Schedule of Upcoming Meetings KMU Meeting: Tuesday, December 19th @ 4:00 p.m. City Council Meeting: Tuesday, January 9th @ 7:00 p.m.
Schedule of upcoming meetings under other business.
Partly answeredThe January 9 2024 council meeting was held, since its own minutes are the source of this record, but no published notice for either meeting is in our holdings and the December 19 2023 KMU meeting is not separately confirmed. The scheduling pattern is stable across years, with KMU and the EDA meeting on the same Tuesday in mid December and the council meeting on the second Tuesday of January, December 17 and January 14 in the following cycle and December 16 and January 13 in the one after. The posted notices would settle it.
12.10.24 Council Packet and Agenda Updated and 12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated
Motion by Bailey seconded by Ryan to close the City Office and Library at noon on Friday, December 22 and close the library on Saturday, December 23. 11 Motion carried 4-0-0.
Holiday office closings request.
At the meetingCouncil approved the closings 4-0-0.
What happened nextThe closings were approved on a motion by Bailey seconded by Ryan, carried 4-0-0, closing the city office and library at noon on Friday December 22 2023 and the library on Saturday December 23. The practice is routine and recurring, with Friday July 5 2024 approved 5-0-0, December 24 2024 approved with the library closing at 4:30 pm on December 31, and December 24 and 26 2025 approved 4-0-0. The posted public notice itself is not in our holdings.
1-9-24 agenda, 7.9.24 Council Packet and Agenda, 1-13-25 Council Packet Updated
Employees must accrue at least one hour of earned sick and safe time for every 30 hours they work, up to at least 48 hours in a year.
Explaining the new state earned sick and safe time law.
Partly answeredThe city's own later leave comparison corroborates the accrual terms, listing earned sick and safe time as Minnesota law effective January 1 2024, paid by the employer, accruing 1 hour every 30 hours worked up to 48 hours a year, with yearly carryover capped at 80 hours or frontloading in lieu of carryover. The statute text is not in our holdings. Note the number 80 appears in both places doing different work, as the eligibility threshold in the 2023 description and as the carryover cap in the 2025 material.
11-12-25 Council Packet leave comparison · taken up again 2025-11-12
City of Kenyon / KMU's current sick policy supersedes the law and will not change sick time accrual for full-time employees.
Adoption of the State Earned Safe and Sick Time Policy effective January 1, 2024.
At the meetingCouncil adopted the State Earned Safe and Sick Time Policy 4-0-0.
Partly answeredOn accrual volume the claim holds arithmetically, since 12 working days is roughly 96 hours against the state floor of 48 hours a year, double the minimum. What it does not address is the rest of the law, and the city's own November 2025 training material treats earned sick and safe time as a distinct scheme with its own carryover cap and frontloading rules sitting alongside FMLA and the Minnesota Paid Leave program that began January 1 2026. The city personnel policy sick leave section is not in our holdings, and the policy rewrite with Abdo was still unfinished as of August 2026.
1-9-24 agenda and 11-12-25 Council Packet
After further review, staff would recommend increasing the Sanitary Sewer Fund increase rate from $6.61 per thousand gallons to $7.40 per thousand.
Setting 2024 sanitary and storm sewer rates following the November 28 special meeting discussion.
At the meetingCouncil approved the recommended 2024 sanitary and storm sewer utility rates 4-0-0.
What happened nextThe rates were adopted 4-0-0 and published, with sanitary sewer at $7.40 per thousand gallons and base rates of $26.25 a month for a service line of 1 inch or less, $84.07 at 1.5 inch, $125.80 at 2 inch and $223.78 at 3 inch. They were the first step of a four-year plan from the 2021 utility rate study, and the second step landed March 11 2025 at $7.77 per thousand, a $27.57 base and a $13.00 storm fee. Storm sewer carried the weight of both steps, rising from $4.03 to $9.00 and then to $13.00, a 223 percent increase in two years, against roughly 12 percent then 5 percent on the sanitary side.
1-9-24 agenda and 3-11-25 council packet · taken up again 2025-03-11
Ayes: Henke, Ryan and Helgeson Nayes: Sjolander Motion carried 3-1-0 Resolution 2023-29: Adopting the 2024 Budget and Establishing the Tax Levy for Payable 2024 Administrator Vahlsing stated that the Truth in Taxation meeting was held on December 5. No public comments were received at the meeting.
Background for adopting the 2024 budget and levy.
Partly answeredThe December 5 2023 Truth in Taxation minutes are not in our holdings, so the claim of no public comments rests on Vahlsing's report alone. The pattern he described has held since: the December 9 2025 Truth in Taxation record likewise states no citizen comments, on a levy that had come down from a 9.93 percent maximum to 9.18 percent. The December 5 2023 special meeting minutes would settle it.
12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated
No public comments were received at the meeting. The final budget shows a maximum proposed levy increase of 8% for 2024.
Adoption of Resolution 2023-29 setting the 2024 budget and levy.
At the meetingCouncil adopted Resolution 2023-29 with the levy of $1,277,965.
Answered from our recordsResolution 2023-29 set the 2024 levy at $1,277,965, an 8 percent increase, adopted on a motion by Sjolander seconded by Helgeson, carried 4-0-0. That base checks out exactly against the next year, since the $1,400,000 levy for 2025 is 9.55 percent above $1,277,965. The four-year chain runs $1,277,965 for 2024, $1,400,000 for 2025, $1,528,541 for 2026 and $1,670,115 preliminary for 2027, a rise of 30.7 percent in three years.
1-9-24 agenda and factbook levy history
(Funding moved to full time officers 9 in 2024 Budget) Chief Sjoblom requested that the council eliminate the administrative position and move funding to full time police officers in the 2024 budget.
2024 budget and levy discussion on staffing changes.
At the meetingCouncil voted 3-1 to eliminate the full-time administrative position and move funding to full time police officers, with Sjolander voting no.
What happened nextThe council eliminated the full-time administrative position on a motion by Henke seconded by Ryan, with Henke, Ryan and Helgeson in favor and Sjolander against, and moved the funding to full-time officers. Administrative capacity was proposed back into the budget two years later, with a part-time administrative assistant added to the 2026 budget alongside a finance director for the fourth quarter of 2026. The sworn side did not fill out either: by September 8 2026 the full-time officer position was posted until filled with no applicants.
1-9-24 agenda, 9-9-25 Council Packet, 9-8-26 Council Packet · taken up again 2025-09-09
Based on the attached quotes the SCBA Equipment would cost $116,805. The cost of the compressor would be $39,640. Total cost: $156,445.
Presenting cost figures for the fire department equipment purchase.
Answered from our recordsThe figures match our record. Alex Air Apparatus was awarded $156,445, being $116,805 for the SCBA equipment and $39,640 for the compressor.
Alex Air Apparatus is the only vendor named on a $156,445 purchase and no competing quote is on file, short of the two-quote rule the city set nine months later in Administrative Policy No. 34.
KENYON_BIDS.md
The remaining amount of the purchase price ($77,445) could come out of the FD capital fund which currently has an approximate balance of $255,000.
Explaining funding sources for the SCBA equipment and compressor purchase.
We hold no dataNo fire department capital fund ledger balance is in our holdings, so the approximate $255,000 figure cannot be verified. On the numbers as stated the $77,445 draw would leave about $177,555, before whatever the year-end fire department transfer added. The 2023 audit fund balance statement would settle it.
1-9-24 agenda · would settle it: The fire department capital fund ledger balance
The fire department is requesting to use half of the Public Safety Aid which is $42,000. and $37,000 in donations toward the purchase.
Old business purchase request for SCBA equipment and compressor totaling $156,445.
At the meetingCouncil approved the purchase of SCBA equipment and compressor 4-0-0.
Answered from our recordsThe funding stack balances exactly. The $42,000 of Public Safety Aid, $37,000 in donations and $77,445 from the fire department capital fund sum to $156,445, which equals the $116,805 of SCBA equipment plus the $39,640 compressor. The council approved the purchase on a motion by Sjolander seconded by Ryan, carried 4-0-0, and the award went to Alex Air Apparatus.
1-9-24 agenda and factbook KENYON_BIDS.md
PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS/RECOGNITIONS/PROLAMATIONS None ENGINEERING 2023 Street Improvements Project Update Engineer Olinger stated that the majority of the work is now complete with some small repairs remaining to be completed.
Project update stating the majority of work is complete.
Partly answeredNo punch list for the 2023 Street Improvements project is in our holdings, so the small repairs are never itemized or dated in our record. The city's contracts hold the leverage in retainage, computed as 1 percent of work completed plus 250 percent of the value of remaining punch list items, a formula visible on other projects at $4,500.00 of punch list against $16,819.06 retained in December 2024 and $27,448.75 against $48,240.80 retained in September 2026. The project punch list or the final payment record would settle it.
12.10.24 Council Packet and Agenda Updated and 9-8-26 Council Packet
Ellingson Drainage installed forcemain in this area. The remainder of the project will be completed next spring.
Project update showing BCM wrapping up work for the year after installing water, electrical utilities and forcemain west of Gates Avenue.
What happened nextSpring 2024 was wrong by more than a year. Pay application 5 came in June 2024, pay application 6 of $112,532.25 covered work through June 28 2024, lift station electrical was still being finished that August, yard restoration around the station was completed in late September 2024, final testing was submitted in November 2024, and grading and turf on the Barrett property carried into spring 2025. The closing change order of August 12 2025 set ready for final payment at July 9 2025.
The remainder of the project was not completed in spring 2024. Work continued through the 2024 season and the project did not reach final payment readiness until July 9 2025.
8-20-24 AGENDA, 6.11.24 Council Packet and Agenda, 8.12.25 Council Packet and Agenda Updated · taken up again 2025-08-12
Approve Pay Request #3 – BMI Inc -$11,450.47 Motion by Ryan second by Helgeson to approve pay request No. 3 to BMI Inc in the amount of $11,450.47 for work completed through November 9, contingent on submittal of closeout documentation.
Council approved pay request No. 3 of $11,450.47 for the 2023 Street Improvements project.
We hold no dataNo closeout documentation from BMI Inc is in our holdings, so whether the condition on pay request 3 was satisfied cannot be confirmed. The payment was $11,450.47 against a 2023 Street Improvements contract awarded to Bituminous Materials Inc at $450,693.95, and the city used the same conditional structure again in August 2025, approving pay estimate 12 and change order 2 with final payment contingent upon submittal of contractor closeout documentation. A final payment record or the closeout submittal would settle it.
1-9-24 agenda, 8.12.25 Council Packet and Agenda Updated, factbook KENYON_BIDS.md · would settle it: The submitted project closeout documentation from BMI Inc
Approve Transfer of Fire Department Year End Remaining Funds to Capital Fund Administrator Vahlsing stated that council approval is needed to move the year end Fire Department budget balance to the capital fund. The actual transfer amount will be determined by the auditors as part of the 2023 audit.
Council approved transferring year-end public works balances to the capital fund without a stated amount.
We hold no dataThe auditor-determined street maintenance, pool and parks year-end balances are not in our holdings, and no later passage reports them. Note that the agenda item was titled for street maintenance alone while the motion that carried 4-0-0 swept in public works generally, including street maintenance, pool and parks. The 2023 audit fund statements would settle the amounts.
1-9-24 agenda · would settle it: The auditor-determined year-end street maintenance, pool, and parks balances
Approve Transfer of Fire Department Year End Remaining Funds to Capital Fund Administrator Vahlsing stated that council approval is needed to move the year end Fire Department budget balance to the capital fund. The actual transfer amount will be determined by the auditors as part of the 2023 audit.
Council approved transferring the year-end Fire Department budget balance to the capital fund without a stated amount.
We hold no dataThe auditor-determined fire department year-end transfer amount is not in our holdings, and no later passage reports it. The nearest reference point is the fire department capital fund balance of roughly $255,000 cited a month later in support of the SCBA purchase, which the transfer would have added to. The 2023 audit fund statements or the journal entry for the transfer would settle it.
1-9-24 agenda · would settle it: The auditor-determined year-end Fire Department budget balance
OLD BUSINESS Resolution 2023-30: A Resolution Committing Capital Fund Balance Administrator Vahlsing stated that the general accounting standard (GASB 54) requires all public entities to set year end Capital fund balances before the end of the current year contingent on audited final numbers. The final year-end capital fund amounts will not be known until the 2023 audit is completed.
Resolution 2023-30 committing capital fund balance under GASB 54 was adopted contingent on audited final numbers.
Partly answeredThe final 2023 capital fund balances are not in our holdings, and the contingency was never closed in the record. The same sentence recurs verbatim each December, for the 2023 audit under Resolution 2023-30, the 2024 audit under Resolution 2024-29 and the 2025 audit in the December 2025 packet, so the council has committed capital fund balances three years running against numbers it did not yet have. The audited fund balance statements would settle it.
1-9-24 agenda, 1-14-25 council packet, 12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated
The final design has been submitted to Precision Sign and MNDOT. The City is waiting for final approval of the sign right-of- way permit from MNDOT.
Final design of the community entrance sign was submitted to Precision Sign and MNDOT.
Partly answeredNo MnDOT right-of-way permit decision for the community entrance sign is in our holdings. A larger question sits underneath it: the September 12 2023 quotes for the sign ran from Lewiston Monument at $14,500 to $20,500 through Schad-Tracy at $16,512.51, Precision Signs at $19,355.60 and Anderson Memorial at $23,873 to $25,653, staff recommended Schad-Tracy, and the award was still unresolved in November 2023, yet the final design in January 2024 went to Precision Sign. The permit file and the executed sign contract would settle both points.
Staff recommended Schad-Tracy at $16,512.51 in September 2023 and the award was unresolved in November, but by January 2024 the final sign design had been submitted to Precision Sign, whose quote was $2,843.09 higher.
factbook KENYON_BIDS.md and 1-9-24 agenda
Motion by Sjolander second by Helgeson to approve a rate increase of $100 per month for Jacobson Law effective January 1, 2023. Motion by Sjolander Second by Henke to approve rate increase for Jacobson Law office effective January 1, 2024.
Jacobson Law requested an increase to fees for the 2024 criminal prosecution contract.
At the meetingA motion to approve a rate increase for Jacobson Law effective January 1, 2024 carried 4-0-0, without a stated dollar amount.
Partly answeredThe record cannot be reconciled and the signed contract is not in our holdings. The requested $250 a month matches the stated jump from $13,800 to $16,800 exactly, since that is $3,000 a year over twelve months, but the first motion approved $100 a month effective January 1 2023, which would produce $15,000 a year and applies to a year already over, and the second motion that carried 4-0-0 named no dollar figure at all. The request recurred annually, appearing on the January 14 2025 agenda and in the December 9 2025 consent agenda for 2026.
The two motions are inconsistent with each other and with the request. One sets $100 a month effective January 1 2023, a date already past, and the one that carried states no amount.
1-9-24 agenda · taken up again 2025-12-09
Muni Roof and Flooring Replacement Administrator Vahlsing stated that he was continuing to get quotes for roofing and flooring replacement for the Muni. He is hoping to have additional quotes for the January Council meeting to approve.
Old business item on replacing the roof and flooring at the Municipal Liquor Store.
What happened nextBoth purchases were awarded in the first quarter of 2024, though neither at the January meeting. Flooring went to Hamernick's at $7,480.86 on February 13 2024, carried 5-0-0, over Picture Perfect at $11,745 and Hiller at $25,364.60, with both leading quotes covering removal of the existing tile and glued down sealed vinyl plank that needs no waxing. The roof went to Chandler Roofing at $40,640 on March 12 2024, against an L and M quote of $53,000 from 2022, and the cost was financed through KMU.
2.13.24 Council Packet and Agenda, 3.12.24 Council Packet and Agenda, factbook KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2024-03-12
Depot Park Project Design – Mankato State Graduate Design Team Presentation Five Mankato State University graduate students presented their Depot Park project design. Their mission was to create a cost-effective park improvement plan.
The students' mission was to create a cost-effective park improvement plan with a possible five-year schedule.
Partly answeredNo phase-by-phase cost estimate for the Depot Park five-year plan appears in our record. The city acknowledged the gap in February 2024, saying it would work with Public Works over the following summer to conduct high-level needs assessments and refine cost estimates. The Depot Park dollars actually committed since are small and project-specific: a $10,000 SMIF shelter grant, a $7,345 fund transfer in February 2024, and $9,980 for a concrete apron and ramp in September 2026.
2.13.24 Council Packet and Agenda; factbook KENYON_DEPOT_PARK.md and KENYON_BIDS.md
There are many grants available for park improvements, but most require the park to be ADA compliant before a grant will be rewarded.
Students said many grants exist for park improvements once ADA compliance is met.
Partly answeredNo named list of park grant programs with amounts and deadlines appears in our record. Two concrete sources are documented elsewhere in our data: the League of Minnesota Cities Grant Navigator, which gives up to $5,000 per city on a rolling basis against a $500,000 program cap, and the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, which funded the Depot Park shelters at $10,000. The city itself said in February 2024 that a funding plan would likely combine local fundraisers, grants if available, and city funds, with no specific project yet chosen.
factbook GRANTS.md and KENYON_DEPOT_PARK.md; 2.13.24 Council Packet and Agenda
There are many grants available for park improvements, but most require the park to be ADA compliant before a grant will be rewarded.
Recommendation in the Depot Park design presentation.
Partly answeredWe hold no park grant program guidelines, so the claim that most awards require ADA compliance first cannot be verified. Our 88-entry set of verified city website and accessibility law covers the federal web accessibility deadline of April 26 2028 for cities under 50,000 and says nothing about park grant eligibility. The city's own February 2024 write-up treated ADA improvements as one candidate improvement among several rather than a precondition. Program rules from the specific grant sources would settle it.
The students presented ADA compliance as a precondition for most grants, while the city's own later description lists ADA improvements as one possible improvement alongside a walking trail and a paved sports court.
2.13.24 Council Packet and Agenda; factbook CITY_WEBSITE_LAWS.md
There are many grants available for park improvements, but most require the park to be ADA compliant before a grant will be rewarded. A possible five-year plan was offered for the improvements.
Presentation of a cost-effective park improvement plan for Depot Park.
At the meetingNo council action on the plan was recorded.
What happened nextThe plan was received but never adopted as a plan. By February 2024 the city described it as a redevelopment plan with a potential five-year phasing that might include a walking trail, a paved sports court and ADA improvements, and by March 2024 the parks board was still prioritizing improvements with a funding plan to follow, alongside a newly formed trail committee. The work that did proceed was piecemeal: shelters funded by a $10,000 SMIF grant, a $7,345 transfer into the Depot Park fund approved February 2024, and a concrete apron and ramp awarded to Lexvold Construction at $9,980 on September 8 2026.
2.13.24 Council Packet and Agenda; 3.12.24 Council Packet Agenda; factbook KENYON_DEPOT_PARK.md and KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2024-03-12
Public Budget and Levy discussion Administrator Vahlsing stated that this Truth in Taxation meeting was designed for citizens who had questions about the proposed budget and levy for 2024. The maximum levy approved by the Council in September was 8%.
Stated at the Truth in Taxation portion of the meeting.
Partly answeredWe hold no September 2023 preliminary levy resolution, so the 8% cannot be verified directly. The sequence of announced September maximums in our record runs 8% for 2024, 9.55% for 2025 and 9.93% for 2026, the last of which was worked down to a 9.18% final levy, with a further 9.26% preliminary certified for 2027. Every year since 2024 has carried a larger increase than the 8% ceiling announced here.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda; 12.10.24 and 12.9.25 packets; factbook taxes/levy.html
Public Budget and Levy discussion Administrator Vahlsing stated that this Truth in Taxation meeting was designed for citizens who had questions about the proposed budget and levy for 2024. The maximum levy approved by the Council in September was 8%.
Truth in Taxation hearing at which no citizens appeared and no further discussion occurred.
At the meetingNo citizens attended and no further discussion took place; final levy not adopted at this meeting.
Partly answeredWe hold no 2024 levy resolution. The 2024 certified levy can be derived from the next year's figures: the 2025 levy of $1,400,000 was a 9.55% increase, which puts the 2024 certified levy at about $1,277,955. Against that base, an 8% maximum was the lowest announced September ceiling in the four years our record covers. The adopted 2024 budget and levy resolution would confirm the exact figure.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda; factbook taxes/levy.html
If his budget could not be increased, he would need to find the money by cutting other items from his current budget.
Contingency stated during the budget and levy discussion.
At the meetingNo direction was given at the meeting.
Partly answeredThe offsetting cuts the chief had in mind are on record: reduce the training line to actual spending from the prior two years and eliminate the police administrative position, shifting that wage into full-time officer pay, so that raising part-time wages would not increase the department budget. No council direction on the police budget appears in our record. The pattern recurred in September 2025, when Sjoblom again said he would review his expenses to find cuts against a draft levy that opened at 27.06%.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda; 9-9-25 Council Packet
Police Chief Sjoblom stated that officer wages needed to be increased to stay competitive with neighboring communities and the County.
Justification offered for increasing the police budget in 2024.
Partly answeredWe hold no wage comparison against neighboring cities or the Goodhue County Sheriff's Department, and our data contains no statewide dataset of police pay or police budget shares, so the competitiveness claim cannot be tested. What we hold is Kenyon's own posted scale from July 28 2026, $33.54 an hour at entry, $38.57 at three to five years and $42.61 at five to ten years, which is the top of the local wage range where other area postings cluster at $16 to $24 an hour. A neighboring-agency pay schedule comparison would settle it.
factbook data/jobs.csv and Minnesota context warning
Police Chief Sjoblom stated that officer wages needed to be increased to stay competitive with neighboring communities and the County.
Truth in Taxation discussion of the proposed 2024 budget and levy.
At the meetingNo council decision was recorded; there was no further discussion.
Partly answeredNo council vote on the wage increase appears in our record, but the mechanism the chief proposed is documented. He sought up to $30 an hour for experienced part-time officers on a $25 to $30 range, paid for by cutting the training line to match actual spending over the prior two years so the budget would not grow, and he asked that the draft budget eliminate the police administrative position and shift that wage into full-time officer pay. The adopted 2024 police budget would show what the council funded.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda
Assistant Fire Chief Ehrich summarized what made up the increase to the 2024 budget and answered questions from the Township board members.
Ehrich explained the drivers of the 2024 fire budget increase and took questions from township representatives.
At the meetingEhrich summarized the increase and answered township questions, but no figures were recorded.
Partly answeredNo dollar figure for the 2024 fire budget increase appears in our record. The comparable disclosure two years later was specific: the 2026 fire budget rose $1,658.17 over 2025, driven mainly by replacing pagers and radios and by higher property insurance. The 2024 fire department expenditure budget alongside 2023 would settle the earlier increase.
12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated
Each township's portion of the budget was split based on the number of sections covered by the Fire Department.
Method for dividing the township 49% share among the six townships.
Partly answeredThe method is confirmed across three contract years, with each township's share of the 49% set by the number of sections the fire department covers, but we hold no section counts and no per-township dollar amounts. The township fire contract spreadsheet and billing summary would settle who pays what.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda; 12.10.24 Council Packet and Agenda Updated; 12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated
John, Duwain England, Larry Madsen, Keith Allen, Steve Johnson, Alan Meyer, and Jeff Traxler Mayor Henke called the special meeting to order at 6:09 pm. 2024 Fire Contract Meeting with Townships Administrator Vahlsing explained that the purpose of meeting was to review the proposed 2024 contracts for fire protection with the six townships in the Kenyon Fire Department service area. The contracts were based on a breakdown of 51% city and 49% township of the operating budget.
Explanation of how the township fire contract amounts were calculated.
Answered from our recordsThe 51% city and 49% township split is confirmed and has held for at least three contract years. The identical formula appears in the 2024, 2025 and 2026 township fire contract meetings, applied to the fire department operating budget. We do not hold the allocation worksheet itself.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda; 12.10.24 Council Packet and Agenda Updated; 12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated
John, Duwain England, Larry Madsen, Keith Allen, Steve Johnson, Alan Meyer, and Jeff Traxler Mayor Henke called the special meeting to order at 6:09 pm. 2024 Fire Contract Meeting with Townships Administrator Vahlsing explained that the purpose of meeting was to review the proposed 2024 contracts for fire protection with the six townships in the Kenyon Fire Department service area.
Special meeting held with township representatives to review 2024 fire contracts.
At the meetingNo approval or signature action was recorded; the contracts were only reviewed and discussed.
Partly answeredNo signed 2024 township fire contract and no council action approving them appears in our record. The pattern repeats without an approval step in the minutes we hold, with the same review-only meeting held for the 2025 contracts in December 2024 and the 2026 contracts in December 2025. The executed contracts from the six township boards would settle it.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda; 12.10.24 Council Packet and Agenda Updated; 12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated
Remaining major work includes the pearl creek sewer crossing, pipe work on the south side of pearl creek, electrical and plumbing of the lift station and final grading and paving.
Scope of work left for spring 2024 on the Pearl Creek sewer project.
What happened nextEvery listed item was eventually built, but the schedule collapsed. The contract required substantial completion by August 2 2024. Work resumed in spring 2024 with the lift station plumbed by June, and by the October 2024 report final paving, full disconnection from the old Pearl Creek main, and fine grading and seeding were done, with pipeline testing still waiting on parts. The contract's final completion date was September 27 2024, BCM was warned in November 2024 that further delay would bring liquidated damage deductions, and the engineer did not report the obligations fulfilled until July 2025, with closeout and a final payment of $36,840.56 approved 4-0-0 in September 2025.
The remaining work was scoped against a contractual substantial completion date of August 2 2024, but the contractor did not fulfill its obligations until July 2025, close to a year late.
12.12.23_Council_Packet_and_Agenda; 10-8-24_AGENDA; 9-9-25_Council_Packet · taken up again 2025-09-09
ATTACHMENTS: 02.1_Peark Creek Sewer Summary.pdf 19 Pearl Creek Sewer & Gates Ave Utility Improvements In the past month, BCM construction has only been in town to install some straw cover over disturbed areas within Barrett's property and public works.
Status report on the Pearl Creek sewer project.
Partly answeredThe straw cover account is corroborated word for word in the December 2023 project summary, but we hold no contractor daily reports or inspection logs to verify the month's activity independently. The pace it describes is consistent with what followed: nothing further until spring, then the lift station plumbed by June 2024 and Pay Application No. 4 of $125,374.39. Daily reports and inspection logs would settle the period.
12.12.23_Council_Packet_and_Agenda; 6.11.24_Council_Packet_and_Agenda
He requested that wages for Part-time staff be increased in 2024. His budget showed increases to on-sale revenue.
Review of the proposed 2024 municipal liquor store budget.
What happened nextThe budget did raise the on-sale lines. Liquor and wine on-sale went from a $158,000 budget in 2023 to $174,000 in 2024, a 10.1% increase, with beer on-sale budgeted at $155,000 and food on-sale at $27,000 inside a total liquor revenue budget of $990,600. The increase was budgeted but not earned: through July 2024 the store had collected $495,671.35, or 50.04% of budget, against $509,532.13 at the same point in 2023.
The 2024 budget raised on-sale revenue by about 10%, but actual liquor revenue through July 2024 came in below the same period in 2023.
12.12.23_Council_Packet_and_Agenda; 6.11.24_Council_Packet_and_Agenda; 8-20-24_AGENDA · taken up again 2024-08-20
Review Proposed 2024 Budget – Enterprise Funds Sanitary Sewer and Storm Sewer – Wayne Ehrich-Public Works Superintendent Public Works Superintendent Ehrich reviewed the Sanitary and Storm Water funds. Both funds had increase for personnel insurance and related expenses.
Explanation of why the enterprise fund budgets rose for 2024.
Partly answeredNo per-fund insurance premium figures for 2024 appear in our holdings. What the record does show is that when staff justified the resulting rate increases in writing a few weeks later, they cited upcoming project costs and the utility rate study recommendations, not insurance. The 2024 sanitary and storm fund budget detail, with the insurance lines broken out, would settle how much of the increase insurance actually drove.
12.12.23_Council_Packet_and_Agenda; 1-9-24_agenda
A 8% maximum levy increase was approved by the Council in September. Staff would recommend a final levy in the amount stay at 8%.
Setting the final 2024 tax levy.
Partly answeredWe hold no September 2023 preliminary levy resolution, so the 8% maximum cannot be confirmed at source, but the arithmetic supports it. The 2023 levy certified at $1,183,301 raised by 8% gives $1,277,965, which lands within $10 of the $1,277,955 implied by the certified 2025 levy of $1,400,000 at 9.55%. Staff recommending the final stay at the maximum is also the settled pattern, repeated for 2025 at 9.55%, and the council has cut a final levy below its maximum only once in our records, from 9.93% to 9.18% for 2026.
The packet supporting the 2024 final levy states that the attached budget memo is the 9/13/22 council memo, a document from the prior year's levy cycle.
12.12.23_Council_Packet_and_Agenda; 12.10.24_Council_Packet_and_Agenda_Updated
VII.B Agenda Item Summary CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM REPORT DATE: December 12, 2023 SUBMITTED BY: Mark Vahlsing, Engineering ITEM TYPE: Engineering AGENDA SECTION: ENGINEERING SUBJECT: Pearl Creek Sewer & Gates Ave Utility Improvements Update SUGGESTED ACTION: The City Engineer will provide an update on the project.
Engineering section agenda items.
What happened nextEngineer Olinger gave the update in the January 9 2024 record: BCM was wrapping up work for the year, water and electrical utilities west of Gates Avenue were installed, Ellingson Drainage had installed forcemain in that area, and the remainder of the project would be completed the following spring. The 2023 street project update came the same night, with most work complete and small repairs remaining.
1-9-24_agenda · taken up again 2024-01-09
The proposed Sanitary Budget had increases for meter replacement and updating the City GIS mapping and other items.
Review of the proposed 2024 sanitary sewer fund.
Partly answeredNo line-item amount for meter replacement appears in our holdings, and the sanitary fund's share of the GIS work is not broken out. The GIS program itself is documented: the city left the county's shared mapping for its own ArcGIS Online through Bolton and Menk in 2024 at $14,500 for conversion plus $1,260 a year in ESRI licensing, and bought an iPad in April 2024 as part of the new mapping system with the cost stated only as included in the budget. The 2024 sanitary fund budget detail would settle both lines.
4.9.24_Council_Packet__Agenda; KENYON_DATA_IN_MEETINGS.md
He also discussed the need to replace the fryer, the roof and at some time in the future replace flooring in the building.
Capital needs raised during the Muni budget review.
What happened nextAll three were addressed within four months. The fryer, out since the summer of 2023, was authorized for replacement in December 2023 on a motion by Bailey seconded by Henke. Flooring went to Hamernick's at $7,480.86 on February 13 2024, 5-0-0, against Picture Perfect at $11,745 and Hiller at $25,364.60. The roof went to Chandler Roofing at $40,640 in March 2024, against an L and M quote of $53,000 from 2022. Roof and flooring together came to $48,120.86.
12.12.23_Council_Packet_and_Agenda; 2.13.24__Council_Packet_and_Agenda; KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2024-03-12
His budget showed increases to on-sale revenue. He would like to see that additional revenue that is generated go to salary increases.
Review of the proposed 2024 Muni budget showing increased on-sale revenue.
What happened nextThe raises were approved but the revenue that was supposed to pay for them did not appear, and no formal earmark of on-sale revenue exists in our record. Liquor general revenue was budgeted at $990,600 for 2024. Through July 2024 the store had taken $495,671.35, or 50.04% of budget, against $509,532.13 at the same point in 2023, down $13,861 or 2.7% year over year. Beer on-sale was up, at $89,144.32 against $84,265.08, while food on-sale fell from $15,097.54 to $11,884.39.
Wage increases were justified by additional on-sale revenue the 2024 budget projected, but liquor revenue through July 2024 ran 2.7% below the same point in 2023.
8-20-24_AGENDA; 6.11.24_Council_Packet_and_Agenda · taken up again 2024-08-20
Project Update 2. Approve Pay Request #3 – BMI Inc -$11,450.47 SUGGESTED ACTION: The project has been completed.
Final pay application for the completed 2023 street project.
What happened nextApproved at $11,450.47 for work completed through November 9, on a motion by Ryan seconded by Helgeson, carried 4-0-0, contingent on closeout documentation. It closed out a contract Bituminous Materials won in June 2023 at $450,693.95 against an engineer's estimate of $547,705. The immediately preceding payment, No. 2, was $409,539.24.
1-9-24_agenda; 12.12.23_Council_Packet_and_Agenda; KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2024-01-09
This will be the final payment for this project. Once the contractor submits their final closeout paperwork, the project will be ready for payment.
