What happened
- Council approved the consent agenda including check numbers 72320–72386, 3731E–3748E and additional checks 72387–72412; all votes were 4-0-0.
- Pay Request #9 to Wencl Construction for $41,796.76 approved for Red Wing Avenue work completed through May 21.
- Pay Request #4 to A-1 Excavating for $104,360.16 approved for Business Park/Utility Extension work through May 21.
- Red Wing Avenue final completion date set at June 26, 2021; Business Park project substantial completion July 2, 2021.
- Resolution 2021-10 adopted authorizing a Wholesale Power Agreement — a 20-year wind power contract with Midwest Power Partners through Central Municipal Power Services.
- Mayo Clinic Health System mobile clinic to visit Kenyon every two weeks on Mondays and Wednesdays starting by the end of June.
- Municipal Liquor Store was broken into the morning of May 29; three pull tab machines were broken into and cash stolen; claim filed with the League of Minnesota Cities.
- Updated police chief job description approved while the city advertises for the position.
- Jim Gould asked the city to look into removing a communications tower at 107 Gates Avenue (PID# 66.640.0181); attorney said more research is needed.
- FEMA flood repair project to go out for quotes soon, with completion planned this summer.
- Next City Council Meeting listed for Tuesday, July 13 at 7 p.m.; meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m.
What was asked 16 raised · 9 settled
Every question, assignment, pending figure and unsourced claim from this meeting, quoted from the record, each checked against the county, census, listing, bid and budget data we hold.
FEMA Flood Repairs Engineer Olinger presented the plans for the FEMA Flood repair project. The project will go out for quotes in the near future with the project being completed this summer.
Olinger presented the plans for the FEMA Flood repair project.
Quotes came in and the council accepted the low bid of $77,448.80 from Griffin Construction of Chatfield on July 13 2021, against a FEMA grant award of $89,922.50. The contract went back to the contractor and on August 10 2021 Olinger reported the work would start toward the end of the year rather than that summer.
7.13.21_Council_Minutes; KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2021-07-13
Mayor Henke expressed his concerns with the police chief and stated that he thought two more full- time officers were needed.
Council and staff general comments, in which Henke also expressed concerns with the police chief.
The department never added two officers: as of September 8 2026 Kenyon had a chief and one full-time officer, with the second full-time position posted until filled and no applicants, part-time officers covering shifts. Two officers at the posted 2026 entry rate of $33.54/hr would cost $139,526.40 in wages at 2,080 hours each before taxes and insurance.
9-8-26 Council Packet; data/jobs.csv · taken up again 2026-09-08
Police Chief Hiring – Approve Change to Job Description Administrator Vahlsing stated that the city is currently advertising for a police chief.
Council approved an updated police chief job description while recruitment is under way.
At the meetingCouncil approved the updated police chief job description 4-0-0.
The chief vacancy was filled by November 9 2021, when Chief Sjoblom appears in the minutes requesting an internal posting for a full-time police officer. The applicant pool and hiring timeline for the 2021 chief recruitment are not in any document we hold.
11.9.21_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2021-11-09
Some changes are being made to the alarm system and a claim has been filed with the League of Minnesota Cities.
Response to the May 29 break-in at the Municipal Liquor Store.
The security response was a camera and DVR upgrade, not an alarm change: on September 14 2021 the council accepted the WH Security quote to upgrade the liquor store cameras and DVR, with money already in the budget. The dollar amount of that quote is not recorded in the bid register or the minutes we hold.
9.14.21_Council_Minutes; KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2021-09-14
The final paving should be completed later this week. The final completion date of all items is June 26, 2021.
Red Wing Avenue construction update.
The June 26 2021 completion date was not met. Wencl Construction asked on July 13 2021 to extend final completion to October 1 to allow reseeding, Riggs advised no change order until the work was done, bare spots were reseeded in mid-September, and Olinger declared the project complete on October 12 2021 with pay request No. 12 of $3,230.25 approved and remaining repairs left to warranty; damage negotiations with Wencl continued into January 2022.
