Watch the meeting
What happened
- Kenyon Market owners said the store may close or sell; about twenty employees notified
- Public hearing held on Flom Disposal, Inc. rate increase, opened 7:16 p.m. and closed 7:20 p.m.
- Approved a new three-year solid waste hauling agreement with Flom Disposal with increased rates
- Approved Pay Application #7 to Fitzgerald Excavating for $461,189.14 (work through July 3, 2026)
- Approved Change Order #2 delaying final paving of 8th Street and Langford Avenue to end of construction season; punch list due August 30
- Adopted Resolution 2026-24 approving the Contract for Private Development and Sub-Grant Agreement with Kenyon Real Estate 2, LLC
- Adopted Resolution 2026-22 granting a fence variance at 616 9th Street, per Planning Commission recommendation with four conditions
- Abdo's proposed 2027 levy increase was 19.5%; council targeted a maximum 9% increase and asked for an August budget work session
- Adopted Resolution 2026-23 for League of Minnesota Cities Grant Navigator support (grants up to $5,000) for Depot Park and a Trondheim trail connection
- August council meeting rescheduled to Thursday, August 6 at 7:00 p.m. due to the August 11 primary election
What was asked 30 raised · 7 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.
The proposed 2027 budget levy increase is 19.5% from 2026. The council stated they would like to work the levy down to a maximum 9% increase.
Council reaction to the first draft of the 2027 preliminary budget.
At the meetingLehner said the council could strike items or set a target percentage; the council settled on 9 percent as a compromise.
The council did not reach its 9 percent target in one step. The second draft came in at 10.34 percent on September 8 2026, and the preliminary levy certified that day by Resolution 2026-31 was $1,670,115, a 9.26 percent increase. Reductions came from cutting pool, streets and police department items.
9-8-26 Council Packet and factbook levy history · taken up again 2026-09-08
Lehner said he is finalizing a comparison Thursday.
Council asked whether an internal finance person would cost less than Abdo.
At the meetingLehner said the former position's pay and benefits versus Abdo's three services come out roughly even and he would still recommend Abdo.
The comparison was delivered on September 8 2026 as a New Business item titled Abdo vs. Internal Finance Director, with a summary report, a three-year accounting services proposal, an HR and payroll renewal engagement letter and an HR consulting proposal attached. Abdo's 2027 proposal is $164,800 against its own estimate of $167,100 for a full-time finance director at $40.45 an hour, a gap of $2,300.
Abdo assumed $63,000 of family insurance for one hire, but the entire city administration medical, dental, life and disability line was $88,069 actual in 2025 and $73,310 budgeted for 2026, so the hire estimate loads nearly a whole department's benefit line onto one position.
9-8-26 Council Packet · taken up again 2026-09-08
Crews have installed the liner system, but they still need to install manhole liners, adjust castings, and grout service connections. 2025 Street and Utility Improvements – Fitzgerald Excavating & Trucking -Pay Application No. 7 Pay request No. 7 includes work completed through July 3, 2026.
Engineering update on the 2025 Street & Utility Project.
The sewer lining, grouting and manhole rehabilitation reached substantial completion on July 17 2026, the cutoff date for the partial pay estimate that covered that work. On September 8 2026 the engineer reported only punch list repairs remaining, plus separate repairs to be coordinated with the gas company over line installation problems raised by Doug Henke.
8-6-26 Council Packet Updated and 9-8-26 Council Packet · taken up again 2026-09-08
The city also received a plat application that day for the land side of the project showing two more units than earlier plans. That will return as a separate development agreement.
New plat application received the day of the meeting.
The Planning Commission held public hearings on the variances and preliminary plat on August 4 2026 and tabled both until the developer submits supplemental materials. The council then extended the review period to a maximum of 120 days for the three variances and the preliminary plat on August 6 2026, on a motion by Bailey seconded by Gard, carried 4-0-0. No separate development agreement for the land side has come back.
9-8-26 Council Packet and factbook development section · taken up again 2026-08-06
Workers' compensation and general liability at a 10 percent increase, pending League of Minnesota Cities figures.
Assumptions in the 2027 draft budget.
The 10 percent placeholder was cut to 5 percent. Both the August 6 and September 8 2026 budget memos estimate a 5 percent increase for workers compensation and general liability, and note the League of Minnesota Cities is recommending 2 to 5 percent on workers compensation and 3 to 5 percent on general liability. Actual quoted premiums are still not in the record.
8-6-26 Council Packet Updated and 9-8-26 Council Packet · taken up again 2026-08-06
A council member asked whether hiring an internal finance person would cost less.
