What happened
- Agenda adopted with revision to Pay Request #8 amount; consent agenda and checks 72816–72900, 3798E–3812E, and 72911–72942 approved 5-0-0
- Chris Werner, CNP, presented on the new Kenyon Clinic, part of Northfield Hospitals + Clinics, opening Monday, October 18
- Kathy Flikke introduced as the new city finance clerk
- Red Wing Avenue project declared complete; Pay Request No. 12 to Wencl Construction for $3,230.25 approved
- Final Pay Request No. 8 to A-1 Excavating for $80,834.72 approved, contingent on closeout documentation
- Crack sealing of streets completed the prior week
- Trondheim Road extension west to 20th Avenue discussed; added to November agenda for 10-year infrastructure plan amendment
- On-sale and Sunday liquor license approved for Lacey's Kitchen and Cocktails at the former Kenyon Bar and Grill
- Resolution 2021-14 adopted approving lawful gambling premises permit for Kenyon Snowdrifters at 632 2nd Street
- Mayor Henke recognized Sue Dodds for 26 years of service; two new part-time police officers now working solo
What was asked 14 raised · 8 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.
Administrator Vahlsing stated the next step would be to look at amending the 10-year infrastructure plan to add this extension. This item will be added to the November agenda.
Recent inquiries prompted Engineer Olinger to present a cost estimate for extending Trondheim Road west to meet 20th Avenue.
The item reached the November 9 2021 agenda as promised but was never resolved. Olinger presented the effect of the Trondheim Road extension on the infrastructure management plan, the council said it wanted the project added without removing any existing project, and Olinger and Vahlsing were sent to look for outside funding. It then slipped repeatedly, with options promised for August 2022 on July 12 2022 and three revision options finally reviewed on September 13 2022. No adopted amendment adding the extension appears in anything we hold.
11.9.21 and 7.12.22 Council Minutes, 9.13.22 Council Packet · taken up again 2022-09-13
Any remaining repairs needed will be addressed under warranty. The final paperwork should be ready by next month.
Olinger reported the Red Wing Avenue project is complete and remaining repairs fall under warranty.
The paperwork was not ready the next month and the project did not close cleanly. At the November 9 2021 meeting Olinger reported that discussions were continuing with Wencl over liquidated damages, and he was still working through damage negotiations with Wencl Construction on January 11 2022. Nothing in our record states how the liquidated damages claim was settled.
The final paperwork was said to be a month away while the project was in an unresolved liquidated damages dispute with the contractor.
11.9.21 Council Minutes and 1-11-22 Agenda packet · taken up again 2022-01-11
ENGINEERING Red Wing Avenue Construction Update Engineer Olinger stated that the Red Wing Avenue project is now considered complete. Any remaining repairs needed will be addressed under warranty.
Olinger declared the Red Wing Avenue project complete.
The warranty was used. In June 2022 contractors returned to the 2020 project sites, and the packet names the specific work on this one as various concrete repairs along Red Wing Avenue. The warranty terms document and an itemized list of repair items are not in anything we hold.
6.14.22 Council Minutes and Council Packet · taken up again 2022-06-14
Business Park/Utility Extension Project Update Engineer Olinger stated that A-1 Excavating has completed work at the Business Park. This is a final payment. Any additional repairs will be addressed under the warranty.
Olinger reported A-1 Excavating completed work at the Business Park and this was a final payment.
The Business Park warranty was also called on. The June 2022 packet names the work as minor ditch grading and repairs in the areas affected by the utility extensions for the Business Park, carried out alongside the Red Wing Avenue concrete repairs under the 2020 project warranties. The warranty terms themselves are not in our record, though a comparable city warranty in the 2024 roofing file runs two years on workmanship.
6.14.22 Council Minutes and Council Packet, 3.12.24 Council Packet · taken up again 2022-06-14
LEGAL New On-Sale and Sunday Liquor License Attorney Riggs stated that an application for an on-sale and Sunday liquor license had been submitted by Heather Thram.