Final payment on the completed 2023 Street Improvement Project.
What happened nextThe contingent approval was granted in the January 9 2024 record, with Pay Request No. 3 to BMI approved at $11,450.47 for work through November 9, expressly contingent on submittal of closeout documentation, motion by Ryan seconded by Helgeson, carried 4-0-0. Whether the paperwork ever arrived is not shown in our holdings. The city uses this device routinely: the Pearl Creek closeout in September 2025 approved a final payment of $36,840.56 on the same condition.
1-9-24_agenda; 9-9-25_Council_Packet · taken up again 2024-01-09
This will mark the end of work completed this year. We are told work will resume in the spring; however, no specifics have been provided yet.
Monthly construction update on the Pearl Creek sewer and Gates Ave utility improvements.
What happened nextWork did resume in spring 2024. By the June 11 2024 report the lift station structure was plumbed and grading was under way for the driveway and pad, with Pay Application No. 4 of $125,374.39 for work through May 3 2024 approved 5-0-0. The caution about no specifics was warranted: the contract required substantial completion by August 2 2024, the final completion date was September 27 2024, and BCM did not fulfill its obligations until July 2025.
6.11.24_Council_Packet_and_Agenda; 12.12.23_Council_Packet_and_Agenda; 9-9-25_Council_Packet · taken up again 2024-06-11
Resolution 2023-19 approves the budget and sets the final tax levy for 2024. The final levy and budget must be adopted on or before December 30, 2023.
Final 2024 levy and budget adoption.
Partly answeredThe packet sets out the requirement and the recommendation, a final 2024 levy held at the 8% maximum approved in September, but no adoption vote on Resolution 2023-19 appears in our holdings. The resulting levy can be derived two independent ways that agree within $10. Working forward from the $1,183,301 levy certified for 2023, an 8% increase gives $1,277,965; working backward from the $1,400,000 certified for 2025 at 9.55% gives $1,277,955. So the 2024 levy was about $1,277,960 and the 8% was almost certainly adopted as recommended.
12.12.23_Council_Packet_and_Agenda; 12.13.22_Council_Minutes; taxes/levy.html
(Funding moved to full time officers) As discussed at the 12-5 Special Council meeting Chief Sjoblom is requesting that the administrative position be eliminated (starting the first payroll period of) January 2024.
Old business item on the 2024 budget and levy, as discussed at the 12-5 Special Council meeting.
What happened nextThe council eliminated the full-time administrative position and moved the funding to full-time police officers, on a motion by Henke seconded by Ryan with Henke, Ryan and Helgeson voting aye and at least one member not joining them. The related part-time police plan set a range of $25 to $30 an hour for experienced officers, funded by trimming the training line to match actual spending so the budget would not grow. The city reversed course within two years, moving to hire a part-time administrative assistant in late 2025 and having to repost the job in early 2026 after the selected candidate declined.
12.12.23_Council_Packet_and_Agenda; 1-9-24_agenda; 12.9.25_Council_Agenda_and_Packet_Updated; data/jobs.csv · taken up again 2024-01-09
X.A Agenda Item Summary CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM REPORT DATE: December 12, 2023 SUBMITTED BY: Mark Vahlsing, Administration ITEM TYPE: Old Business AGENDA SECTION: OLD BUSINESS SUBJECT: 2024 Budget and Levy SUGGESTED ACTION: 1. Approve Increase of $2.00 an hour for Muni Manager and up to $3.00 per hour for PT staff.
Old business item on the 2024 budget and levy carrying out the liquor store wage discussion.
What happened nextApproved on a motion by Ryan seconded by Henke, carried 4-0-0. The manager's increase was adopted as $2.00 per hour plus a 3% cost of living adjustment, slightly more than the item as framed in December.
1-9-24_agenda · taken up again 2024-01-09
Municipal Liquor Store – Matt Bartel-Manager Liquor Store Manager Bartel reviewed the proposed 2024 budget for the Muni. He requested that wages for Part-time staff be increased in 2024.
Review of the proposed 2024 municipal liquor store budget.
At the meetingAdministrator Vahlsing said he would work with the liquor store on a proposed increase for all staff.
What happened nextThe request was granted in full. Part-time Muni staff received up to $3.00 an hour more, approved 4-0-0 in the January 9 2024 record. The store kept hiring part-time on those rates, with Michaela Neuzil approved as a part-time liquor store employee in September 2024 and three more part-timers in May 2026.
1-9-24_agenda; 9.10.24_Council_Packet_and_Agenda · taken up again 2024-01-09
Administrator Vahlsing stated he would be working with the Liquor Store to come up with proposed increase for all staff at the liquor store.
Following the Muni manager's request for part-time wage increases in the 2024 budget.
What happened nextThe proposal came back as a specific wage schedule: $2.00 an hour more for the Muni manager and up to $3.00 an hour more for part-time staff, both built into the 2024 budget. The council adopted it in the January 9 2024 record on a motion by Ryan seconded by Henke, carried 4-0-0, with the manager's raise stated as $2.00 per hour plus a 3% cost of living adjustment.
12.12.23_Council_Packet_and_Agenda; 1-9-24_agenda · taken up again 2024-01-09
Administrator Vahlsing stated that the proposed budget showed a 12% increase to sewer rates and 15% for Storm Sewer. This proposed increase was under review and rates may need to adjusted higher.
Review of the proposed 2024 sanitary sewer and storm sewer enterprise fund budgets.
At the meetingNo final rate figure was given; the rates remained under review.
What happened nextRates did go higher, and on the storm side far higher than the 15% discussed. Staff came back recommending the sanitary rate rise from $6.61 to $7.40 per thousand gallons, up 11.95%, the residential sewer base rate from $23.44 to $26.25 a month, up 11.99%, and the storm sewer maintenance fee from $4.03 to $9.00 a month, up 123.3%. The increases were adopted in the January 9 2024 record and justified as offsetting upcoming project costs and following the utility rate study.
The storm sewer increase was presented at the work session as 15% but was adopted at 123.3%, more than eight times the figure the council discussed.
12.12.23_Council_Packet_and_Agenda; 1-9-24_agenda · taken up again 2024-01-09
He also noted the passing of Deb Svien a former city employee. Police Chief Sjoblom introduced the new part-time officer, Missy England.
Consent agenda appointment and Police Chief's introduction of the new part-time officer.
What happened nextThe correct spelling is Misty, so the consent agenda was right and the introduction in the minutes was the typo. Later packets use Misty consistently: on May 12 2026 Lehner reported that Officer Misty England had taken a full-time position with another department but might continue part-time hours in Kenyon, and on July 14 2026 Chief Sjoblom reported that Misty had worked one part-time shift so far.
The minutes introduce the officer as Missy England while every later city document spells the name Misty.
5-12-26 and 7.14.26 Council Packets · taken up again 2026-05-12
Police Chief Sjoblom introduced the new part-time officer, Missy England. He stated that the body cameras 10 were up and running.
Staff general comments.
Partly answeredThe chief's statement is the only evidence in our record that body cameras were operating, and no deployment date, retention policy or data practices notice appears anywhere. No body camera purchase shows up among the 43 bids and quotes we hold either, though WH Security appears twice for other camera work, at the liquor store in 2021 and for city hall cameras plus panic buttons in June 2024. The department's body camera policy and the purchase record would settle it.
12.12.23 Council Packet and KENYON_BIDS.md
Replace Fryer - Muni Administrator Vahlsing stated that the fryer at the municipal liquor store had been out since this summer.
Request to authorize replacement of the muni fryer.
Partly answeredThe claim is corroborated within the record but not documented. Liquor Store Manager Bartel independently raised the fryer at the 2024 enterprise fund work session, listing it with the roof and flooring as replacement needs, which places the failure before that November budget review. No maintenance log, repair invoice or service call record for the fryer exists in anything we hold.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda
NEW BUSINESS 2024 Proposed Agreement for Continuation of our City-County Joint-Powers "Agreement for State Building Code Administration" 9 Administrator Vahlsing stated that Goodhue County requires the City of Kenyon to approve a yearly agreement to conduct residential and commercial building inspections. The County has done an excellent job conducting inspections for the city.
Approving the 2024 city-county joint powers agreement for State Building Code Administration.
At the meetingCouncil approved the 2024 agreement 4-0-0.
Not a data questionWhether the county does an excellent job is the council's own judgment on its service provider, and we hold no county inspection counts, turnaround times or performance data to test it. What the record shows is that the sentence is a template: the identical wording appears in the 2024 renewal approved 4-0-0, the 2025 renewal approved 3-0-0 and the 2026 renewal approved 5-0-0, each for a one-year term. Inspection volume and timeliness data from Goodhue County would turn the phrase into a finding.
12.12.23, 12.10.24 and 12.9.25 Council Packets · taken up again 2025-12-09
Council member Helgeson has been working with a local cabinet shop who is donating new cabinets for the kitchen area of the Depot building.
Depot Park shelter improvements update.
Partly answeredThe cabinet shop is never named in anything we hold and no donation agreement or installation date appears. The Depot building's funding is otherwise well documented: a $10,000 grant from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation for shelters, a $7,345 transfer into the Depot Park fund approved in February 2024, and a Depot Building donation fund balance of $18,681.46 in April 2024 against a $21,368.00 L and M estimate for replacing the 10 large windows, leaving $2,686.54 to come from the park budget.
12.12.23 and 4.9.24 Council Packets, KENYON_DEPOT_PARK.md · taken up again 2024-04-09
Engineer Olinger gave the background on the original easement and explained that the new easement will be the same as in the past, just moved over.
Public hearing background on the right of way vacation adjacent to the Traxler property.
Partly answeredNothing in our record contains the original or the new easement legal description, so whether the two areas are identical apart from a 20-foot shift cannot be checked. The property owners described the same thing in their own words at the hearing, saying they just wanted to move the easement area 20 feet with no pavement, curb or gutter needed. The recorded easement documents and the boundary survey held by Goodhue County would settle it.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda
This program provides funding up to $1.5 million for eligible road projects. Sixth Street from Spring Street to Huseth Street would meet the program eligibility requirements.
Explaining which city project could be submitted for LRIP funding.
Partly answeredWe hold no MnDOT Local Road Improvement Program criteria document, so eligibility cannot be verified against the rules. The city restated the claim on its own authority in August 2025, saying the reconstruction of 6th Street fits the program goals and eligibility requirements, that the program is typically funded every two years and offers grants for surface improvements, and that the project is not affordable without a grant. The published program criteria and the submitted application would settle it.
12.12.23 and 8.12.25 Council Packets · taken up again 2025-08-12
Replace Fryer - Muni Administrator Vahlsing stated that the fryer at the municipal liquor store had been out since this summer. Motion by Bailey second by Henke to authorize replacement of the fryer at the Municipal Liquor Store.
Council authorized replacing the muni fryer without a stated price.
We hold no dataNo quote or invoice for the municipal liquor store fryer is in our archive, and the purchase does not appear in the bid record.
KENYON_BIDS.md · would settle it: Vendor quote or invoice for the new fryer
Replace Fryer - Muni Administrator Vahlsing stated that the fryer at the municipal liquor store had been out since this summer. Motion by Bailey second by Henke to authorize replacement of the fryer at the Municipal Liquor Store.
The fryer at the muni had been out of service since summer.
At the meetingMotion made to authorize replacement; no vote count or cost recorded.
Partly answeredThe minutes record the motion by Bailey seconded by Henke but no vote count and no dollar figure, and nothing later in our record closes either gap. The contrast with the other two Muni items raised the same night is sharp: the roof went out to quotes and was awarded to Chandler Roofing at $40,640 in March 2024, and the flooring was awarded to Hamernick's at $7,480.86 in February 2024 against Picture Perfect at $11,745 and Hiller at $25,364.60. Only the fryer has neither a price nor a vote in the record.
12.12.23 Council Packet and KENYON_BIDS.md
Set Special Meeting to review draft 2024 Enterprise Fund Budgets (Sanitary, Storm, and Liquor) A work session to review the 2024 enterprise fund budget was set for Tuesday, November 28 at 5:00 pm.
New business item to schedule review of the 2024 enterprise fund budgets.
What happened nextThe work session was held. Mayor Henke called it to order at 5:00 p.m. to review the 2024 enterprise funds, and Liquor Store Manager Bartel presented the proposed Muni budget, asking for part-time wage increases, projecting higher on-sale revenue and asking that the extra revenue go to salaries. He named three capital needs at that session: the fryer, the roof and eventually the flooring.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2023-12-12
ENGINEERING 2023 Street Improvements Project Update Engineer Olinger stated that most of the work is now complete with some small repairs remaining to be finished.
2023 Street Improvements project update.
What happened nextThe project closed out over the next two months. Pay request 2 for $409,539.24 through November 9 was approved 4-0-0 on a motion by Sjolander seconded by Henke, and pay request 3 for $11,450.47 was approved on January 9 2024 on a motion by Ryan seconded by Helgeson, expressly contingent on submittal of closeout documentation. The contract is BMI at $450,693.95, awarded June 13 2023 against Crane Creek at $463,585.62, SL Contracting at $535,437.60 and an estimate of $547,705.
12.12.23 Council Packet, 1-9-24 agenda, KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2024-01-09
The remainder of the project will be completed next spring. 8 Approve Pay Request #2- BCM Construction- $259,069.04 Motion by Bailey second by Helgeson to approve pay request No. 2 to BCM Construction in the amount of $259,069.04 for work completed through November 3.
Project update on Pearl Creek and Gates Avenue utility improvements.
What happened nextThe remainder took two more construction seasons, not one spring. BCM was still being paid in 2024 through pay application 5 at $104,318.56 for work to May 31 and pay application 6 at $112,532.25 to June 28, and by January 14 2025 minor grading, stabilization and turf on the Barrett property were still outstanding, with a completion date to be set in early spring 2025 and liquidated damages suspended over the winter. The contract is $1,241,494.22.
The remainder was said to finish the next spring, but restoration work was still open in January 2025 with liquidated damages suspended over the winter.
7.9.24, 8-20-24 and 1-14-25 Council Packets · taken up again 2025-01-14
If approved, the project would have to be completed by 2026. The estimated cost for Bolton and Menk to prepare an application for the program would be $2,800.00.
Discussion of pursuing MNDOT Local Road Improvement Program funding.
Partly answeredNo Bolton and Menk fee proposal or invoice for the application appears in anything we hold, so the $2,800 rests on the engineer's statement. The scale is unremarkable, at 0.19 percent of the $1.5 million the grant program can award. The city commissioned the same exercise again in August 2025 without a stated price, and the engineering firm's other work for Kenyon includes the GIS conversion at $14,500 plus $1,260 a year in licensing.
12.12.23 and 8.12.25 Council Packets, KENYON_DATA_IN_MEETINGS.md
Motion by Sjolander second by Helgeson to continue with Precision Signs at the projected cost of $19,355.60. motion carried 4-0-0.
Council motion to continue with Precision Signs for the entrance sign.
Answered from our recordsThe $19,355.60 figure is confirmed by the bid record, where it is the third of four prices for the community entrance sign. The full field from the September 12 2023 solicitation is Lewiston Monument at $14,500 to $20,500, Schad-Tracy at $16,512.51, Precision Signs at $19,355.60, and Anderson Memorial at $23,873 to $25,653. The written Precision Signs contract is not in anything we hold.
Staff recommended Schad-Tracy at $16,512.51 in September 2023 and the council selected the higher Precision Signs price in November.
KENYON_BIDS.md and 12.12.23 Council Packet
OLD BUSINESS Community Entrance Sign Administrator Vahlsing stated that the community entrance sign was discussed at the September Council meeting. Sign examples from Schad Tracy were available. Precision Signs hasn't supplied any examples yet.
Old business comparing Schad Tracy and Precision Signs for the community entrance sign.
At the meetingCouncil voted 4-0-0 to continue with Precision Signs anyway.
What happened nextPrecision Signs never supplied examples and got the work anyway, at $19,355.60, on a motion by Sjolander seconded by Helgeson carried 4-0-0. The final design was later submitted to Precision Sign and MnDOT, and as of January 2024 the city was still waiting on the sign right-of-way permit, with no install date given. Our bid record shows staff had recommended Schad-Tracy at $16,512.51, the vendor that did supply examples.
The council chose the vendor that had produced no examples and cost $2,843.09 more than the vendor staff recommended.
12.12.23 Council Packet, 1-9-24 agenda, KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2024-01-09
Update on Depot Park Shelter Improvements Administrator Vahlsing stated that the Minnesota State-Mankato Graduate Design team has completed a draft design for Depot Park. They will be presenting the preferred design at the Special Council meeting on December 5.
Update on Depot Park Shelter Improvements.
What happened nextThe team presented. Five Minnesota State Mankato graduate students laid out a cost-effective park improvement plan, told the council the priority should be making the park ADA compliant because most park grants require compliance first, and offered a possible five-year plan. By February 13 2024 the parks board was working from it, naming a walking trail, a paved sports court and ADA improvements to existing facilities.
12.12.23 and 2.13.24 Council Packets · taken up again 2023-12-12
MNDOT Local Road Improvement Program Grant Application Engineer Olinger summarized the MNDOT Local Road Improvement Program. This program provides funding up to $1.5 million for eligible road projects.
Grant application for Sixth Street from Spring Street to Huseth Street.
Partly answeredNo MnDOT award notification for the 2023 application appears in anything we hold, and the city's own conduct indicates it did not get one: it authorized a fresh Local Road Improvement Program application for the same 6th Street project in August and November 2025. The program caps grants at $1.5 million and is typically funded every two years, and the 2023 terms required completion by 2026. The MnDOT award or denial letter would settle it.
12.12.23, 8.12.25 and 11-12-25 Council Packets · taken up again 2025-11-12
Sixth Street from Spring Street to Huseth Street would meet the program eligibility requirements. The grant application is due by December 8. If approved, the project would have to be completed by 2026.
Council adopted Resolution 2023-28 authorizing pursuit of LRIP funding for 6th Street from Spring Street to Huseth Street.
At the meetingCouncil adopted Resolution 2023-28 authorizing the application, 4-0-0.
What happened nextResolution 2023-28 authorizing the application was adopted on a motion by Henke seconded by Bailey, but no award ever appears. Two years later the city started over, with an August 12 2025 motion directing Bolton and Menk to prepare a 2025 Local Road Improvement Program application and Resolution 2025-26 authorizing the pursuit on November 12 2025. The August 2025 packet states plainly that the project is not affordable without a grant.
12.12.23, 8.12.25 and 11-12-25 Council Packets · taken up again 2025-11-12
She had an issue with calling this easement a street in the resolution. In the future, they don't want to be forced to maintain and pay for curb, gutter, paving, etc.
Public hearing and resolution on vacating right of way adjacent to Huseth Street.
At the meetingThe Council adopted Resolution 2023-24, titled "Vacating a Street," 4-0-0 without recorded change to the wording.
What happened nextThe wording did not change. After Ann Traxler objected to the easement being called a street, the council adopted Resolution 2023-24, still titled Vacating a Street, on a motion by Bailey seconded by Henke, carried 4-0-0, with no amendment recorded. Whether the Traxlers actually carry street maintenance exposure turns on the recorded easement document, not the resolution title, and that document is not in anything we hold.
The objection to the word street is recorded and the resolution was then adopted under the title Vacating a Street with no change.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2023-12-12
Kenyon Senior Living Property Sale Update – Brett Reese – Rebound Partners Brett Reese of Rebound Partners was not present at the meeting.
Agenda item VI.B was a scheduled update on the sale of the Kenyon Senior Living property.
What happened nextThe update was rescheduled and delivered. Brett Reese appears on the January 9 2024 agenda as item VI.A, an update on the Kenyon Senior Living project, with the Kenyon Investor Presentation dated November 9 2023 attached. The thread ran for another two and a half years and ended in city money: $1,855,000 of tax increment assistance over 26 years approved May 18 2026, and Resolution 2026-18 creating Municipal Development District No. 2 and TIF District No. 2-1 adopted June 30 2026.
1-9-24 agenda and KENYON_INCENTIVES.md · taken up again 2024-01-09
Review and Consider Issues Regarding a Request Involving Charitable Gambling and the Operation of Electronic and Paper Pull Tabs at the Municipal Liquor Store Administrator Vahlsing stated that this meeting was a continuation of the October council meeting regarding the Fire Relief Association's request for Council approval to operate electronic and paper pull tabs at the Muni. The pull tabs are currently operated by the Kenyon Snow Drifters Club.
Background given before the Council decided to transfer the gambling operation.
What happened nextThe Snow Drifters held the operation and then lost it. Administrator Vahlsing confirmed twice on the record that the Kenyon Snow Drifters Club operated the pull tabs at the Muni, several club members told the council what losing the operation would mean to them, and no Fire Relief Association member spoke. The council transferred the operation to the Fire Relief Association 4-1-0. The Snow Drifters' own gambling lease and premises permit are not in our holdings.
11.14.23 Council Packet Agenda · taken up again 2023-11-14
XI.B Agenda Item Summary CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM REPORT DATE: November 14, 2023 SUBMITTED BY: Holli Gudknecht, Administration ITEM TYPE: New Business AGENDA SECTION: NEW BUSINESS SUBJECT: 2024 Proposed Agreement for Continuation of our City-County Joint-Powers "Agreement for State Building Code Administration" SUGGESTED ACTION: Approval of contract with Goodhue County to provide building inspection services.
Contract with Goodhue County to provide building inspection services for the city.
What happened nextThe council approved the 2024 agreement with Goodhue County for State Building Code Administration 4-0-0 on a motion by Henke seconded by Helgeson, for a one-year term starting January 1 2024. The renewal has recurred every year since, approved 3-0-0 for 2025 and 5-0-0 for 2026, with the same staff language each time.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda; 12.10.24 Council Packet and Agenda Updated; 12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated · taken up again 2025-12-09
XI.E Agenda Item Summary CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM REPORT DATE: November 14, 2023 SUBMITTED BY: Holli Gudknecht, Finance ITEM TYPE: New Business AGENDA SECTION: NEW BUSINESS SUBJECT: Council Work Session to review draft 2024 Enterprise Fund Budgets (Sanitary, Storm, and Liquor) SUGGESTED ACTION: Council work session to review proposed Sanitary sewer, Storm Sewer and Liquor Enterprise funds.
New business item scheduling budget review.
What happened nextThe work session was set for Tuesday November 28 2023 at 5:00 p.m. to review the draft 2024 sanitary sewer, storm sewer and liquor enterprise fund budgets. The draft budget documents for that session are not in our holdings, and the same scheduling pattern repeats the following year with a session tentatively set for Tuesday July 30 at 1:00 p.m.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda; 8-20-24 AGENDA · taken up again 2023-12-12
XI.D Agenda Item Summary CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM REPORT DATE: November 14, 2023 SUBMITTED BY: Holli Gudknecht, Fire ITEM TYPE: New Business AGENDA SECTION: NEW BUSINESS SUBJECT: Kenyon Fire Relief Association Temporary Liquor Permit for November 25, 2023 SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Liquor License for Firemans Dance on November 25, 2023.
New business item requesting approval of a temporary on-sale liquor license.
What happened nextBoth approvals were granted 4-0-0, one for the temporary liquor license and a separate one for the dance permit. The Fireman's Dance ran Saturday November 25 2023 from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., with the liquor license period running from 5 p.m. on November 25 to 1 a.m. on November 26. The same pair of approvals recurs for the June 22 2024 dance, carried 3-0-0.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda; 5-14-24 AGENDA(1) · taken up again 2023-12-12
VI.A Agenda Item Summary CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM REPORT DATE: November 14, 2023 SUBMITTED BY: Holli Gudknecht, Legal ITEM TYPE: Miscellaneous AGENDA SECTION: PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS RECOGNITIONS/PROCLAMATIONS SUBJECT: Public Hearing for Proposed Vacation of Right of Way Adjacent to Huseth Street SUGGESTED ACTION: Required hearing to gain public input on vacation of the right-of-way area adjacent to Traxler ad adjoining properties. The City Attorney will have more information at the Council meeting.
Public hearing scheduled on vacating the right-of-way adjacent to the Traxler and adjoining properties.
What happened nextThe vacation was completed. Attorney Sathe reported that the resolution would finalize the vacation of the right-of-way adjacent to the Traxler property, and the council adopted Resolution 2023-24 vacating a street 4-0-0 on a motion by Bailey seconded by Henke. Ann Traxler objected to the resolution describing the easement as a street, saying the family did not want a public street or to be forced in future to maintain and pay for curb, gutter and paving.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2023-12-12
BCM plans to be on site intermittently over the next week to clean up, stabilize disturbed areas and prepare the project for winter. They plan to complete the remainder of the project next spring.
Project update accompanying Pay Request #2 for work through November 3.
Partly answeredBCM demobilized for the winter with the remainder pushed to spring, and no 2024 construction schedule was ever put before the council. The engineer reported water and electrical utilities installed west of Gates Avenue, forcemain installed by Ellingson Drainage, and street patching in Slee, Mart and Gates Avenue still to be finished the following year. The council approved Pay Request No. 2 to BCM of $259,069.04 for work through November 3 2023, 4-0-0, on a contract awarded at $1,241,494.22 in June 2023.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda; 11.14.23 Council Packet Agenda; factbook KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2023-12-12
ATTACHMENTS: 01.1_2023 Street Improvements Summary.pdf 01.2_Street Project_Pay App 2.pdf 31 2023 Street Improvements BMI and Heselton have been on site intermittently over the past month and most work is now complete. Some punch list repairs still remain.
Project update accompanying Pay Request #2.
Partly answeredNo punch list or completion date for the 2023 Street Improvements contract is in our holdings. The contract went to Bituminous Materials Inc at $450,693.95 in June 2023, and the punch list figures that do survive in the record belong to the separate BCM utility contract, where the punch list subtotal fell from $17,250.00 in November 2024 to $4,500.00 in December 2024 under a retainage formula of 1 percent of completed work plus 250 percent of the remaining punch list value. The engineer's punch list for the street contract would settle it.
factbook KENYON_BIDS.md; 11.12.24 Council Packet And Agenda; 12.10.24 Council Packet and Agenda Updated
They also are seeking investors and bank financing. -Possible use of TIF/Tax Abatement -Future plans for the property - 50 Market rate apartments - An extended stay hotel - Commercial kitchen -Project schedule -Gunderson Wing: 15 units, open tentatively end of 2023 -Sunset Wing: studios, 1-2 bedroom -House: 2 apartments 16 - Future Off street parking may be an issue -Northfield Hospital & Clinic Lease: through 2025 -More Commercial in the future?
Existing tenancy noted during the property sale update.
Answered from our recordsThe clinic lease ran through September 2025, having been extended an additional two years, on roughly 3,500 square feet leased to Kenyon Clinic of Northfield Hospital and Clinics. The space was built as part of Gunderson Gardens, completed in December 2004, was initially leased by Mayo Clinic, and passed to Northfield Hospital and Clinics in 2021.
1-9-24 agenda; 2.11.25 Council Packet Agenda · taken up again 2025-02-11
They also are seeking investors and bank financing. -Possible use of TIF/Tax Abatement -Future plans for the property - 50 Market rate apartments - An extended stay hotel - Commercial kitchen -Project schedule -Gunderson Wing: 15 units, open tentatively end of 2023 -Sunset Wing: studios, 1-2 bedroom -House: 2 apartments 16 - Future Off street parking may be an issue -Northfield Hospital & Clinic Lease: through 2025 -More Commercial in the future?
Listed among items discussed regarding future plans for the property.
What happened nextParking did become the issue, and the developer sought relief from the code. The 2026 application requests a variance from the off-street parking requirements for Kenyon Crossings, which needs 76 spaces at the city's two spaces per dwelling unit and proposes 68, a reduction of eight. The 68 spaces break down as 20 in a new lot behind the building, 22 new on-street along State Street, 6 reconfigured on 3rd Street and 20 in the existing lot across State Street.
The parking variance application and exhibit describe Kenyon Crossings as a 38-unit project, while the development contract and sub-grant recitals describe a 36-unit apartment building.
9-8-26 Council Packet, variance parking exhibit · taken up again 2026-09-08
They also are seeking investors and bank financing. -Possible use of TIF/Tax Abatement -Future plans for the property - 50 Market rate apartments - An extended stay hotel - Commercial kitchen -Project schedule -Gunderson Wing: 15 units, open tentatively end of 2023 -Sunset Wing: studios, 1-2 bedroom -House: 2 apartments 16 - Future Off street parking may be an issue -Northfield Hospital & Clinic Lease: through 2025 -More Commercial in the future?
Project schedule presented for the Kenyon Senior Living property.
Partly answeredThe end-of-2023 opening for the 15-unit Gunderson Wing is nowhere confirmed, and by 2026 part of the building stands empty. The planning reports in the August and September 2026 packets describe the southwestern portion of the structure as occupied by apartment units while the northeastern portion is vacant and was previously used as a senior living facility and daycare. A certificate of occupancy or the developer's rent roll would settle whether the 15 units ever opened.
9-8-26 Council Packet; 8-6-26 Council Packet Updated · taken up again 2026-09-08
They have an agreement to purchase the property from Purchasing from Jerry Anderson in November. Items discussed during the meeting include: the use of TIF and/or Tax Abatement was discussed.
Items discussed at the September 20 meeting with Gerald Anderson, Chairman John Mortenson, Cora, and Janet Peterson.
What happened nextThe discussion ended in tax increment financing rather than abatement, and at a scale far above the advisor's recommendation. The council approved $1,855,000 in tax increment assistance over 26 years on May 18 2026, more than double the $800,000 Northland Securities recommended, then adopted Resolution 2026-18 creating Municipal Development District No. 2 and TIF District No. 2-1 on June 30 2026, plus Resolution 2026-20 for an interfund loan. A DEED grant is also being passed through to the developer by sub-grant agreement.
Rebound raised TIF or abatement as a possibility in 2023, and the assistance eventually granted was 2.3 times what the city's own financial advisor recommended.
factbook Development, TIF and land · taken up again 2026-06-30
A meeting was held on September 20 with Gerald Anderson, Chairman John Mortenson, Cora myself and met with Brett and Janet Peterson of Rebound Partners. They have an agreement to purchase the property from Purchasing from Jerry Anderson in November.
Update on the sale of the Kenyon Senior Living property, purchased by Gerald Anderson of Northfield.
What happened nextThe property changed hands and the redevelopment is now under way, though not on the 2023 timetable. Brett Reese did not appear at the December 2023 meeting, and by February 2024 Rebound was describing 35 to 36 new apartments with possible underground parking and possible demolition of the original Sunset Home building. The project became Kenyon Crossings, a 36-unit apartment development by Kenyon Real Estate 2, LLC, backed by $1,855,000 in tax increment assistance over 26 years approved May 18 2026 and a TIF district created June 30 2026. The closing record and financing commitment letters are not in our holdings.
2.13.24 Council Packet and Agenda; factbook Development, TIF and land · taken up again 2026-06-30
Council member Helgeson has been working with a cabinet shop which is making new cabinets for the kitchen area of the Depot building. Further information will be discussed at the Council meeting.
Depot Park shelter improvements update.
What happened nextThe cabinets became a donation rather than a purchase. The 12.12.23 packet describes a local cabinet shop donating new cabinets for the kitchen area of the Depot building, so no city quote or cost exists to produce. The shop is not named in the record, and by March 2024 the park board had moved on to prioritizing Depot Park improvements ahead of building a funding plan.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda; 3.12.24 Council Packet Agenda · taken up again 2023-12-12
Three concept designs were presented, and the team received a lot of feedback from those in attendance. They will be presenting the preferred design at the Special Council meeting on December 5.
Three concept designs were shown at the October 29 Trunk or Treat event and feedback was collected.
What happened nextFive Minnesota State Mankato graduate students presented the Depot Park design, with the stated mission of a cost-effective park improvement plan. Their central finding was that making the park ADA compliant should be the priority, because most park improvement grants require ADA compliance before an award, and they offered a possible five-year plan. The work later drew a $10,000 SMIF grant for shelters and a $7,345 transfer into the Depot Park fund in February 2024.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda; factbook KENYON_DEPOT_PARK.md · taken up again 2023-12-12
Precision Signs: $19,355 Schad Tracy Signs: $16,512 Both companies were able to provide more information on their proposed designs.
Price comparison offered to the council for the community entrance sign decision.
Answered from our recordsBoth figures match our record, Precision Signs at $19,355.60 and Schad-Tracy at $16,512.51. Two further vendors had been priced and were absent from the comparison, Anderson Memorial at $23,873 to $25,653 and Lewiston Monument at $14,500 to $20,500.