Budget discussion about contracted services.
At the meetingLehner said the comparison comes out roughly even and he would recommend Abdo, with the full comparison to follow.
On Abdo's own numbers the hire is more expensive by $2,300 a year, $167,100 for a full-time finance director at $40.45 an hour against $164,800 for Abdo's 2027 package. The gap is inside the noise of the assumptions, and Abdo's fee is scheduled to rise to $114,500 in 2028 and $121,000 in 2029 on the financial solutions piece alone, a 31 percent climb from the $92,100 a year rate at engagement in September 2025.
Both sides of Abdo's comparison favor Abdo. Its $63,000 family insurance assumption nearly equals the whole city administration benefit line of $73,310 budgeted for 2026, and its own payroll piece of $25,800 sits against competitive 2023 quotes of $7,655 from Paychex and $5,032 from ADP.
9-8-26 Council Packet and factbook contracted finance section · taken up again 2026-09-08
Todd Kieffer applied to the Goodhue County housing trust fund for $82,000. The city was not awarded the grant.
Administrator update on housing funding.
The Goodhue County housing trust fund denial stands, but the city landed a different award. The September 8 2026 packet reports Kenyon was awarded $75,000 in Tier II Housing Funds from a Minnesota Housing grant, aligned with Goodhue County Habitat for Humanity, with a four-year spending window ending in 2031. The plan is to build the home during the 2027-28 school year with the Kenyon-Wanamingo construction classes under Doug Thompson, with the city as fiscal agent and part of the grant usable to acquire land.
9-8-26 Council Packet · taken up again 2026-09-08
A council member asked that the item go on the next Economic Development Authority agenda, July 28, and that staff contact Todd Kieffer and John Mortensen.
Response to the Wagners' request for help with the grocery store.
At the meetingThe Wagners were invited to that meeting.
We hold no July 28 2026 EDA agenda and no record of staff contacting Todd Kieffer or John Mortensen about the grocery store. The September 8 2026 packet lists an EDA report by Todd Kieffer as a standing department head update but records no Kenyon Market item. The July 28 EDA agenda and minutes would settle it.
9-8-26 Council Packet
The council requested a report showing the breakdown of what is spent on outside services and contracted services.
Council wants to examine outside spending, naming Todd Kieffer's CEDA contract as an example.
At the meetingSturtz said contracted services are mainly Abdo and outside services mainly CEDA, and staff will pull the general ledger detail.
The Abdo portion of the breakdown reached the council on September 8 2026: the 2027 Abdo proposal totals $164,800, made up of $109,000 Financial Solutions, $30,000 HR and $25,800 payroll, escalating to $114,500 in 2028 and $121,000 in 2029. Actual outside services in the administration line ran $99,689 in 2025, and the 2026 packets attribute an $82,000 jump in outside services to recoding Abdo invoices that were previously booked to general government. A full vendor-by-vendor general ledger detail covering CEDA and the other contracts is not in our holdings.
9-8-26 Council Packet and factbook contracted finance section · taken up again 2026-09-08
The council requested a report showing the breakdown of what is spent on outside services and contracted services. They would like a budget work session to be scheduled in August.
Council wants more time on the 2027 budget before certifying the preliminary levy.
No August 2026 budget work session appears in our record. The next budget discussion on file is the second draft presented at the regular September 8 2026 meeting, where staff said a work session with department heads would be scheduled in October to work the levy down further. A posted notice or minutes for an August session would settle whether one was held.
9-8-26 Council Packet · taken up again 2026-09-08
Administrator Lehner stated that this Public Hearing was required for the Flom Disposal, Inc. rate increase. Billy Dyrdahl asked how much the rates went up and how the garbage cart size is determined.
Public hearing on the Flom Disposal rate increase.
At the meetingCouncil said the increase is about a dollar a month and that a smaller cart may be requested but the rate depends on household status, not cart size; Gudknecht said residents must contact the city to get the single or senior rate.
The council approved a new three-year solid waste hauling agreement with Flom Disposal containing increased rates, on a motion by Bailey seconded by Gard, carried 4-0-0, after the prior agreement expired June 30 2026. The rate schedule itself and any cart size policy are not in our holdings, so the dollar amount of the increase and the basis for cart assignment cannot be confirmed. The executed Flom agreement with its rate exhibit would settle it.
8-6-26 Council Packet Updated · taken up again 2026-08-06
Asked whether the amount could exceed what the council authorized when it approved the district, Riggs said no.
Discussion of the Kenyon Crossings contract for private development with authority for staff to adjust figures.
