What happened
- Joint special meeting of the City Council and KMU Commission at 4:30 p.m.
- Randy Eggert had been on administrative leave since September 10 and had not responded by the September 14 deadline
- Council Member Gard and KMU Chairman Houglum objected that they received no notice before September 17
- Eggert said he felt pressured to sign the separation agreement
- Resolution 2026-34 (council) separating Eggert's employment carried 5-0
- KMU Resolution 2026-01 carried 2-1, Houglum voting nay
Decisions 4 motions
| Motion | Moved / seconded | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Adopt Resolution 2026-34 | Kirchmann / Sjolander | 5-0-0 |
| Adopt Resolution 2026-01. Henke-Aye, Kirchmann-Aye, Houglum-Nay | Henke / Kirchmann | 2-1-0 |
| Adjourn the city council meeting at 5:32 pm | Bailey / Helgeson | 5-0-0 |
| Adjourn the KMU meeting at 5:32 pm | Henke / Kirchmann | 3-0-0 |
Who did what
| Person | At this meeting |
|---|---|
| Randy Eggert KMU | Subject of the separation; said he felt pressured to sign |
| Deanna Gard Council Member | Objected that she had no notice before September 17 |
| Jerry Houglum KMU Chairman | Agreed with Gard and voted against the KMU resolution |
| Doug Henke KMU Commissioner | Said he was not included as personnel liaison; moved the KMU resolution |
| Mary Bailey Council Member | Asked whether the agreement was signed under duress; called for counseling for employees |
| Lee Sjolander Council Member | Thanked Eggert for 48 years of service; seconded Resolution 2026-34 |
| Scott Lehner City Administrator | Presented the performance packet |
| Scott Riggs City Attorney | Advised that personnel information could not be disclosed |
Organizations named: Kenyon Municipal Utilities
Said at the meeting
Council Member Sjolander thanked Eggert and his family for his 48 years of service to the city regardless of what happens here today.
Minutes, Council Member Sjolander · minutes, verbatim
Council member Bailey stated some type of counseling is needed for city employees. The city cannot continue to run like this.
Minutes, Council Member Bailey · minutes, verbatim
Resolutions and ordinances
- Separating the Employment of Randy Eggert from the City of Kenyon Motion by Kirchmann seconded by Sjolander to adopt Resolution 2026-34Res. 2026-34
- Separating the Employment of Randy Eggert from the City of Kenyon Motion by Henke seconded by Kirchmann to adopt Resolution 2026-01Res. 2026-01
The minutes
Official minutes as adopted, from 10.13.26 Council Packet Agenda; text extracted from the PDF.
Council Meeting was duly held in the City Council chambers at 4:30 p.m. on the 21st day of September 2026. The following City Council members were present: Don Kirchmann, Kim Helgeson, Lee Sjolander, and Elana Brunner, Mary Bailey The following KMU Commissioners were present: Jerry Houglum, Doug Henke, Don Kirchmann
- Also present
- Administrator Scott Lehner, Holli Gudknecht, Attorney Scott Riggs, Police Chief Sjoblom, Julie Dyrdahl, Diane Barrett, Josh Johnson, Parker Burdorf, Kevin Maring, Terry Voxland, Sue Dodds, Debbie Eggert, Randy Eggert, Ethan Eggert, Tyler Eggert, Greg Canton, Heather DeWitz
The city council meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirchmann at 4:30 pm. The KMU meeting was called to order by Chairman Jerry Houglum at 4:30 pm
Evaluate the Performance of an Individual Subject to the City Council's Authority and
KMU's Authority, Mr. Randy Eggert No discussion
Follow up regarding the closed session, if necessary No discussion
Conclusions and additional action of the City Council and KMU, if necessary Administrator Lehner handed out a packet addressing Mr. Eggert's performance and evaluation. Eggert has been on administrative leave since September 10. He had until September 14 to respond to the allegations or resign, but no additional information was received.
Council Member Gard stated that she did not receive any notice or communication on this matter until September 17. She felt she was at a disadvantage to vote because she just received information on this matter at this meeting and had no time to review the handed-out information.
KMU Commissioner Houglum agreed with Gard 100%. He was surprised when he came to the KMU meeting on September 15 and found out Eggert was on administrative leave.
Attorney Riggs clarified that legally personal information couldn't be disclosed.
Council Member Bailey asked if the separation agreement had been signed under duress.
Eggert responded that he felt pressured. If he didn't sign the agreement, he could get fired and not get anything including insurance.
KMU Commissioner Houglum stated that it all started two years ago at the first KMU meeting that Lehner attended. He was against Eggert from the start.
KMU Commissioner Henke stated that he was also not informed and he was appointed as KMU's liaison to the personnel committee but was not included.
Council Member Sjolander thanked Eggert and his family for his 48 years of service to the city regardless of what happens here today.
KMU Commissioner Houglum asked if there were any public comments.
Ethan Eggert stated that Eggert had a good record for 46 years, so what changed in the last two years.
KMU Commissioner Henke stated that there is a leak within city hall, which is hindering Administrator Lehner's work here. He needs to have meetings and work remotely because of this.
Attorney Riggs agreed and he had advised Lehner to have meetings remotely.
Kevin Maring stated this is a tough job to do, and Randy may not always comply, but what is the plan going forward? There is a lot of communication not happening in the city somewhere.
Sue Dodds stated there are a lot of problems between public works and KMU. She had never seen this in all the years that she worked in the city.
Council member Bailey stated some type of counseling is needed for city employees. The city cannot continue to run like this.
Approval of Separation Agreement
Resolution 2026-34 Separating the Employment of Randy Eggert from the City of Kenyon
Motion by Kirchmann seconded by Sjolander to adopt Resolution 2026-34. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Resolution 2026-01 Separating the Employment of Randy Eggert from the City of Kenyon
Motion by Henke seconded by Kirchmann to adopt Resolution 2026-01. Henke-Aye, Kirchmann-Aye, Houglum-Nay
Motion carried 2-1-0Any Other Related Matters
Nothing additional.
Adjournment
Motion by Bailey seconded by Helgeson to adjourn the city council meeting at 5:32 pm.
Motion carried 5-0-0Motion by Henke seconded by Kirchmann to adjourn the KMU meeting at 5:32 pm.
Motion carried 3-0-0__________________________________ Holli Gudknecht, Deputy City Clerk Donald Kirchmann, Mayor
______________________________ Jerry Houglum, KMU Chairman