The council was shown two prices when four vendors had been priced in September 2023.
KENYON_BIDS.md
A summary of their responses, the quotes and designs are attached below. In order to get final MNDOT approval of the sign permit council approval is needed for one of the quotes.
Continued discussion of the community entrance sign from previous council meetings.
At the meetingStaff recommended the Schad Tracy proposal based on price.
What happened nextThe council picked the higher quote. It voted 4-0-0 on a motion by Sjolander seconded by Helgeson to continue with Precision Signs at a projected cost of $19,355.60, which is $2,843.09 or 17.2 percent above the Schad Tracy price that staff had recommended. The final design went to Precision Sign and MnDOT, and as of the 1-9-24 packet the city was still waiting for final approval of the sign right-of-way permit from MnDOT.
Our bid file records the entrance sign as a staff recommendation for Schad-Tracy at $16,512.51 left unresolved in November 2023, but the council in fact awarded it to Precision Signs at $19,355.60.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda; 1-9-24 agenda; factbook KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2023-12-12
Total project costs are estimated at approximately $3.7 million. The LRIP grant can fund surface and storm sewer costs only. Eligible costs total approximately $2.1 million.
Cost framing for the 6th Street Reconstruction grant application.
Partly answeredThe $3.7 million and $2.1 million figures are never broken down in anything we hold. What the record adds is the scope and terms, namely 6th Street from Spring Street to Huseth Street, a grant cap of $1.5 million, an application due December 8 2023, a requirement to complete the project by 2026 if approved, and a Bolton & Menk fee of $2,800.00 to prepare the application. The preliminary engineer's estimate for 6th Street carries a note that costs be updated to 2027-28 pricing, and the detailed estimate itself is not in our holdings.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda; 11.14.23 Council Packet Agenda; 11-12-25 Council Packet(1)
The City Council hereby seeks the support by resolution of Goodhue County to act as Sponsor for the City of Kenyon's Local Road Improvement Program funding application and the associated project for 6th Street Reconstruction project, and 4.
LRIP program rules require a county sponsor and county board support for non-State Aid cities.
We hold no dataNo Goodhue County sponsorship resolution appears anywhere in our records. The same requirement is restated word for word in the 2025 resolution, which shows the condition still applied two years later but not that the county ever acted. An adopted Goodhue County Board resolution naming Kenyon's 6th Street project would settle it.
11.14.23 Council Packet Agenda; 11-12-25 Council Packet(1) · would settle it: An adopted Goodhue County Board sponsorship resolution
The funding application will request $1.5 million in grant, which is the maximum amount available to a single project.
Council was asked to adopt Resolution 2023-28 authorizing preparation and submission of the LRIP application.
What happened nextThe 2023 application failed. The 12.9.25 packet states funding was not awarded in 2023 although the project scored well, and the council adopted Resolution 2025-26 5-0-0 to resubmit for the 2025 solicitation. The 6th Street reconstruction therefore remains unbuilt and unfunded through the end of our record.
12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated; 11-12-25 Council Packet(1) · taken up again 2025-12-09
is submitting an application to the Minnesota Gambling Control Board for approval of a Premises Permit application to conduct lawful charitable gambling at the Kenyon Municipal Liquor Store, 645 2nd Street, Kenyon, MN 55946; and WHEREAS, the gambling premises is located within the city limits of Kenyon, Minnesota; and WHEREAS, KFRA is a lawful gambling organization within the city; and WHEREAS, KFRA will be responsible for operating and managing the lawful gambling activity on the premises and will comply with all
City resolution approving issuance of a lawful gambling premises permit at the Muni, 645 2nd Street.
What happened nextThe permit was granted and later extended to a second site. The city adopted the resolution approving the premises permit application for lawful gambling at the Kenyon Municipal Liquor Store, 645 2nd Street, and by March 2025 the Fire Relief Association was operating there. In February 2026 the council took up Resolution 2026-07 approving a further premises permit for the same association at the Kenyon VFW Conrad Osthum Post 141, 601 2nd Street. The Gambling Control Board's own decision letter is not in our holdings.
2-10-26 Council Packet; 11.14.23 Council Packet Agenda; 3-11-25 council packet (1) · taken up again 2026-02-10
Henke – No, Helgeson – Aye, Bailey – Aye, Ryan – Aye, Sjolander – Aye Motion by Bailey second by Ryan to authorize city staff to implement the transfer of the gambling lease at the Kenyon Municipal Liquor Store to the Kenyon Fire Relief Association.
Follow-through on the Council's decision to move the Muni pull tab operation to the Fire Relief Association.
At the meetingMotion carried 4-1-0.
What happened nextThe lease transfer was authorized on the same 4-1-0 split, Henke no, and was carried out. By the 3-11-25 packet the Fire Relief Association is described as operating the pull tabs at the Muni in conformance with state lawful gambling statutes and making periodic donations to the fire department. The executed lease transfer document itself is not in our holdings.
11.14.23 Council Packet Agenda; 3-11-25 council packet (1) · taken up again 2025-03-11
Review and Consider Issues Regarding a Request Involving Charitable Gambling and the Operation of Electronic and Paper Pull Tabs at the Municipal Liquor Store Administrator Vahlsing stated that this meeting was a continuation of the October council meeting regarding the Fire Relief Association's request for Council approval to operate electronic and paper pull tabs at the Muni.
Continuation of the October regular meeting discussion over which organization operates pull tabs at the Muni.
At the meetingCouncil approved authorizing the Fire Relief Association to take over the gambling operation, 4-1 (Henke no).
What happened nextThe council authorized the Kenyon Fire Relief Association to take over the charitable gambling and the operation of electronic and paper pull tabs at the Municipal Liquor Store, 4-1-0, with Henke voting no and Helgeson, Bailey, Ryan and Sjolander in favor. The transfer held, and the 3-11-25 packet records the Fire Relief Association operating pull tabs at the Kenyon Municipal On and Off Sale Liquor Store under Minnesota lawful gambling statutes.
11.14.23 Council Packet Agenda; 3-11-25 council packet (1) · taken up again 2025-03-11
Township Fire Contract Meeting: Tuesday, December 5th @ 6:00 p.m. 2023 Budget & Levy Public Meeting: Tuesday, December 5th @ 6:30 p.m.
Schedule of upcoming meetings.
Answered from our recordsBoth meetings were scheduled for Tuesday December 5, the Township Fire Contract Meeting at 6:00 pm and the budget and levy public meeting at 6:30 pm, and the same pairing appears in both the November 14 and December 12 2023 packets. The published newspaper notices themselves are not in our holdings.
The December 5 2023 hearing is labeled the 2023 Budget & Levy Public Meeting, while the city's own practice elsewhere labels the December hearing by the following year's budget.
11.14.23 Council Packet & Agenda; 12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda
Jeremy Kiffmeyer, Wanamingo Fire Relief Gambling Manager, gave an informative explanation of how charitable gambling works in Wanamingo and how they run their gambling. 9 Diane Barrett, Gambling Manager for the Snow Drifters, ran through the gambling numbers for their organization and listed previous organizations that they have donated to.
Testimony during the charitable gambling discussion; specific figures were not recorded in the minutes.
Partly answeredThe figures Barrett presented were never recorded and no Snow Drifters receipts, expenses or lawful purpose expenditure reports are in our holdings. What the record does show is where the club went next: by January 2024 the Snow Drifters were applying to the Minnesota Gambling Control Board for a premises permit to conduct lawful charitable gambling at the Kenyon VFW Conrad Osthum Post #141 at 601 2nd Street.
1-9-24 agenda · taken up again 2024-01-09
Council member Helgeson saw the benefits of both sides also but wanted more time to consider the final decision.
Council comments during the charitable gambling discussion.
At the meetingA work session was scheduled to continue the discussion.
What happened nextHelgeson got the extra time and then moved the decision himself. At the October 25 2023 special meeting each member stated a position, and Helgeson moved, with Bailey seconding, to authorize the Kenyon Fire Relief Association to take over the charitable gambling and pull tab operation at the Muni, carrying 4-1-0.
11.14.23 Council Packet & Agenda; 10.25.23 Special Council Meeting Agenda · taken up again 2023-10-25
He felt the gambling should stay with the Snow Drifters. He was willing to show the fire fighters how to make money on their bingo nights at the Muni.
Offered as an alternative to transferring the pull tab operation to the fire relief association.
We hold no dataNo record of any meeting between the mayor and the firefighters about bingo appears in our holdings. What the record does show is that the offer did not change the outcome, since the council voted 4-1-0 to move the pull tabs to the Fire Relief Association with Henke the lone dissent. Confirmation that the bingo meeting took place would have to come from the parties.
11.14.23 Council Packet & Agenda · would settle it: Confirmation that the meeting between the Mayor and firefighters took place
She felt they had worked hard to get to where they are. They don't get tax money and must fundraise to get their money. The DNR does provide some help.
Argument against transferring the pull tab operation away from the Snow Drifters.
We hold no dataWe hold no Snow Drifters financial statements and no DNR grant records, so neither the absence of tax money nor the extent of DNR help can be checked. The club's lawful gambling reports filed with the state and its DNR grant agreements would settle it.
would settle it: The Snow Drifters' financial statements and DNR grant records
He thinks switching the gambling operatorship to the fire department would not reduce the city budget and the budget would probably still increase.
The Mayor's stated reason for favoring leaving the gambling with the Snow Drifters.
Partly answeredNo projected gambling proceeds comparison exists in our holdings, so the budget claim cannot be tested directly. The one figure we do hold points the mayor's way on the levy: in 2025 the Fire Relief donated $27,000 from gambling proceeds to the truck fund, a capital use, while the 2026 fire budget still rose $1,658.17 over 2025 on pagers, radios and property insurance. Proceeds went to equipment, not to lowering the levy.
12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated
LEGAL Lot Combination: Nicole Boyum City Attorney Riggs stated that Nicole Boyum had applied for a combination of two adjoining parcels (PID's 66.160.0330 and 66.160.0400) that she owns on Trondheim Road. The smaller lot is non- conforming, so the combination would create one conforming lot.
Basis for Resolution 2023-23 approving the lot combination.
At the meetingCouncil adopted Resolution 2023-23, 5-0-0.
Partly answeredResolution 2023-23 approving the Boyum lot combination on Trondheim Road carried 5-0-0, but the dimensions of PIDs 66.160.0330 and 66.160.0400 and the applicable zoning minimums are not in our holdings, so the non-conformity claim cannot be checked. The city handles these routinely the same way, including the 2026 Bartel split under Resolution 2026-29 and the Bauer combination under Resolution 2026-30, the latter to fit a septic system.
11.14.23 Council Packet & Agenda; factbook, Development, TIF and land
Approve Change Order #1 Engineer Olinger prepared a change order for the cost to complete additional grading work required due to the presence of concrete rubble in the hillside.
Basis for Change Order #1 with BCM Construction, which Council approved.
At the meetingCouncil approved Change Order #1 for $14,800.00, 5-0-0.
Answered from our recordsThe change order breaks down exactly to the $14,800 and the work was fully performed. It carries two lines, 400 cubic yards to haul and dispose of concrete rubble at $22.00 for $8,800 and 400 cubic yards of import fill replacing the removed rubble at $15.00 for $6,000, both shown at 100 percent complete in the later pay applications.
11.14.23 Council Packet & Agenda; 8-20-24 AGENDA change order table
PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS/RECOGNITIONS/PROLAMATIONS ENGINEERING 2023 Street Improvements Project Update Engineer Olinger reviewed the status of the street maintenance project. The milling is being done now and they will start laying pavement next week.
Status update on the 2023 Street Improvements project.
What happened nextPaving proceeded and the project moved to closeout within two months. Pay Request No. 2 to Bituminous Materials for $376,983.60 came to the November 2023 meeting and Pay Request No. 3 for $11,450.47 to the December 2023 meeting, against a contract awarded at $450,693.95.
11.14.23 Council Packet & Agenda; 12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda; factbook KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2023-12-12
He stated that the contractor has half of the lift station driveway installed. Ellingson Drainage will be boring the new forcemain lines later this week.
Project update on the Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer improvements.
What happened nextThe forcemain boring happened as forecast. By the December 2023 and January 2024 updates BCM was wrapping up for the year, water and electrical utilities west of Gates Avenue were installed, Ellingson Drainage had installed the forcemain in that area, and the remainder of the project was carried to the following spring.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda; 1-9-24 agenda · taken up again 2023-12-12
MNDOT Local Road Improvement Program Grant Application Engineer Olinger provided a summary of the MNDOT Local Road Improvement Program. This program provides funding up to $1.5 million for eligible road projects.
Summary of the grant program presented to Council.
Partly answeredThe $1.5 million cap and the 6th Street eligibility are the engineer's characterization, repeated across the November 2023, December 2023 and August 2025 packets, the last adding that the program is typically funded every two years and offers grants for surface improvements. Eligibility was at least good enough that the 2023 application scored well without winning. The MnDOT program guidelines would settle the cap and the criteria.
11.14.23 Council Packet & Agenda; 8.12.25 Council Packet & Agenda Updated
If approved, the project would have to be completed by 2026. The estimated cost for Bolton and Menk to prepare an application for the program would be $2,800.00.
Cost of preparing the MnDOT LRIP grant application that Council authorized.
Partly answeredThe $2,800 appears only as the engineer's verbal estimate, repeated in the November and December 2023 packets, and the council directed preparation of the application without a separate motion on the fee. When the city went back to the same program in August 2025 the requested action was again a motion directing Bolton & Menk to prepare an application, with no fee stated. Bolton & Menk's written scope and fee proposal would settle it.
11.14.23 Council Packet & Agenda; 8.12.25 Council Packet & Agenda Updated
He also reported on the issues with the Goodhue Police Department resigning and the County Sherrif's department taking over the coverage in Goodhue.
Citizen comment report on regional policing.
We hold no dataWe hold nothing on the City of Goodhue's police department or on any coverage agreement with the Sheriff. What our record does show is Kenyon's own contracting with the same Sheriff's Department, a Mobile Data Terminal agreement discussed in November 2024 and a communications subscriber agreement approved 4-0-0 in December 2024. The City of Goodhue and Sheriff's office coverage agreement would settle it.
11.12.24 and 12.10.24 Council Packets · would settle it: The City of Goodhue and Sheriff's office coverage agreement
CITIZEN COMMENT Goodhue County Commissioner, Todd Greseth, stated that the County set their preliminary budget at 5.5%.
Citizen comment update from the County Commissioner.
We hold no dataWe hold no Goodhue County levy or budget data and cannot verify the 5.5 percent. Our records cover the city levy only, where the certified increases run 9.55 percent for 2025, 9.18 percent for 2026 and 9.26 percent preliminary for 2027. The county's adopted preliminary budget and levy resolution would settle it.
factbook taxes/levy.html · would settle it: The county's adopted preliminary budget/levy resolution
NEW BUSINESS Fire Department SCBA Quotes Assistant Fire Chief Wayne Ehrich reviewed quotes for SCBA (Breathing apparatus), compressor, tanks and related equipment. The current equipment was purchased in 2007 with a 15-year lifespan.
Justification for replacing the fire department's breathing apparatus.
Partly answeredNo 2007 purchase record and no manufacturer service life standard appears in our holdings. On the claim's own terms the equipment reached the end of its 15-year life in 2022, roughly two years before the January 2024 replacement was approved. The original purchase record and the NFPA or manufacturer service life reference would settle it.
11.14.23 Council Packet & Agenda
The Fire Department is currently fundraising money toward the purchase of the SCBA Equipment which would be approximately $150,000. There is $41,000 in the proposed 2024 budget for the equipment from a portion of the State Public Safety Aid.
Presentation of replacement quotes for fire department breathing apparatus.
What happened nextThe actual total came in at $156,445, about $6,445 above the roughly $150,000 estimate, and the Public Safety Aid share was $42,000 rather than the $41,000 shown in the draft 2024 budget. The gap was closed with $37,000 in donations and $77,445 from the fire department capital fund rather than with more levy.
1-9-24 agenda; 11.14.23 Council Packet & Agenda · taken up again 2024-01-09
The Fire Department is currently fundraising money toward the purchase of the SCBA Equipment which would be approximately $150,000.
Ehrich reviewed quotes for replacement breathing apparatus and related equipment.
What happened nextThe purchase was approved in January 2024 from Alex Air Apparatus at $116,805 for SCBA equipment and $39,640 for the compressor, $156,445 in total. Funding was half the State Public Safety Aid at $42,000, $37,000 in donations, and the remaining $77,445 from the fire department capital fund, which then held roughly $255,000.
1-9-24 agenda; factbook KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2024-01-09
Establishment of Trail Committee Engineer Olinger reported that the Park and Rec Board had met on October 2 and discussed the overall process and next steps for continued planning on a future trail in Kenyon. The next step would be to form a committee.
The Park and Rec Board discussed the overall process and next steps for trail planning.
At the meetingNo committee members were appointed at this meeting.
What happened nextThe trail committee was established and began meeting, with its first meeting reported for Tuesday February 27 2024. By the March 12 2024 record the park board was prioritizing Depot Park improvements ahead of a funding plan, and residents were asked to watch for engagement activities and to contact City Hall to join the trail committee. No council action naming individual committee members appears in our holdings.
3.12.24 Council Packet & Agenda · taken up again 2024-03-12
OLD BUSINESS Administrator Vahlsing stated that the community entrance sign was discussed at the September Council meeting. Sign examples from Schad Tracy were available. Precision Signs hasn't supplied any examples yet.
Old business item on the community entrance sign.
What happened nextPrecision Signs never supplied examples and still won the work. The December 12 2023 minutes repeat that Precision Signs had not supplied any examples, and the council awarded it the sign the same night at $19,355.60. By that meeting the final design had been submitted to MnDOT as part of the right-of-way permit and Precision Signs said it could install in winter but had provided no install date.
The council awarded the entrance sign to the vendor that had supplied no design examples and quoted $2,843.09 more than the vendor that had.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2023-12-12
Precision Signs hasn't supplied any examples yet. Updated quotes from both vendors should be available at the November Council meeting.
Sign examples from Schad Tracy were available but Precision Signs had supplied none yet.
What happened nextFour vendors were priced for the entrance sign, not two. Anderson Memorial asked $23,873 to $25,653, Lewiston Monument $14,500 to $20,500, Precision Signs $19,355.60 and Schad-Tracy $16,512.51, and staff recommended Schad-Tracy at $16,512.51, still unresolved in November 2023.
Our record shows four priced vendors for the sign, not the two Vahlsing described as outstanding.
KENYON_BIDS.md
Sixth Street from Spring Street to Huseth Street would meet the program eligibility requirements. The grant application is due by December 8. If approved, the project would have to be completed by 2026.
Council authorized preparing an application for up to $1.5 million in road funding.
What happened nextKenyon did not get the grant. The November 2025 record states that funding was not awarded in 2023 although the project still scored well, and the city prepared a resolution to submit again in the 2025 solicitation. The 2026 completion condition therefore never bound.
11-12-25 Council Packet · taken up again 2025-11-12
Approve preparation of LRIP Grant Application Motion by Ryan second by Henke directing Bolton & Menk and Staff to prepare the LRIP grant application.
The LRIP program funds eligible road projects and the application deadline is December 8.
At the meetingMotion carried 5-0-0.
What happened nextThe application was prepared and authorized. Resolution 2023-28 authorizing the pursuit of 2023 Local Road Improvement Program funding for the 6th Street reconstruction was moved by Henke and seconded by Bailey as recorded in the December 12 2023 packet, ahead of the December 8 deadline.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2023-12-12
Kenyon Firemen's Relief Association Gambling Request Administrator Vahlsing stated that the Fire Relief Association requested Council approval to operate electronic and paper pull tabs at the Muni.
The pull tabs at the Muni are currently operated by the Kenyon Snow Drifters Club.
At the meetingNo decision; a work session was scheduled instead.
What happened nextThe request was granted 4-1-0 and took effect. By March 2025 the council record states plainly that the Kenyon Fire Relief Association operates pull tabs at the Kenyon Municipal On and Off Sale Liquor Store in conformance with Minnesota lawful gambling statutes. The written Relief Association request and the terms of the prior Snow Drifters arrangement are not in our holdings.
11.14.23 Council Packet & Agenda; 3-11-25 council packet · taken up again 2023-10-25
He was willing to show the fire fighters how to make money on their bingo nights at the Muni. Motion by Ryan second by Bailey to schedule a work session to further discuss the chartable gambling.
After extended discussion between the Fire Relief Association and the Snow Drifters over who operates pull tabs at the Muni, no final decision was made.
At the meetingCouncil voted to schedule a work session rather than decide.
What happened nextThe work session was held as a special council meeting on October 25 2023 devoted entirely to the charitable gambling request. Each council member stated a position and the council then voted 4-1-0 to authorize the Kenyon Fire Relief Association to take over the charitable gambling and the operation of electronic and paper pull tabs at the Municipal Liquor Store, with Henke the only no.
10.25.23 Special Council Meeting Agenda; 11.14.23 Council Packet & Agenda · taken up again 2023-10-25
He stated that approval of resolution 2023-20 was required for MNDOT issuance of right-of-way permit for installation of a highway sign.
Entrance sign discussion and the limited use agreement with MnDOT.
At the meetingCouncil adopted Resolution 2023-20 entering the Limited Use Agreement with MnDOT.
What happened nextThe resolution passed and the permit was still pending months later. By December 12 2023 the final design had gone to MnDOT as part of the right of way permit and Precision Signs said it could install in winter but gave no install date, and on January 9 2024 the city was still waiting for MnDOT's final approval of the permit. The issued permit is not in our holdings.
1-9-24 agenda / 12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2024-01-09
The final levy must be adopted by the end of December. The levy can be lowered between now and the end of the year, but it cannot be increased.
Explanation of the preliminary maximum levy adoption process.
Answered from our recordsThe rule holds and Kenyon has used it exactly that way. The 2027 levy opened at a 19.50 percent increase on July 14 2026, fell to 10.34 percent on August 6, and was certified at 9.26 percent by Resolution 2026-31 on September 8 2026, which is 1,670,115 dollars. Every movement after the preliminary maximum has been downward.
taxes/data/kenyon_tax.json / KENYON_DATA_IN_MEETINGS.md
ENGINEERING 2023 Street Improvements Engineer Olinger reviewed the status of the street maintenance project. The contractor showed up unexpectedly last week to do some preliminary work.
Status update on the 2023 street maintenance project.
We hold no dataWe hold no contractor daily logs or field reports for the 2023 street project. The record shows only that work proceeded, with milling underway by November 14 2023 and paving to start the following week. Bituminous Materials' daily reports would settle what was done in the unexpected early visit.
11.14.23 Council Packet Agenda · would settle it: Contractor daily work logs or the engineer's field report
Boelman stated that she has had contact with potential businesses that have expressed interest in the Business Park.
CEDA update to the Council.
We hold no dataNo prospect names and no CEDA prospect report appear in our records. The only related later document is the CEDA professional services contract with the Kenyon EDA carried in the December 2025 packet, which defines the services but names no businesses. CEDA's prospect log or EDA minutes would settle it.
12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated · would settle it: Names of interested businesses or a CEDA prospect report
Cora Boelman – CEDA Update and City Entrance Sign Cora Boelman stated that a group of Mankato State University students were in town last week to help with some planning at the Depot Park. A public survey is in process to see what features Kenyon residents would like to see at the park.
CEDA update on Mankato State University student planning work at Depot Park.
What happened nextThe survey fed a design rather than a report. Five Mankato State graduate students presented a Depot Park design on December 12 2023 whose central finding was that the park must be made ADA compliant before most park grants can be won, and they offered a possible five year plan. The survey results themselves are not in our holdings. Since then Depot Park shelters were funded by a 10,000 dollar Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation grant, and in September 2026 the city was pursuing up to 20,000 dollars more with no match for a concrete apron and walkways.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda / KENYON_DEPOT_PARK.md · taken up again 2023-12-12
The job description for the assistant manager is being rewritten for next year. Private lessons were a big hit this year. Rate increases are being looked at for next year.
Year-end pool update on the 2023 season.
We hold no dataNo proposed 2024 pool fee schedule is in our archive, and our data carries no pool rates for any year.
KENYON_DATA_IN_MEETINGS.md · would settle it: A proposed 2024 pool fee schedule
PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS/RECOGNITIONS/PROLAMATIONS Brandi Kyllo – Year-End Pool Update Brandi Kyllo gave a recap of the 2023 pool season. The job description for the assistant manager is being rewritten for next year.
Year-end pool update on the 2023 season.
Partly answeredWe hold no revised assistant manager job description. The position continued to be filled by committee recommendation, with the Park and Rec Committee reviewing applications and recommending Vanessa Bartel as assistant manager and Chrissy Alexander as pool manager on February 11 2025. The rewritten description itself would settle whether the duties changed.
2.11.25 Council Packet Agenda
NEW BUSINESS Lacey's Kitchen & Cocktails Liquor License Renewal Motion by Bailey second by Helgeson to renew Lacey's Kitchen & Cocktails liquor license including Sunday and outdoor service area sales.
New business liquor license renewal item.
At the meetingCouncil renewed the license 4-0-0.
What happened nextThe license was renewed 4-0-0 on a motion by Bailey seconded by Helgeson, including Sunday and outdoor service area sales. The city issued the same combination to Cahill Bistro Bar in August 2024, so Sunday plus outdoor service is the standard Kenyon on-sale package. The issued license document is not in our holdings.
10.10.23 Council Packet
Lot Split Request – CFS Attorney Riggs stated that CFS had applied for a lot split at 806 2nd Street. The split portion of the property would be sold to Robert Kyllo.
New business item on the CFS minor subdivision and lot combination.
At the meetingCouncil adopted Resolution 2023-22 authorizing the minor subdivision and lot combination.
We hold no dataResolution 2023-22 and the recorded deed for the 806 2nd Street minor subdivision are not in our archive.
KENYON_DATA_IN_MEETINGS.md · would settle it: The recorded subdivision resolution and deed
She stated that the school is working hard to increase enrollment. If any projects come up that the school could help with, they would love to collaborate with us.
Citizen comment in which the superintendent introduced herself and described efforts to increase enrollment.
What happened nextThe collaboration materialized as a house. By March 10 2026 Bob Hawley of Goodhue County Habitat for Humanity was updating the council on a home being built in Kenyon with the Kenyon-Wanamingo construction class assisting, and applications were open for a low income family to occupy it. The superintendent's open offer in September 2023 turned into the city's only documented school partnership project.
3-10-26 Council Packet Updated · taken up again 2026-03-10
Public Works Director Ehrich requested Council approval to purchase a 40'x8' storage container. The cost would be $8500.
Request for Council approval to purchase a storage container.
At the meetingCouncil approved the purchase.
Partly answeredNo vendor quote or invoice for the storage container is in our archive, and the purchase is absent from the 43-row bid record. The $8,500 rests on Ehrich's stated price alone.
An $8,500 purchase from one unnamed vendor would need council approval plus two quotes under Administrative Policy No. 34, which the city did not present until August 20 2024.
KENYON_BIDS.md
The loader would be purchased with a capital equipment lease that would be finalized in 2024 with the first payment due in 2025.
Financing method for the approved loader purchase.
What happened nextThe lease never happened. The loader was bought outright in May 2024, and in August 2024 staff recommended transferring excess fund balances to the capital outlay fund to replace the money used for the purchase, following other area cities that were using COVID relief funds to pay off debt or buy equipment. No capital equipment lease and no 2025 first payment appear in our records.
The council was told the loader would be financed by a capital equipment lease finalized in 2024 with a first payment in 2025, but it was bought outright in May 2024 and backfilled with fund balance transfers.
8-29-24 special session / 8-20-24 AGENDA · taken up again 2024-08-29
The state contract bid price of the loader would be $208,873 with trade. The delivery would be in a minimum of five months.
Request for approval to order a new front end loader.
At the meetingCouncil approved the order and purchase.
What happened nextThe loader was ordered and arrived, though the financing changed. The purchase went through in May 2024, and in August 2024 staff asked the council to transfer excess fund balances into the capital outlay fund to replace the money used to buy it. The stated state contract price was 208,873 dollars with trade and a minimum five month delivery.
8-29-24 special session · taken up again 2024-08-29
The study would evaluate existing city employment positions and compare pay rates with area and similar sized cities.
Council approved hiring Bjorkland for the City/KMU compensation study.
What happened nextThe study was delivered. The preliminary compensation study was complete by January 9 2024 and staff asked for a work session in the last two weeks of January for Bjorkland to review it with the council and department heads. The study covered both city and KMU positions and compared pay rates with area and similar sized cities.
1-9-24 agenda · taken up again 2024-01-09
The quotes received were from Bjorkland Compensation Consulting for $5440 and Abdo and Associates for $18,300 - $19.900.
Council choosing a consultant for the City/KMU compensation study.
At the meetingCouncil approved Bjorkland Compensation Consulting.
What happened nextThe council took the cheap quote and got a usable product. Abdo and Associates asked 18,300 to 19,900 dollars against Bjorkland at 5,440 dollars, so Abdo wanted at least 3.4 times as much, and Bjorkland was approved 4-0-0. The preliminary study was finished by January 9 2024, when staff asked to schedule a work session in the last two weeks of January for Bjorkland to review it with council and department heads.
10.10.23 Council Packet / 1-9-24 agenda · taken up again 2024-01-09
Motion by Sjolander second by Henke to recommend setting the Truth in Taxation meeting for December 5 at 6:30 pm.
Scheduling the public meeting on the 2024 budget and levy.
At the meetingMotion carried 4-0-0.
Partly answeredThe motion carried 4-0-0 but we hold no published notice for the December 5 2023 hearing. The practice is unbroken in our records, with the council setting the Truth in Taxation meeting for December 1 2026 at 6:30 pm when it adopted the 2027 preliminary levy on September 8 2026. The published notice or the hearing minutes would settle the 2023 date.
9-8-26 Council Packet
The preliminary maximum levy certification resolution must be submitted to Goodhue County by the end of September. The final levy must be adopted by the end of December.
Adoption of Resolution 2023-21 setting a maximum 2024 levy of 8%.
At the meetingCouncil adopted the preliminary budget and levy at a maximum of 8%.
Partly answeredThe September and December deadlines are confirmed by every later budget cycle in our records, including the 2025 levy set at a 9.55 percent maximum and the 2026 levy at 9.93 percent. Our certified levy history begins with pay 2025 and does not contain the final 2024 figure, so whether the 8 percent maximum was reduced before December 2023 cannot be determined here. The certified levies we do hold are 1,528,541 dollars for 2026, up 9.18 percent, and 1,670,115 dollars preliminary for 2027, up 9.26 percent.
taxes/data/kenyon_tax.json / 10-8-24 and 10.14.25 packets
The contractor showed up unexpectedly last week to do some preliminary work. The street work should start in a week or two.
Status update on the 2023 street maintenance project after the contractor showed up early to do preliminary work.
What happened nextStreet work started within about a month. By November 14 2023 milling was underway with paving to begin the following week, and pay request 3 to Bituminous Materials for 11,450.47 dollars was on the December 12 2023 agenda. The contract had been awarded in June 2023 to Bituminous Materials at 450,693.95 dollars against a 547,705 dollar estimate, 97,011.05 dollars under.
11.14.23 Council Packet Agenda / KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2023-11-14
Pearl Creek & Gates Avenue Utility Improvements Engineer Olinger updated the Council on the Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer project. He stated that the contractor has indicated they will start the project on Thursday or Friday this week.
Project status update on the Pearl Creek & Gates Avenue utility improvements.
What happened nextBCM started and worked into the winter. By November 14 2023 half the lift station driveway was in and Ellingson Drainage was boring the new forcemain lines, and by January 9 2024 BCM was wrapping up for the year with water and electrical utilities west of Gates Avenue installed and the remainder deferred to spring. The contract was awarded at 1,241,494.22 dollars against a 1,536,065 dollar estimate.
1-9-24 agenda / KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2024-01-09
A committee would need to be established to determine the process on how to move forward. There are partial grants available, but they require pre-planning before applying.
Discussion of how to start planning trails in the city.
Partly answeredNo trail grant program, deadline or amount is named anywhere in our records. The only grant program identified for street and trail surfaces is the Local Road Improvement Program, described in August 2025 as typically funded every two years and used for the 6th Street reconstruction, which the city said was not affordable without it. A list of trail specific programs would settle it.
8.12.25 Council Packet Agenda Updated
Establishing a committee will be added to the Park and Rec agenda for October. 8 Community Entrance Sign Engineer Olinger reviewed the quotes received for installing a "Kenyon" entrance sign.