At the meetingRiggs said no.
The authorized ceiling is $1,855,000 in tax increment assistance over 26 years, approved May 18 2026, more than double the $800,000 Northland Securities recommended. The executed contract for private development and the face amount of the pay-as-you-go note are not in our holdings, so the final assistance figure cannot be confirmed.
Riggs said the amount could not exceed what the council authorized, but Section 5.02 of the September 8 2026 resolution approves the contract with such modifications as shall be deemed necessary, desirable or appropriate, and makes execution itself conclusive evidence of approval of any and all modifications.
factbook development section and 9-8-26 Council Packet · taken up again 2026-09-08
To allow for additional settlement time, we are recommending that final paving for 8th Street be delayed until the end of this construction season.
Change Order No. 2 on the 2025 Street and Utility project.
At the meetingCouncil approved Change Order #2 at no cost, with final lift due by October 31 and punch list by August 30.
As of September 8 2026 the final lift had not been confirmed placed. Reconstruction within Langford Avenue was reported complete with sod laid on August 6 2026, and on September 8 2026 the engineer reported the contractor would return over the following weeks for punch list repairs. The October 31 2026 deadline falls after the last document we hold, so a later pay application or engineer's certificate would settle it.
9-8-26 Council Packet · taken up again 2026-09-08
County tax capacity is still preliminary.
2027 preliminary levy and tax rate calculations depend on final tax capacity.
The preliminary tax capacity used for the 2027 levy rose from $1,822,872 in the July and August drafts to $1,865,379 by the September 2026 preliminary levy, and both memos warn the final figure will vary. For the prior year the same caution proved material: the certified pay-2026 base implied by the auditor's rate was $1,805,032, and we located $1,804,993 of it parcel by parcel, or 99.998 percent. Goodhue County's final 2027 certification is not yet in our holdings.
The figure was not unchanged. By September 2026 the county's preliminary capacity had moved to $1,865,379, $42,507 above the $1,822,872 carried in the July draft.
factbook, KENYON_DATA_IN_MEETINGS.md and taxes/levy.html · taken up again 2026-09-08
Sturtz flagged that the fire levy line is wrong.
Error flagged in the July draft 2027 levy table.
The corrected fire levy line is not in our holdings, but the revenue budget in the September 8 2026 packet shows state fire aid budgeted at $48,000 for 2027 against $33,000 for 2026, a $15,000 increase, which is the entry Sturtz said needed fixing. The 2027 levy detail table showing the fire levy line before and after the correction would settle whether the 39.94 percent decrease became an increase.
9-8-26 Council Packet, fund 203 revenue budget · taken up again 2026-09-08
Health insurance figures arrive around October.
Budget assumption affecting police and other wage lines.
The 5 percent health insurance assumption was still in place through the September 8 2026 preliminary levy, where staff said some numbers remain pending and adjustments would follow as they arrive. October is the month the actual rates were expected and the last document we hold is dated September 8 2026, so no actual 2027 premium figures exist in our records. The carrier renewal schedule would settle it.
9-8-26 Council Packet
if the award is not made the effort ends
Resolution 2026-23 authorizing the application for Depot Park accessibility and trail project support.
At the meetingCouncil adopted Resolution 2026-23 authorizing the application.
Resolution 2026-23 authorizing the Grant Navigator application was adopted on a motion by Bailey seconded by Gard, covering a comprehensive accessibility and recreation project centered on Depot Park with a future accessible trail to the Trondheim neighborhood. The program provides up to $5,000 per city on a rolling basis against a $500,000 statewide cap. No League of Minnesota Cities award decision appears in our holdings.
8-6-26 Council Packet Updated and factbook GRANTS.md · taken up again 2026-08-06
Dollar General took about ten percent of sales. Ten percent was the margin.
Explaining why the grocery store is no longer profitable.
We hold no Kenyon Market sales or margin records, so the ten percent claim cannot be tested. What the property record shows is the asymmetry between the two stores: Kenyon Market pays $7,225 in city tax on a $464,100 valuation while Dollar General pays $1,762, and Dollar General is absentee owned by the Gigliotti Family Trust of Fallbrook, California. Dollar General's valuation jumps to $972,800 for pay 2027 as the new building hits the roll. Store profit and loss statements before and after the Dollar General opening would settle the margin claim.
factbook, taxes/data/kenyon_tax.json and data/companies.csv
small cities typically set preliminary levies around 8 or 9 percent and work down to 2 to 5 percent by December
Advising the council on setting the 2027 preliminary levy with cushion.