10.12.21_Council_Minutes; 7.13.21_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2021-10-12
Business Park/Utility Extension Project Update Engineer Olinger stated that A-1 Excavating has been working on site for several weeks now. The substantial completion date for the project is July 2, 2021.
Business Park/Utility Extension project update; A-1 Excavating has been working on site for several weeks.
The July 2, 2021 substantial completion date was not met. A-1 Excavating requested a change order on July 13, 2021 to extend the completion date because of utility service work added in May and a pending MnDOT permit; the permit arrived at the end of July, A-1 resumed work August 2, the project was reported substantially complete on September 14, 2021, and the council approved final pay request No. 8 of $80,834.72 on October 12, 2021.
The engineer's July 2, 2021 substantial completion date did not hold; substantial completion was not reported until September 14, 2021.
10.12.21_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2021-10-12
The plan is to have the clinic in Kenyon every two weeks on Mondays and Wednesdays beginning by the end of June.
Presentation on the mobile health clinic coming to Kenyon.
The Mayo mobile clinic schedule is not confirmed anywhere in the record; instead the Kenyon clinic went to a different provider. The Gunderson Gardens clinic space, initially leased by Mayo Clinic, was leased by Northfield Hospital + Clinics in 2021, and on October 12, 2021 CNP Chris Werner told the council the new Kenyon Clinic, part of Northfield Hospital + Clinics, would open Monday, October 18.
10.12.21_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2021-10-12
Todd Greseth, Goodhue County Commissioner, stopped by to check in and let the Council know to contact him if they had any concerns or questions.
Greseth stopped by during citizen comment to check in.
No council contact to Commissioner Greseth is recorded. Greseth repeated the same standing invitation in person on September 14, 2021, when he noted the ARPA funds resolution and said he was trying to get more of those funds used on public safety, and he continued periodic appearances, reporting in February and March 2026 that the County levy would rise 6.5% for 2026 with a larger increase in 2027 from State mandates.
9.14.21_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2021-09-14
NEW BUSINESS Municipal Liquor Store Break-in Liquor Store Manager, Matt Bartel, reported that the Municipal Liquor Store was broken into on the morning of May 29. Three pull tab machines were broken into and wash was stolen from them.
New business report on the liquor store break-in.
The May break-in led to a security upgrade rather than a documented incident report in our holdings. On September 14, 2021 the council accepted a quote from WH Security to upgrade the cameras and DVR at the municipal liquor store, with the administrator stating money was in the budget to cover the cost. The police incident report for May 29 is not in our holdings.
9.14.21_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2021-09-14
LEGAL Power Sales Agreement for Purchase of Wind Energy Attorney Riggs stated that the Wholesale Power Agreement would enter KMU into a 20-year contract with Midwest Power Partners to supply wind power.
Explanation preceding adoption of Resolution 2021-10 authorizing execution of the agreement.
At the meetingCouncil adopted Resolution 2021-10 by a 4-0-0 vote.
The council adopted Resolution 2021-10 authorizing the Wholesale Power Agreement by a 4-0-0 vote, but no executed agreement showing the 20-year term, price, or the Midwest Power Partners and Central Municipal Power Services parties is in our holdings. A separate later power purchase is documented: on January 13, 2025 the council adopted Resolution 2025-31 authorizing the Bingham Lakes Facility Wholesale Power Agreement, a CMPAS purchase of one-half megawatt of wind energy with an option for another half megawatt.
1-13-25_Council_Packet_Updated
Motion by Rechtzigel second by Gard to approve the updated police chief job description. Motion carried 4-0-0. Schedule of Upcoming Meetings KMU Meeting: Tuesday, May 18 @ 2:00 p.m.
Schedule of upcoming meetings listed under new business.
No document in our holdings gives the corrected date and time of the KMU meeting following June 8, 2021. Comparable agendas show KMU meets on the third Tuesday of the month, listed at 2:00 p.m. in May 2022 and June 2022 and at 4:00 p.m. by May 2023 and May 2024. The June 2021 agenda or KMU meeting notice would settle it.