Olinger reviewed the process to begin planning possible city trails and said a committee is needed to move forward.
What happened nextThe Park Board met October 2 2023 and approved establishing a Trail Committee whose purpose is to identify types and areas of possible future trails, and members were then being sought. On November 14 2023 Olinger reported the next step was to form the committee, after which it would decide its own involvement and initial community outreach. By March 2024 the committee was described as overseeing the creation of a citywide trail network, with locations and types still undecided.
10.10.23 and 11.14.23 Council Packets · taken up again 2023-11-14
He stated that approval of resolution 2023-20 was required for MNDOT issuance of right-of-way permit for installation of a highway sign. Vahlsing will bring more information on the actual sign to the October meeting.
Council adopted Resolution 2023-20 for the MnDOT limited use agreement but deferred choosing the actual 'Kenyon' entrance sign.
What happened nextThe sign information took three more months and then the vendor changed. In November 2023 Schad Tracy had supplied examples and Precision Signs had not, with updated quotes expected at that meeting, but by January 9 2024 the final design had been submitted to Precision Sign and MnDOT. Our bid file records the staff recommendation as Schad-Tracy at 16,512.51 dollars against Precision Signs at 19,355.60 dollars, Lewiston Monument at 14,500 to 20,500 dollars and Anderson Memorial at 23,873 to 25,653 dollars.
Staff recommended Schad-Tracy at 16,512.51 dollars and the bid record shows the award unresolved in November 2023, yet the final sign design was submitted to Precision Sign, whose quote was 2,843.09 dollars higher.
KENYON_BIDS.md / 1-9-24 agenda · taken up again 2024-01-09
This increase would be offset by a reduction in training expenses. A new squad car and flooring for the PD building were added to capital outlay.
Police department 2024 capital outlay request.
Partly answeredThe squad car was funded and delivered, with the August 20 2024 budget update confirming funds allocated in prior years for a new squad car arriving in 2024. The PD building flooring never appears again in anything we hold, and no quote for either item is in our records. The 2025 police request moved on to encrypted radios at $5,000 each, against $36,000 of local government aid to the department.
8-20-24 AGENDA · taken up again 2024-08-20
Ehrich proposed a flat-rate of $50 per day for on-call public works in addition to the regular pay for the hours worked. The pool costs are still increasing due to the price of chemicals. The pool deck also needs repairs.
Review of the proposed 2024 pool budget.
Partly answeredThe chemical cost pressure persisted, with the August 20 2024 review again reporting rising pool costs from chemicals and increasing both the chemical and utility budgets, alongside a $10,000 figure for cameras at the pool and park and a call to review pool rates for 2025. The pool deck repair itself never produced a cost estimate in anything we hold. The repair the city actually did address was a broken drain pipe in the main pool, taken up on May 14 2024.
8-20-24 AGENDA; 5-14-24 AGENDA
The cost of replacing three sets of turnout gear is in the budget every year plus any additional gear needed for new firemen.
Fire department 2024 budget summary; biggest increases were fuel and maintenance including pagers and radios.
We hold no dataWe hold no fire department line-item detail, so neither the annual three-set turnout gear provision nor its unit cost can be verified. The nearest figures in the record are $15,900 budgeted for three new radios in 2025 and a 2026 fire budget that rose $1,658.17 over 2025, driven by pagers, radios and property insurance. The fire department budget worksheet showing the uniform and gear line would settle it.
8-20-24 AGENDA; 12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated · would settle it: Fire department uniform/gear line item history and unit costs
XI.A Agenda Item Summary CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM REPORT DATE: September 12, 2023 SUBMITTED BY: Mark Vahlsing, Administration ITEM TYPE: License/Permits AGENDA SECTION: NEW BUSINESS SUBJECT: Lacey's Kitchen and Cocktails Liquor License Renewal SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve annual liquor license effective 10/1/2023 MOTION NEEDED ATTACHMENTS: DOC090723-002.pdf 95 96 AGENDA ITEM NO.
Annual liquor license renewal on the September 12 agenda.
What happened nextThe council renewed the license on October 10 2023 including Sunday and outdoor service area sales, motion by Bailey and second by Helgeson, carried 4-0-0. Under the city fee schedule that package costs $1,100 for the on-sale license plus $200 for Sunday.
10.10.23 Council Packet; 1-14-25 council packet fee schedule · taken up again 2023-10-10
Public Works Department SUGGESTED ACTION: Public Works Director Ehrich is requesting Council approval to purchase a 40'x8' storage container. The cost would be $8500.
New business purchase request in the September 12 packet.
Partly answeredNo vendor quote for the 40 foot by 8 foot steel storage container is in our archive, and the purchase does not appear in the 43-row bid record. The $8,500 figure exists only as the price Ehrich stated to the council.
An $8,500 single-vendor purchase falls in the band Administrative Policy No. 34 later covered with a two-quote requirement, and that policy was not presented until August 20 2024.
KENYON_BIDS.md
The newly created parcel would be .76 acres. It would be located on Langford Av. A new address would need to be assigned to the new parcel.
Administrative step tied to the CFS lot split.
We hold no dataNo address for the new 0.76-acre Langford Avenue parcel appears in anything we hold, and the October 10 2023 resolution passage does not mention one. The county parcel record for the new PIN, or a city address assignment record, would settle it.
10.10.23 Council Packet · would settle it: An assigned address recorded for the new parcel
XI.C Agenda Item Summary CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM REPORT DATE: September 12, 2023 SUBMITTED BY: Mark Vahlsing, Administration ITEM TYPE: New Business AGENDA SECTION: NEW BUSINESS SUBJECT: Lot Split Request-CFS SUGGESTED ACTION: CFS has applied for a lot split at 806 2nd Street. They are seeking approval to facilitate selling a portion of the property to Robert Kyllo.
Lot split application with survey attached.
We hold no dataNo council motion or recorded survey for the 806 2nd Street lot split is in our archive.
KENYON_DATA_IN_MEETINGS.md · would settle it: Council motion on the lot split and the recorded survey
The cost of the studies: Bjorkland Compensation Consulting-$5440 Abdo and Associates-$18,300 - $19.900 Both firms have municipal compensation study experience.
City/KMU compensation study to compare pay rates with area and similar sized cities and recommend pay scales.
What happened nextThe council approved Bjorkland Compensation Consulting at $5,440 on October 10 2023, motion by Helgeson and second by Henke, carried 4-0-0, rejecting the Abdo bid of $18,300 to $19,900. The preliminary study was complete by January 9 2024, when staff asked to schedule a work session in the last two weeks of January for Bjorkland to review it with the council and department heads. The prorated City and KMU cost split is not recorded anywhere we hold.
10.10.23 Council Packet; 1-9-24 agenda · taken up again 2023-10-10
The base and setting of the granite into it would be the responsibility of the masonry contractor. The quarry has indicated it will take a minimum of 8 months to receive the granite from India.
Quote for a black granite monument sign option.
Partly answeredThe eight-month lead time was never confirmed in writing anywhere we hold, and it became moot. The granite options were Anderson Memorial at $23,873 to $25,653 and Lewiston Monument at $14,500 to $20,500, both plus block foundation, while the city went with an aluminum sign on an L-shaped faux stone frame. A written quarry lead-time confirmation would settle the claim itself.
9.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda
All quotes are attached for reference. MnDOT allows the placement of community entrance signs by issuance of a limited use permit (LUP).
Community entrance sign placement in the Trunk Highway 60 right-of-way.
Partly answeredResolution 2023-20 was confirmed as the precondition at the October 10 2023 meeting, where Engineer Olinger stated its approval was required for MnDOT to issue the right-of-way permit. As of January 9 2024 the city was still waiting for final MnDOT approval of the sign right-of-way permit. The executed Limited Use Permit No. 2511-0048 is not in anything we hold.
10.10.23 Council Packet; 1-9-24 agenda
Please note that some additional design revisions are still necessary which will likely increase overall costs. If approved, any significant changes to pricing will be brought back to the council for re-approval, at the discretion of the city administrator.
Caveat on the recommended sign quote.
Partly answeredThe warning about cost increases was never resolved with a number in anything we hold. The final design was completed and submitted to MnDOT as part of the right-of-way permit by December 2023, with Precision Signs able to install in winter but giving no install date. The revised price and any re-approval by the council are missing.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda; 1-9-24 agenda
We recommend approval of the quote from Schad-Tracy. Please note that some additional design revisions are still necessary which will likely increase overall costs. If approved, any significant changes to pricing will be brought back to the council for re-approval, at the discretion of the city administrator. All quotes are attached for reference. MnDOT allows the placement of community entrance signs by issuance of a limited use permit (LUP). The draft LUP is attached. The last page, Exhibit B, contains a
Four quotes were collected for a new community entrance sign along Hwy 60/56 on the north end of town.
What happened nextSchad-Tracy was the staff recommendation at $16,512.51 out of four quotes, but our bid record marks the award unresolved as of November 2023, and by December 2023 the final design had gone to Precision Signs, whose quote was $19,355.60. The January 9 2024 update confirms the final design was submitted to Precision Sign and MnDOT.
Staff recommended Schad-Tracy at $16,512.51, but the sign the city carried into final design and permitting was Precision Signs, whose quote was $2,843 higher, and no motion changing the award appears in the record.
KENYON_BIDS.md; 1-9-24 agenda · taken up again 2024-01-09
With any new project or trail there are several questions which come up: Who will use it? Who wants (or does not want) a trail? What destinations or other points of interest are we trying to connect? Are there areas/routes to take advantage of (or avoid)? What route standards are acceptable (dirt vs. gravel vs. paved, steep & winding vs. flat & straight) What are acceptable uses?
Questions the engineer says must be answered to establish trail project goals.
Partly answeredThe city moved to answer these questions through public engagement rather than deciding them at the council table. By March 12 2024 the city was publicising engagement activities and asking anyone wanting to be more actively involved with the trail committee to contact City Hall. No engagement results, route preferences or funding decision appear in anything we hold.
3.12.24 Council Packet and Agenda
If the council would like to continue exploring this topic, we'd recommend the formation of a special committee to focus on this effort.
Trail connection discussion; Bolton & Menk and CEDA offered to assist.
What happened nextThe council took the recommendation. The Park and Rec Board met October 2 2023 on process and next steps, a Park Board handout set goals of committee plan and recruitment plus an outreach plan, and Engineer Olinger reported on establishing the trail committee at the November 14 2023 meeting. No roster of appointed committee members appears in anything we hold.
11.14.23 Council Packet and Agenda; 10.10.23 Council Packet · taken up again 2023-11-14
The installation of site utilities, controls and final diversion of flow into the new system will occur next spring. The schedule is a little ambitious so some deviations from this schedule should be anticipated.
Update on the Pearl Creek Sewer and Gates Ave Utility Improvements.
What happened nextThe ambitious schedule roughly held. By October 10 2023 BCM had started in mid-September, had lift station driveway grading about half done, had installed the wet well and valve vault structures, and was installing the sanitary main between the new lift station and Pearl Creek. The contract was BCM Construction at $1,241,494.22.
10.10.23 Council Packet; KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2023-10-10
ATTACHMENTS: 01.1_2023 Street Improvements.pdf 12 2023 Street Improvements Heselton and BMI have not yet started with the work but we are told they will be on site "soon". We hope to provide more information regarding schedule at the upcoming meeting.
Engineering update on the 2023 Street Improvement Project.
What happened nextWork began in October 2023. The October 10 2023 update reports the contractor showed up unexpectedly the previous week for preliminary work with street work to start in a week or two, and by December 12 2023 the council was approving pay request No. 3 to BMI for $11,450.47. The awarded contract was Bituminous Materials at $450,693.95 against an engineer's estimate of $547,705.
10.10.23 Council Packet; KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2023-10-10
Administrator Vahlsing stated that the proposed 2024 budget included a 3% cost of living increase for full-time employees. It also showed a 7% increase for employee health insurance.
Personnel assumptions in the draft 2024 budget.
Partly answeredThe 3% cost of living figure became the city's standing assumption, repeated for the 2026 budget, but the health insurance assumption fell from 7% to 5% by then. We hold no insurance renewal quote or adopted 2024 wage schedule. The city administration medical, dental, life and disability line ran $88,069 actual in 2025 against $73,310 budgeted for 2026 and $78,130 proposed for 2027, so budgeted insurance has repeatedly come in under actual.
9-9-25 Council Packet; 9-8-26 Council Packet budget tables
Review Proposed 2024 Budget and Levy Library Director Otte reviewed the proposed 2024 budget. The budget for the library showed an overall proposed 3% increase, but a .5% decrease in the levy.
Library 2024 proposed budget figures.
Partly answeredThe automation claim is close but overstated against actuals. The library automation line ran $6,634 in 2023 and $4,892 in 2024, a fall of 26.3%, not 31%. We hold no library levy detail or county and state award letters, so the 3% overall increase, the 0.5% levy decrease and the $3,574 county increase cannot be checked. The county contribution kept rising, up 10% again for 2025.
The library automation line fell 26.3% from 2023 to 2024, not the 31% stated to the council.
KENYON_IT_SPEND.md; 8-20-24 AGENDA
The budget for the library showed an overall proposed 3% increase, but a .5% decrease in the levy. A 7% increase in the hourly pay for three part-time positions was requested.
Library 2024 budget presentation.
Partly answeredNo council vote on the 7% library wage request appears in anything we hold. The August 20 2024 budget review records that most library line items stayed flat with increases in benefits and salaries per council approval, which implies wage increases were granted but does not give the percentage. The adopted 2024 wage schedule would settle it.
8-20-24 AGENDA
It could be split up between the Sewer, Parks, and pool funds. (example $12,000 sewer, $3000 parks, $3250 pool). This could be reviewed by the Council at a later date.
Deferral of the on-call pay decision.
We hold no dataNo later agenda item taking up the on-call rate appears in anything we hold. The December 12 2023 packet repeats the proposal word for word without a decision. A council motion on the on-call pay policy, or an adopted pay schedule showing an on-call line, would settle it.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda · would settle it: A council agenda item taking up the on-call rate
The $50 per day would add $18,250 to the overall City budget. It could be split up between the Sewer, Parks, and pool funds. (example $12,000 sewer, $3000 parks, $3250 pool).
Cost estimate for the proposed on-call flat rate.
Answered from our recordsBoth figures are internally exact. $50 a day for all 365 days is $18,250, and the illustrative split of $12,000 sewer, $3,000 parks and $3,250 pool sums to $18,250 exactly, allocating 65.8% to sewer, 16.4% to parks and 17.8% to the pool. The estimate therefore assumes someone is on call every day of the year.
9.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda
Ehrich proposed a flat-rate of $50 per day for on-call public works in addition to the regular pay for the hours worked.
On-call compensation proposal in the 2024 public works budget.
At the meetingMemo noted it would add $18,250 and could be split among sewer, parks and pool funds and reviewed by the Council at a later date.
Partly answeredThe proposal was still unresolved three months later, appearing in the December 12 2023 packet in identical language with no decision recorded. Current practice is one regular hour of pay per on-call day from September through May and two hours per day from June through September, and the $50 flat rate would sit on top of that. The council vote setting or rejecting the rate, and the fund split, are missing from everything we hold.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda
Chief Sjoblom is requesting a higher rate for part-time police officers with experience. He is seeking up $30 an hour for part-time. officers with experience.
Police department 2024 budget request for experienced part-time officer wages.
At the meetingStaff stated the increase would be offset by reducing the training line item so the budget would not increase.
Partly answeredThe request was still being described in the same terms in the December 12 2023 packet, expanded to include eliminating the police administrative position and shifting that wage into full-time officer pay. The elimination went through, since the March 12 2024 position list shows Administrative Assistant Police as eliminated. No council motion setting the $25 to $30 part-time scale appears in anything we hold. For comparison, the city's 2026 full-time officer posting pays $33.54 an hour at entry.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda; 3.12.24 Council Work Session Packet; data/jobs.csv
These include administration, police, fire, streets, pool and parks. There will be another work session scheduled in October to review the enterprise fund budgets.
Splitting budget review between levy-funded departments and enterprise funds.
What happened nextThe enterprise fund work session slipped from October to Tuesday November 28 2023 at 5:00 p.m., covering sanitary sewer, storm sewer and liquor. The council motion setting it appears on the November 14 2023 agenda.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda; 11.14.23 Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2023-11-28
He also stated that due to increases in property valuations the last several years, the actual tax increases may be less.
Explaining the effect of the proposed maximum levy on taxpayers.
Partly answeredThe mechanism is real and our records show it working. For pay 2026 the certified city levy rose 9.18% while the certified city tax rate rose only 6.78%, from 79.3028% to 84.6822% of net tax capacity, because the capacity base grew underneath it. We hold no certified pay-2024 capacity, so the size of the effect in the year Vahlsing was describing cannot be measured.
taxes/data/kenyon_tax.json; taxes/levy.html
Levy 2023 City Levy $1,107,960 Proposed 2024 levy based on an 7.2% increase. $1,187,733 Estimates of Impacts on residential property: Valuation: $150,000 $250,000 2023 taxes $2818 $4647 2024 taxes w/7.5% increase $2881 $4764 The draft of the expense and revenue budgets are also included in the packet.
Estimates of levy impacts on residential property in the budget memo.
What happened nextThe figures were revised twice and then abandoned. In December 2023 the same table was restated at an 8% increase, moving the $150,000 home to $2,919 and the $250,000 home to $4,835. By the August 29 2024 work session the city's own table put the tax on a $150,000 home at $1,093 for 2022 and $1,167 for 2023, and on a $250,000 home at $2,036 and $2,174, roughly half the September 2023 memo figures for the same years.
The city's August 2024 table puts 2023 tax on a $150,000 home at $1,167, while the September 2023 memo told the council $2,818 for the same home and year, a 2.4-fold difference that was never explained in the record.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda; 8-29-24 work session · taken up again 2024-08-29
Net Tax Capacity Value (Estimated Pay 2024) $ 1,728,010 Annual Levy Amount Increase $ 84,000 Estimated Net Tax Rate Increase 8.0000% Market Value of Residential Property 75,000 $ 22.50 100,000 $ 35.88 150,000 $ 63.13 250,000 $ 117.63 300,000 $ 144.88 Mkt Value of Commercial-Industrial Property 100,000 $ 75.00 150,000 $ 112.50 250,000 $ 212.50 300,000 $ 262.50 108 Northland Securities 9/5/2023 109 110 111 112 09/06/23 3:06 PM CITY OF KENYON Page 1 2024 CITY EXPENSE BUDGET 2022 2022 2023 2023 2024 O Account Last Dim
Tax impact worksheet attached to the preliminary levy resolution.
Partly answeredThe $1,728,010 estimate for pay 2024 is confirmed as the preliminary tax capacity figure used in the city's budget memos, alongside an $84,000 annual levy increase and an estimated 8.0000% net tax rate increase. We hold no certified pay-2024 capacity from Goodhue County. The certified base for pay 2026 is $1,805,032 by the auditor's rate and $1,804,993 located parcel by parcel, 99.998% of it, so the certified figure has historically landed above the earlier preliminary estimates.
taxes/levy.html; KENYON_DATA_IN_MEETINGS.md
Levy 2023 City Levy $1,107,960 Proposed 2024 levy based on an 7.2% increase. $1,187,733 Estimates of Impacts on residential property: Valuation: $150,000 $250,000 2023 taxes $2818 $4647 2024 taxes w/7.5% increase $2881 $4764 The draft of the expense and revenue budgets are also included in the packet.
Council memo for the September 6 work session on the levy, which differs from the 8% figure stated at the work session.
What happened nextThe 7.2% memo figure is arithmetically exact, since $1,107,960 times 1.072 is $1,187,733, but the council adopted 8% instead and staff recommended holding there in December. The 2024 city levy as the city later stated it was $1,277,965, which is 15.34% above the 2023 levy of $1,107,960 and $81,368 above the 8% figure of $1,196,597.
The 2024 city levy the city carried into its 2025 budget, $1,277,965, is 15.34% over the stated 2023 levy, not the 8% the council adopted and staff recommended holding.
8-29-24 work session; 12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2024-08-29
Discuss Options for Maximum 2023 Levy The maximum proposed levy increase must by adopted by the council by the end of September. Administrator Vahlsing stated that the draft budget showed an 8% maximum levy.
Setting the maximum levy for 2024.
What happened nextThe council adopted the 8% maximum in September 2023 and staff recommended holding the final levy at 8% in December. On the memo's own base of $1,107,960 for 2023, an 8% levy is $1,196,597, or $8,864 above the 7.2% figure staff had recommended at the work session.
Staff recommended 7.2% in the September memo while the administrator told the work session the draft showed 8%, and the council adopted the higher figure.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2023-12-12
Discuss Options for Maximum 2023 Levy The maximum proposed levy increase must by adopted by the council by the end of September.
Discussion of options for the maximum 2023/2024 levy at the budget work session.
At the meetingVahlsing explained the maximum cannot be increased after adoption but can be decreased.
What happened nextThe council approved an 8% maximum levy in September 2023 by Resolution 2023-21 and closed the cycle with Resolution 2023-19, which set the final 2024 budget and levy on or before December 30 2023 with staff recommending the final stay at 8%. The same calendar governed every later year, with the 2026 maximum set at 9.93% and certified to Goodhue County by the end of September 2025.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2023-12-12
OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS Fire Relief Association Request for Approval of Raffle at Fireman's Dance on November 25, 2023 Administrator Vahlsing stated that Fire Relief Association had requested approval to conduct a raffle on November 25.
Gambling/raffle permit approval request.
At the meetingApproved 4-0-0 on motion by Bailey, second by Helgeson.
What happened nextThe raffle was approved 4-0-0 on a motion by Bailey seconded by Helgeson, and the city then moved the association onto a formal premises permit. On March 12 2024 the council adopted Resolution 2024-06 approving a lawful gambling premises permit for the Kenyon Firemen's Relief Association at the Kenyon Fire Hall, 620 Centennial Drive, carried 3-0-0. We hold no state gambling permit application for the November 25 2023 raffle.
9.12.23 Council Packet Agenda; 3.12.24 Council Packet Agenda · taken up again 2024-03-12
Summary of 2022 City Audit – Tyler See, Abdo Tyler See presented a summary of the 2022 City and KMU audits and an overview of the overall City financial condition. The city received an "Unmodified" or clean opinion on the audit.
Summary presentation of the 2022 City and KMU audits and overall financial condition.
At the meetingPresented as the audit result.
Partly answeredThe unmodified opinion is consistent with the pattern, since Abdo reported unmodified opinions on the 2022, 2023 and 2024 audits in successive years, but we hold no signed audit report for any of them. Clean opinions did not mean clean books: the auditor flagged the Granicus and Catalis subscriptions as an unbudgeted 2025 variance, and Abdo charged a one-time $15,000 to reconcile January through July 2025 records. The city switched auditors in December 2024, awarding BerganKDV at $27,540 over CliftonLarsonAllen at $97,640.
8-20-24 AGENDA; 7.8.25 Updated Council Packet and Agenda; factbook KENYON_BIDS.md and KENYON_IT_SPEND.md
LEGAL Review of Ordinance for Cannabis City Attorney Riggs reviewed the draft interim ordinance authorizing a study and imposing a moratorium of the operation of Cannabis.
Interim ordinance adopted pending a study of cannabis regulation.
At the meetingOrdinance 101 approved 4-0-0 and Resolution 2023-11 authorizing publication by title and summary approved 4-0-0.
What happened nextThe moratorium ran its course into a permanent ordinance. Ordinance 101 passed 4-0-0 with Resolution 2023-11 authorizing publication by title and summary, also 4-0-0, and the public hearing drew no public comment. On January 14 2025 the council adopted Ordinance No. 112 amending the city code pertaining to cannabis and hemp businesses. We hold no completed cannabis land use study and no stated moratorium expiration date.
9.12.23 Council Packet Agenda; 1-14-25 council packet · taken up again 2025-01-14
Sale of Kenyon Sunset Home Attorney Riggs stated that due to the pending sale of the Sunset Home there were several agreements and covenants that needed to be released by the city.
Legal steps tied to the pending Sunset Home sale.
At the meetingCouncil approved Resolution 2023-18 terminating the tax abatement and approved release of the Purchase and Redevelopment Agreement, covenants, and Contract for Private Development, 4-0-0.
What happened nextThe releases were approved 4-0-0 along with Resolution 2023-18 terminating the tax abatement, and the site moved into redevelopment. By February 2025 the city was presenting the Sunset Home site as a candidate for a Minnesota DEED redevelopment grant, and by 2026 the council had approved $1,855,000 in tax increment assistance over 26 years on May 18 and created TIF District No. 2-1 by Resolution 2026-18 on June 30. Rebound reported seeking $3,000,000 from investors in August 2026. We hold no closing date for the original sale.
2.11.25 Council Packet Agenda; factbook Development, TIF and land · taken up again 2026-06-30
Set Council Work Session to Review 2024 Draft Budget 9 Motion by Helgeson second by Bailey to schedule a council work session to review the 2024 draft budget for Wednesday, September 6 at 5:00 pm.
Setting the schedule for reviewing the proposed 2024 budget and levy.
At the meetingMotion carried 4-0-0.
Partly answeredThe work session was scheduled 4-0-0 for Wednesday September 6 2023 at 5:00 p.m. to review the levy-funded portion of the draft, attended by administration, police, fire, streets, pool and parks, with a second session set for October on the enterprise funds. We hold no 2024 draft budget or levy document from that session. The announced September maximum for 2024 came in at 8%.
The same boilerplate appears with two different deadlines, saying the maximum levy must be certified by the end of September in the September packet and by the end of December in the December packet.
9.12.23 Council Packet Agenda; 12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda
There are fixtures with broken ballasts that do not function. The replacement cost could come out of building capital or it could also be included in next year's budget.
Funding source for the approved $6,673 retrofit.
At the meetingVahlsing recommended replacing this year; the minutes do not record which fund was chosen.
Partly answeredThe minutes never record which fund paid the $6,673, and no budget amendment or capital fund entry appears in our record. The city does state funding sources on comparable items, naming library fund dollars for the full cost of the library door in July 2024 and the general fund budget for a $2,934 seminar and lodging package in January 2025. The absence here is an omission in the record rather than a matter left undecided.
7.9.24 Council Packet Agenda; 1-14-25 council packet
She stated that the condition of the overhead lights in the library is continuing to deteriorate. There are fixtures with broken ballasts that do not function.
Justification for the lighting replacement request.
At the meetingAccepted; Administrator Vahlsing recommended replacement this year.
We hold no dataWe hold no inspection report and no count of nonfunctioning fixtures in the library. The condition claim was accepted without documentation and the retrofit was approved the same night. A fixture inventory or the electrician's assessment would settle how many fixtures had failed.
no source in our holdings · would settle it: An inspection or count of nonfunctioning fixtures in the library
Replacement of Library Lights - Michelle Otte- Library Director Library Director Michelle Otte requested Council approval of a quote by Shea Electric in the amount of $6673 to repair and retrofit the light fixtures in the library.
Deteriorating overhead lights and broken ballasts in the library.
At the meetingApproved 4-0-0 on motion by Sjolander, second by Bailey.
Partly answeredThe quote was approved 4-0-0 on a motion by Sjolander seconded by Bailey, but we hold no signed Shea Electric quote and no designation of which fund paid. The city handled a comparable building repair differently the following year, approving a $7,650 Heyn Brothers quote for the public works shop roof 5-0-0 with the scope described in the request for council action. The signed quote and the paid invoice would settle the funding source.
9.12.23 Council Packet Agenda; 6.11.24 Council Packet and Agenda
Utility Operations Superintendent Eggert stated that there were rebates available for this type of project this year. But the rebates may not be available next year.
Argument for doing the library light retrofit in 2023 rather than budgeting it for 2024.
At the meetingStated without a rebate amount or program documentation.
We hold no dataWe hold no rebate program terms, no rebate amount and no expiration date, so the urgency argument cannot be tested and it is not clear the city ever claimed a rebate. The claim came from the city's own utility operations superintendent, which means the program documentation would be an internal Kenyon Municipal Utilities record rather than a third-party one. The KMU rebate schedule for the relevant year would settle it.
9.12.23 Council Packet Agenda · would settle it: The utility rebate program terms, rebate amount, and expiration date
A device is also included that allows video to be uploaded to the squad videos. The upload device costs approximately $4000.
Additional equipment included with the body camera purchase.
At the meetingGiven only as an approximate figure.
We hold no dataNo itemized Motorola quote appears in our record, so the upload device price stands only as the chief's approximation. The Motorola invoices we do hold are for other items: $1,696.17 for annual unlimited storage in February 2025 and $12,196.44 in May 2025 for an APX6000 portable radio with a microphone, charger and accessory kit. The itemized purchase quote would settle the device price.
3-11-25 council packet; 6-10-25 COUNCIL PACKET Updated · would settle it: The itemized Motorola quote showing the exact price of the upload device
He stated that the first year's upfront cost is $16,038. The annual cost over the next four years will be $5488. A donation from the Snow drifters club of $12,600 was received previously.
Cost breakdown presented to justify approving the Motorola Solutions body camera purchase.
At the meetingCouncil approved the Motorola quote at a total cost of $37,990.
Partly answeredThe $37,990 total reconciles exactly: $16,038 in year one plus four years at $5,488 is $37,990. The first-year split does not. Applying the $12,600 Snow Drifters donation to a $16,038 first-year cost leaves $3,438, not the $4,038 the minutes record as coming from the police budget. We hold no Motorola quote or contract to explain the $600 gap.
The minutes put the remaining first-year cost at $4,038, but $16,038 less the $12,600 donation is $3,438, a $600 discrepancy.
9.12.23 Council Packet Agenda
The Chief also stated that the PD was not awarded any SRT BWC money from the State. Only two cities in the state were awarded money.
Explaining why no state grant funds are offsetting the body camera purchase.
At the meetingStated as fact; no source cited.
We hold no dataWe hold no state award list for the soft body armor and body-worn camera grant program, so the claim that only two cities statewide were funded cannot be checked. No later council passage returns to it. The state grant program's published award list for that round would settle it.
no source in our holdings · would settle it: The state award list for the SRT body-worn camera grant program
Only two cities in the state were awarded money. He is going to pursue additional grants and donations on an annual basis.
Body camera funding after the city was not awarded state SRT BWC money.
Partly answeredNo list of grant applications or donations toward body camera costs appears in our record. The system went live, with Chief Sjoblom reporting in December 2023 that the body cameras were up and running, and the recurring vendor charge visible in the record is a Motorola annual unlimited storage invoice of $1,696.17 paid February 28 2025. A grant application log and the donation receipts would settle what was raised against the $5,488 annual cost.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda; 3-11-25 council packet
He stated that the contractor has indicated they will start the project in September. 2023 Street Maintenance Improvement Project Engineer Olinger reviewed the status of the street maintenance project.
Engineering update on the Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer Improvements project.
At the meetingOnly that the contractor indicated September.
What happened nextThe September start slipped to mid-October. On October 10 2023 the engineer reported the contractor would start that Thursday or Friday, and by November 14 2023 half the lift station driveway was installed with Ellingson Drainage boring the new forcemain lines. BCM Construction held the contract at $1,241,494.22 and did not reach closeout until July 2025.
The contractor indicated a September start and did not begin until the second week of October.
10.10.23 Council Packet; 11.14.23 Council Packet Agenda; factbook KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2023-10-10
He stated that the contractor has indicated they will start the project in September. 2023 Street Maintenance Improvement Project Engineer Olinger reviewed the status of the street maintenance project. The contractor has not indicated when they will start.
Engineering update on the status of the street maintenance project.
At the meetingNo start date given.
What happened nextWork started in October. The contractor appeared unexpectedly in early October 2023 to do preliminary work, with street work expected to begin within a week or two, and by November 14 2023 milling was under way with paving to start the following week. The contract had been awarded to Bituminous Materials Inc on June 13 2023 at $450,693.95 against a $547,705 engineer's estimate.
10.10.23 Council Packet; 11.14.23 Council Packet Agenda; factbook KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2023-10-10
The replacement cost could come out of building capital or it could also be included in next year's budget. Mayor Henke asked if any other quotes were received.
Asked during consideration of the $6,673 Shea Electric quote to repair and retrofit library light fixtures.
At the meetingNo answer is recorded; the council approved the Shea Electric quote.
Partly answeredNo competing quote for the library lighting retrofit appears in our bid record, which lists 43 competitive processes from 2019 to 2026 and none for library lights. Shea Electric's $6,673 stood alone.
A $6,673 award needs council approval plus two quotes under Administrative Policy No. 34, but that policy was not presented until August 20 2024, a year after this purchase.