At the meetingThe council settled on a 9 percent target.
The Kenyon half of the claim is close but not exact. The 2026 preliminary levy was set at a maximum of 9.93 percent, not near 10, and the certified 2026 levy came in at $1,528,541, a 9.18 percent increase rather than about 9.2. The peer half cannot be tested because we hold no statewide dataset of Minnesota city levy increases. On Kenyon's own record the levy fell only 0.75 points between preliminary and final, well short of the 2 to 5 percent landing Sturtz described as typical.
Kenyon has not worked its levy down to the 2 to 5 percent range Sturtz described. It certified 9.18 percent for 2026 and 9.26 percent preliminary for 2027, after opening that cycle at 19.50 percent.
factbook levy history and Minnesota context warning
Dan Wagner, Kenyon Market owner, added that as far as continuing the store, it is looking to close or sell to an intown resident. There are approximately twenty employees that have been notified of the situation.
Stated for the record when asked about the store's workforce.
The council record corroborates the headcount at approximately twenty employees notified of the situation, stated by Dan Wagner as owner. No payroll records or employment histories for the store are in our holdings, so the 18 to 20 range and the tenure since high school cannot be verified. Store payroll filings would settle it.
8-6-26 Council Packet Updated citizen comment
Lehner scheduled wires at the bank for four bond payments due by month end, about $233,000 total
Administrator update on bond payment processing.
We hold no bank wire confirmations for the four bond payments. The August 6 2026 cash summary does record a decrease in cash due to the first bond payment made for the year, which is consistent with the payments clearing. Debt service is the dominant force in the city's rate: the 2026 rate rise came almost entirely from the bond levy, with the general rate falling 0.38 percent while the bond rate rose 35.91 percent.
8-6-26 Council Packet Updated and factbook taxes/levy.html · taken up again 2026-08-06
The council did not want to put stipulations on it, but we sure could do that, but right now that is not what is on the books.
Gard objected that the Depot Park liquor permit carries no conditions.
At the meetingThe permit was approved without conditions; a council member agreed conditions could be considered for the future.
The Depot Park permit was approved without conditions on a motion by Bailey seconded by Sjolander, carried 4-0-0, after Gard pulled it from the consent agenda over her concern about alcohol in a family park. Riggs confirmed conditions are possible but not on the books, because the council that opened parks to alcohol declined to add any condition on glass, vendors or insurance. No draft ordinance amendment has come back, and until one does the permits carry no stipulations.
8-6-26 Council Packet Updated and factbook KENYON_DEPOT_PARK.md · taken up again 2026-08-06
There are approximately twenty employees that have been notified of the situation. The Wagners asked if there was anything the council could do to help, like a coalition or a cooperative.
Kenyon Market is losing money and the owners are looking to close or sell to an in-town resident.
At the meetingA council member asked that the item be placed on the July 28 EDA agenda and that staff contact Todd Kieffer and John Mortensen; the Wagners were invited.
Whether the city organizes a coalition or cooperative for Kenyon Market is a council and EDA policy decision, not a fact our records settle. What our records do show is the store's weight in the tax base: Kenyon Market at 109 Red Wing Ave pays $7,225 in city tax on a 2026 estimated market value of $464,100, about four times the $1,762 paid by the Dollar General that took roughly ten percent of its sales. No later council passage records the city acting on the request.
factbook, taxes/data/kenyon_tax.json and data/companies.csv
A council member asked whether the developer could be required to clean up the site.
Dumped mattresses and furniture along the Kenyon Crossings property.
At the meetingLehner said the mattresses, box springs, and furniture are gone as of that day and the developer committed to weed control, mowing, a no-dumping sign, and a camera.
We hold nothing confirming the weed control, mowing, no-dumping sign or camera the developer committed to at Kenyon Crossings. The only later passage touching the site concerns seeding to the MnDOT Seeding Manual and erosion and sediment control on the plan sheets, which is a different obligation. A city code enforcement or site inspection record would settle it.
8-6-26 Council Packet Updated · would settle it: Confirmation the committed weed control, mowing, sign, and camera were completed
Brezina 14 commented that her neighbors to the west have someone living in the camper that is parked next to her property line and she requested that the camper be moved.
Raised during the 616 9th Street fence variance hearing.
At the meetingStaff said the neighboring property will be addressed and the rules applied consistently.
We hold no code enforcement record for the neighboring property or the occupied camper. The record shows only that Brezina's own fence variance was granted by Resolution 2026-22 on a motion by Sjolander seconded by Kirchmann, carried 4-0-0, after a Planning Commission hearing with four recommended conditions. A zoning enforcement file on the west neighbor would settle it.
