The rule
City policy requires two written quotes (or an RFP) from $5,000. State law would allow open-market purchase up to $25,000, but Kenyon's policy is stricter and the council votes on nearly everything in this band.
Authority: Minn. Stat. 471.345 subd. 5; Policy No. 34 §II (two written quotes from $5,000) and §V; the policy's quick-reference table starts council approval at $10,000 but practice is $5,000.
How it runs in Kenyon
- Department head collects two written quotes. In the record, nineteen items in this band had a single quote and passed anyway; the second quote is the one the city usually lacks.
- Staff writes a one-page Request for Council Action: subject, suggested action, source of funding, motion needed.
- The item goes on the next regular agenda (second Tuesday). The council asks whether other quotes were received, then votes; it has not voted against a staff recommendation since 2021.
- Vendor signs, delivers, and invoices into the claims list.
What a vendor sends
- Read the last three packets; pending purchases are discussed in the Administrator Update and department FYI pages months before a quote is requested.
- Ask the buyer one question first, then offer to be a written quote.
- Send a one-page quote with scope, price, dates and signature, plus a certificate of insurance and W-9, and a draft paragraph for the staff report.
- Attend the council meeting when your item is on the agenda.
Every award in this band
| Date | Item | Process | Awarded to | Amount | Bidders |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-08 | Depot Park concrete apron + ramp | quotes | Lexvold Construction (pending) | $9,980 | Lexvold low; others unnamed |
| 2026-05-12 | Hwy 60 sanitary televising | quotes | Visu-Sewer | — | 2 quotes |
| 2024-06-11 | PW shop roof repair | sole | Heyn Brothers | $7,650 | Heyn Brothers |
| 2024-03-12 | Muni HVAC + mini split | quotes | Action Plumbing & Heating; Luikens | $18,480 | Action Plumbing $11,485; Luikens $6,995 |
| 2024-03-12 | Council room sound system | quotes | Sim Sound | $17,026 | Sim Sound $17,026.29; EPA Audio Visual $23,246 |
| 2024-03-12 | 2024 Asphalt Rejuvenator | sole | Corrective Asphalt Materials | $16,188 | Corrective Asphalt Materials |
| 2024-02-13 | Muni flooring | quotes | Hamernick's | $7,481 | Hamernick's $7,480.86; Picture Perfect $11,745; Hiller $25,364.60 |
| 2023-09-12 | Community entrance sign | quotes | staff rec Schad-Tracy; unresolved Nov 2023 | $16,513 | Anderson Memorial $23,873-25,653; Lewiston Monument $14,500-20,500; Precision Signs $19,35… |
| 2022-12-13 | PD printer/copier lease | quotes | Loffler | 43.63/mo x60 | 3 quotes |
| 2022-04-12 | Pearl Creek/Forest St televising RFP round 2 | rfp | Empire Pipe Services | $12,783 | Empire Pipe $12,782.68; Pipe Services $18,246.53; American Environmental $29,264 |
| 2022-04-12 | Mower replace 2018 Cub Cadet | quotes | Traxler Equipment (Toro) | — | 3 quotes |
| 2021-04-13 | 2021 Crack Fill | quotes | Fahrner Asphalt Sealers | $19,690 | Fahrner $19,690; Bargen $35,820 |
| 2021-04-13 | 2021 Manhole Improvements | sole | Floorcoat Midwest | $18,700 | Floorcoat Midwest |
| 2021-03-09 | Zero-turn mower | quotes | Kenyon Ace Hardware (Cub Cadet) | — | 3 quotes |
| 2019-08-13 | Gunderson House historic structure study | quotes | Wold Architects | $15,000 | Wold Architects $15,000; LHB $22,500 |
From the council record 2019–2026; each item links to its contract page with the proposal documents. Items without a recorded amount are placed by process.