KENYON_BIDS.md
CITIZEN COMMENT Tedd Pederson, 117 4th St., asked about the status of the Cannabis Ordinances. He was wondering how the local ordinance would fit with the new State laws legalizing Cannabis.
Citizen comment period question ahead of the cannabis public hearing and ordinance votes.
At the meetingNo direct answer is recorded in the citizen comment section; City Attorney Riggs later reviewed the proposed interim ordinance and the council adopted Ordinances 101 and 102.
What happened nextThe interim ordinances were replaced by a permanent one. Kenyon adopted Ordinance 101 imposing a moratorium and Ordinance 102 prohibiting public use in August 2023, then adopted Ordinance No. 112 amending the city code pertaining to cannabis and hemp businesses on January 14 2025. The state framework the local rules sit under is Minnesota Statute 342.13, which authorizes a local government to adopt an ordinance regarding cannabis businesses and to issue local certifications and registrations. We hold no written attorney analysis of the interaction.
1-14-25 council packet; 12.10.24 Council Packet and Agenda Updated · taken up again 2025-01-14
Administrator Vahlsing has approved 2 building permits for townhomes in Trondheim area. 10 City Administrator Vahlsing stated that Library Director Michelle did a great job with the survey for Chickens on the City web site. Police Chief Sjoblom reminded the Council that National Night Out was August 1.
Reminder to Council during staff comments.
At the meetingStated as a reminder.
We hold no dataWe hold no confirmation of the August 1 2023 National Night Out or any city participation plan. Nothing in our event records covers it. The police department's event notice or the city calendar would settle it.
8.8.23 Council Packet · would settle it: Confirmation of the event date and city participation plan
Administrator Vahlsing has approved 2 building permits for townhomes in Trondheim area. 10 City Administrator Vahlsing stated that Library Director Michelle did a great job with the survey for Chickens on the City web site.
General comments on city activity.
At the meetingStated as information.
We hold no dataWe hold no building permit records for the two Trondheim townhomes. Our parcel data covers 1,015 parcels in the Kenyon City taxing district but carries no permit history. The city's issued permit file would settle it.
8.8.23 Council Packet; taxes/data/kenyon_tax.json · would settle it: The issued building permit records for the Trondheim townhomes
The city has received updated quotes from five firms. Kelly Perry has met with representatives of all the payroll firms.
Old business review of quotes for contracted payroll services.
At the meetingCouncil approved the Paycom proposal 5-0-0.
Partly answeredOur bid record holds four payroll firms from the August 2023 round, not five: Paychex at $6,540 plus $1,650 setup, Paycom at $6,515 plus $2,100, ADP at $8,250 and Paylocity at $5,758 plus $1,000. Staff recommended Paycom and no award is recorded in the bid file. The earlier March 2023 round had three quotes, Paychex $7,655, ADP $5,032 and Abdo $20,820 plus $9,500, and was deferred. The fifth firm's quote is what is missing.
The administrator said updated quotes came from five firms, but our bid record holds four from that round.
KENYON_BIDS.md, data/bids.csv
He stated that a recently approved state law requires that law enforcement agencies provide therapy services for offices.
Justification for the Lodestar Psychology counseling and therapy agreement for the Police Department.
At the meetingCouncil approved the Lodestar Psychology agreement 5-0-0.
We hold no dataWe hold no citation or text for a Minnesota law requiring law enforcement agencies to provide therapy services, and no cost for the Lodestar Psychology agreement. The police department's revenue side did move sharply in the same period, with state police aid budgeted at $26,000 for 2023 and $64,000 for 2024. The statute and the signed Lodestar agreement would settle both the mandate and the price.
8.8.23 and 12.12.23 Council Packets · would settle it: The citation and text of the state law requiring officer therapy services
See S&P summary attached below for more information on the bond rating. The bonds sold at a 3.93% interest rate and a 15 year term.
Presentation of the proposed bond sale terms preceding Resolution 2023-16.
At the meetingCouncil adopted Resolution 2023-16 awarding the sale 5-0-0.
Partly answeredWe hold no bond award documents and no Standard and Poor's report, though the packet says the rating summary was attached. The 2023 terms of 3.93 percent over 15 years compare with 4.44 percent over 20 years on the 2025A issue, a 51 basis point rise across two years at the same A+ rating. The city's bond levy rate then rose 35.91 percent for pay 2026 while its general rate fell 0.38 percent.
8.8.23 and 8.12.25 Council Packets; taxes/levy.html
Motion carried 5-0-0. 2023 Street Maintenance Improvement Project Engineer Olinger reviewed the pavement management plan for the city this year. Quotes for reclamite work to seal specified streets were solicitated. One proposal was received.
Review of the 2023 Street Maintenance Improvement Project pavement management plan.
At the meetingReported; Council approved Bolton and Menk construction engineering for the street project but no award of the reclamite quote is recorded.
Partly answeredNo reclamite award appears in our bid record for 2023, which carries the year's asphalt work as the 2023 Street Improvements contract to Bituminous Materials at $450,693.95 against Crane Creek $463,585.62, SL Contracting $535,437.60 and an estimate of $547,705. A single-quote solicitation matches the Pearl Creek televising pattern, where the city reissued an RFP in 2022 after receiving one quote and drew three the second time. The reclamite proposal itself and any payment record would settle whether it was awarded.
KENYON_BIDS.md; 8.8.23 Council Packet
PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS/RECOGNITIONS/PROLAMATIONS ENGINEERING Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer Improvements Engineer Olinger stated that the bids for the Pearl Creek Sewer project were opened last week and were lower than projected.
Engineering report on the Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer Improvements.
At the meetingStated as an update; no bid amounts given.
Answered from our recordsThe Pearl Creek and Gates Avenue bids came in 19.2 percent below the engineer's estimate. BCM Construction bid $1,241,494.22 and won, against Minger at $1,327,721.90 and Heselton at $1,385,155.00, with the estimate at $1,536,065.
KENYON_BIDS.md, data/bids.csv · taken up again 2023-06-13
OLD BUSINESS X.A Review Ordinance 101 - Allowing Chickens within City Limits - (If adopted) Ordinance 2023-15 Approving Summary Publication of Ord. 101.
Follow-on item to the chicken ordinance, which failed 2-3.
At the meetingNo action recorded.
Partly answeredResolution 2023-15 had nothing left to publish once the chicken ordinance failed, and no later action on it appears in our record. The number 101 was reassigned within a month to the cannabis moratorium, whose summary publication went through as Resolution 2023-11 on August 8 2023. A clerk's resolution register would confirm whether 2023-15 was formally withdrawn.
8.8.23 Council Packet
There are already chickens in town. May be hard to enforce ordinance. It the ordinance is passed it should be reviewed again in a year.
Comment during debate on Ordinance 101.
At the meetingThe ordinance motion failed 2-3, so no review was scheduled.
What happened nextNo one-year review was scheduled because the ordinance failed 2 to 3. The council did return to the subject on May 13 2025 with a Consider Revising Chicken Ordinance item supported by a chicken ordinance history document and a Kenyon Leader article, nearly two years later rather than one.
5-13-25 Council Packet · taken up again 2025-05-13
Councilmen Ryan Had done research, also had talked to City employees and residents about allowing chickens. She ha concerns with who would enforce the ordinance.
Concern raised during review of Ordinance 101 allowing chickens within city limits.
At the meetingNo answer recorded; the ordinance motion then failed 2-3.
What happened nextThe enforcement question was never answered and it killed the ordinance. Police Chief Sjolander said he could predict non-compliance issues, the Planning Commission was not in favor of changing the ordinance, Attorney Riggs noted the code was amended in 1999 specifically to bar chickens in residential areas, and the motion failed 2 to 3. The council took the question up again with a Consider Revising Chicken Ordinance item on May 13 2025.
5-13-25 Council Packet, chicken ordinance history · taken up again 2025-05-13
The Council is here to serve the public and they voted yes. Councilmen Helgeson – It was hard to tell if the survey is accurate as far as who may have voted.
Doubt raised about the validity of the online chicken survey results.
At the meetingNo answer recorded.
We hold no dataNothing in our record shows whether the online survey verified that respondents were Kenyon residents. The tool was a form on the city website, which runs on GovOffice, with no controls documented. The survey configuration or its response log would settle it.
8.8.23 Council Packet; KENYON_IT_SPEND.md · would settle it: Survey controls showing whether respondents were verified city residents
Respondents were asked if they supported allowing Chickens n residentially zoned areas. The results were 121 yes, 103 no, and 17 unsure.
Reported as part of review of draft Ordinance 101 allowing chickens.
At the meetingReported as the survey result; Council debated its reliability.
Partly answeredWe hold no raw survey data or methodology, only the reported totals of 121 yes, 103 no and 17 unsure, which is 241 responses in a city of 1,811 people with 732 households. The survey was run on the city website by Library Director Otte. The response file with any residency check is what is missing.
8.8.23 Council Packet; dashboard/data/census.json
In order to cover the costs of the payroll service, the hours that the city pays toward the PD/City Administrative position could be reduced.
Funding mechanism proposed for contracting out payroll processing.
At the meetingVahlsing said the personnel committee reviewed the concept and is supportive.
We hold no dataNo documented change to the hours the city pays toward the police department and city administrative position appears in our record, and no cost comparison was ever produced. The only later coverage change we hold is the April 2025 shift of night patrol hours, described as a cost saving with more coverage and fewer on-call hours, which is a different matter. The personnel committee record or a payroll before-and-after would settle it.
8.8.23 Council Packet; 4-8-25 Council Packet · would settle it: A documented staffing/hours change and cost comparison
Kelly has worked with that company previously and had a good experience. Motion by Ryan second by Henke to approve proposal of Paycom. Approval contingent on execution of agreement.
Council selected Paycom for contracted payroll processing after reviewing updated quotes.
At the meetingMotion carried 5-0-0 with the contingency.
Partly answeredThe signed Paycom service agreement is not in our archive. Our bid record shows the August 2023 payroll round ending in a staff recommendation for Paycom with no award motion on file.
KENYON_BIDS.md
He stated that the city was hoping to get 4 or 5 quotes and have them ready for the August City Council and KMU meetings.
New business update on a study comparing City pay scales with comparable cities.
At the meetingUpdate only; no quotes presented.
We hold no dataNo City or KMU compensation study quotes appear in our bid record for 2023 or any later year. The four or five quotes Vahlsing expected do not surface again in the archive.
KENYON_BIDS.md · would settle it: The written compensation study quotes
Jeff and Ann Traxler are requesting that the City to do a land swap of right-of-way area that abuts their property to the west.
Legal agenda item on relocating an alley/ROW.
At the meetingNo decision; attorney is preparing deeds.
Partly answeredNo council vote on the land swap is in our record. The related rezoning was acted on fifteen months later through Ordinance 106, moving the Traxler parcel from general industrial to general commercial. A council resolution conveying the right of way, or the recorded deeds, would settle whether the swap happened.
8.8.23 Council Packet; 10-8-24 Agenda
Request for City to relocate alley/ROW - Jeff and Ann Traxler Attorney Riggs stated that the City received the legal description from Rapp Surveying today (7/11). He will begin to prepare the deeds for the land swap.
Jeff and Ann Traxler requested a land swap of right-of-way abutting their property to enable a business expansion.
At the meetingRiggs said he would begin preparing the deeds; no Council action taken.
Partly answeredNo deeds and no council resolution approving the Traxler land swap appear in our record. The Traxler expansion did move forward on the zoning side, with Ordinance 106 rezoning their parcel from I-1 General Industrial to C-2 General Commercial on the October 8 2024 agenda. The recorded deeds or the resolution vacating and conveying the right of way would settle the swap.
The October 8 2024 agenda line describes the rezoning as I-1 to G-2 while the ordinance title in the same packet reads I-1 to C-2.
8.8.23 Council Packet; 10-8-24 Agenda
If the Council moves to proceed with the Ordinance a Public Hearing would have to be scheduled for the August Council meeting.
Procedural requirement tied to adopting the interim cannabis ordinance.
At the meetingNo action recorded.
What happened nextThe hearing was held on August 8 2023 after at least ten days of published notice, as the ordinance recitals record. A further public hearing on the interim cannabis ordinance was held September 12 2023, at which no public comment was received.
8.8.23 and 9.12.23 Council Packets · taken up again 2023-08-08
He also said that before the draft ordinance is considered the Council needs to discuss whether the City wants to regulate hemp products (THC edibles and gummies that have been available since last year).
Riggs said this question needed Council discussion prior to considering the draft interim ordinance.
At the meetingNo discussion was recorded.
Partly answeredThe council never separately decided the hemp question. It adopted the moratorium on August 8 2023 as a study ordinance, which explicitly deferred regulatory decisions until the city could review model ordinances and administrative rules from the newly created Office of Cannabis Management. The record shows the answer postponed rather than given, and no hemp or THC edible regulation appears in our later record.
8.8.23 Council Packet · taken up again 2023-08-08
If the Council moves to proceed with the Ordinance a Public Hearing would have to be scheduled for the August Council meeting. Adopt Interim Ordinance No. 102 No discussion.
Attorney Riggs presented the draft interim ordinance imposing a cannabis moratorium, but the record shows only 'No discussion' under both action items.
At the meetingNo action recorded.
What happened nextThe items came back renumbered and passed a month later. On August 8 2023 the council adopted Ordinance No. 101, an interim ordinance authorizing a study and imposing a moratorium on cannabis businesses until January 1 2025, 4-0-0, along with Resolution 2023-11 for summary publication, also 4-0-0. A second ordinance numbered 102, prohibiting cannabis use in public places, came to the council on September 12 2023.
The July item was presented as interim Ordinance No. 102, but the moratorium was adopted in August as Ordinance No. 101, the same number the failed chicken ordinance carried in July.
8.8.23 and 9.12.23 Council Packets · taken up again 2023-08-08
Resolution 2023-17: Accepting Easements Engineer Olinger updated the council on the progress of securing easements for the sewer project. The City is still waiting for signatures from one property owner.
Update on securing easements as part of Resolution 2023-17 accepting easements for the Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer project.
At the meetingCouncil approved Resolution 2023-17 accepting easements 5-0-0 despite the outstanding signature.
Partly answeredNo signed easement from the last Pearl Creek property owner appears in our record. The project proceeded anyway, with the contractor starting in September 2023 and the work awarded to BCM Construction at $1,241,494.22. The city repeated the pattern two years later, adopting Resolution 2025-16 accepting Langford Avenue easements while one of four owners had not yet even been contacted.
The council adopted a resolution accepting easements while one property owner had not signed.
KENYON_BIDS.md; 8.8.23 and 9.12.23 Council Packets; 6-10-25 Council Packet
This Easement granted herein shall run with the land and shall be binding on the Owner, its successors and assigns. STATE DEED TAX DUE HEREON: NONE Dated this ____ day of _________, 2023.
Draft easements attached to the packet await owner signatures and notarization.
Partly answeredThe executed and recorded instruments are not in our holdings, but the draft amounts reconcile perfectly to the negotiated total. Cemstone at $1,000, Wilstor at $1,200 and the four Barrett amounts of $24,000, $39,750, $1,500 and $9,750 sum to exactly $77,200, with Barrett carrying $75,000 of it. Skillestad, Breidall and Gould are among the six owners granting easements but receive no compensation. Recorded easement instruments from Goodhue County would settle execution.
7-11-23 Council Packet, Kennedy and Graven easement documents
New On-Sale Liquor License - Angies Motion by Bailey second by Helgeson to approve Angies Restaurant's liquor license.
New business liquor license item.
At the meetingMotion carried 5-0-0.
Partly answeredThe license was approved on a motion by Bailey seconded by Helgeson, carried 5-0-0, but the issued license record is not in our holdings. The published fee structure for such a license is on file at $1,100 for an on-sale liquor license, $200 for the Sunday endorsement, $500 for on-sale wine and $100 for the liquor license training verification fee. The city issued a comparable new on-sale license including Sunday and outdoor service to Cahill Bistro Bar in August 2024, carried 4-0-0.
7-11-23 Council Packet, 1-14-25 council packet fee schedule, 8-20-24 AGENDA
Contract Administration Prepare and review final contract documents following project award Coordinate and attend preconstruction and regular construction meetings with city and contractor Prepare and review contractor's pay applications or contract amendments, as needed. Provide monthly progress updates for city council Communications between the City and Contractor Coordination with agencies for permits (DNR, MnDOT) Project closeout documentation C.
Contract administration scope item in the construction engineering proposal.
What happened nextThe monthly reporting obligation was met. Pearl Creek and Gates Avenue engineering updates appear in council packets across the life of the project, including pay application 5 in June 2024, pay application 6 of $112,532.25 in August 2024, the yard restoration report in October 2024, final testing in November 2024, pay application 11 of $4,430 with a change order in December 2024, and the closeout change order in August 2025.
6.11.24 Council Packet and Agenda, 8-20-24 AGENDA, 1-14-25 council packet, 8.12.25 Council Packet and Agenda Updated · taken up again 2025-08-12
Based on the availability of parts, work throughout the entire project will be intermittent and isn't required to be completed until August 2024. Collectively, we estimate that the work will be active for roughly half of this time (6 months) over the next year.
Schedule assumptions underlying the construction engineering fee estimate.
What happened nextWork started the week of September 11 to 15 2023 as the schedule assumed, but the August 2024 completion requirement was missed. The closing change order of August 12 2025 fixed substantial completion at October 12 2024, about two months past the requirement, and ready for final payment at July 9 2025, roughly eleven months past it. The engineer recommended against assessing liquidated damages on the view that the project ran smoothly and actual damages would be hard to evidence.
The project was not complete by the August 2024 contract date, and the city waived the liquidated damages that the delay would otherwise have triggered.
8.12.25 Council Packet and Agenda Updated · taken up again 2025-08-12
Once the new legal description is completed, the deeds for the land exchange can be completed. The planning commission did approve the setback variance for Traxler's new commercial building.
Reported alongside the alley relocation and land exchange with the Traxlers.
We hold no dataNo planning commission minutes or variance approval document for the Traxler setback are in our holdings, so the approval rests on Attorney Riggs' report. The city's later practice produces a fuller paper trail, as with the 616 9th Street fence variance where Bolton and Menk presented the hearing facts and findings and four recommended conditions to the council. The planning commission minutes or the recorded variance would settle it.
7-11-23 Council Packet and 8-6-26 Council Packet Updated · would settle it: Planning commission minutes or the variance approval document
Motion carried 5-0-0 Roll Call Vote: Henke- Nay, Sjolander – Aye, Bailey – Aye, Ryan – Aye, Helgeson - Aye 9 Motion carried 4-1-0 NEW BUSINESS Juneteenth Administrator Vahlsing stated that the Governor signed a new law making Juneteenth a holiday to be observed on Monday, June 19 starting in 2023. No city business can be transacted on this day.
Basis for adding Juneteenth to the city personnel policy.
At the meetingCouncil approved adding the Juneteenth holiday to the Kenyon personnel policy 5-0-0.
Partly answeredThe statute text is not in our holdings, so the claim that no city business can be transacted on Juneteenth cannot be checked directly. The city applied the same rule two years later using the governing provision by name, citing Minnesota Statutes section 645.44 as listing Veterans Day among the holidays on which public business cannot be conducted, which is why the November 2025 council meeting was moved off November 11. The council added Juneteenth to the Kenyon personnel policy on a motion by Henke seconded by Bailey, carried 5-0-0.
7-11-23 Council Packet and 10.14.25 Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2025-10-14
Approve Resolution 2023-12 Accepting Bid for 2023 Pearl Creek Sewer Project Motion by Helgeson second by Henke to adopt Resolution 2023-10.
Discrepancy in the resolution number recorded for accepting the Pearl Creek project bid.
Partly answeredThe signed resolution is not in our holdings, so the correct number cannot be confirmed and the minutes stand internally inconsistent, with the heading reading Resolution 2023-12 and the motion reading Resolution 2023-10. Both numbers are plausible slots in that year's sequence, since Resolution 2023-11 approved summary publication of the cannabis interim ordinance and Resolution 2023-17 accepted the Pearl Creek easements. The executed resolution or the city's resolution register would settle it.
The heading and the motion in the same minutes entry name different resolution numbers for the same action.
7-11-23 Council Packet
Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer Improvements Engineer Olinger provided on update on the status of the stated that plans for the Pearl Creek Sewer project are complete and ready to advertise for bids.
Engineering update given at the June meeting, at the same meeting council adopted a resolution accepting a bid for the project.
Partly answeredThe bid advertisement and tabulation for the Pearl Creek project are not in our holdings, and the record carries three incompatible accounts of where bidding stood. Our bid file dates the award to BCM at $1,241,494.22 to June 13 2023 with three bidders, the minutes for the same meeting record the engineer saying plans were only then complete and ready to advertise, and the council adopting a resolution accepting a bid, while the minutes carried in the August 2023 packet say the bids were opened the previous week and came in lower than projected. The advertisement dates and the bid abstract would settle the sequence.
The engineer reported plans were complete and ready to advertise for bids at the same meeting the council adopted a resolution accepting a bid for that project, and a later meeting placed the bid opening later still.
7-11-23 Council Packet, 8.8.23 Council Packet and Agenda, factbook KENYON_BIDS.md
PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS/RECOGNITIONS/PROLAMATIONS ENGINEERING 2023 Street Maintenance Project Engineer Olinger Approve Quote of Corrective Asphalt Materials $34,935 Motion by Bailey, second by Ryan to approve the quote of $34,935 from Corrective Asphalt Materials for the 2023 street maintenance project.
Council approved the quote for the 2023 street maintenance project.
At the meetingMotion carried 5-0-0.
Partly answeredThe written Corrective Asphalt Materials quote is not in our archive. Our bid record carries that vendor once only, at $16,188.30 for the 2024 asphalt rejuvenator, and shows no competing quote in either year.
A $34,935 award to a single named vendor with no second quote falls short of the two-quote rule the city later set in Administrative Policy No. 34, presented August 20 2024.
KENYON_BIDS.md
Request to Remove Sidewalk – David Stenbakken – 712 Home St Administrator Vahlsing presented a request from David Stenbakken to remove the sidewalk from the front of his property at 712 Home Street. The sidewalk does not continue to either end of the block that his house is located on.
Basis presented for approving removal of the sidewalk.
We hold no dataNo sidewalk map or site inspection of the 712 Home Street block is in our holdings, so the gap in the walk cannot be verified. The city does treat sidewalk continuity as a contested question elsewhere, as when Allan Turner at 626 8th Street told the council in November 2024 that he did not foresee people using a sidewalk on the south side of his house and would rather see it on the Red Wing Avenue side. A city sidewalk inventory would settle it.
11.12.24 Council Packet And Agenda · would settle it: A sidewalk map or site inspection of the block
Request to Remove Sidewalk – David Stenbakken – 712 Home St Administrator Vahlsing presented a request from David Stenbakken to remove the sidewalk from the front of his property at 712 Home Street.
Owner requested sidewalk removal because the sidewalk does not continue to either end of his block.
At the meetingMotion to approve the removal carried 5-0-0.
Partly answeredThe removal was approved 5-0-0 but no work order, permit or completion record for 712 Home Street is in our holdings. The minutes entry itself is defective, printing the phrase motion by second by with both names left blank, the same gap that appears in the Snowdrifters donation entry on the same page. A public works work order would settle whether the sidewalk came out.
7-11-23 Council Packet
Snowdrifter's Donation to Police Dept. for Body Cameras Administrator Vahlsing reported that the Snowdrifters would like to donate $12,600 to the police department for body cameras.
Snowdrifters club offered to fund police body cameras.
At the meetingMotion to accept the $12,600 donation carried 5-0-0.
What happened nextThe donation was accepted 5-0-0 and spent as intended. On September 12 2023 the council approved Motorola body cameras at a first-year cost of $16,038 with $5,488 annually for the following four years, applying the $12,600 Snowdrifters donation to year one, plus an upload device of about $4,000 to move video to the squad system. The department received no state body-worn-camera grant money. By December 12 2023 the chief reported the cameras were up and running.
The remaining first-year cost was recorded as $4,038 to come from the police budget, but $16,038 less the $12,600 donation is $3,438, a $600 discrepancy.
9.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda, and 12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2023-12-12
Sjoblom is requesting that the officers be paid 1 ½ times for the hours they work on the holiday plus be paid for the eight hours of holiday pay at straight time.
New business request to revise police holiday pay practices.
At the meetingMotion by Sjolander seconded by Helgeson carried 5-0-0.
What happened nextThe change was approved on a motion by Sjolander seconded by Helgeson, carried 5-0-0, giving officers time and a half for hours worked on a holiday plus eight hours of holiday pay at straight time, with the eight hours extending to officers whose days off fall on holidays. The amended personnel policy language is not in our holdings, and the personnel policy rewrite with Abdo was still unfinished as of August 2026. The department added a second premium in May 2024, one hour of overtime or comp time per shift for field training officers, approved 3-0-0.
7-11-23 Council Packet and 5-14-24 AGENDA · taken up again 2024-05-14
SUGGESTED ACTION: Request to make $2.00-hour interim raise that was started during the Finance Director vacancy period permanent for the Deputy Clerk/Administrative Assistant.
Appointments item submitted for the July 11, 2023 council agenda.
We hold no dataNo council vote on making the $2.00 an hour increase permanent is in our holdings. The item appears on the July 11 2023 agenda under approval of minutes and appointments and in two suggested action lines, but no motion, second or vote is recorded. Holli Gudknecht continues in the administration role through 2025 and 2026 as the author of agenda item reports. The personnel action record or the adopted pay schedule would settle it.
7-11-23 Council Packet · would settle it: Council action on the permanent wage change and the personnel/pay record
Engineering is included in the overall project budget. Financing for the project will be discussed separately at the meeting.
Engineering costs are in the overall project budget but project financing was set aside as a separate discussion.
Partly answeredNo financing plan or bond document for the Pearl Creek project is in our holdings, so the separate discussion never produced a document in our record. The October 10 2023 change order memo confirms financing had been arranged and that additional contingency was set aside during project financing for uncertainties such as soil conditions. The city does carry a 2023A G.O. bond whose payment was omitted from the 2025 budget and spread at $19,000 a year across 2026 through 2028, but nothing in our holdings ties that issue to this project specifically.
10.10.23 Council Packet and factbook levy analysis
Fees A summary of the fees associated with the scope is provided below Item Cost Project Management $ 11,550 Final Easement & Design Modifications $ 9,546 Contract Administration (Meetings, Reviews, Close-out) $ 21,752 Construction Observation, Testing and Survey $ 161,406 Total $ 204,254 The fees noted above are estimated, based on the scope noted above and schedule assumptions below.
Fee summary in the construction services proposal for the Pearl Creek project.
Partly answeredNo actual hourly billings against the $204,254 estimate are in our holdings, so the estimate was never tested in our record. The comparable later proposal for the 2025 street and utility project totals $329,900, split $57,300 project management, easements and coordination, $218,900 construction observation, documentation and material tracking, and $53,700 staking, surveys and as-builts, which is 14.4 percent of that $2,294,629.25 contract against 16.5 percent here. The 2025 version also adds the assurance that the city will only be billed for time actually spent, wording absent from the 2023 proposal.
7.8.25 Updated Council Packet and Agenda and 7-11-23 Council Packet
Easements – Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer Final easement documents have been drafted and sent to all property owners. In total 12 parcels split amongst 6 property owners will require easements.
Summary of easement acquisition and negotiated compensation for the Pearl Creek sanitary sewer.
Answered from our recordsThe $77,200 reconciles exactly against the individual easement amounts in the packet. Cemstone Concrete Materials at $1,000, Wilstor at $1,200 and Barrett at $24,000, $39,750, $1,500 and $9,750 sum to precisely $77,200, and those are the three compensated owners holding the seven compensated parcels. The Barrett parcels alone account for $75,000, or 97.2 percent of the total, which is consistent with the engineer's note that most compensation was for the heavily impacted lift station site. The six owners requiring easements are Barrett, Cemstone, Wilstor, Gould, Skillestad and Breidall.
7-11-23 Council Packet easement memo and Kennedy and Graven easement documents
Council Actions: Approval of attached resolution approving easements Motion approving Proposal for Construction Engineering Services (2023 Pearl Creek San & Gates Ave Utility Improvements) H:\KENYON_CI_MN\_General\Council Meetings\2023\07 - July 2023\02.1_2023 Pearl Creek Sewer Project.docx 14 July 6th, 2023 Mr.
Proposal covering project management, easement/design modifications, contract administration, and construction observation.
Partly answeredThe proposal is itemized in the record at $11,550 project management, $9,546 final easement and design modifications, $21,752 contract administration and $161,406 construction observation, testing and survey, summing exactly to $204,254, or 16.5 percent of the $1,241,494.22 construction contract. No council motion approving this particular proposal appears in our holdings. The motion recorded in August 2023 approved a Bolton and Menk construction engineering proposal for the separate 2023 Street Improvement Project, carried 5-0-0.
7-11-23 Council Packet and 8.8.23 Council Packet and Agenda
We have evaluated the requested compensation against similar project scenarios and have found that the amounts are justified, reasonable and recommended for approval. Easements are attached for review. We are requesting approval for these easements and related compensation.
Final easement documents have been drafted and sent to all affected property owners for the sewer project.
What happened nextResolution 2023-17 accepting the easements was adopted on August 8 2023 on a motion by Bailey seconded by Helgeson, carried 5-0-0, at the same meeting the engineer reported the Pearl Creek bids had come in lower than projected. The council passed it while the city was still waiting on signatures from one property owner.
The city adopted the easement resolution before all owners had signed, the same sequence it repeated on Langford Avenue in June 2025, where Resolution 2025-16 accepting easements passed with two of four signed and the fourth owner not yet contacted.
8.8.23 Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2023-08-08
The prime contractor, BCM Construction, has a tentative work start date in late august or early September, but they are still reviewing their schedule. A preconstruction meeting may be scheduled in the next few weeks to review the project in more detail.
Next step after contract execution on the Pearl Creek sewer and Gates Avenue utility project.
What happened nextThe preconstruction meeting was scheduled for 10:00 am on Tuesday August 15 2023 at city hall, with BCM's work schedule and planned completion date to be reviewed there. No minutes or agenda from the meeting itself are in our holdings.
8.8.23 Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2023-08-08
MOTION NEEDED ATTACHMENTS: 02.1_2023 Pearl Creek Sewer Project.pdf 02.3_Pearl Sanitary_Construction Eng Proposal.pdf 02.2_2023 Pearl Creek Sewer Easements.pdf Resolution 2023-17 Accepting_Easements.DOCX 13 2023 Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer & Gates Ave Utility Improvements Contracts for this project are currently out for signatures and should be finalized soon.
Project status report on contract execution for the awarded sewer and utility project.
Partly answeredThe fully executed contracts are not in our holdings, but the project plainly went under contract and ran to completion. BCM Construction held the award at $1,241,494.22, the low bid against Minger at $1,327,721.90 and Heselton at $1,385,155.00 with an estimate of $1,536,065, and pay applications ran through number 11 in December 2024 to a final contract value of $1,243,307.02. The signed contract documents themselves would settle the execution date.
factbook KENYON_BIDS.md and 7-11-23 Council Packet
The prime contractor, BCM Construction, has a tentative work start date in late august or early September, but they are still reviewing their schedule.
Status update on the 2023 Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer & Gates Ave Utility Improvements project.
What happened nextBCM Construction settled on the week of September 11 to 15 2023, a couple of weeks later than the tentative late August or early September window. The preconstruction meeting was set for 10:00 am Tuesday August 15 2023 at city hall, where the contractor's full schedule and planned completion date were to be worked out.
8.8.23 Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2023-08-08
LEGAL Request for City to relocate alley/ROW - Jeff and Ann Traxler Attorney Riggs stated that the new survey showing the new location of the alley on the Traxler property has been completed by Rapp Surveying. Once the new legal description is completed, the deeds for the land exchange can be completed.
Jeff and Ann Traxler requested the city relocate an alley/right-of-way, and the new survey has been done but the legal description is not finished.
At the meetingRiggs reported the new survey showing the new alley location is complete.
Partly answeredThe legal description arrived and the deeds were started but never surface completed in our record. Rapp Surveying delivered the legal description to the city on July 11 2023, and Attorney Riggs said he would begin preparing the deeds for the land swap of right-of-way abutting the Traxler property to the west, which the Traxlers needed to facilitate a planned business expansion. The recorded exchange deeds are not in our holdings.
8.8.23 Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2023-08-08
Review New Legalized Cannabis Law Attorney Riggs stated that Adopt Interim Ordinance No. 102 Motion by Sjolander second by Ryan to adopt interim Ordinance No. 102 authorizing a study and imposing a moratorium on the operation of cannabis businesses.