8-6-26 Council Packet Updated · would settle it: A code enforcement record on the neighboring property
It is close to being done. The department heads will review it next and then it will go to the personnel committee for review.
Administrator update on the personnel policy rewrite with Abby from Abdo.
The personnel policy rewrite has not moved in our record beyond the status Lehner gave, that it is close to done and goes next to department heads and then the personnel committee. Later passages using the word policy all concern title insurance on the Kenyon Crossings plat and are unrelated. The draft personnel policy or personnel committee minutes would settle it.
8-6-26 Council Packet Updated · would settle it: The draft personnel policy and review schedule
Asked who priced the pool work, he said Wayne Ehrich, the public works superintendent, gathered it from contractors as a stopgap to extend the pool's life, not a permanent fix.
Council reviewing the pool line in the 2027 draft budget.
At the meetingLehner said Wayne Ehrich gathered the pricing from contractors as a stopgap.
The contractor pricing behind the $77,000 pool line is not in our archive, and no pool sandblasting, crack repair or repainting quote appears in the 43-row bid record. Lehner attributed the pricing to Public Works Superintendent Wayne Ehrich gathering it from contractors as a stopgap.
A $77,000 purchase requires council approval plus two written quotes under Administrative Policy No. 34 as put before the council in August 2024, whose adoption our archive does not confirm, and no quotes for the pool work are on file.
KENYON_BIDS.md · would settle it: The contractor quotes for sandblasting, crack repair, and repainting the pool
Chief Sjoblom noted that state law on these vehicles has changed and he will circulate a reference sheet.
Sjolander's warning about increased scooter and e-bike activity in town.
No scooter or electric bike reference sheet appears in our holdings, and no later council passage records Chief Sjoblom circulating one. The only related entry is Sjolander's comment noting increased scooter and electric bike activity and reminding residents to be aware of them. The circulated reference sheet or a police department memo would settle it.
8-6-26 Council Packet Updated · would settle it: The reference sheet on current Minnesota scooter and e-bike law
small-city police budgets commonly run near 30 percent while large cities show 13 percent
Arguing against adding a part-time police administrative position in the 2027 budget.
At the meetingSturtz's presentation put Kenyon law enforcement at 32.7 percent of the general fund.
We hold no dataset of police spending as a share of city budgets for Minnesota cities, by size or otherwise, so neither the 30 percent small-city figure nor the 13 percent large-city figure can be checked against anything. The single number we can place is the one from the meeting itself, Kenyon law enforcement at 32.7 percent of the general fund. A statewide compilation of city general fund and police expenditures would settle it.
factbook Minnesota context warning · would settle it: Comparative police budget percentages for Minnesota cities by size
a recent remodel of about $200,000 in equipment with new doors and cases, a leased building, and inventory of roughly $250,000
Describing what a prospective in-town buyer would acquire.
We hold no equipment or inventory valuation for Kenyon Market, so the $200,000 remodel and $250,000 inventory figures cannot be verified, and the fifty-fifty odds are a seller's judgment rather than a fact. One point our property record adds is that the building at 109 Red Wing Ave is owned by Peter J Wagner, who bought it for $370,000 in November 2014, so a buyer taking a leased building would be leasing from the selling family. A business appraisal or asset list would settle the valuation.