5.10.22_Council_Packet__Agenda
Jim Gould addressed the Council with his concerns about the communication tower located at 107 Gates Avenue, PID# 66.640.0181. He doesn't feel the tower is being used and would like to see it taken down.
Gould addressed the Council about the CIT tower agreement and the tower on PID# 66.640.0181.
At the meetingAttorney Riggs said this could be a complicated situation that more research will need to be done on.
Nothing in our holdings addresses the communications tower at 107 Gates Avenue, PID 66.640.0181, or the CIT tower agreement. The later passages that mention a tower concern the municipal water tower, and the 2025 Gould citizen comment concerns bow hunting, not the tower. The CIT lease document and a use or abandonment determination from the tower owner would answer it.
KENYON_DATA_IN_MEETINGS.md · would settle it: The CIT tower lease/agreement terms and evidence of whether the tower is in active use
He doesn't feel the tower is being used and would like to see it taken down. Attorney Riggs stated that this could be a complicated situation that more research will need to be done on.
Response to Jim Gould's request to remove the tower at 107 Gates Avenue.
No written legal review of the CIT tower agreement appears in our holdings, and no later council document returns to the tower question. The later Riggs items in the record concern the MetroNet agreement, goose removal at the country club and the 1 Langford Avenue nuisance cleanup. A city attorney memo on the tower lease and removal options would answer it.
KENYON_DATA_IN_MEETINGS.md · would settle it: A written legal review of the tower agreement and the City's removal options
CITIZEN COMMENT Matthew Maring voiced his concerns about ATV's that are vandalizing his property in the City along with neighboring fields and also that they are generally not following the laws.
Citizen comment period at the start of the meeting.
At the meetingPolice Chief Sjolander responded to the citizen comments concerning ATV usage in the City; the substance of his response is not recorded.
We hold no police complaint, citation or enforcement record for ATV use in Kenyon, and no later council document returns to the Maring complaint. The later passages are about refuse collection complaints and a cannabis ordinance question. Police department incident and citation logs for ATV calls would answer it.
KENYON_DATA_IN_MEETINGS.md · would settle it: A record of police response, complaints, or citations regarding ATV use in the City
Some changes are being made to the alarm system and a claim has been filed with the League of Minnesota Cities.
Report on the May 29 break-in in which three pull tab machines were broken into.
No claim determination or payout figure from the League of Minnesota Cities for the May 29 2021 liquor store break-in appears in our holdings. The later League references are annual liability limit waivers and 2027 premium increase estimates of 2-5% for workers' compensation and 3-5% for general liability. The LMCIT claim file or a city revenue entry for insurance proceeds would answer it.
9-8-26 Council Packet · would settle it: The League of Minnesota Cities claim determination and payout amount
NEW BUSINESS Municipal Liquor Store Break-in Liquor Store Manager, Matt Bartel, reported that the Municipal Liquor Store was broken into on the morning of May 29. Three pull tab machines were broken into and wash was stolen from them.
Report of the May 29 Municipal Liquor Store break-in.
The cash loss from the three pull tab machines is not stated in any document we hold. Later pull tab items concern the 2023 dispute between the Kenyon Snow Drifters Club and the Fire Relief Association over operating gambling at the Muni. The police report or the gambling operator's loss statement would answer it.