Council adopted interim Ordinance No. 102 authorizing a study and imposing a moratorium on cannabis businesses under the new state law.
At the meetingOrdinance adopted 5-0-0 and Resolution 2023-11 approving summary publication also adopted.
What happened nextThe moratorium study ended in a zoning ordinance eighteen months later. Ordinance No. 112 adding Section 1140 on cannabis and hemp businesses was adopted January 14 2025, following a Planning Commission public hearing on January 7 2025 conducted under Section 560.05 of the city code. The interim ordinance record is muddled, and the study document itself is not in our holdings.
The interim ordinance is recorded twice under different numbers and dates. The minutes show interim Ordinance No. 102 adopted 5-0-0, while a resolution in the August 8 2023 packet recites that the council adopted Ordinance No. 101 with the identical title on August 8 2023, and that same packet carries a notice of public hearing for the proposed interim ordinance.
7-11-23 Council Packet, 8.8.23 Council Packet and Agenda, 1-14-25 council packet · taken up again 2025-01-14
Motion by Sjolander second by Bailey to authorize the City Administrator and City Attorney to develop a draft application and ordinance.
Old business item on a request to allow chickens within city limits, for which the attorney had already drafted an ordinance requiring a permit.
At the meetingMotion carried 4-1-0 on roll call with Mayor Henke voting nay.
What happened nextThe ordinance was drafted and then died without a vote. The city attorney produced a draft adding language on keeping chickens in residentially zoned areas to Section 900 of the city code, the Planning Commission reviewed it and was not in favor of changing the ordinance, the police chief predicted non-compliance problems and a council member said he would not support it, and the record ends with no further action. Attorney Riggs noted the city code was amended in 1999 to bar chickens in residential areas, and that prohibition stands.
5-13-25 council packet updated and 7-11-23 Council Packet · taken up again 2025-05-13
COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTS Councilmen Sjolander thanked Public Works Superintendent Ehrich and Police Chief Sjoblom for their recent work. Councilmen Helgeson discussed the upcoming Farmers Market.
Council and staff general comments.
What happened nextThe market ran and did well. On August 8 2023 Mayor Henke reported that the Farmers Market had a good turnout and thanked Councilman Helgeson, Bailey Ament and the Park Board for their work on it. No schedule, location or city permit action for the market appears in our holdings.
8.8.23_Council_Packet__Agenda · taken up again 2023-08-08
Motion Carried 4-0-0 Solid Waste Clean-up Day Update Administrator Vahlsing stated that a spring clean-up day is scheduled at for Saturday, May 20 from 9:00am to 12:00 pm. at the pool parking lot.
Update on the spring clean-up day under old business.
At the meetingInformational update only; no council action taken.
What happened nextNo participation or disposal cost report for the May 20 2023 event appears in our holdings, but the program continued and changed in two ways. For 2024 the council set the clean-up for Saturday April 27 from 9 am to noon at the same pool parking lot, a month earlier in the year and now expressly for city residents for a fee, on a motion by Helgeson seconded by Sjolander carried 3-0-0, with Flom Disposal participating again. A post-event report would settle the 2023 turnout and cost.
6.13.23_Council_Packet_and_Agenda; 3.12.24_Council_Packet__Agenda · taken up again 2024-03-12
Motion by Ryan seconded by Houglum to adjourn the closed session at 8:26 pm.
Closed session on the 1 Langford Avenue nuisance abatement following the regular meeting.
We hold no dataNo corrected closed session minutes exist in our holdings, so the actual movers and the attendance that night cannot be established. Houglum appears in our entire record only once, as one of three people added as signers on the city's bank account at Security State Bank in June 2025, never as a council member, which is consistent with the minutes being in error rather than with an unrecorded attendee. The city does produce attendance-explicit minutes elsewhere, listing members present and absent by name for the June 20 2024 work session. Corrected minutes or the recording would settle it.
6.13.23_Council_Packet_and_Agenda; 7.9.24_Council_Packet__Agenda; 6-10-25_COUNCIL_PACKET_Updated · would settle it: Corrected closed session minutes identifying the actual movers and attendance
Motion carried 5-0-0 Roll Call Vote: Henke- Nay, Sjolander – Aye, Bailey – Aye, Ryan – Aye, Helgeson - Aye Motion carried 4-1-0 Molly Ryan left the meeting at 7:45 pm Solid Waste Hauler Agreement Administrator Vahlsing stated that the current agreement for Solid Waste hauling with Flom Disposal expires on June 30, 2023.
Recording of the vote authorizing the draft chicken ordinance and application.
Partly answeredThe error was never corrected. The same double tally, a line reading motion carried 5-0-0 followed immediately by a roll call of Henke nay with four ayes and a line reading motion carried 4-1-0, is reproduced verbatim in the July 11 2023 packet and again in the May 13 2025 packet. The roll call is the more reliable of the two because it names every member and its total matches its own names, so the vote was 4-1-0 with Henke against. Corrected minutes or the meeting recording would settle it formally.
The minutes record two different results for the same motion, and the uncorrected 5-0-0 line conflicts with the named roll call showing Mayor Henke voting nay.
7-11-23_Council_Packet; 5-13-25_council_packet_updated
NEW BUSINESS Approve Memorial Day Parade Permit for May 29, 2023 Mayor Henke stated that the annual Memorial Day parade is going to go down 2nd Street ending with a 10 ceremony at the cemetery. Motion by Henke, second by Bailey to approve the Memorial Day Parade permit for May 29, 2023.
Mayor Henke described the parade route down 2nd Street ending with a ceremony at the cemetery.
At the meetingCouncil approved the permit for May 29, 2023 by a 4-0-0 vote despite the agenda listing May 31.
What happened nextMay 29 2023 is the operative date. The council approved the Memorial Day parade permit for May 29 2023 on a motion by Henke seconded by Bailey, carried 4-0-0, and the May 31 date on the agenda appears nowhere else in the record. The route ran down 2nd Street ending with a ceremony at the cemetery, and the following year's permit describes the parade starting at 10:30 AM and running from Speedway to the cemetery.
6.13.23_Council_Packet_and_Agenda; 5-14-24_AGENDA(1); 6.11.24_Council_Packet_and_Agenda · taken up again 2023-06-13
City Administrator Vahlsing welcomed new Finance Director Kelly Perry and thanked Deputy Clerk/administrative assistant Holli Gudknecht, Administrative Assistant Linda Bean and Sue Dodds for their work in the interim of the hiring of a new finance director. Chief Jeff Sjoblom stated that the city had been awarded a grant for new defibrillator units.
Department update during council and staff general comments.
At the meetingNo further details given.
We hold no dataWe hold no amount, funder, timeline or conditions for the defibrillator grant, and nothing in the later record returns to it. The grant award letter would settle all four. The city's general grant practice does appear elsewhere in the record, with staff noting that the applicant is responsible for administering a grant and meeting its terms and conditions.
6.13.23_Council_Packet_and_Agenda · would settle it: The grant award letter showing amount, source, and conditions
The new agreement contains increased rates based on CPI increases for the last two years and higher tipping fees at the Red Wing Land Fill.
Presenting the replacement solid waste hauling agreement before the current one expires June 30, 2023.
At the meetingCouncil approved the 3-year agreement 4-0-0 without the specific rate figures being stated in the minutes.
Partly answeredThe three-year agreement was approved 4-0-0 on a motion by Henke seconded by Bailey, but no rate schedule, CPI figure or Red Wing tipping fee appears in our holdings. The same thing happened at the next renewal: the agreement expired June 30 2026 and the council approved another three-year Flom Disposal contract with increased rates 4-0-0 on August 6 2026, again with no price in the record. The signed agreements would settle both rate schedules.
Six years of solid waste hauling were contracted across two agreements without a single rate figure entering the council record at either approval.
6.13.23_Council_Packet_and_Agenda; 8-6-26_Council_Packet_Updated · taken up again 2026-08-06
State statutes limit a city's tort liability to a maximum of $500,000 per claimant and $1,500,000 per occurrence.
Explaining the LMCIT liability coverage waiver decision before the council vote.
At the meetingCouncil voted 4-0-0 not to waive the statutory limits.
What happened nextThe statutory limits are stated correctly and consistently across four years, $500,000 per claimant and $1,500,000 per occurrence, applying whether the claim runs against the city, an individual officer or employee, or both. The additional coverage figure is the outlier. Every later presentation of the same decision, in May 2024, May 2025 and May 2026, puts the optional purchased coverage at $2,000,000 annually rather than $3,000,000. The council declined to waive the limits every year, 4-0-0 in 2023, 3-0-0 in 2024, 4-0-0 in 2025 and 5-0-0 in 2026.
The council was told in 2023 that cities can purchase additional coverage up to $3,000,000 annually, but the same item in 2024, 2025 and 2026 states the figure as $2,000,000.
6.13.23_Council_Packet_and_Agenda; 5-14-24_AGENDA(1); 5-13-25_council_packet_updated · taken up again 2024-05-14
In this case the property owner is requesting approval to construct a 6-foot-high fence in the front yard. City Code only allows a maximum height of 3 1/2 feet.
Explaining why the requested 6-foot front yard fence requires an accommodation.
At the meetingStated as fact with no citation to a code section.
What happened nextThe 3.5 foot figure is right for the front but wrong as a general maximum. The city's fence standards, set out in the July 2026 staff report, allow up to 6 feet in the rear yard and half of the rear and side yards, with 3.5 feet applying only to the front half of the side yard. So the code already permitted the 6-foot height the applicant wanted, just not in the location requested.
The council was told City Code allows a maximum fence height of 3.5 feet, but the code permits 6 feet in the rear yard and half the rear and side yards, and limits only the front portion to 3.5 feet.
7.14.26_Council_Packet_Updated · taken up again 2026-07-14
Mayor Henke also had concerns with enforcement but he had seen more communities on League of Minnesota Cities Mayors forum that did allow chickens then didn't.
Discussion of whether to allow chickens within city limits and enforcement concerns.
At the meetingNo source or count provided; Henke still voted nay on drafting the ordinance.
We hold no dataWe hold no tally of Minnesota cities' chicken ordinances and nothing from the League of Minnesota Cities mayors forum, so the comparison cannot be checked. Our statewide small-city datasets cover website spending and legal notice spending across all 856 Minnesota cities, not animal ordinances. A League survey or the forum thread itself would settle it. The mayor voted nay on drafting the ordinance regardless of what he had seen.
6.13.23_Council_Packet_and_Agenda; /Users/casa/mn-small-towns · would settle it: A tally of Minnesota cities' chicken ordinances from the LMC or the forum thread itself
CITIZEN COMMENT Ed Doyle addressed the Council on his opinion on the clean-up and the abatement order on the 1 Langford property. He felt that the property owner had met the conditions of the abatement order.
Citizen comment on the clean-up and abatement order at 1 Langford.
At the meetingNo response recorded in open session.
We hold no dataWe hold neither the conditions of the abatement order nor any city inspection report, so whether the owner complied cannot be assessed. Nothing in the record responds to Ed Doyle in open session. The abatement order and a compliance inspection would settle it.
6.13.23_Council_Packet_and_Agenda · would settle it: The abatement order conditions and a city inspection report on compliance
Discussion was held on the property abatement enforcement action of 1 Langford Avenue.
A closed session was held the same evening on the property abatement enforcement action after a citizen spoke on it.
At the meetingNo public decision recorded; the closed session adjourned at 8:26 pm.
We hold no dataNo council decision on the 1 Langford Avenue abatement appears anywhere in our holdings, in open or closed session. The only later document using the word abatement concerns something else entirely, a property tax abatement granted to Kenyon Sunset Home in connection with TIF District No. 4-4 and recorded in Goodhue County in 2003, which the city moved to terminate in 2023. The closed session minutes or a code enforcement file for 1 Langford Avenue would settle whether enforcement proceeded.
6.13.23_Council_Packet_and_Agenda; 8.8.23_Council_Packet__Agenda · would settle it: A recorded council decision on whether abatement conditions were met and what enforcement follows
Resolution 2023-10: Approving Plan and Specifications and Ordering Advertisement for Bids 2023 Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer & Gates Ave Utility Improvements Motion by Helgeson second by Henke to adopt Resolution 2023-10.
Council approved plans and specs and ordered advertisement for bids on the Pearl Creek sewer project.
At the meetingResolution adopted 5-0-0; bid results not yet known.
What happened nextThree bids opened June 8 2023 and BCM Construction won at $1,241,494.22, ahead of Minger at $1,327,721.90 and Heselton at $1,385,155.00, against an engineer's estimate of $1,536,065. That is $294,571 under estimate, 19.2% below. The award specified Alternate 1, the lift station driveway paving.
6.13.23_Council_Packet_and_Agenda; KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2023-06-13
Resolution 2023-09: Approving Plan and Specifications and Ordering Advertisement for Bids 2023 Street Improvements Motion by Bailey, second by Ryan to adopt Resolution 2023-09.
Council approved plans and specifications and ordered advertisement for bids on the street project.
At the meetingResolution adopted 5-0-0; bid amounts unknown at the time of the meeting.
What happened nextBids opened June 8 2023 with three bids received and pricing well below the engineer's estimates. Bituminous Materials won at $450,693.95, ahead of Crane Creek at $463,585.62 and SL Contracting at $535,437.60, against an estimate of $547,705. The low bid came in $97,011 under estimate, 17.7% below.
6.13.23_Council_Packet_and_Agenda; KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2023-06-13
Update on Easements for Project Engineer Olinger updated the council on the progress of gaining easements for the project.
Olinger gave a progress update on easement acquisition while plans were approved for bid advertisement.
At the meetingOnly a status update was given; no easements were presented for approval.
What happened nextEasements came to the council as Resolution 2023-17 on August 8 2023, adopted on a motion by Bailey seconded by Helgeson, carried 5-0-0, with the city still waiting on signatures from one property owner at that point. Getting there required several minor plan revisions to accommodate owner requests during the negotiation. The acquisition did not delay bidding, which opened the same week at prices below projection.
6.13.23_Council_Packet_and_Agenda; 8.8.23_Council_Packet__Agenda · taken up again 2023-08-08
They are also applying for a variance related to the proposed building project. A planning commission meeting to consider the variance will be held in late May.
The variance is tied to the requested alley/ROW relocation and business expansion.
What happened nextThe planning commission approved the setback variance for the Traxlers' new commercial building, as Attorney Riggs reported to the council on July 11 2023. Our holdings do not contain the commission's findings or any conditions attached to the approval.
7-11-23_Council_Packet · taken up again 2023-07-11
Jeff and Ann Traxler are asking for the City to conduct a land swap of right-of-way area that abuts their property to the west.
The Traxlers want the alley/ROW relocated for a commercial building project and are also seeking a variance.
At the meetingNo action taken; Riggs noted a planning commission meeting on the variance will be held in late May.
What happened nextThe swap advanced to deed preparation within three months. Rapp Surveying completed the new survey showing the relocated alley by July 11 2023, the city received the legal description by August 8 2023, and Attorney Riggs began preparing the deeds for the exchange. No recorded deed appears in our holdings, so the closing itself is unconfirmed. Traxler is a repeat city vendor on the other side of the ledger, winning the 2022 Toro mower contract and a 60-inch Toro at a net $2,459 in 2024.
7-11-23_Council_Packet; 8.8.23_Council_Packet__Agenda; KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2023-08-08
In this case the property owner is requesting approval to construct a 6-foot-high fence in the front yard. City Code only allows a maximum height of 3 1/2 feet.
City Code caps front yard fence height at 3 1/2 feet and the owner seeks an exception for a disability accommodation.
At the meetingCouncil did not decide on the fence; it instead directed drafting of a reasonable accommodation ordinance.
Partly answeredNo decision on the individual fence request appears in our holdings. The code was not changed to accommodate it: the city's fence standards as stated in July 2026 still allow up to 6 feet in the rear yard and half the rear and side yards, and only 3.5 feet in the front half of the side yard. A separate 2026 request, for an 8-foot fence around a licensed childcare program, was being processed as a variance. The council minutes granting or denying the 2023 accommodation would settle it.
6.13.23_Council_Packet_and_Agenda; 7.14.26_Council_Packet_Updated
Adopt Reasonable Accommodation Ordinance Motion by Sjolander second by Ryan to authorize the City Administrator and City Attorney to develop a reasonable accommodation ordinance.
A property owner requested a reasonable accommodation to exceed the city fence height limit, and the city has no ordinance governing such requests.
At the meetingMotion carried 5-0-0 by roll call vote.
Partly answeredThe authorization passed 5-0-0 on a roll call with Henke, Sjolander, Bailey, Ryan and Helgeson all aye, but no drafted or adopted reasonable accommodation ordinance appears anywhere in our holdings. The city was still handling fence height requests through the variance process in 2026 rather than through an accommodation ordinance. The adopted ordinance, or a council record showing the draft was never returned, would settle it.
6.13.23_Council_Packet_and_Agenda; 7.14.26_Council_Packet_Updated
Motion by Sjolander second by Bailey to authorize the City Administrator and City Attorney to develop a draft application and ordinance.
Old business discussion on allowing chickens in the city, with council divided over enforcement concerns.
At the meetingMotion carried on a roll call vote with Mayor Henke voting nay (4-1-0).
What happened nextThe ordinance was drafted. By July 11 2023 Administrator Vahlsing reported that the city attorney had produced a chicken ordinance for Kenyon requiring a permit to keep chickens. It did not open residential areas to chickens, and when a resident asked the council to revise it in June 2025, the fourth such request since 2015, the council voted the idea down on a roll call of Bailey aye, Kirchmann aye, Brunner nay, Sjolander nay and Helgeson nay.
7-11-23_Council_Packet; 6-10-25_COUNCIL_PACKET_Updated · taken up again 2025-06-10
Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer Improvements C. 2023 Street Improvements Summary VIII. LEGAL A. Nuisance Property Violation – 1 Langford Avenue Update IX.
Legal section agenda item for the April 11 meeting.
At the meetingNothing recorded.
Partly answeredThe item did come back: discussion of the property abatement enforcement action at 1 Langford Avenue was held at the June 13 2023 meeting, though no outcome, cost or abatement order is recorded. The property is parcel 665400250, 1 Langford Avenue, owner Scott Bowen, 5,739 square feet, and it appears on the 2024 project mapping alongside 2 Langford Avenue owned by Sarah Shelton, with Langford Avenue typical sections drawn from station 14+22 to 21+10 in the March 2025 packet. The attorney's report on the violation status would settle it.
6.13.23 Council Packet and Agenda; 9.10.24 Council Packet and Agenda; 3-11-25 council packet · taken up again 2023-06-13
Goodhue County Commissioner, Todd Greseth, gave an update on what's happening in the County. They are working on the 2024 budget.
Citizen comment period county update.
At the meetingReported as an update; no figures given.
What happened nextGoodhue County set its preliminary 2024 budget at a 5.5 percent increase, reported by Commissioner Greseth on November 14 2023. At the same meeting he reported the Goodhue Police Department resigning and the county sheriff's department taking over coverage in Goodhue. The county went on to raise its levy 6.5 percent for 2026 and warned of a larger increase in 2027 because of state mandates.
11.14.23 Council Packet Agenda; 2-10-26 Council Packet · taken up again 2023-11-14
PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS/RECOGNITIONS/PROLAMATIONS Cora Boelman -CEDA - Update on Economic Development Activities Cora Boelman updated the EDA members on the projects she has been working on including: park prospect, Regional Development Tour scheduled for late summer, façade improvement plan applications, and various grants that are being applied for.
Economic development update covering park prospect, the tour, façade improvement applications and grants.
At the meetingGeneral update only; no grant amounts or award decisions reported.
Partly answeredNo list of grant applications, amounts, decision dates or a Regional Development Tour date appears in our record. What the financial statements show is that the grant lines stayed empty: the SEMMCHRA DEED Grant account under the Economic Development Authority fund carries $0.00 in both federal grants and aids and state grants and aids across the 2025 statements. CEDA's own application file would settle which grants were pursued.
6-10-25 COUNCIL PACKET Updated; 12.2.25 Special Council Meeting
Solid Waste Hauler Agreement Administrator Vahlsing stated that the current agreement for Solid Waste hauling with Flom Disposal expires on June 30, 2023.
Introduction of the solid waste hauler agreement renewal.
At the meetingStated as fact.
Answered from our recordsThe June 30 2023 expiry is confirmed and the replacement ran exactly three years. Attorney Riggs drafted a new three-year agreement with Flom Disposal approved 4-0-0 in June 2023, and that agreement expired June 30 2026, at which point the council approved another three-year agreement with increased rates 4-0-0 on August 6 2026. The underlying license agreement document is not in our record.
6.13.23 Council Packet and Agenda; 8-6-26 Council Packet Updated · taken up again 2026-08-06
The purpose of the Board of Appeal is for property owners to appeal their tax valuation. The Assessors office will serve as the Board for at least the next three years.
Announcement of the April 20 Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting.
At the meetingStated as fact; no documentation cited.
Answered from our recordsThe arrangement held and went well past three years. Since 2023 the Goodhue County Assessor's office has run Kenyon's Board of Appeal as an open book, and the reason is that no council member holds the training the law requires to sit on a local board. That is still the arrangement in our current records.
KENYON_DATA_IN_MEETINGS.md; 5.9.23 Council Packet and Agenda
OLD BUSINESS Update on Finance Director Hiring Administrator Vahlsing stated that five candidates were interviewed with three candidates being interviewed a second time. The committee recommended hiring Kelly Perry.
Update on the Finance Director hiring process and KMU Commission approval.
At the meetingReported as completed; KMU Commission approved the appointment that day.
What happened nextKelly Perry started as Finance Director on May 15 2023, so the recommendation was carried out. The hiring committee record and the KMU Commission minutes are not in our archive.
council/txt/6-10-25_COUNCIL_PACKET_Updated.txt
Schedule Solid Waste Spring Clean-up Day Administrator Vahlsing stated that the Park Board requested that the Council look into holding a Spring Clean-up Day in May.
Scheduling of the solid waste spring clean-up day.
At the meetingCouncil approved a clean-up day for Saturday, May 20 from 9 am to noon at the pool parking lot.
What happened nextThe council approved the clean-up day 3-0-0 on a Ryan motion seconded by Helgeson, for Saturday May 20 2023 from 9 a.m. to noon at the pool parking lot, open to city residents for a fee, and Administrator Vahlsing confirmed the scheduling again in the June 13 2023 update. The event moved earlier the following year, to April 27 2024 at the same place and hours.
5.9.23 Council Packet and Agenda; 6.13.23 Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2023-06-13
Motion by Ryan second by Helgeson to approve a spring clean-up day for Saturday, May 20 from 9 am to noon at the pool parking lot for city residents for a fee.
Council approved a clean-up day for city residents 'for a fee' without stating the amount.
At the meetingNo fee amount stated.
We hold no dataNo fee amount for the May 20 2023 clean-up day appears in our record, and the same for a fee phrasing recurs without a figure for the April 27 2024 event. The city's adopted fee schedule would settle it.
would settle it: The adopted fee schedule for the clean-up day
Discussion and ideas for the clean-up day were presented. Kyle Flom described his restrictions and would make a list of what they would be able to take.
Planning the Solid Waste Spring Clean-Up Day.
At the meetingList not provided at the meeting.
We hold no dataNo written list of accepted and restricted materials from Kyle Flom appears in our record, for either the 2023 or the 2024 clean-up day. Flom Disposal's license categories on file cover residential and commercial hauling, temporary roll-off dumpsters and recycling, but that is a license list, not an accepted-materials list. The list Flom promised would settle it.
would settle it: The written list of accepted and restricted items from Flom Disposal
The City Attorney has been working on drafting easement agreements. 2023 Street Improvement Summary Administrator Vahlsing reported that the 2023 street improvement plans are being finalized and will be ready for approval in May.
Property easements needed before the Pearl Creek sanitary sewer work.
At the meetingWork in progress; no easements presented.
Partly answeredEasement negotiations were still open two months later. The June 13 2023 update reports continued negotiations with property owners, several minor plan revisions already made to accommodate owner requests, and the possibility of further modifications before any agreements would be ready for council consideration. No signed easement agreements appear in our record, though the project was bid and awarded that same month.
6.13.23 Council Packet and Agenda, Easements Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer · taken up again 2023-06-13
The City Attorney has been working on drafting easement agreements. 2023 Street Improvement Summary Administrator Vahlsing reported that the 2023 street improvement plans are being finalized and will be ready for approval in May.
Engineering update on the 2023 street improvement project.
At the meetingPlans not yet presented in April.
What happened nextThe street plans were finished a month late and the project was awarded in June. Engineer Olinger reported on June 13 2023 that the final plans were complete, had been reviewed with public works and were ready to advertise, with Resolution 2023-13 accepting the bid on the same agenda. Bituminous Materials Inc won the 2023 Street Improvements at $450,693.95 against Crane Creek at $463,585.62, SL Contracting at $535,437.60 and an estimate of $547,705.
6.13.23 Council Packet and Agenda; KENYON_BIDS.md, 2023-06-13 entry · taken up again 2023-06-13
Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer Improvements Administrator Vahlsing stated that plans are being finalized for the Pearl Creek Sewer project. The final plans will be ready for council approval in May.
Engineering update on the Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer Improvements.
At the meetingPlans not yet presented in April.
What happened nextThe plans slipped to June and then the project was bid and awarded. By June 13 2023 Engineer Olinger reported the Pearl Creek Sewer plans complete and ready to advertise, and Resolution 2023-12 accepting the bid was on that meeting's agenda. BCM Construction won the Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer and Gates Avenue work at $1,241,494.22, below Minger at $1,327,721.90, Heselton at $1,385,155.00 and an engineer's estimate of $1,536,065, a saving of $294,570.78 against the estimate.
6.13.23 Council Packet and Agenda; KENYON_BIDS.md, 2023-06-13 entry · taken up again 2023-06-13
The proper authorities were notified and a contractor was able to repair the broken pipe on Monday morning. Further correspondence will likely be received from the MPCA within 60 days.
Report on the broken force main pipe in the ditch along Hwy 60 discovered Sunday, April 2.
At the meetingNo MPCA correspondence received as of the meeting.
We hold no dataNo Minnesota Pollution Control Agency letter or notice of violation for the April 2 2023 force main break appears in our record. A separate MPCA matter is documented: on August 23 2024 a contractor spilled cementitious grout into Pearl Creek, the subcontractor cleaned it up that week, and the engineer reported MPCA and the Department of Natural Resources both satisfied, with fines possible at some future point. The MPCA file for the 2023 break would settle it.
9.10.24 Council Packet and Agenda; 5.9.23 Council Packet and Agenda · would settle it: The MPCA letter or notice of violation regarding the spill
Motion by Ryan second by Helgeson to authorize staff to move ahead on the realignment of the alley right-of-way to the north on the Traxler property at 502 Huseth St.
Council response to the Traxler right-of-way request.
At the meetingMotion carried 3-0-0.
What happened nextThe realignment proceeded as a land swap, so no vacation public hearing was needed. Rapp Surveying's legal description arrived July 11 2023 and Attorney Riggs began preparing the deeds. The signed deeds and the recorded land swap are not in our record.
8.8.23 Council Packet Agenda; 7-11-23 Council Packet · taken up again 2023-08-08
LEGAL Jeff and Ann Traxler – Request for City to vacate alley/ROW 9 Attorney Riggs stated a request was received from Jeff and Ann Traxler asking for the city to vacate a right-of-way area that runs between two separate parcels that they own.
Legal item on an alley/right-of-way between Traxler parcels at 502 Huseth St.
At the meetingAttorney Riggs recommended realigning the alley to the north instead of vacating, and council authorized staff to proceed with realignment.
What happened nextThe request became a land swap rather than a vacation. Attorney Riggs recommended realigning the alley north because the alley was still needed, and the council authorized that 3-0-0. Rapp Surveying delivered the legal description on July 11 2023 and Riggs began preparing deeds for the land swap, which avoided the survey-plus-public-hearing process a vacation would have required. The Traxler parcel was later rezoned from I-1 General Industrial to G-2 General Commercial by Ordinance 106.
8.8.23 Council Packet Agenda; 7-11-23 Council Packet; 5.9.23 Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2023-08-08
A letter was received from Flom Disposal asking for a rate increase that would be effective the end of June with the new agreement.
Renewal of the city's solid waste hauling contract expiring June 30, 2023.
At the meetingCouncil was in agreement with the increase.
What happened nextThe increase was granted. The new three-year agreement approved 4-0-0 carried increased rates justified by consumer price index increases over the previous two years and higher tipping fees at the Red Wing landfill. The same pattern repeated one cycle later: the agreement expired June 30 2026 and the council approved another three-year agreement with increased rates 4-0-0 on August 6 2026. Flom's letter and an itemized rate schedule are not in our record.
6.13.23 Council Packet and Agenda; 8-6-26 Council Packet Updated · taken up again 2023-06-13
The council was in agreement with the increase and a draft agreement will be brought to the May council meeting.
The current Flom Disposal hauling agreement expires June 30, 2023 and a rate increase was requested.
At the meetingCouncil agreed to the increase in concept and directed a draft agreement.
What happened nextThe draft slipped from May to June and passed. Attorney Riggs developed a new three-year agreement with Flom Disposal carrying increased rates based on consumer price index increases over the prior two years and higher tipping fees at the Red Wing landfill, and the council approved it on a Henke motion seconded by Bailey, 4-0-0. That agreement ran its full term and expired June 30 2026.
6.13.23 Council Packet and Agenda; 8-6-26 Council Packet Updated · taken up again 2023-06-13
Fees, limitations, etc. of housing chickens were discussed. This item was tabled until next month to allow for more research to be done.
Citizen request to permit backyard chickens within city limits.
At the meetingNo decision; discussion of fees and limitations only.
What happened nextThe draft chicken ordinance died without a vote. Administrator Vahlsing brought back language to add chicken keeping in residentially zoned areas to Section 900 of the city code, Chief Sjolander predicted non-compliance problems, Councilman Barsness said he would not support it, and Attorney Riggs noted the city code had been amended in 1999 specifically to disallow chickens in residential areas. The Planning Commission reviewed the draft and was not in favor of changing the ordinance, and no further action was taken.
5-13-25 council packet updated, history of the chicken request; 5.9.23 Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2025-05-13
Review Quotes for Payroll Services Administrator Vahlsing presented updated quotes and revised proposals for contracting payroll processing for the city. This item was tabled until the new Finance Director starts so she can be involved in the decision.
Old business review of payroll service vendor quotes for the city.
At the meetingNo decision made; item deferred.
Partly answeredThe payroll item returned in August 2023 with four priced proposals and a staff recommendation for Paycom, but our record contains no award motion. Paylocity was lowest at $5,758 plus $1,000.
KENYON_BIDS.md
XI.B Agenda Item Summary CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM REPORT DATE: April 11, 2023 SUBMITTED BY: Mark Vahlsing, Administration ITEM TYPE: New Business AGENDA SECTION: NEW BUSINESS SUBJECT: Board of Appeal and Equalization Meeting – Thursday, April 20, 2023 SUGGESTED ACTION: The Board of Appeal will be held by the Goodhue County Assessors Office on April 20.
The Assessor's office will serve as the Board for at least the next three years.
What happened nextThe Board of Appeal and Equalization was held by the Goodhue County Assessor's Office on Thursday April 20 2023 at 5:00 p.m. in the council chambers, and it appears on the published schedule of upcoming meetings. The handover was not temporary and it has a specific cause: since 2023 the Assessor's office has run the board as an open book because no council member holds the training the role requires. No record of how many owners appealed or what changed is in anything we hold.
5.9.23 Council Packet and KENYON_DATA_IN_MEETINGS.md · taken up again 2023-05-09
XI.A Agenda Item Summary CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM REPORT DATE: April 11, 2023 SUBMITTED BY: Mark Vahlsing, City Council ITEM TYPE: New Business AGENDA SECTION: NEW BUSINESS SUBJECT: On-Sale Liquor License Renewal- Kenyon VFW SUGGESTED ACTION: Annual liquor license for VFW.
Annual liquor license renewal on the April 11 new business agenda.
What happened nextThe VFW's on-sale liquor license was renewed on a motion by Henke seconded by Helgeson, carried 3-0-0. The published fee schedule sets on-sale liquor at $1,100, club on-sale at $300 and Sunday on-sale at $200, and Kenyon VFW Post 141 also appears on the annual sidewalk license list.
