: Calling for a Public Hearing by the City Council on the Proposed

Establishment of the Development Program for Municipal Development District No. 2 Establishment of TIF District No. 2-1 Therein and Adoption of a TIF Plan Therefor

Motion

Motion by Sjolander seconded by Bailey to adopt Resolution 2026-12, Resolution 2026-13, Resolution 2026-14, and Resolution 2026-15. Motion carried 5-0-0.

Old Business

NEW BUSINESS LMCIT Liability Coverage Waiver Administrator Lehner stated that the City Council is required to choose either to waive or not to waive the monetary insurance liability limits. State statutes limit a city's tort liability to a maximum of $500,000 per claimant and $1,500,000 per occurrence. These limits apply whether the claim is against the city, against the individual officer or employee, or against both. Cities can choose to waive the state liability limits. Cities can purchase additional insurance coverage up to $2,000,000 annually.

Motion

Motion by Helgeson, seconded by Kirchmann to follow past City precedence to not waive LMCIT State Liability limits. Motion carried 5-0-0.

Schedule of Upcoming Meetings

KMU Meeting: Tuesday, March 17th @ 3:00 p.m. EDA Meeting: Tuesday, March 24th @ 8 a.m. City Council Meeting: Tuesday, April 14th @ 7 p.m.

Council And Staff General Comments

Council Member Sjolander thanked city staff for all they do.

Council Member Bailey thanked Engineer Olinger, and everyone involved for the new sidewalk by the school as part of the street project.

Mayor Kirchmann thanked Deanna for joining the council and all the others who showed interest in the position. He encouraged them to consider running in the fall.

Motion

Motion by Bailey seconded by Helgeson to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m.

Motion carried 5-0-0
Holli Gudknecht, Deputy Clerk Donald Kirchmann, Mayor