11.14.23_Council_Packet__Agenda · would settle it: The dollar loss figure from the pull tab machines as reported to police and the insurer
Decisions 6 motions
Who did what
| Person | At this meeting |
|---|---|
| Doug Henke Mayor | Called the meeting to order, moved approval of Wencl pay request #9, and said he thought two more full-time officers were needed |
| Dan Rechtzigel Council Member | Moved to approve the agenda, the consent agenda, and the updated police chief job description |
| Mary Bailey Council Member | Seconded agenda and consent agenda motions, moved adoption of Resolution 2021-10 and moved to adjourn |
| Tom Gard Council Member | Moved approval of A-1 Excavating pay request #4 and seconded the police chief job description motion |
| Molly Ryan Council Member | Absent |
| Mark Vahlsing Administrator | Reported the city is advertising for a police chief and presented changes to the job description |
| Holli Gudknecht Administrative Assistant | Recorded and signed the minutes |
| Lee Sjolander Police Chief | Responded to citizen comments about ATV usage in the City |
| Derek Olinger Engineer | Gave updates on Red Wing Avenue, the Business Park/Utility Extension project and presented FEMA flood repair plans |
| Scott Riggs Attorney | Explained the Wholesale Power Agreement and said the tower removal request would require more research |
| Matt Bartel Liquor Store Manager | Reported the May 29 liquor store break-in and alarm system changes |
| Jason Wray Raabolle M.D., representing Mayo Clinic Health System | Presented on the mobile health clinic coming to Kenyon |
| Todd Greseth Goodhue County Commissioner | Stopped by to check in and invited Council to contact him with concerns or questions |
| Matthew Maring Citizen | Voiced concerns about ATVs vandalizing his property and not following the laws |
| Jim Gould Property owner, 103 Gates Avenue | Asked the Council to look into removing the communications tower at 107 Gates Avenue |
| Michelle Vlasak Reporter for Kenyon Leader | Attended the meeting |
Organizations named: Mayo Clinic Health System, Wencl Construction, A-1 Excavating, FEMA, Kenyon Municipal Utilities (KMU), Midwest Power Partners, Central Municipal Power Services, League of Minnesota Cities, Goodhue County, Kenyon Leader
Figures
| Amount | What |
|---|---|
| $41,796.76 | Pay Request No. 9 to Wencl Construction for Red Wing Avenue work completed through May 21 |
| $104,360.16 | Pay Request No. 4 to A-1 Excavating for Business Park/Utility Extension work completed through May 21 |
Said at the meeting
Matthew Maring voiced his concerns about ATV's that are vandalizing his property in the City along with neighboring fields and also that they are generally not following the laws.
Matthew Maring, resident · minutes, verbatim
Mayor Henke expressed his concerns with the police chief and stated that he thought two more full-time officers were needed.
Mayor Doug Henke · minutes, verbatim
Attorney Riggs stated that the Wholesale Power Agreement would enter KMU into a 20-year contract with Midwest Power Partners to supply wind power.
Attorney Scott Riggs · minutes, verbatim
He doesn't feel the tower is being used and would like to see it taken down.
Jim Gould, property owner · minutes, verbatim
Three pull tab machines were broken into and wash was stolen from them.
Matt Bartel, Liquor Store Manager · minutes, verbatim
Resolutions and ordinances
- Authorizing the Execution of a Wholesale Power Agreement Motion Bailey second by Rechtzigel to adopt Resolution 2021-10Res. 2021-10
Full packet text (0k characters)
The minutes
Official minutes as adopted, from 6.8.21 Council Minutes; text extracted from the PDF.
Council Meeting was duly held in the City Council chambers at 7:00 p.m. on the 8th day of June 2021. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Henke.
- Present
- Mayor Doug Henke, Council Members Dan Rechtzigel, Mary Bailey, and Tom Gard
- Absent
- Molly Ryan
- Also present
- Administrator Mark Vahlsing, Administrative Assistant Holli Gudknecht, Police Chief Lee Sjolander, Engineer Derek Olinger, Michelle Vlasak reporter for Kenyon Leader, Attorney Scott Riggs, Liquor Store Manager Matt Bartel, Jim Gould, Todd Greseth, Matt Maring, Ron Peterson, Kevin & Kim Helgeson, Greg Canton, Mayo Staff: Jason Wray-Raabolle, Kristy Jacobson, Stephanie Olson, Kaia Yngve, Shannon Cliff
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Citizen Comment
Matthew Maring voiced his concerns about ATV's that are vandalizing his property in the City along with neighboring fields and also that they are generally not following the laws.