factbook, taxes/data/kenyon_tax.json PIN 665400540 · would settle it: An equipment and inventory valuation for the store
Decisions 12 motions
Who did what
| Person | At this meeting |
|---|---|
| Don Kirchmann Mayor | Called the meeting to order, seconded motions on Change Order #2 and the fence variance, thanked pool staff, and encouraged Deanna Gard to run for council |
| Lee Sjolander Council Member | Moved to open the public hearing, moved adoption of Resolution 2026-22 and the August meeting reschedule; thanked staff and noted scooter and e-bike activity |
| Mary Bailey Council Member | Moved approval of the agenda, pay application #7, the Flom contract, Resolutions 2026-24 and 2026-23, the liquor permit, and adjournment |
| Deanna Gard Council Member | Pulled the Depot Park liquor request from the consent agenda and objected to alcohol in a family park; seconded several motions |
| Kim Helgeson Council Member | Absent |
| Scott Lehner City Administrator | Reported on the Flom rate hearing, pool staff recognition, election filing dates, KMU new hire, personnel policy update, Flom contract and Grant Navigator request |
| Derek Olinger City Engineer | Reported Langford Avenue reconstruction nearly complete and sewer lining remaining; recommended Pay Application #7 and Change Order #2 |
| Scott Riggs City Attorney | Recommended approval of the Kenyon Crossing agreements and explained the city's park alcohol rules |
| Jessi Sturtz Abdo (via Zoom) | Summarized the 2027 budget, presenting a proposed 19.5% levy increase |
| Kristi Trisko Bolton & Menk (via Zoom) | Reviewed the Planning Commission hearing facts and findings on the 616 9th Street fence variance |
| Pete Wagner Kenyon Market | Told the council the grocery store has taken a downward turn amid new competition |
| Dan Wagner Kenyon Market owner | Said the store is looking to close or sell and asked if the council could help with a coalition or cooperative |
| Billy Dyrdahl Resident | Asked at the public hearing how much rates went up and how garbage cart size is determined |
| Stephanie Brezina Fence variance applicant, 616 9th Street | Commented on a neighbor's occupied camper parked near her property line and asked that it be moved |
| Holli Gudknecht Administrative Assistant / Deputy Clerk | Prepared agenda items and signed the minutes |
| Parker Burdorf KMU new hire | Started work for KMU the day before the meeting |
| Brandi Kyllo Liquor permit applicant | Requested liquor at Depot Park for July 25, 2026, which was approved |
| Addison Lindell Pool staff | Recognized for a rescue at the pool; declined public recognition |
| Cosette Rice Pool staff | Recognized for a rescue at the pool; declined public recognition |
| Leah Widholm Pool staff | Recognized for a rescue at the pool; declined public recognition |
Organizations named: Flom Disposal, Inc., Kenyon Market, Abdo, Bolton & Menk, Fitzgerald Excavating & Trucking, Kenyon Real Estate 2, LLC, League of Minnesota Cities, Kenyon Municipal Utilities (KMU), Kenyon EDA, Kenyon Planning Commission, Northland Securities
Figures
| Amount | What |
|---|---|
| $461,189.14 | Pay Application No. 7 to Fitzgerald Excavating & Trucking for the 2025 Street & Utility Improvements |
| $5,000 | Maximum League of Minnesota Cities Grant Navigator grant to identify grant funds for city projects |
| $2,294,629.25 | Original contract price, 2025 Street & Utility Improvements |
| $2,256,815.25 | Current contract price after net change by change orders |
| $1,964,638.53 | Total work completed and materials stored to date on the street project |
| $98,231.93 | 5% retainage held on work completed to date |
| $1,405,217.46 | Previous payments to the contractor before Application No. 7 |
| -$37,814.00 | Net change by change orders on the 2025 Street & Utility contract |
Said at the meeting
The council did not want to put stipulations on it, but we sure could do that, but right now that is not what is on the books.
Attorney Scott Riggs · minutes, verbatim
Dan Wagner, Kenyon Market owner, added that as far as continuing the store, it is looking to close or sell to an intown resident.
Minutes, on Kenyon Market · minutes, verbatim
Mayor Kirchmann stated that he would love to see Deanna Gard run for a council position.
Mayor Don Kirchmann · minutes, verbatim
He made note of the increased scooter and electric bike activity in town and reminded residents to be aware of them.
Council Member Lee Sjolander · minutes, verbatim
All three staff members declined to attend the council meeting and did not wish to be publicly recognized.
Administrator Scott Lehner · minutes, verbatim
Resolutions and ordinances
- Adoption of Election Judges for 2026 Approved payment of check numbers 78317 through 78422; 7448E through 7509ERes. 2026-21
- Approving Contract for Private Development and Sub-Grant Agreement with Kenyon Real Estate 2, LLC for Certain Property in the City of KenyonRes. 2026-24
- Adopting a Fence Variance Located at 616 9th Street Motion by Sjolander seconded by Kirchmann to adopt Resolution 2026-22Res. 2026-22
- Authorizing Application for Grant Navigator Support for the City Lehner stated that the EDA is requesting approval to seek support through thRes. 2026-23
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 7/14/26
- IV. CONSENT AGENDA
- IV.A Consent Agenda:
- V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES and APPOINTMENTS
- V.A Approval of:
- VI. PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS RECOGNITIONS/PROCLAMATIONS
- VI.A Public Hearing on Flom Disposal, Inc. Rate Increase
- VII. ENGINEERING
- VIII. LEGAL
- VIII.A Kenyon Crossing Update – Agreement, Approval, etc.