Thram and Steven Lacey are opening Lacey's Kitchen and Cocktails.
At the meetingCouncil approved the liquor license 5-0-0.
The license was approved 5-0-0 and the business kept it. Lacey's Kitchen and Cocktails was renewed in September 2022 on a motion by Rechtzigel seconded by Helgeson, carried 4-0-0, and again in October 2023 on a motion by Bailey seconded by Helgeson, carried 4-0-0, each time including Sunday and outdoor service area sales. The published fee schedule puts on-sale liquor at $1,100 and Sunday on-sale at $200.
9.13.22 and 10.10.23 Council Packets, 1-14-25 fee schedule · taken up again 2023-10-10
Lacey's Kitchen and Cocktails - On Premises Charitable Gambling License Application -Kenyon Snowdrifters Administrator Vahlsing stated that the Kenyon Snowdrifters were seeking approval to operate charitable gambling at Lacey's Kitchen and Cocktails.
A lawful gambling premises permit application for 632 2nd Street was before the council.
At the meetingCouncil adopted Resolution 2021-14 approving the premises permit 5-0-0.
Resolution 2021-14 approving the premises permit at 632 2nd Street was adopted 5-0-0. The Snowdrifters later moved their gambling to a different premises: Resolution 2024-03 approving lawful gambling at the Kenyon VFW Conrad Osthum Post 141, 601 2nd Street, was adopted February 13 2024 on a motion by Sjolander seconded by Ryan, carried 5-0-0.
1-9-24 agenda and 2.13.24 Council Packet · taken up again 2024-02-13
Motion carried 5-0-0. Crack Filling of Streets Engineer Olinger stated that the crack sealing project was completed last week.
Olinger gave a brief status report on crack filling of streets.
The 2021 crack fill was completed across the whole city. The April 2022 packet confirms that crack filling was completed for all applicable streets in town the previous year, which is why the city moved to a chip seal for 2022. The work had been competitively bid in April 2021, with Fahrner Asphalt Sealers at $19,690 beating Bargen at $35,820, a bid 81.9 percent higher. No final invoice for the crack sealing is in anything we hold.
4.12.22 Council Packet and KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2022-04-12
OLD BUSINESS Update on Granicus Peak Agenda Management Software Administrator Vahlsing updated the Council on the Granicus Peak Agenda Management System. He demonstrated how Granicus Peak will work and what the format will look like.
Vahlsing demonstrated how Granicus Peak will work and what the agenda format will look like.
Granicus Peak was implemented and is still the city's agenda system, and it cost more over time than the award suggested. The June 2024 packet describes a significant investment in the Granicus Peak Agenda Management System, confirms staff were using it, and recommends substituting the Request for City Council Action format for the one built into Granicus. The system was awarded in April 2021 at about $3,300 a year and billed $4,530.03 for agenda management in June 2025, a 37 percent rise, and the auditor flagged the Granicus and Catalis subscriptions as an unbudgeted 2025 variance.
6.11.24 Council Packet, KENYON_BIDS.md, KENYON_IT_SPEND.md · taken up again 2024-06-11
Pay Request #8 – A-1 Excavating Motion by Henke second by Ryan to approve final pay request No. 8 to A-1 Excavating in the amount of $80,834.72 for work completed through October 7th, contingent on receiving the project closeout documentation.
Council approved final pay request No. 8 for the Business Park/Utility Extension project subject to closeout paperwork.
At the meetingMotion carried 5-0-0 with the contingency attached.
The final payment of $80,834.72 was approved 5-0-0 with the closeout contingency attached, and no closeout documentation from A-1 Excavating appears in anything we hold, so whether the condition was satisfied is unrecorded. The contingency is a standing city control rather than a one-off, and the record shows it working elsewhere: the same language covers Bituminous Materials pay estimate 3 at $11,450.47 in December 2023 and BCM pay estimate 12 at $36,840.56 in September 2025, where the engineer first confirmed BCM had fulfilled its contractual obligations in July.