5.9.23 and 1-14-25 Council Packets · taken up again 2023-05-09
XI.G Agenda Item Summary CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM REPORT DATE: April 11, 2023 SUBMITTED BY: Mark Vahlsing, Fire ITEM TYPE: New Business AGENDA SECTION: NEW BUSINESS SUBJECT: Fire Relief Gambling Application – Kenyon Country Club SUGGESTED ACTION: The Fire Relief Association is requesting Council approval for a lawful gambling application to operate pull tabs at the Kenyon Country Club.
Local approval by resolution is required for the gambling license application.
What happened nextResolution 2023-08 approving the lawful gambling application of the Kenyon Firemen's Relief Association was adopted on a motion by Ryan seconded by Helgeson. The association returned the following year for a second premises, and Resolution 2024-06 authorizing lawful gambling at the Kenyon Fire Hall, 620 Centennial Drive, was adopted March 12 2024 on a motion by Sjolander seconded by Helgeson, carried 3-0-0.
5.9.23 and 3.12.24 Council Packets · taken up again 2024-03-12
The SE League of Municipalities is requesting that City Councils pass a resolution in support of a Minnesota House Bill that would remove income restrictions for housing TIF districts for areas in greater Minnesota. Further information on bill and housing TIF districts is attached below. ATTACHMENTS: Resolution 2023-07 Support of HF1285 TO REMOVE THE INCOME RESTRICTIONS FOR TIF IN NON-METROPOLITAN COUNTIES OF MINNESOTA..docx DOC040723-002.pdf DOC040723-001.pdf 59 RESOLUTION NO. 2023-07 CITY OF KENYON COUNTY OF
Bill would give greater Minnesota cities flexibility on housing TIF districts.
What happened nextResolution 2023-07 was adopted on a motion by Helgeson seconded by Ryan, carried 3-0-0, supporting House File 1285 to remove income restrictions on housing tax increment districts in greater Minnesota. Whether the bill passed is not in anything we hold, and when Kenyon eventually used tax increment for housing three years later it did so through a redevelopment district rather than a housing district, adopting Resolution 2026-18 for TIF District No. 2-1 and committing $1,855,000 over 26 years.
5.9.23 Council Packet and KENYON_INCENTIVES.md · taken up again 2026-06-30
This study findings could create the framework for how our region might set up a Transit Management Organization (TMO). SEMLM is asking area city councils to pass a resolution of support for state funding for the study.
SEMLM is seeking city resolutions of support for an SF3087 amendment.
What happened nextResolution 2023-06 was adopted on a motion by Ryan seconded by Helgeson, carried 3-0-0, supporting state funding for a plan for a regional transit system in southeastern Minnesota developed with area providers including Hiawathaland Transit. The $350,000 appropriation figure does not appear in the adopting minutes, so the resolution's stated dollar amount is not confirmed in our record.
5.9.23 Council Packet · taken up again 2023-05-09
Avg 42 tons/month is collected, $5x42=2520/yr. increase .27/month/resident CPI (consumer price index adjustment) 2021=7% and 2022=6.5% 65gallon 95gallon $1.21/month increase 2021 $1.73/month increase 2021 $1.20/month increase 2022 $1.72/month increase 2022 Total $2.41/Month Total $3.45/month 65gallon $2.68/monthly increase 45 95gallon $3.72/monthly increase 65gallon new rate $19.99, old rate $17.31 95gallon new rate $ 28.50, old rate $ 24.78 If the Council would like to proceed staff would recommend a 3 year
Justification submitted for the requested garbage rate increase.
Answered from our recordsThe arithmetic holds throughout. At 42 tons a month, a $5 per ton landfill increase is $210 a month or $2,520 a year, and spreading $210 a month at $0.27 per resident implies about 778 accounts, which sits just above the 732 households and 753 housing units the Census records for Kenyon. Compounding 7 percent then 6.5 percent produces exactly the stated steps of $1.21 and $1.20 on the 65-gallon cart and $1.73 and $1.72 on the 95-gallon cart, and adding those totals of $2.41 and $3.45 plus the $0.27 tipping pass-through reaches the requested $19.99 and $28.50 within three cents. The BLS index values themselves cannot be checked from our data.
4.11.23 Council Packet, dashboard/data/census.json, arithmetic on those figures · taken up again 2023-06-13
Council member Mary Bailey called the Council work session to order at 5:00 pm Review Options for Payroll Processing Services – Leah Davis Abdo Administrator Vahlsing updated the Council on the process of gathering quotes and information on automated payroll services. The city had received 3 quotes for payroll processing.
Comparison of payroll vendor costs covering both the City and KMU.
At the meetingWritten quotes from all three vendors were attached to the packet.
Partly answeredOur bid record for the March 28 2023 payroll round lists a different set of three: Paychex at $7,655, ADP at $5,032, and Abdo at $20,820 a year plus $9,500 one time, with the award deferred. The figures named at the meeting match the second round of August 8 2023 instead, where Paychex came in at $6,540 plus $1,650 and Paylocity at $5,758 plus $1,000. The dated vendor proposals themselves would reconcile which numbers belong to which round.
The three quotes and dollar figures named at this meeting do not match the three our bid record holds for this date, and the Paychex one-time fee is recorded as $1,650 rather than $1,600.
KENYON_BIDS.md and 4.11.23 Council Packet · taken up again 2023-08-08
The ponds temporarily hold wastewater when flows are too high for the plant to handle. Rainfalls between March 31 st and April 3rd were about 2.6".
Cause of the high flows that led to the release.
We hold no dataWe hold no precipitation records for Kenyon or Goodhue County, so the 2.6 inches between March 31 and April 3 2023 cannot be checked. National Weather Service or Minnesota State Climatology Office daily totals for the nearest gauge would settle it. What the record does establish is the consequence rather than the cause, with flows reaching 3.1 times the plant's 357 thousand gallon per day design.
4.11.23 Council Packet · would settle it: Local precipitation records for March 31–April 3, 2023
This line is believed to have been installed in the late 40's, shortly after the city's wastewater plant was first built. We are currently unaware of other issues (past or present) with this pipe.
Explaining the likely cause of the pipe failure near bedrock.
Partly answeredNo as-built drawing or original construction record for the forcemain appears in anything we hold, so the late 1940s date rests on the engineer's belief. If correct, the pipe was roughly 75 years old when it failed and predates most of what it serves, since the median Kenyon housing unit was built in 1962. The city's own later assessment for the 2025 project is consistent with an aging system, stating that many sanitary sewers throughout Kenyon are older clay pipes susceptible to groundwater infiltration.
4.11.23 and 9.10.24 Council Packets, dashboard/data/census.json
On April 1st, flows peaked at 1.1 million gal/day and have been gradually decreasing (0.8 million gal/day on April 6th).
Explaining why the wastewater system was overloaded during the release.
Answered from our recordsThe plant's design flow is 357 thousand gallons per day, so the April 1 2023 peak of 1.1 million gallons per day was 3.1 times design capacity and the 0.8 million on April 6 was still 2.2 times design. The problem recurred and got worse: flows on June 2, 3 and 4 of 2024 were 1.3, 1.6 and 1.2 million gallons per day, the middle figure 4.5 times design, forcing one emergency release with the rest held in the storage ponds east of town.
4.11.23 and 6.11.24 Council Packets, arithmetic on those figures · taken up again 2024-06-11
MnDOT assisted the City with traffic control on Monday while the repair was completed. In total, the volume of water released to the public water is estimated at approximately 1.1 million gallons.
Summary of the forcemain break and release into Pearl Creek.
Partly answeredWe hold no plant flow log and no copy of the volume calculation reported to the state, so the 1.1 million gallon estimate cannot be verified. One feature of the memo deserves checking against those records: the release total and the April 1 peak daily flow are both given as about 1.1 million gallons, which would mean an entire day of peak flow reached the ditch and Pearl Creek. The MPCA was on site Monday to evaluate, and the DNR and the MnDOT Office of Environmental Stewardship were also notified.
The release total and the single-day peak flow are both stated as approximately 1.1 million gallons, which the memo does not reconcile.
4.11.23 Council Packet and 6.11.24 Council Packet
ATTACHMENTS: 02.1_2023 Street Improvements Summary.pdf 17 2023 Street Improvements Summary We are in the process of finalizing plans for this project. We will bring final plans for council approval at the May meeting.
Plans for the 2023 street project are still being finalized.
What happened nextThe plans were finalized and approved on the May schedule, and the work was bid and awarded on June 13 2023 to Bituminous Materials at $450,693.95, against Crane Creek at $463,585.62, SL Contracting at $535,437.60 and an engineer's estimate of $547,705. The low bid came in $97,011.05 under the estimate.
5.9.23 Council Packet and KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2023-06-13
ATTACHMENTS: 01.1_Pearl Creek Sewer Project Update.pdf 21 Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer Improvements We are in the process of finalizing plans for this project and are planning to bring final plans and specifications for council approval at the May meeting. We've also been working with the city attorney to draft easement agreements.
Project design is being finalized.
What happened nextPlans came to the council on schedule. The May 9 2023 resolution recites that the city engineer prepared plans and specifications for the 2023 Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer and Gates Avenue Utility Improvements, covering rerouting of the Pearl Creek sanitary sewer main via lift station and forcemain plus new watermain and electrical conduit near Gates Avenue. The work was awarded June 13 2023 to BCM Construction at $1,241,494.22 against Minger at $1,327,721.90, Heselton at $1,385,155.00 and an estimate of $1,536,065. The executed easement agreements are not in anything we hold.
5.9.23 Council Packet and KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2023-06-13
XI.C Agenda Item Summary CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM REPORT DATE: April 11, 2023 SUBMITTED BY: Mark Vahlsing, Legal ITEM TYPE: New Business AGENDA SECTION: NEW BUSINESS SUBJECT: Request for Chickens within City Limits SUGGESTED ACTION: Joe and Briana Jensen have requested consideration for an ordinance to allow chickens in residentially zoned areas of the City.
If council is interested, staff and the attorney would draft an ordinance for council review.
What happened nextThe chickens were refused. A draft ordinance was written for Section 900 of the city code and revised after the June 2023 council discussion, and an online survey on the city website returned 121 yes, 103 no and 17 unsure, so slightly over half of the 241 respondents supported it. The Planning Commission then came out against changing the ordinance, the police chief predicted non-compliance problems, a council member said he would not support it, Attorney Riggs noted the code had been amended in 1999 to bar chickens in residential areas, and no further action was taken.
A slim majority of survey respondents backed allowing chickens and the council declined to change the ordinance.
8.8.23 and 5-13-25 Council Packets · taken up again 2025-05-13
The KMU Board will make the final appointment on Tuesday April 11. The finalist has indicated she would be able to start the second week of May.
Timing of the new Finance Director's start affects payroll service decisions.
Answered from our recordsKelly Perry started as Finance Director on May 15 2023, matching the second week of May the finalist named.
council/txt/6-10-25_COUNCIL_PACKET_Updated.txt
The committee has recommended Kelly Perry for appointment to the position. The KMU Board will make the final appointment on Tuesday April 11.
Hiring committee recommended Kelly Perry after two rounds of interviews.
What happened nextThe KMU Commission approved the appointment and Kelly Perry started as Finance Director on May 15 2023. The process ran five candidates through first interviews on March 13 and 23 and three of them through second interviews on March 30 and April 4 before the committee recommended her.
4.11.23 and 5.9.23 Council Packets · taken up again 2023-05-09
VIII.A Agenda Item Summary CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM REPORT DATE: April 11, 2023 SUBMITTED BY: Mark Vahlsing, Administration ITEM TYPE: Legal AGENDA SECTION: LEGAL SUBJECT: Jeff and Ann Traxler – Request for City to vacate alley/ROW SUGGESTED ACTION: Jeff and Ann Traxler are asking for the City to vacate a right-of-way area that abuts their property to the west.
They are also applying for a variance related to the proposed building project.
What happened nextThe Traxler request took most of a year and changed shape twice. It began in April 2023 as a right-of-way vacation, was described in May 2023 as a land swap, was still waiting on the legal description from Rapp Surveying in July 2023, and closed with a public hearing opened at 7:07 p.m. and Resolution 2023-24 vacating the right of way adjacent to Huseth Street, adopted on a motion by Bailey seconded by Henke, carried 4-0-0. Ann Traxler's objection to the area being called a street was recorded and the resolution passed under that title unchanged.
4.11.23, 5.9.23, 7-11-23 and 12.12.23 Council Packets · taken up again 2023-12-12
If the Council would like to proceed staff would recommend a 3 year extension of the current agreement. The City attorney would draft the revised agreement. Information is contained in the letter from Flom attached below. MOTION NEEDED ATTACHMENTS: letter to city of Kenyon March 2023.docx FlomAmendedSanitationcontract9-2020.docx 46 5865 Kenyon Blvd * Faribault, MN 55021 507-334-5767 March 17th, 2023 Mark Vahlsing, Kenyon City Administrator RE: Request for rate increase I appreciate the opportunity to provide the
Current Flom Disposal agreement expires June 30, 2023.
What happened nextThe council took the three-year extension and did not advertise for quotes, approving the attorney-drafted agreement 4-0-0 on June 13 2023 and making the same choice again on August 6 2026. Solid waste hauling appears nowhere among the 43 competitively quoted purchases we hold from 2019 to 2026, so the service has run on successive negotiated extensions with a single hauler for the whole period our record covers.
6.13.23 and 8-6-26 Council Packets, KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2026-08-06
Flom has requested an increase to rates based on the CPI for the last two years and higher tipping fees at the Red Wing Land Fill.
The current solid waste hauling agreement expires June 30, 2023.
What happened nextThe rate increase was granted. Attorney Riggs drafted a new three-year agreement carrying rates increased for the last two years of CPI plus the higher Red Wing landfill tipping fees, and the council approved it on June 13 2023 on a motion by Henke seconded by Bailey, carried 4-0-0. The cycle then repeated exactly: that agreement expired June 30 2026 and a new three-year agreement with increased rates was approved August 6 2026, motion by Bailey seconded by Gard, carried 4-0-0.
6.13.23 and 8-6-26 Council Packets · taken up again 2023-06-13
This Software would take the place of timecards. Further action on this item may need to wait until the new finance director starts.
Review of payroll service quotes carried over from the March 28 work session.
What happened nextThe item was formally tabled on May 9 2023 until the new finance director started so she could be involved, and Kelly Perry started on May 15 2023. The decision then moved to a second quote round in August 2023 with a staff recommendation for Paycom, which is where the paper trail on a selection stops.
5.9.23 Council Packet and KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2023-08-08
Dionate Davis of Paylocity reviewed automated timecards and the features of Paylocity's software. He stated that Paylocity would provide the City with a quote for payroll processing.
Paylocity presented automated timecard and payroll software features at the work session.
Answered from our recordsPaylocity delivered its quote at $5,758 a year plus $1,000 one time, the lowest annual price in the August 2023 field of four and below Paycom at $6,515, Paychex at $6,540 and ADP at $8,250. Paylocity was not selected; staff recommended Paycom instead.
KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2023-08-08
He would also contact the companies that had submitted payroll proposals. Discussion would continue at the April 11 Council meeting.
No decision was made at the March 28 work session on selecting a payroll service.
Partly answeredRound one of the payroll procurement was deferred with no award. A second round in August 2023 drew Paychex at $6,540 plus $1,650, Paycom at $6,515 plus $2,100, ADP at $8,250 and Paylocity at $5,758 plus $1,000, and staff recommended Paycom, but no award motion appears in our record.
KENYON_BIDS.md
Administrator Vahlsing stated that he would contact other cities that use automated payroll software. He would also contact the companies that had submitted payroll proposals.
Follow-up on the three payroll processing quotes received.
What happened nextThe vendors were contacted and all of them revised their numbers. The May 2023 packet carries four revised documents, an ADP proposal for the city, a separate ADP proposal for KMU, a Paychex proposal and a Paylocity proposal, and Vahlsing presented them as updated quotes and revised proposals. The council then tabled the decision so the incoming finance director could take part.
4.11.23 and 5.9.23 Council Packets · taken up again 2023-05-09
Further Discussion and Possible Approval of Payroll Processing Proposal The Council discussed further options for automated payroll. Administrator Vahlsing stated that he would contact other cities that use automated payroll software.
Council wanted more information before choosing a payroll processing vendor.
Partly answeredNo reference from any comparable city appears in anything we hold, so whether the calls were made cannot be confirmed. What did come back a month later were updated quotes and revised proposals from the vendors, after which the item was tabled until the new finance director started. Written feedback from peer cities would settle it.
4.11.23 and 5.9.23 Council Packets · taken up again 2023-05-09
For the time being, public works is actively managing high flows at the WW plant. Final costs associated with the release are not yet known.
Repair of the broken forcemain and response to the release.
We hold no dataNo contractor invoices or cost tally for the April 2023 wastewater release are in our archive. The bid record carries no forcemain repair entry for 2023.
KENYON_BIDS.md · would settle it: Contractor invoices and a total cost tally for the repair and response
What's Next As of the date of this letter, we are awaiting further correspondence from the MPCA. We are expecting some form of violation notice from the MPCA.
A broken 8" forcemain released untreated wastewater into the TH 60 ditch and Pearl Creek on April 2.
Partly answeredNo MPCA notice, fine or compliance order appears in anything we hold. The last thing the record says is Public Works Director Ehrich's May 9 2023 report that further correspondence would likely arrive within 60 days, and nothing after that reports what came. The MPCA letter itself would settle whether the city was fined or put under a mandated investigation.
4.11.23 and 5.9.23 Council Packets · taken up again 2023-05-09
Approve Request for Liquor at Depot Park – Savannah Bleess, May 20, 2023 Motion by Helgeson, second by Bailey to approve the liquor request for Savannah Bleess in Depot Park. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Doug Henke was listed absent and other votes that night were recorded 4-0-0 or 3-0-0.
Partly answeredThe 5-0-0 line looks like a template rather than a count. The identical formula appears on the two other Depot Park liquor requests in the record, for Amanda Hollund and James Wagner on June 22 2024 and for Colin Lambert on July 13 2024, each moved by Helgeson and each recorded as carried 5-0-0. With Henke absent and the night's other votes recorded as 4-0-0 and 3-0-0, the tally cannot be right as written. Corrected minutes or the meeting recording would settle the actual count.
The minutes record a 5-0-0 vote on the Bleess liquor request although only four council members were present, and other votes the same night are recorded as 4-0-0 and 3-0-0.
4.11.23 Council Packet Agenda; 6.11.24 Council Packet and Agenda; 7.9.24 Council Packet Agenda
Negotiations with all property owners for easements will continue. 2023 Project Cost Estimate Update – George Eilertson – Northland Public Finance George Eilertson reviewed the options of issuing bonds showing the different scenarios to finance the future sewer capital and street improvements.
Eilertson walked through different bond issuance scenarios while the engineer reported costs will rise.
At the meetingCouncil adopted Resolution 2023-05 approving a street reconstruction plan and authorizing issuance of GO street reconstruction bonds, 4-0-0.
What happened nextThe bonds sold at a 3.93 percent interest rate on a 15-year term, reported to the council in the 8.8.23 packet. As part of the sale Standard and Poor's reviewed the city's financial standing and confirmed its A plus rating. The scenario handout and the final par amount of the issue are not in our holdings, since the packet notes the final amounts would be provided at the meeting.
8.8.23 Council Packet Agenda; 7-11-23 Council Packet · taken up again 2023-08-08
Boulevard of Roses – Wayne Ehrich Public Works Director Wayne Ehrich informed the council of their plan to make a switch from tree roses to scrub roses in the boulevard.
Added to the agenda as New Business item E, Boulevard of Roses.
At the meetingCouncil received the information without recorded action.
Partly answeredThe switch was reported to the council as a public works plan, added to the agenda as New Business item E, and received no vote, no planting plan and no cost figure. Nothing in our records shows how many roses were replaced or what was spent. The one later signal is the July 14 2026 citizen letter concerning the boulevard roses, which shows the plantings remained a live subject three years on.
4.11.23 Council Packet Agenda; 7.14.26 Council Packet Updated
The current tree roses have been discontinued. The scrub roses would be hardier, cheaper, and wouldn't need to be buried in the winter.
Informing council of a plan to switch the Boulevard of Roses plantings.
At the meetingCouncil was informed; no vote recorded.
Partly answeredNo nursery availability or pricing for either rose type is in our holdings, so the claims that tree roses are discontinued and that scrub roses cost less are unverified. The only later trace of the Boulevard of Roses in the record is a citizen letter about the boulevard roses that Council Member Sjolander acknowledged on July 14 2026. Nursery quotes for both varieties would settle it.
4.11.23 Council Packet Agenda; 7.14.26 Council Packet Updated
The property owner has until April to get the cleanup completed. 2023 Agreement with Luis Tellez – Taco Express City Administrator Vahlsing stated that Luis Tellez, owner of Taco Express has submitted the Annual Lease Agreement for his mobile food truck to operate on city owned space directly east of the Municipal Liquor Store. Vahlsing recommended increasing the agreement amount by $30 for a lease amount of $430 for 2023.
Annual lease agreement with Luis Tellez of Taco Express for city-owned space east of the Municipal Liquor Store.
At the meetingCouncil approved the 2023 agreement at $430.00, 4-0-0.
What happened nextThe 2023 lease was approved at $430.00, 4-0-0, up from $400 the prior year. The arrangement was then ended: in April 2025 Administrator Lehner recommended not renewing, citing the perception of the city renting space to a food vendor for a minimal fee while other food businesses own their lots and pay taxes, and Liquor Store plans for the patio area, and the council followed the staff recommendation. Taco Express had rented the grassy lot beside the Muni each summer since 2007.
4.11.23 Council Packet Agenda; 4-8-25 council packet; 3-11-25 council packet (1) · taken up again 2025-04-08
NEW BUSINESS Review Quotes for Payroll Services Administrator Vahlsing presented options for contracting payroll processing for the city. Three quotes were received for payroll processing.
Presenting options for contracting out payroll processing.
At the meetingNo quote amounts or vendor names other than Abdo were stated.
Answered from our recordsThe three March 2023 payroll quotes were Paychex at $7,655, ADP at $5,032 and Abdo at $20,820 plus a $9,500 one-time charge, and the council deferred rather than awarding. A second round in August 2023 drew Paychex at $6,540 plus $1,650, Paycom at $6,515 plus $2,100, ADP at $8,250 and Paylocity at $5,758 plus $1,000, with staff recommending Paycom and no award recorded.
factbook KENYON_BIDS.md
OLD BUSINESS City Hall Roof Replacement Administrator Vahlsing reviewed the City Hall roof replacement that was discussed at the September 2022 council meeting. Vahlsing requested council approval to replace the roof with 50-year steel for $53,000.
Request for approval of the roof replacement first discussed in September 2022.
At the meetingCouncil approved the $53,000 amount pending the KMU interfund loan.
Partly answeredThe $53,000 was approved 4-0-0 on a single unnamed quote with no competitive process in the record, and the loan that funded it was repaid in August 2024 with $4,979 in interest saved. By contrast the city took three quotes on the Muni roof a year later and awarded Chandler Roofing at $40,640 over an L and M quote that also stood at $53,000. The written City Hall roof quote is not in our holdings.
4.11.23 Council Packet Agenda; factbook KENYON_BIDS.md; 2.13.24 Council Packet and Agenda
Also, recent soil borings indicated that bedrock depths are shallower that originally thought. 2023 Street Improvement Summary No public comments were received at the public hearing.
Cited as one reason project costs will exceed prior estimates.
At the meetingStated without a supporting document at the meeting.
Partly answeredNo geotechnical boring report for the Pearl Creek corridor is in our holdings, so the shallow bedrock finding rests on the engineer's statement alone. The project went ahead on that basis, with the contractor starting in October 2023 after a September start slipped. The boring logs in the project manual would settle it.
4.11.23 Council Packet Agenda; 9.12.23 Council Packet Agenda; 10.10.23 Council Packet
Community offenses decreased from 39 in 2021 to 19 in 2022. Two-thirds of the base fine is remitted back to the city of Kenyon, which amounted to $11,989.04 for 2022.
Revenue portion of the annual municipal prosecution report.
At the meetingPresented as part of the annual report.
Partly answeredIf two-thirds of base fines returned $11,989.04, total base fines for 2022 were about $17,983.56. Set against prosecution cost, the remittance does not cover the service: at the $1,400 monthly retainer the prosecutor was paid $16,800 a year, and the requested $1,500 would make it $18,000, so the city nets a loss of roughly $4,811 at the old rate. The city fine revenue ledger and the statutory fine distribution schedule would confirm the split.
4.11.23 Council Packet Agenda; 1-14-25 council packet (1)
When compared to 2021, the number of prosecuted traffic offenses decreased by 71%. Community offenses decreased from 39 in 2021 to 19 in 2022.
Annual prosecution report comparison of community offense counts.
At the meetingPresented as part of the annual report.
Partly answeredThe stated drop from 39 to 19 community offenses is a decline of 51.3 percent, and 19 of 55 cases makes community offenses 34.5 percent of the 2022 caseload. Added to the 65 percent reported as traffic, that accounts for 99.5 percent of the year's cases, leaving essentially no other category. The prosecutor's case log by year would settle whether the categories are exhaustive.
4.11.23 Council Packet Agenda
He noted that 65% of the offenses were traffic violations. When compared to 2021, the number of prosecuted traffic offenses decreased by 71%.
Breakdown of offense types in the annual prosecution report.
At the meetingPresented as part of the annual report.
Partly answeredThe two percentages do not sit together with the other figures in the same report. Sixty-five percent of 55 cases is about 36 traffic offenses in 2022, and a 71 percent decrease puts 2021 traffic at about 124, but the report also gives 159 total cases and 39 community offenses for 2021, leaving only about 120 for everything else. The numbers overshoot by roughly four cases, so at least one of them is approximate. The prosecutor's case-type tabulation for both years would settle it.
The report's own figures are mutually inconsistent: a 71 percent drop in traffic cases implies about 124 traffic offenses in 2021, more than the 120 non-community cases the same report's totals allow.
4.11.23 Council Packet Agenda
Attorney Jacobsen reported that the number of prosecuted offenses were down for 2022. He prosecuted 55 cases from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022, which was down 104 from 2021.
Annual municipal prosecution report for 2022.
At the meetingPresented as part of the annual report.
Partly answeredThe claim implies 159 prosecuted cases in 2021 falling to 55 in 2022, a decline of 65.4 percent. Nothing in our records independently verifies either count, and the prosecutor's own later fee request cuts the other way, asking in January 2025 to raise the retainer from $1,400 to $1,500 a month on the grounds of increased volume of reports, arrests, citations and overall prosecuted offenses. The written prosecution report and court case counts would settle it.
4.11.23 Council Packet Agenda; 1-14-25 council packet (1)
Update on Finance Director Hiring 10 Administrator Vahlsing stated that 19 applications had been received for the Finance Director position. Seven applicants were scheduled for interviews.
Update on the Finance Director recruitment.
At the meetingOnly the application and interview counts were reported.
Answered from our recordsThe recruitment ended in a hire. Kelly Perry started as Finance Director on May 15 2023.
council/txt/6-10-25_COUNCIL_PACKET_Updated.txt
The property owner has until April to get the cleanup completed. 2023 Agreement with Luis Tellez – Taco Express City Administrator Vahlsing stated that Luis Tellez, owner of Taco Express has submitted the Annual Lease Agreement for his mobile food truck to operate on city owned space directly east of the Municipal Liquor Store.
Snow slowed cleanup; a survey showed the downed tree is on the owner's property and he will clean it up.
At the meetingCouncil received the update; no further action taken.
What happened nextThe April deadline passed without resolution. On June 13 2023 the council was still holding discussion on the property abatement enforcement action at 1 Langford Avenue, two months after the cleanup was due. No code enforcement inspection report closing the case is in our holdings.
The owner was given until April 2023 to finish the cleanup, yet the council was still discussing abatement enforcement at the property in June 2023.
6.13.23 Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2023-06-13
Negotiations with all property owners for easements will continue. 2023 Project Cost Estimate Update – George Eilertson – Northland Public Finance George Eilertson reviewed the options of issuing bonds showing the different scenarios to finance the future sewer capital and street improvements.
Extensive easement and grading work will impact the Barrett property and a mutually agreeable infrastructure location may have been reached.
At the meetingOlinger reported a mutually agreeable location on the Barrett property may have been reached.
What happened nextThe easements were negotiated and documented by July 2023. Final easement documents went to all property owners covering 12 parcels across 6 owners, with monetary compensation required for 7 parcels held by 3 owners and total compensation requested of $77,200, most of it for the lift station site. The engineer evaluated the requests against similar projects and found them justified, reasonable and recommended for approval, and the permanent sanitary and storm sewer easement from Jerald L. Barrett and Diane K. Barrett in favor of the city appears in the same packet.
7-11-23 Council Packet · taken up again 2023-07-11
City Engineer Olinger stated that the project costs are 9 expected to come in higher than previously expected due to the underestimated cost of the lift station and the segment of sanitary sewer needed to cross Pearl Creek.
Olinger said the lift station and the sanitary sewer crossing of Pearl Creek were underestimated and borings showed shallower bedrock.
At the meetingNo revised dollar amount was given at the meeting.
Partly answeredNo revised estimate for the lift station or the Pearl Creek crossing was ever put before the council in anything we hold. What the record does show is the eventual bid outcome, with BCM Construction awarded the Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer and Gates Avenue contract at $1,241,494.22 on June 13 2023 against an engineer's estimate of $1,536,065, or 19.2 percent under. Whether that estimate already carried the warned increase cannot be determined from our data.
factbook KENYON_BIDS.md; 4.11.23 Council Packet Agenda
He suggested scheduling a work session to have Abdo present their services and explain how the process would work. A work session was scheduled for Tuesday, March 28 at 5:00.
Three payroll processing quotes were received and the administrator wanted a vendor presentation before a decision.
At the meetingA work session was set for Tuesday, March 28 at 5:00 p.m.
What happened nextThe work session was set for Tuesday March 28 2023 at 5:00 p.m., and the decision it was meant to produce never came. By the 5.9.23 packet the item was tabled until the new Finance Director started so she could be involved, the March 2023 round closed with no award, a second round in August 2023 ended with a staff recommendation for Paycom and no award in the record, and the work eventually sat with Abdo. Abdo's payroll piece for 2027 is $25,800, roughly five times the $5,032 a year ADP quoted in 2023.
5.9.23 Council Packet and Agenda; factbook KENYON_BIDS.md and contracted finance section · taken up again 2023-05-09
Motion by Bailey second by Helgeson to proceed with replacing the roof of City Hall with 50-year steel for $53,000 pending KMU approval of an interfund loan from the electric fund.
Council voted to proceed with the roof but conditioned it on the utility approving the interfund loan.
At the meetingMotion carried 4-0-0 with the KMU condition attached.
What happened nextKMU approved the interfund loan and the city later retired it early. On August 20 2024 the council approved the payoff of the $53,000 City Hall roof loan to KMU on a motion by Helgeson seconded by Ryan, carried 4-0-0, with stated interest savings of $4,979. The city's fund records also show other interfund loans from the electric fund, one to the water fund from 2021 and one to the EDA. The KMU board minutes approving the loan and its terms are not in our holdings.
8-20-24 AGENDA; 12.2.25 Special Council Meeting · taken up again 2024-08-20
CITIZEN COMMENT Briana Jensen addressed the city council on the benefits of chickens and requested to be added to the agenda in April for consideration of allowing chickens in the city.
During citizen comment she spoke on the benefits of chickens and asked for a future agenda slot.
Partly answeredJensen's request never produced an agenda item or a draft ordinance in anything we hold. The same question returned two years later, when Bailey Ament asked at the April 8 2025 meeting what the process was for allowing chickens in residential areas for homeschool instruction and a 4-H project, and asked to be placed on the May agenda. Staff then pulled Jensen's March 14 2023 comment into the May 2025 packet as background, which shows the 2023 request was never acted on.
5-13-25 council packet updated; 4.11.23 Council Packet Agenda · taken up again 2025-05-13
Rates will need to increase 8% (from 2023 current rates) by 2032 to cover cash expenses. Units Total Residential $10.90 706 $7,693 Non-Residential $21.80 141 $3,073 Multi-Unit $5.45 12 $65 Monthly Total $10,831 Annual Total $130,000 Additional rate increases will be needed to fund deprecation expense and capital outlay 2046 RC 18- Capital Improvement Plan and Debt Service Capital Improvement Projects Use and Source of Funds Use of Funds Source of Funds Street Total Project Street Improvemen Water Plus Cost of
Stormwater fund section of the capital and debt planning presentation.