- IX. FINANCIAL
- IX.A June 2026 Financial Reports and Payments of Claims
- X. OLD BUSINESS
- XI. NEW BUSINESS
- XI.B Budget Update – Abdo
- XI.C Flom Contract Approval
- XI.D Resolution 2026-23 Authorizing Application for Grant Navigator Support for the City
- XI.E Reschedule August Council Meeting
- XII. F.Y.I. - Department Updates
- XII.A FYI 7-14-26
- XIII. COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTS
- XIV. ADJOURNMENT
- A. Approve Request for Liquor at Depot Park – Brandi Kyllo, July 25, 2026
- B. Resolution 2026-21 Adoption of Election Judges for 2026
- A. City Council Meeting Minutes of June 9, 2026
- B. City Council Special Meeting Minutes of June 30, 2026
- A. Public Hearing on Flom Disposal, Inc. Rate Increase
- VII. ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE
- A. Recognition of Pool Staff – Addison Lindell, Cosette Rice, and Leah Widholm
- B. Election Update
- C. KMU New Hire
- D. Personnel Policy Update
- A. Kenyon Crossing Update – Agreement, Approval, etc.
- B. Budget Update – Abdo
- C. Flom Contract Approval
- D. Resolution 2026-23 Authorizing Application for Grant Navigator Support for the City
- E. Reschedule August Council Meeting
- XIII. OTHER BUSINESS
- A. Schedule of Upcoming Meetings
Full packet text (384k characters)
The minutes
Official minutes as adopted, from 8-6-26 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 July 2026. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirchmann.
- Present
- Mayor Don Kirchmann, Council Members Lee Sjolander, Mary Bailey, Deanna Gard
- Absent
- Kim Helgeson
- Also present
- City Administrator Scott Lehner, Engineer Derek Olinger, Administrative Assistant Holli Gudknecht, Heather Dewitz, Police Chief Sjoblom, Stephanie Brezina, Chad Caron, Billy Dyrdahl, Pete Wagner, Dan Wagner
- Via Zoom
- Jessi Sturtz, Kristi Trisko
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Citizen Comment
Pete Wagner from the Kenyon Market stated that the grocery store has started to take a downward turn and it has gotten difficult to stay in business in town. Part of this is due to new competition in town. Dan Wagner, Kenyon Market owner, added that as far as continuing the store, it is looking to close or sell to an intown resident. There are approximately twenty employees that have been notified of the situation. The Wagners asked if there was anything the council could do to help, like a coalition or a cooperative.
Adopt Agenda
Motion by Bailey seconded by Gard to approve the agenda. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Consent Agenda
Councilmember Gard requested that Item IV/A/ Approval of the Liquor at Depot Park be removed from the Consent Agenda and added to XII/New Business/F.
Motion by Gard seconded by Bailey to approve the following Consent Agenda items, excluding the approval of the liquor license at the Depot Park:
Motion carried 4-0-0Presentations / Public Hearings / Recognitions / Prolamations
Motion by Sjolander seconded by Kirchmann to open the Public Hearing at 7:16 pm.
Administrator Lehner stated that this Public Hearing was required for the Flom Disposal, Inc. rate increase.
Billy Dyrdahl asked how much the rates went up and how the garbage cart size is determined.
Motion by Bailey second by Gard to close the Public Hearing at 7:20 p.m.
Motion carried 4-0-0Administrator Update
Recognition of Pool Staff – Addison Lindell, Cosette Rice, and Leah Widholm
Lehner stated that last month the council had requested that three pool staff be recognized for a rescue at the pool. All three staff members declined to attend the council meeting and did not wish to be publicly 13 recognized. Mayor Kirchmann thanked them for their actions.
Election Update
Lehner stated that Affidavits of Candidacy for open council positions could be filed from July 14 to July 28. The primary election will be held on Tuesday, August 11.
KMU New Hire
Lehner stated that Parker Burdorf started for KMU yesterday.
Personnel Policy Update
Lehner stated that Abby and he have been working on updating the personnel policy. It is close to being done. The department heads will review it next and then it will go to the personnel committee for review.
Engineering
2025 Street & Utility Project Engineer Olinger stated that most of the reconstruction work within Langford Avenue is now complete and sod has been laid. The last remaining major item of work is sewer lining and manhole rehabitation of various sewer mains throughout town. Crews have installed the liner system, but they still need to install manhole liners, adjust castings, and grout service connections. 2025 Street and Utility Improvements – Fitzgerald Excavating & Trucking -Pay Application No. 7 Pay request No. 7 includes work completed through July 3, 2026.