Todd Greseth, Goodhue County Commissioner, stopped by to check in and let the Council know to contact him if they had any concerns or questions.
Adopt Agenda
Motion by Rechtzigel second by Bailey to approve the agenda. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Consent Agenda
Motion by Rechtzigel second by Bailey to approve the Consent Agenda, which includes payment of check numbers 72320 through 72386; 3731E through 3748E; and additional checks 72387 through 72412.
Motion carried 4-0-0Presentations / Public Hearings / Recognitions / Prolamations
Mayo Mobile Clinic
Jason Wray Raabolle, M.D., representing the Mayo Clinic Health System, gave a presentation on the mobile health clinic that is coming to Kenyon. He reviewed the features of the clinic and the services that will be available. The plan is to have the clinic in Kenyon every two weeks on Mondays and Wednesdays beginning by the end of June.
Engineering
Red Wing Avenue Construction Update
Engineer Olinger stated that Wencl Construction has been completing some final touches on Red Wing Avenue. The final paving should be completed later this week. The final completion date of all items is June 26, 2021.
Pay Request #9 – Wencl Construction
Motion by Henke second by Gard to approve pay request No. 9 to Wencl Construction in the amount of $41,796.76 for work completed through May 21st.
Motion carried 4-0-0Business Park/Utility Extension Project Update
Engineer Olinger stated that A-1 Excavating has been working on site for several weeks now. The substantial completion date for the project is July 2, 2021. Pay Request #4 – A-1 Excavating
Motion by Gard second by Bailey to approve pay request No. 4 to A-1 Excavating in the amount of $104,360.16 for work completed through May 21st. Motion carried 4-0-0.
FEMA Flood Repairs
Engineer Olinger presented the plans for the FEMA Flood repair project. The project will go out for quotes in the near future with the project being completed this summer.
Legal
Power Sales Agreement for Purchase of Wind Energy
Attorney Riggs stated that the Wholesale Power Agreement would enter KMU into a 20-year contract with Midwest Power Partners to supply wind power. The contract is coordinated through Central Municipal Power Services.
Resolution 2021-10 Authorizing the Execution of a Wholesale Power Agreement
Motion Bailey second by Rechtzigel to adopt Resolution 2021-10. Motion carried 4-0-0.
CIT Tower Agreement – Jim Gould
Attorney Riggs stated that Jim Gould requested that the City look into removing a communications tower adjacent to his property at 103 Gates Avenue. Jim Gould addressed the Council with his concerns about the communication tower located at 107 Gates Avenue, PID# 66.640.0181. He doesn't feel the tower is being used and would like to see it taken down. Attorney Riggs stated that this could be a complicated situation that more research will need to be done on.
Old Business
Update on Mayo Health Systems Mobile Clinic
Administrator Vahlsing stated that this update was covered by the presentation at the beginning of the meeting.
New Business
Municipal Liquor Store Break-in
Liquor Store Manager, Matt Bartel, reported that the Municipal Liquor Store was broken into on the morning of May 29. Three pull tab machines were broken into and wash was stolen from them. Some changes are being made to the alarm system and a claim has been filed with the League of Minnesota Cities.
Police Chief Hiring – Approve Change to Job Description
Administrator Vahlsing stated that the city is currently advertising for a police chief. Some changes have been made to the police chief job description.
Motion by Rechtzigel second by Gard to approve the updated police chief job description.
Motion carried 4-0-0Schedule of Upcoming Meetings
KMU Meeting: Tuesday, May 18 @ 2:00 p.m. City Council Meeting: Tuesday, July13 @ 7 p.m.
Council And Staff General Comments
Police Chief Sjolander responded to the citizen comments made at the beginning of the meeting concerning the ATV usage in the City. Mayor Henke expressed his concerns with the police chief and stated that he thought two more full- time officers were needed.
Motion by Bailey second by Henke to adjourn the meeting at 8:47 p.m. Motion carried 4-0-0.