12.12.23, 8.12.25 and 9-9-25 Council Packets
PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS/ RECOGNITIONS/PROLAMATIONS Chris Werner, CNP at the new Kenyon Clinic, introduced herself and gave an overview of the Clinic's services and hours. The clinic will open Monday, October 18. It is part of Northfield Hospitals + Clinics.
Werner introduced herself and gave an overview of the clinic's services and hours.
The Northfield Hospital and Clinics affiliation is confirmed but the October 18 2021 opening date is not. The January 2024 packet describes the Kenyon Clinic as a Northfield Hospital and Clinics tenant in approximately 3,500 square feet, with the lease extended an additional two years through September 2025, no renovation required, and the space held by Maac Companies. It also frames the clinic's value to the city as healthcare services, convenience, jobs and dollars churning locally. A Northfield Hospital and Clinics announcement would confirm the opening date.
1-9-24 agenda · taken up again 2024-01-09
COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTs Mayor Henke recognized Sue Dodds for her 26 years of service to the City. Officer Taylor stated that the two new parttime officers are now working solo.
Officer Taylor gave a staffing update during general comments.
No field training completion records or staffing roster appears in anything we hold, so solo status cannot be verified. What the record does show is how central part-time officers have remained: they were still filling in on September 8 2026 while the chief and the city's single full-time officer were on vacation, and the full-time vacancy posted July 28 2026 at $33.54 an hour entry had drawn no applicants. A Mitch appears again in the July 14 2026 staffing update, passing a background check to start as a part-time fill-in.
7.14.26 and 9-8-26 Council Packets, data/jobs.csv · taken up again 2026-09-08
Township Fire Contract Meeting: Tuesday, December 7th @ 6 p.m. 2022 Budget & Levy Public Meeting: Tuesday, December 7th @ 6:30 p.m. COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTs Mayor Henke recognized Sue Dodds for her 26 years of service to the City.
Henke recognized Dodds during council and staff general comments.
The 26 years is corroborated twice in the record but not by personnel files, which we do not hold. Administrator Vahlsing recognized Sue Dodds for 26 years of service as Finance Clerk again in January 2022, three months after the mayor did. Her service did not end there: she came out of retirement to cover the finance office part time during the 2025 vacancy, Lehner reported in November 2025 that she would be done soon, and he thanked her for her willingness to return in the April 2026 packet.
1-11-22 Agenda packet, 11-12-25 and 4-12-26 Council Packets · taken up again 2026-04-12
Township Fire Contract Meeting: Tuesday, December 7th @ 6 p.m. 2022 Budget & Levy Public Meeting: Tuesday, December 7th @ 6:30 p.m.
Listed under schedule of upcoming meetings.
Nothing in our record confirms the December 7 2021 budget and levy meeting took place or what was adopted there. The 6:30 p.m. slot is the city's settled practice, with the 2023 budget and levy public meeting held Tuesday December 6 at 6:30 p.m. and the Truth in Taxation meeting for the 2027 levy set for December 1 2026 at 6:30 p.m. by Resolution 2026-31. The 2021 meeting minutes and the proposed 2022 budget documents would settle it.
11.16.22 Council Minutes and 9-8-26 Council Packet
Township Fire Contract Meeting: Tuesday, December 7th @ 6 p.m. 2022 Budget & Levy Public Meeting: Tuesday, December 7th @ 6:30 p.m.
Listed under schedule of upcoming meetings.
We hold no township fire contract and no terms from any year, so what the townships pay Kenyon for fire protection cannot be stated. The meeting itself is an annual fixture, held Tuesday December 6 at 6 p.m. the following year, half an hour before the budget and levy meeting. The scale of what those contracts help carry is visible elsewhere in the record: $156,445 to Alex Air Apparatus for breathing apparatus and a compressor in December 2023, and a tanker truck purchase begun in June 2024 with a $10,000 Relief Association down payment.