Motion by Bailey seconded by Sjolander to approve pay application #7 to Fitzgerald Excavating in the amount of $461,189.14. Motion carried 4-0-0. 2025 Street and Utility Improvements – Change Order #2 Engineer Olinger stated that some settlement of service line trenches is visible within 8th Street. The original contract required that 8th Street (and any other remaining streets) be paved with the final lift of asphalt by July 18th . To allow for additional settlement time, we are recommending that final paving for 8th Street be delayed until the end of this construction season. We are also including Langford Avenue in this change order since final pavement is not yet placed in that street. All other work within the contract is still required to be completed by July 18th . Remaining Punch list corrections must be completed by August 30th .
Motion by Kirchmann seconded by Bailey to approve Change Order #2. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Legal
Kenyon Crossing Update – Agreement, Approval, etc. Attorney Riggs stated that two public hearings were held and the TIF District for Kenyon Crossings was already adopted. He recommended approval of the agreements and contracts to keep the project moving forward. Resolution 2026-24: Approving Contract for Private Development and Sub-Grant Agreement with Kenyon Real Estate 2, LLC for Certain Property in the City of Kenyon.
Motion by Bailey seconded by Gard to adopt Resolution 2026-24. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Old Business
New Business
616 9th Street Fence Variance Request Kristi Trisko from Bolton & Menk stated that the Planning Commission held a public hearing last week concerning Brezina's fence variance. She reviewed the facts and findings from the hearing. The planning commission recommended approval of this variance with four recommended conditions. Brezina
14 commented that her neighbors to the west have someone living in the camper that is parked next to her property line and she requested that the camper be moved. She felt the neighbors need to adhere to the same rules that she needs to follow. Resolution 2026-22 Adopting a Fence Variance Located at 616 9th Street
Motion by Sjolander seconded by Kirchmann to adopt Resolution 2026-22. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Budget Update – Abdo
Jessi Sturtz from Abdo summarized the key items for consideration in the 2027 budget. The proposed 2027 budget levy increase is 19.5% from 2026. The council stated they would like to work the levy down to a maximum 9% increase. The council requested a report showing the breakdown of what is spent on outside services and contracted services. They would like a budget work session to be scheduled in August.
Flom Contract Approval
Administrator Lehner stated that the current agreement for Solid Waste hauling with Flom Disposal expired on June 30, 2026. Attorney Riggs developed a new 3-year agreement with Flom Disposal. The new agreement contains increased rates.
Motion by Bailey seconded by Gard to approve a three-year solid waste hauling agreement with Flom Disposal. Motion Carried 4-0-0.
Resolution 2026-23 Authorizing Application for Grant Navigator Support for the City
Lehner stated that the EDA is requesting approval to seek support through the League of Minnesota Cities' Grant Navigator program to identify and pursue grant opportunities for a comprehensive accessibility and recreation improvement project centered on Depot Park and a future accessible trail connection to the Trondheim neighborhood. Through the Grant Navigator Program, the LMC would provide grants up to $5,000 to use for the process of identifying potential grant funds for city projects.
Motion by Bailey seconded by Gard to adopt Resolution 2026-23 authorizing application for Grant Navigator support for the city. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Reschedule August Council Meeting
Lehner stated that the August 11 council meeting would need to be rescheduled due to the primary election.
Motion by Sjolander seconded by Bailey to reschedule the August council meeting for Thursday, August 6 at 7:00 pm. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Approve Request for Liquor at Depot Park – Brandi Kyllo, July 25, 2026
Councilmember Gard expressed her concern about allowing liquor in a family park with children close by. There does not sound like the permit has any stipulations or rules currently in place to regulate this. Attorney Riggs stated that there used to be no alcohol allowed in the parks. The council looked at this and said they wanted to allow alcohol in parks. The council did not want to put stipulations on it, but we sure could do that, but right now that is not what is on the books.
Motion by Bailey seconded by Sjolander to approve the liquor permit for alcohol at the Depot Park on July 25, 2026. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Schedule of Upcoming Meetings
KMU Meeting: Tuesday, July 21st @ 3:00 p.m. EDA Meeting: Tuesday, July 28th @ 8 a.m. Planning Commission meeting: Tuesday, August 4th @ 6:00 pm City Council Meeting August: August 6 @ 7 p.m.
COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTS Council Member Sjolander thanked city staff for all their work. He made note of the increased scooter and electric bike activity in town and reminded residents to be aware of them.
Mayor Kirchmann stated that he would love to see Deanna Gard run for a council position. She had a lot of good questions at the meeting.
Motion by Bailey seconded by Sjolander to adjourn the meeting at 8:49 p.m. Motion carried 4-0-0.