What happened nextStormwater rates rose far beyond the 8% projection. The residential maintenance fee went from $4.03 a month in 2023 to $9.00 for 2024 and $13.00 for 2025, an increase of about 223% in two years. The projection itself does not hold together, because the rate table it rests on assumes $10.90 a month from 706 residential units to raise about $130,000 a year against $128,000 of expenses, a level an 8% increase on $4.03 could never reach. New stormwater bond debt service was projected to average about $60,000 a year between 2026 and 2043.
The presentation said an 8% increase from 2023 rates would suffice by 2032, while its own rate table assumed $10.90 a month against an actual 2023 residential fee of $4.03.
3.14.23 Updated Council Packet Agenda; 1-9-24 agenda; 3-11-25 council packet · taken up again 2025-03-11
Current Bill = ~$47/mo. 2032 Bill = ~$58/mo. (formerly $55/mo.)
Capital and debt planning presentation on funding sewer improvements.
What happened nextThe rates moved far faster than the 2032 projection. The baseline checks out, since the 2023 sanitary rate of $6.61 per thousand gallons plus a $23.44 base gives $46.58 a month on 3,500 gallons. By January 2024 the city had gone to $7.40 and $26.25, and for 2025 to $7.77 and $27.57, which puts the same bill at $54.77. That is 94% of the way to the $58 figure projected for 2032, reached in two years rather than nine.
Base and user rates were projected to rise about 27% and 23% by 2032, and each rose roughly 17% within two years.
1-9-24 agenda; 3-11-25 council packet · taken up again 2025-03-11
Total Prosecuted Offenses: 55 Traffic Offenses Of these offenses, thirty-three (36) or consist of traffic offenses.
Caseload figures in the 2022 prosecution report, which contains internally inconsistent counts.
Answered from our recordsThe correct traffic count is 36 and the written-out thirty-three is a typographical error. Thirty-six traffic offenses plus 19 community offenses equals the reported 55 total, while 33 plus 19 gives 52, and Jacobsen told the council 65% of offenses were traffic, which on 55 cases is 35.75. The disposition figures are also sound: 7 open cases out of 55 is 12.7%, leaving 48 disposed, or 87.3%, so the 87 and 12 do not sum to 100 only because each is rounded.
The report writes thirty-three where its own totals and the 65% traffic share both require 36.
3.14.23 Updated Council Packet Agenda; 4.11.23 Council Packet Agenda
The total fine revenue for 2022 was $33,428.39 with $11,989.04 remitted back to the City of Kenyon. This is a significant increase from just under $7,000 in 2021.
Fine revenue section of the 2022 annual prosecution report.
Partly answeredWe hold no city ledger of court fine receipts for either year, so the figures rest on the prosecutor's report alone. They are internally coherent: the city's $11,989.04 is 35.9% of the $33,428.39 total, which fits a statute giving Kenyon two-thirds of the base fine only while the $75 court surcharge, the $13 library fee and the county and state shares go elsewhere. The rise from just under $7,000 is about 71%. The city's revenue account for court fines would confirm the receipts.
3.14.23 Updated Council Packet Agenda; 4.11.23 Council Packet Agenda
The Kenyon Police Department would be able to provide the number of citations issued for payable offenses in the City of Kenyon.
The 2022 prosecution report excludes payable citations paid in lieu of a court appearance, unlike the 2021 report.
We hold no dataNo citation count for payable offenses appears in our record, and no later council passage reports that the police department supplied one. The gap matters for reading the caseload numbers, because the 2022 prosecution report excludes payable citations paid in lieu of a court appearance and also excludes roughly 10 to 15 matters reviewed without charges, while the 2021 report likely included all citations. A police citation report for 2021 and 2022 would make the two years comparable.
3.14.23 Updated Council Packet Agenda · would settle it: A citation count report from the police department
In 2022 the Taco Express paid $400 in seasonal rent. Staff would recommend an increase in rent to $430 in 2023.
Conflicting rent figures between the agenda summary and the attached lease.
What happened nextThe executed figure is $430.00, which is what the council approved on April 11 2023 as a $30 increase over the 2022 rent. The draft lease is doubly wrong, since its consideration clause reads four hundred dollars written out against a numeral of $425.00, so the words and the number disagree with each other as well as with the staff recommendation.
The draft lease states four hundred dollars in words and $425.00 in figures, and the council approved $430.00.
3.14.23 Updated Council Packet Agenda; 4.11.23 Council Packet Agenda · taken up again 2023-04-11
VIII.B Agenda Item Summary CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM REPORT DATE: March 14, 2023 SUBMITTED BY: Mark Vahlsing, Administration ITEM TYPE: Legal AGENDA SECTION: LEGAL SUBJECT: 2023 Agreement with Luis Tellez - Taco Express SUGGESTED ACTION: Mr. Tellez is again seeking Council approval to lease City owned land east of the Muni to operate a food trailer.
Renewal of the prior limited use agreement for a mobile food unit on the vacant lot by the municipal liquor store.
What happened nextThe 2023 lease was approved 4-0-0 on April 11 2023 at $430, up $30 from the $400 Taco Express paid in 2022, and the city also received a schedule of operating dates. The arrangement ended two years later: on March 11 2025 the council followed a staff recommendation not to renew, citing the perception of renting to a food vendor for a minimal fee while other food businesses own their lots and pay taxes, and liquor store plans for the patio area.
4.11.23 Council Packet Agenda; 4-8-25 council packet, minutes of March 11 2025 · taken up again 2025-03-11
We have received an updated written quote from L&M which is attached below. -50-year steel $53,000 * At the September meeting the Council concurred with the staff recommendation of the 50-year steel option. Financing for the project could be provided through an interfund loan with KMU.
Proposed funding mechanism for the roof project.
We hold no dataNo interfund loan agreement with Kenyon Municipal Utilities for the city hall roof is in our archive. The only interfund loan our record carries is Resolution 2026-20, tied to the Rebound tax increment district adopted June 30 2026.
KENYON_DATA_IN_MEETINGS.md · would settle it: An approved interfund loan agreement with KMU terms
-50-year steel $53,000 *
Discrepancy between the agenda summary figure and the written estimate.
Partly answeredNothing in our record reconciles the $200 difference between the $53,000 staff summary figure and the $53,200 written quote. The figure the city carried forward was $53,000, which is the amount later recorded as the loan balance from Kenyon Municipal Utilities. When the city re-roofed the Municipal Liquor Store the following year it gathered three quotes and took Chandler Roofing at $40,640 rather than an L&M figure of $53,000. The signed L&M quote would settle the City Hall number.
3.14.23 Updated Council Packet Agenda; 3.12.24 Council Packet Agenda; factbook KENYON_BIDS.md
He also concurs that it needs to be replaced. L&M patched portions of the roof where needed but cannot schedule the replacement project until 2023.
Item carried from the September 13, 2022 discussion; the roof was damaged in June 2022 storms and found in poor condition.
What happened nextThe council acted two months later. On April 11 2023 it voted 4-0-0 to replace the City Hall roof with 50-year steel for $53,000, contingent on Kenyon Municipal Utilities approving an interfund loan from the electric fund. The roof had been inspected after June 2022 storm damage, confirmed as needing replacement by Josh Lerfeld of L&M Construction, and patched in the interim. We hold no construction schedule or completion record.
4.11.23 Council Packet Agenda · taken up again 2023-04-11
Administrator Vahlsing stated that Prosecuting Attorney Jacobson requested a $100 monthly increase to their contract effective January 1, 2023. The annual cost would increase from $12,600 to $13,800.
Stated in support of the Jacobson Law fee increase request.
At the meetingCouncil approved the increase.
Answered from our recordsThe figures reconcile exactly: $100 a month is $1,200 a year, and $12,600 plus $1,200 is $13,800. The next year's $250 a month added $3,000, taking the contract to $16,800, so the prosecution contract rose 33.3% in two years. We hold no rate schedule from the underlying contract.
3.14.23 Updated Council Packet Agenda; 1-9-24 agenda · taken up again 2024-01-09
Administrator Vahlsing stated that Prosecuting Attorney Jacobson requested a $100 monthly increase to their contract effective January 1, 2023.
Request to raise the annual prosecution contract cost.
At the meetingCouncil approved the $100 per month increase effective January 1, 2023, by a 4-0 vote.
What happened nextThe increase was approved 4-0-0 by roll call, taking the criminal prosecution contract from $12,600 to $13,800 a year effective January 1 2023. Jacobson came back a year later asking for $250 a month more, approved 4-0-0 on January 9 2024, which lifted the annual cost to $16,800, and a further request was on the January 14 2025 agenda. We hold no amended contract document for any of the three steps.
3.14.23 Updated Council Packet Agenda; 1-9-24 agenda; 1-14-25 council packet · taken up again 2024-01-09
City Council Meeting: Tuesday, March 14th @ 7 p.m. Board of Appeal & Equalization: Thursday, April 20th @ 5:00 p.m.
Two different start times appear in the same set of minutes for the April 20 meeting.
What happened nextThe operative time was 5:00 p.m. Both the April 11 2023 and May 9 2023 schedules of upcoming meetings list the Board of Appeal and Equalization for Thursday April 20 at 5:00 p.m., and the May 9 minutes state the meeting was held by the Goodhue County Assessor's Office on April 20 in the council chambers at 5:00 pm. The 6:00 pm figure in the discussion item is wrong.
The same minutes give two different start times for the April 20 2023 board meeting, and the 5:00 p.m. figure is the one confirmed by the later record.
4.11.23 Council Packet Agenda; 5.9.23 Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2023-05-09
The City of Kenyon no longer has any trained council members, so the County will conduct an open book meeting instead of this meeting being run by the city.
Explanation for why Goodhue County will conduct an open book meeting instead.
Answered from our recordsThe claim holds and the condition has persisted. Kenyon handed valuation review to Goodhue County in 2023 because no council member holds the training the statute requires, and the Assessor's office has run the Board of Appeal as an open book ever since, with the county committing to serve for at least three years. We hold no county roster naming which members, if any, once held the certification.
factbook KENYON_DATA_IN_MEETINGS.md; 5.9.23 Council Packet and Agenda
The City of Kenyon no longer has any trained council members, so the County will conduct an open book meeting instead of this meeting being run by the city. In the future, the council may need to decide if they want to continue with the open book concept.
Kenyon has no trained council members, so the County will run an open book meeting instead of a city-run board.
At the meetingNo decision was made for this year; the County will conduct the open book meeting.
What happened nextThe open book arrangement was locked in rather than revisited. Mayor Henke reported on May 9 2023 that the Goodhue County Assessor's Office would serve as the Board of Appeal and Equalization for at least the next three years, and the April 2024 meeting schedules still list the board as run by the county on an open book basis. The city has held no board of its own since 2023 because no council member holds the required training.
5.9.23 Council Packet and Agenda; 4.9.24 Council Packet Agenda; factbook KENYON_DATA_IN_MEETINGS.md · taken up again 2023-05-09
Kenyon PD Body Worn Camera Policy Chief Sjoblom reviewed the proposed body worn camera policy. The police department is looking at options for the purchase of the cameras.
Council adopted the body worn camera policy but the equipment purchase is undecided.
At the meetingPolicy #234 was adopted 4-0; no purchase decision was made.
What happened nextThe purchase was settled six months later. On August 8 2023 the council approved Motorola body cameras at $16,038 in the first year plus $5,488 annually for four more, a total of $37,990, with a $12,600 Snow Drifters club donation applied against the first year. Policy #234 had been adopted 4-0-0 by roll call in February. The cameras were up and running by December 2023.
9.12.23 Council Packet Agenda, minutes of August 8 2023 · taken up again 2023-08-08
The City Administrator is authorized and directed to KE200\204\855423.v1 9 cause notice of the hearing to be published in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A not less than ten (10) nor more than twenty-eight (28) days prior to the date of the hearing. 2.03.
Statutory notice requirement for the bond public hearing.
Answered from our recordsPublication on March 1 2023 sits 13 days before the March 14 2023 hearing, inside the 10 to 28 day window the statute and the resolution require, and the adopting resolution recites that the notice ran in the city's official newspaper within that window. Kenyon's official newspaper is the Kenyon Leader, owned by APG Media of Southern Minnesota, whose paid circulation has fallen from 2,866 to 416. A city website cannot substitute for that publication except under Minnesota Statutes 331A.03, 331A.10 and 331A.12.
3.14.23 Updated Council Packet Agenda; factbook APG files and CITY_WEBSITE_LAWS.md · taken up again 2023-03-14
As required by the Act, a public hearing on the Plan and the issuance of the Bonds to finance the cost of street reconstruction activities described therein will be conducted at City Hall on March 14, 2023, commencing at 7:00 P.M.
State law requires the hearing before street reconstruction bonds can be issued.
At the meetingCouncil adopted the resolution calling the hearing.
What happened nextThe hearing was held as called. The March 14 2023 resolution recites that on that date the council held a public hearing on the street reconstruction plan and the issuance of the bonds, after publication in the city's official newspaper at least 10 days but not more than 28 days beforehand. We hold no separate affidavit of publication and no transcript of public comment from the hearing.
3.14.23 Updated Council Packet Agenda · taken up again 2023-03-14
As provided in the Act, the Bonds, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $650,000, will not be issued without the approval of a majority of the voters at a special election if within thirty (30) days after approval of the Plan and authorization of the issuance of the Bonds, a petition requesting such an election signed by a number of voters equal to five percent (5%) of the votes cast in the last previous City general election, is filed with the City Administrator.
Council adopted Resolution 2023-04 calling the public hearing on the street reconstruction plan and bonds.
At the meetingResolution 2023-04 was adopted 3-0.
Partly answeredNo confirmation from the city administrator that a qualified petition was or was not filed appears in our record, and no special election on the bonds appears anywhere in the later minutes. The threshold is 5% of votes cast in the last previous city general election, filed within 30 days after the March 14 2023 hearing, under Minnesota Statutes section 475.58 subdivision 3b. A statement of the petition count or the bond closing documents would settle it.
3.14.23 Updated Council Packet Agenda
Component Original Estimate Updated Estimate Change Sewer Project $1,395,000 $1,885,000 +$490,000 Water Project $127,000 $190,000 +$63,000 Utility Total $1,522,000 $2,075,000 +553,000 Street Project $514,000 514,000 No Change Overall Total $2,036,000 $2,589,000 +$553,000 The original sewer project estimate was completed in summer 2022.
Cost estimate update attributed to lift station pricing, the Pearl Creek crossing, shallow bedrock, and contractor pricing.
What happened nextThe revised estimate is internally consistent, with sewer up $490,000 and water up $63,000 summing to the $553,000 utility increase and the street project unchanged at $514,000. It also proved conservative: the June 2023 bids for the sewer and street work came in at $1,692,188.17 combined, well under the $2,589,000 estimate. We hold neither the contractor pricing information nor the soil boring report behind the increase.
3.14.23 Updated Council Packet Agenda; 6.13.23 Council Packet and Agenda; factbook KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2023-06-13
Ultimately, the final cost of the project used for the bond sale will be determined after bids are received this spring.
Updated estimates raised the sewer and water project costs, so final figures await bidding.
What happened nextBids opened June 8 2023, three on each project, and came in well below the estimates. The Pearl Creek sanitary sewer went to BCM Construction at $1,241,494.22 against a $1,536,065 estimate and the 2023 street work to Bituminous Materials Inc at $450,693.95 against $547,705. Together the low bids total $1,692,188.17, roughly $897,000 under the $2,589,000 updated estimate that had alarmed the council in February.
6.13.23 Council Packet and Agenda; factbook KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2023-06-13
Currently, easements with property owners are being worked on. 2023 Street Improvements Summary City Engineer Olinger reviewed the draft street reconstruction and overlay plan for 2023-2027.
Construction plans are complete but the project requires easements, including extensive easement and grading work on the Barrett Property at the east end of Pine Street.
At the meetingOlinger reported discussions have been going smoothly and a mutually agreeable location has been reached on the Barrett Property.
Partly answeredNo executed easement agreement appears in our record. The negotiation progressed in stages: surveyors drafted easement descriptions and the city attorney prepared final agreements during March 2023, by April the Barrett property location was described only as possibly agreed with negotiations continuing for all owners, and by May 9 2023 the attorney was still drafting easement agreements while final plans were readied for council approval. The recorded easements would settle it.
3.14.23 Updated Council Packet Agenda; 4.11.23 Council Packet Agenda; 5.9.23 Council Packet and Agenda
OLD BUSINESS Continued discussion on Future of Depot Park Administrator Vahlsing reviewed an estimate from L&M Construction for improvements to the depot park shelter. There would also need to be a few other improvements made to bring the total costs in the range of $25,000.
Review of an estimate from L&M Construction for the depot park shelter.
What happened nextThe work that actually went ahead came in below the $25,000 range. L&M updated its estimate on September 13 2023 and the ten-window Depot building replacement was approved at $21,368.00 on May 14 2024. We hold no itemized list of the additional improvements that were supposed to bring the total to $25,000, and a local cabinet shop separately donated new cabinets for the Depot kitchen area.
12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda; 5-14-24 AGENDA · taken up again 2024-05-14
There would also need to be a few other improvements made to bring the total costs in the range of $25,000. The Park Board recommended repairing the depot and seeking donations to assist with the cost.
Vahlsing reviewed an L&M Construction estimate for depot park shelter improvements.
At the meetingNo motion or decision was recorded on the depot park.
What happened nextThe park board's repair-and-donate approach was carried out. On May 14 2024 the council approved an L&M Construction estimate to replace the ten large windows in the Depot building at $21,368.00, carried 3-0-0, funded by $18,681.46 already sitting in the Depot Building donation fund with the remaining $2,686.54 coming from the park budget. Donations covered 87% of that project.
4.9.24 Council Packet Agenda; 5-14-24 AGENDA · taken up again 2024-05-14
Update Attorney Riggs updated the council on the 1 Langford Avenue nuisance. A citation was issued on January 10 5 to the property owner and arraignment is scheduled for February 23.
A citation was issued January 10 to the property owner for a nuisance property violation.
What happened nextNo court disposition from the February 23 arraignment appears in our record, but the enforcement thread continued. By April 11 2023 the owner had surveyed the property, established that the downed tree was on his land and agreed to clear it, with snow slowing the work and an April deadline set. On June 13 2023 the council was still discussing abatement enforcement at 1 Langford Avenue. The Goodhue County District Court file would give the disposition.
4.11.23 Council Packet Agenda; 6.13.23 Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2023-06-13
The council was in consensus to continue with the current hauler. Vahlsing will contact the current hauler concerning our desire to extend their contract.
The current solid waste hauling agreement expires June 30, 2023 and the council chose extension over advertising for quotes.
At the meetingCouncil was in consensus to continue with the current hauler rather than seek quotes.
What happened nextThe extension was negotiated and signed. Flom Disposal wrote asking for a rate increase effective at the end of June, the council agreed in May 2023, and Attorney Riggs drafted a new three-year agreement with rates raised on the basis of two years of consumer price index increases and higher tipping fees at the Red Wing landfill. The council approved it 4-0-0 on June 13 2023, and that term ran to June 30 2026.
5.9.23 Council Packet and Agenda; 6.13.23 Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2023-06-13
George Eilertson presented an update to the Capital Improvement Financial Management Plan based on Bolton & Menk's 2022 infrastructure management plan updates.
Northland Securities presented an update to the plan based on Bolton & Menk's 2022 infrastructure management plan updates.
At the meetingThe work session adjourned with no motion on the plan.
What happened nextThe plan was never adopted and was not meant to be. It is described in every version as intended to serve as a guide for management of the city's capital improvement and replacement plans, and it returned on the same footing in May 2025 and again in March 2026 with no adopting motion in our record.
5-13-25 council packet updated; 3-10-26 Council Packet Updated · taken up again 2026-03-10
The Financial Management plan focused on the impact of the infrastructure projects on the tax levy and utility rates.
The Financial Management Plan focused on how the infrastructure projects would affect the levy and utility rates.
Partly answeredThe Northland presentation figures are not in our holdings, but the realized impact is. The certified city tax rate rose from 79.3028 percent of net tax capacity in 2025 to 84.6822 percent in 2026, and that rise came almost entirely from debt, since the bond rate rose 35.91 percent while the general rate fell 0.38 percent. The certified 2026 levy is $1,528,541, up 9.18 percent.
factbook taxes/data/kenyon_tax.json and taxes/levy.html
Engineer Olinger stated that cost estimates were applied to all the projects so capital improvement projects can be selected in order of importance.
Stated as the basis for being able to prioritize capital improvement projects.
Partly answeredThe Infrastructure Management Study project list with its per-project cost estimates is not in our holdings. What the record establishes is that the estimates were rebuilt twice more, on Bolton & Menk's 2022 plan update and again on the 2025 update presented in May 2025 and March 2026. The study's own project-by-project cost table is what is missing.
3.14.23 Updated Council Packet & Agenda; 3-10-26 Council Packet Updated
Engineer Olinger stated that cost estimates were applied to all the projects so capital improvement projects can be selected in order of importance.
Olinger explained during the Financial Management Plan presentation that estimates exist for every project so prioritization can proceed.
At the meetingNo projects were selected at the work session.
Partly answeredNo ranked capital project list ever reaches a council vote in our record. The financial management plan was prepared in 2021 on the 2020 Infrastructure Management Plan, updated in 2023 on the 2022 plan, again in May 2025 and again in March 2026 on the 2025 plan, each time presented as a guide rather than adopted as a priority order. Projects instead advanced one at a time, Pearl Creek at $1,241,494.22 in 2023 and the street and utility work at $2,294,629.25 in 2025.
3.14.23 and 3-10-26 Council Packets; factbook KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2026-03-10
Change City Signatories at Security State Bank of Kenyon Administrator Vahlsing stated that Council approval was needed to change signatories on the City account at the Security State Bank of Kenyon Motion by Henke second by Bailey to change the signatories on the City of Kenyon account at the Security State Bank of Kenyon, deleting Dan Rechtzigel and adding Molly Ryan.
Council approval was needed to update bank account signatories after the change in council membership.
At the meetingMotion carried 5-0.
What happened nextThe signature card was changed 5-0-0 by roll call, deleting Dan Rechtzigel and adding Molly Ryan, and the list has turned over twice since. On January 14 2025 the council added Scott Lehner and Mary Bailey and removed Douglas Henke and Molly Ryan, and on June 10 2025 it added Randy Eggert, James Malloy and Jerry Houglum. The bank's signature card itself is not in our holdings.
1-14-25 council packet / 6-10-25 COUNCIL PACKET Updated · taken up again 2025-06-10
Proposed 8% Increase to Sanitary Sewer Rates Administrator Vahlsing stated that an 8% increase to the 2023 Sanitary Sewer Budget was reviewed at the work session in October 2022.
Background for the sewer rate increase vote.
We hold no dataWe hold no minutes or materials from the October 2022 council work session. The claim that the 8 percent sewer increase was reviewed there rests on the administrator's statement alone. The work session minutes or the budget packet from that session would settle it.
no holding · would settle it: Minutes or materials from the October 2022 council work session
OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS Resolution 2023-02: A Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of 2022 Donations Motion by Bailey second by Helgeson to approve Resolution 2023-02 authorizing the acceptance of the 2022 donations of $23,281.24.
Resolution 2023-02 accepting 2022 donations.
At the meetingCouncil approved acceptance 5-0.
Partly answeredThe council accepted 23,281.24 dollars in 2022 donations by Resolution 2023-02 on a 5-0-0 roll call, but no itemized donation list is in our holdings. The annual acceptance resolution recurs, as Resolution 2024-02 and Resolution 2025-02, so the city treats donations as a standing revenue category. The donation register behind the total would settle who gave what.
2.14.23 Council Packet Agenda
Resolution 2023-01: Establishing License Fees and Compensation Administrator Vahlsing stated that the 2023 fee schedule was unchanged from last year.
Presentation of Resolution 2023-01 establishing license fees and compensation.
Partly answeredWe hold no side by side comparison of the 2022 and 2023 fee schedules, so the claim of no change rests on the administrator's statement. The pattern broke immediately after: the 2024 schedule carried a few increases, and by June 2024 the council had to adopt Resolution 2024-13 because the Sunday on-sale liquor and bad check fees set in January exceeded statutory ceilings of 200 dollars and 30 dollars. The council kept the bad check charge at 45 dollars and changed only the wording.
6.11.24 Council Packet and Agenda / 2.13.24 Council Packet and Agenda
This increase would raise the hourly base rate for general civil and prosecution matters from $180.00 to $188.00 an hour. The other associated rates would also increase $9.50 to $14.00 per hour.
Presentation of Kennedy & Graven 2023 rates.
What happened nextThe 2023 rates were superseded a year later by a bigger increase. The 2024 schedule set 196 dollars an hour for general civil and prosecution, 231 dollars for litigation, development, real estate, telecommunications and employment matters, and 276 dollars for pass through matters billed back to developers, approved 5-0-0 on February 13 2024. The base rate rose from 180 to 196 dollars across the two years, 8.9 percent.
1-9-24 agenda / 2.13.24 Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2024-02-13
CITIZEN COMMENT Goodhue County Commissioner, Todd Greseth, gave an update on what's happening in the County. The County levy was finalized at a 4.69% increase for 2023.
County update given during citizen comment.
We hold no dataWe hold no Goodhue County levy records and cannot verify the 4.69 percent figure. Our tax and levy data covers the city of Kenyon only, including the certified city levy of 1,528,541 dollars for pay 2026. The county board's adopted 2023 levy resolution would settle it.
no holding · would settle it: The adopted Goodhue County 2023 levy resolution
ENGINEERING General Project Update Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer Improvements Engineer Olinger stated that the construction plans for the Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer improvements are about 50% completed.
Engineering project update.
What happened nextDesign finished within two months. By March 14 2023 the Pearl Creek plans were complete with the forcemain route modified for capacity at no increase in project cost, and the contract was awarded to BCM Construction at 1,241,494.22 dollars against a 1,536,065 dollar estimate. Minger bid 1,327,721.90 dollars and Heselton 1,385,155.00 dollars.
The July 11 2023 packet still describes the Pearl Creek plans as complete and ready to advertise for bids although the council had already accepted BCM's bid on June 13 2023.
3.14.23 Updated Council Packet Agenda / KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2023-06-13
Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) – 3 Year Term – Open Park & Recreation – 3 Year Term – Elizabeth Engel Council Member – Kim Helgeson a. Acting Mayor – Molly Ryan b. Legal Newspaper – Kenyon Leader c. Depository – Security State Bank of Kenyon d. City Attorney – Scott Riggs, Kennedy & Graven Chartered e. Prosecuting Attorney – David Jacobsen, Jacobsen Law Firm f. City Engineer – Derek Olinger, Bolton & Menk g. City Auditor – Abdo Eich and Meyers h. Financial Consultant – George Eilertson- Northland
2023 appointments and designations listed HPC as open.
What happened nextThe seat was still empty two years later. The 2025 Appointments and Designations list shows the Historic Preservation Commission as vacant, alongside one vacant Park and Recreation seat, while the EDA, Library Board, Planning Commission and Public Utility Commission all carried named appointees. No candidate for the preservation commission appears anywhere in our records.
1-14-25 council packet · taken up again 2025-01-14
Motion by Ryan second by Bailey to approve the proposed 8% increase to the sanitary sewer rates beginning with the April billing period that begins March 15, 2023.
Council approved the rate increase reviewed at the October 2022 work session.
At the meetingMotion carried 5-0.
What happened nextThe 8 percent increase was approved 5-0-0 by roll call effective with the April billing period beginning March 15 2023, and annual increases have continued since. The December 12 2023 minutes established a four year plan of sewer rate increases, and the city has brought each year separately for approval rather than approving all four at once, with the 2026 schedule presented on April 12 2026.
2.14.23 Council Packet Agenda / 4-12-26 Council packet · taken up again 2026-04-12
Proposed 8% Increase to Sanitary Sewer Rates Administrator Vahlsing stated that an 8% increase to the 2023 Sanitary Sewer Budget was reviewed at the work session in October 2022. An increase to existing sewer rates is necessary due to a projected shortfall.
Justification for the 8% sanitary sewer rate increase.
Partly answeredThe shortfall figure never appears, but the rate path built to close it does. Sanitary sewer went from 6.61 to 7.40 dollars per thousand gallons for 2024 with the residential base from 23.44 to 26.25 dollars a month, then to 7.77 dollars per thousand and a 27.57 dollar base for 2025, while the storm water fee went from 4.03 to 9.00 dollars a month and then to 13.00 dollars. That is a four year plan drawn from the 2021 utility rate study, with each year approved separately. The 2023 sewer budget showing projected revenues against expenses would settle the shortfall amount.
1-9-24 agenda / 3-11-25 council packet
They will begin working with property owners on the needed easements in this area soon. 2023 Street Improvements City Engineer Olinger stated that the design work for this project will begin once the sewer project design is completed sometime this spring.
General project update on the 2023 street improvement schedule.
What happened nextThe 2023 street design followed the sewer design and reached bid by June. Resolution 2023-13 accepting the bid for the 2023 Street Improvement Project was on the June 13 2023 agenda alongside the Pearl Creek bid and a 34,935 dollar chip sealing quote from Corrective Asphalt Materials. The street contract went to Bituminous Materials at 450,693.95 dollars against a 547,705 dollar estimate, 97,011.05 dollars under.
6.13.23 Council Packet and Agenda / KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2023-06-13
Set Council Work Session (January 25 or 26 at 6:00 pm) to Review Infrastructure Management Plan Financial Impacts, George Eilertson – Northland Securities Administrator Vahlsing requested that a work session be scheduled for George Eilertson and the City Engineer to review the estimated financial impacts and payment options for the 10-year Infrastructure management plan.
Vahlsing requested the session; council voted to schedule it.
At the meetingCouncil voted 5-0 to set the work session for Tuesday, January 24 at 6:00 pm.
What happened nextThe work session was set 5-0-0 by roll call for Tuesday January 24 2023 at 6:00 pm and Eilertson presented the financial management plan for capital improvements with the city engineer. It did not produce a new plan document: as of May 2025 Northland's last prepared financial management plan for Kenyon was still the 2021 one, updated that year against Bolton and Menk's 2025 Infrastructure Management Plan.
2.14.23 Council Packet Agenda / 5-13-25 council packet updated · taken up again 2025-05-13
They will begin working with property owners on the needed easements in this area soon. 2023 Street Improvements City Engineer Olinger stated that the design work for this project will begin once the sewer project design is completed sometime this spring.
Project update on Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer Improvements design.
What happened nextEasement work began and centered on one property. By March 14 2023 the construction plans were complete and easements were being worked, and by April 11 2023 the engineer reported an extensive amount of easement and grading work affecting the Barrett property, where a mutually agreeable location for the new infrastructure may have been reached, with negotiations continuing with all owners. The Barrett property was still causing restoration problems at project closeout in early 2025.
4.11.23 Council Packet Agenda · taken up again 2023-04-11
Police Chief Sjoblom stated that a citation has been issued to the property owner and he has 30 days to respond. 2023 Appointments and Designations Economic Development Authority – 4 Year Term – Chris Mallery Council Members – Doug Henke and Mary Bailey Library Board – 3 Year Term – Kevin Anderson, Heidi Haugen Planning Commission – 2 Year Term – Jim Malloy 8 Council Member – Doug Henke Public Utility Commission – 3 Year Term – Jerry Houglum Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) – 3 Year Term – Open
Update on an ongoing nuisance property enforcement matter.
What happened nextThe citation was issued January 10 2023 with arraignment set for February 23. By April 11 2023 snow had slowed the cleanup, the owner had surveyed the property, found the downed tree was on his land and agreed to remove it, and he had until April to finish. Enforcement ran on into June 2023, when a resident told the council he believed the owner had met the conditions of the abatement order.
3.14.23 Updated Council Packet Agenda / 4.11.23 Council Packet Agenda · taken up again 2023-04-11
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Sjolander – Aye, Bailey – Aye, Ryan – Aye, Helgeson - Aye 9 Motion carried 5-0-0. Kennedy & Graven 2023 Rates for Legal Services Attorney Riggs reviewed the rates for legal services for 2023.
Attorney Riggs presented the proposed 2023 rate increase for general civil and prosecution matters.
What happened nextThe 2023 rates took effect without a recorded vote, and the council corrected the practice a year later. The February 2023 minutes record only that Attorney Riggs reviewed the rates, but the January 2024 packet treats 188 dollars an hour as the rate already in force for 2023, and on February 13 2024 the council formally approved the 2024 schedule 5-0-0 on a motion by Henke seconded by Helgeson.
The 2023 increase from 180 to 188 dollars an hour is treated in the 2024 packet as the operative rate even though no council action approving it appears in the record.
2.13.24 Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2024-02-13