11.16.22 Council Minutes, KENYON_BIDS.md, 6.11.24 Council Packet
Decisions 7 motions
Who did what
| Person | At this meeting |
|---|---|
| Doug Henke Mayor | Called the meeting to order, seconded the consent agenda and adjournment motions, moved approval of A-1 Excavating final pay request, and recognized Sue Dodds for 26 years of service |
| Mary Bailey Council Member | Moved approval of the agenda, seconded the liquor license motion, and moved adoption of Resolution 2021-14 |
| Molly Ryan Council Member | Seconded pay request motions and moved approval of the Lacey's Kitchen and Cocktails liquor license |
| Tom Gard Council Member | Seconded the agenda motion, moved approval of Wencl Construction Pay Request No. 12, and seconded Resolution 2021-14 |
| Dan Rechtzigel Council Member | Moved approval of the consent agenda and moved to adjourn |
| Mark Vahlsing Administrator | Introduced Kathy Flikke, explained the Snowdrifters gambling request, recommended amending the 10-year infrastructure plan, and demonstrated Granicus Peak |
| Derek Olinger Engineer | Reported on Red Wing Avenue, Business Park utility extension, crack sealing, and presented Trondheim Road extension cost estimates |
| Scot Riggs Attorney | Presented the on-sale and Sunday liquor license application from Heather Thram |
| Holli Gudknecht Administrative Assistant | Recorded and signed the minutes |
| Mitch Taylor Police Patrol Officer | Reported that the two new part-time officers are now working solo |
| Kathy Flikke Finance Clerk | Introduced as the new city finance clerk |
| Chris Werner CNP at the new Kenyon Clinic | Introduced herself and gave an overview of the Clinic's services and hours |
| Michelle Vlasak Reporter for Kenyon Leader | Attended the meeting |
| Heather Thram Liquor license applicant | Submitted the on-sale and Sunday liquor license application for Lacey's Kitchen and Cocktails |
| Steven Lacey Co-owner opening Lacey's Kitchen and Cocktails | Named as in the process of opening Lacey's Kitchen and Cocktails with Heather Thram |
| Sue Dodds Departing city employee | Recognized by Mayor Henke for her 26 years of service to the City |
Organizations named: Northfield Hospitals + Clinics, Kenyon Clinic, Wencl Construction, A-1 Excavating, Lacey's Kitchen and Cocktails, Kenyon Snowdrifters, Granicus, Kenyon Leader, KMU, Central Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, Kenyon Bar and Grill
Figures
| Amount | What |
|---|---|
| $3,230.25 | Pay Request No. 12 to Wencl Construction for Red Wing Avenue work completed through October 7th |
| $80,834.72 | Final Pay Request No. 8 to A-1 Excavating for Business Park/Utility Extension work through October 7th |
Said at the meeting
Engineer Olinger stated that the Red Wing Avenue project is now considered complete.
Engineer Derek Olinger · minutes, verbatim
Engineer Olinger stated that A-1 Excavating has completed work at the Business Park.
Engineer Derek Olinger · minutes, verbatim
Administrator Vahlsing stated the next step would be to look at amending the 10-year infrastructure plan to add this extension.
Administrator Mark Vahlsing · minutes, verbatim
Attorney Riggs stated that an application for an on-sale and Sunday liquor license had been submitted by Heather Thram.
Attorney Scot Riggs · minutes, verbatim
Officer Taylor stated that the two new parttime officers are now working solo.
Police Patrol Officer Mitch Taylor · minutes, verbatim
Resolutions and ordinances
- Approving the Lawful Gambling Premises Permit Application for the Kenyon SnowdriftersRes. 2021-14
Full packet text (0k characters)
The minutes
Official minutes as adopted, from 10.12.21 Council Minutes; text extracted from the PDF.
Council Meeting was duly held in the City Council chambers at 7:00 p.m. on the 12th day of October 2021. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Henke.
- Present
- Mayor Doug Henke, Council Members Mary Bailey, Molly Ryan, Tom Gard, and Dan Rechtzigel
- Also present
- Administrator Mark Vahlsing, Engineer Derek Olinger, Attorney Scot Riggs, Administrative Assistant Holli Gudknecht, Police Patrol Officer Mitch Taylor, Michelle Vlasak reporter for Kenyon Leader, Finance Clerk Kathy Flikke, Chris Werner
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Citizen Comment
Adopt Agenda
Revision: / VII / Engineering / B / 1 / Revised Pay Request #8 Amount
Motion by Bailey second by Gard to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Consent Agenda
Motion by Rechtzigel second by Henke to approve the Consent Agenda and payment of check numbers 72816 through 72900; 3798E through 3812E; and additional checks 72911 through 72942.
Motion carried 5-0-0Presentations / Public Hearings / Recognitions / Prolamations
Chris Werner, CNP at the new Kenyon Clinic, introduced herself and gave an overview of the Clinic's services and hours. The clinic will open Monday, October 18. It is part of Northfield Hospitals + Clinics.
Administrator Vahlsing introduced Kathy Flikke as the new city finance clerk.
Engineering
Red Wing Avenue Construction Update
Engineer Olinger stated that the Red Wing Avenue project is now considered complete. Any remaining repairs needed will be addressed under warranty. The final paperwork should be ready by next month. Pay Request #12 – Wencl Construction
Motion by Gard second by Ryan to approve pay request No. 12 to Wencl Construction in the amount of $3,230.25 for work completed through October 7th. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Business Park/Utility Extension Project Update
Engineer Olinger stated that A-1 Excavating has completed work at the Business Park. This is a final payment. Any additional repairs will be addressed under the warranty. Pay Request #8 – A-1 Excavating
Motion by Henke second by Ryan to approve final pay request No. 8 to A-1 Excavating in the amount of $80,834.72 for work completed through October 7th, contingent on receiving the project closeout documentation. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Crack Filling of Streets
Engineer Olinger stated that the crack sealing project was completed last week.
Trondheim Road Extension
Engineer Olinger stated that there have been recent inquires regarding the extension of Trondheim Road west to meet 20th Avenue. Olinger presented a cost estimate and other considerations to extending this street. Administrator Vahlsing stated the next step would be to look at amending the 10-year infrastructure plan to add this extension. This item will be added to the November agenda.
Legal
New On-Sale and Sunday Liquor License
Attorney Riggs stated that an application for an on-sale and Sunday liquor license had been submitted by Heather Thram. She and Steven Lacey are in the process of opening Lacey's Kitchen and Cocktails at the former Kenyon Bar and Grill location.
Motion by Ryan second by Bailey to approve the liquor license for Lacey's Kitchen and Cocktails.
Motion carried 5-0-0Lacey's Kitchen and Cocktails - On Premises Charitable Gambling License Application -Kenyon
Snowdrifters Administrator Vahlsing stated that the Kenyon Snowdrifters were seeking approval to operate charitable gambling at Lacey's Kitchen and Cocktails. Resolution 2021-14 Approving the Lawful Gambling Premises Permit Application for the Kenyon Snowdrifters. to Conduct Lawful Gambling at the Lacey's Kitchen and Cocktails Located at 632 2nd Street, Kenyon, MN 55946
Motion by Bailey second by Gard to adopt Resolution 2021-14. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Old Business
Update on Granicus Peak Agenda Management Software
Administrator Vahlsing updated the Council on the Granicus Peak Agenda Management System. He demonstrated how Granicus Peak will work and what the format will look like.
New Business
None
Schedule of Upcoming Meetings
KMU Meeting: Tuesday, October 19 @ 2:00 p.m. Central Minnesota Municipal Power Agency Annual Meeting Wed, October 20th City Council Meeting: Tuesday, November 9 @ 7 p.m. Township Fire Contract Meeting: Tuesday, December 7th @ 6 p.m. 2022 Budget & Levy Public Meeting: Tuesday, December 7th @ 6:30 p.m.
COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTs
Mayor Henke recognized Sue Dodds for her 26 years of service to the City.
Officer Taylor stated that the two new parttime officers are now working solo.
Motion by Rechtzigel second by Henke to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m. Motion carried 5-0-0.