Watch the meeting
What happened
- Approved partial pay application No. 1 to Decook for $45,533.55; North Street Drainage Project complete
- Approved Bolton & Menk proposal for Pearl Creek sanitary final design and bidding services at an estimated $118,135.00
- Pearl Creek sanitary main is highest priority, ready for bidding spring 2023; Forest Street scheduled for 2025 and 2028
- Adopted Resolution 2022-19 setting the 2023 preliminary budget and levy at a maximum of 6.8%
- Set Truth in Taxation meeting for December 6 at 6:30 pm
- Adopted Resolution 2022-20 authorizing minor subdivision and lot combination at 413 Skogen Drive
- Approved sludge pump and mixing system replacement at the wastewater treatment plant for $48,600.00, ordered early to save $5,000.00
- Renewed Lacey's Kitchen & Cocktails liquor license including Sunday and outdoor service area sales
- Enforcement proceeding on 1 Langford Avenue nuisance property; owner's plan not submitted
- City Hall roof found in poor condition after June storms; replacement scheduled for 2023
- Consent agenda approved check numbers 74007 through 74126 and 4164E through 4212E
- All motions carried 4-0-0; Council Member Molly Ryan absent
What was asked 17 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.
Their attorney did respond and was to have a plan submitted by now, but did not follow through. If the plan is not received by the end of the week, Riggs will proceed with enforcement.
Update on nuisance property violation enforcement.
At the meetingNo plan had been received as of the meeting.
The cleanup plan arrived before enforcement was filed. By November 16 2022 Attorney Riggs reported several conversations and email correspondence with the owner's attorney and receipt of a plan listing accomplishments and a schedule for the remaining cleanup, with the police chief and attorney monitoring progress.
11.16.22 City Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2022-11-16
The preliminary maximum levy certification resolution must be submitted to Goodhue County by the end of September.
Adoption of Resolution 2022-19 setting the 2023 preliminary budget and levy at a maximum of 6.8%.
At the meetingCouncil adopted Resolution 2022-19 setting a maximum levy of 6.8%.
The council adopted Resolution 2022-19 setting the 2023 preliminary maximum levy at 6.8%, motion by Henke and second by Rechtzigel, carried 4-0-0, for certification to Goodhue County by the end of September. That 6.8% ceiling is the lowest preliminary maximum in the record, against 9.55% for 2025, 9.93% for 2026 and 9.26% certified for 2027.
10.11.22 Council Agenda and Packet; taxes/levy.html · taken up again 2022-10-11
However, the Pearl Creek sanitary main is the highest priority and should be ready for bidding in spring of 2023.
Update on prioritizing sanitary sewer main improvements.
At the meetingCouncil approved Bolton & Menk's final design and bidding proposal.
The project reached bidding in spring 2023 as forecast. The council adopted a resolution approving plans and specifications and ordering advertisement for bids on May 9 2023, then accepted the bid on June 13 2023, awarding the 2023 Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer and Gates Avenue work to BCM Construction at $1,241,494.22 against an engineer's estimate of $1,536,065.
5.9.23 Council Packet and Agenda; KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2023-06-13
It was inspected after sustaining damage from storms in June and found to be in poor condition. Replacement will be scheduled for 2023.
City Hall roof was inspected after June storm damage and found to be in poor condition.
At the meetingNo cost, contractor, or date was given; item reported only.
The replacement was approved on April 11 2023, a year after the storm damage. The council voted 4-0-0 to replace the City Hall roof with 50-year steel for $53,000, funded by an interfund loan from the KMU electric fund and contingent on KMU approving that loan, after Josh Lerfeld of L&M Construction inspected the roof, patched it and confirmed it needed replacement.
4.11.23 Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2023-04-11
Wastewater Treatment Plant – Replace Sludge Mixing and Loadout Pump System Public Works Superintendent Wayne Ehrich explained his request to order a new sludge pump and mixing system to replace the existing pump.
Replacement of the existing sludge mixing and loadout pump system, a 2023 budget item.
At the meetingCouncil approved the purchase at $48,600.00, motion carried 4-0-0.
The council approved the replacement at $48,600.00 by motion of Rechtzigel and second of Bailey, carried 4-0-0, pulling the purchase forward from the 2023 budget. The vendor quote and purchase order are not in anything we hold.
10.11.22 Council Agenda and Packet · taken up again 2022-10-11
Lot Split and Combination Application – 413 Skogen Dr – Elden Attorney Riggs stated that Elden and Eileen Ehrich requested approval to split the lot at 413 Skogen Drive into two halves and then combine each half with the adjacent lots on each side. 4 Resolution 2022-20 Authorizing Minor Subdivision and Lot Combination Property at 413 Skogen Drive Motion by Rechtzigel second by Helgeson to adopt Resolution 2022-20.
Lot split and combination application for 413 Skogen Drive.
At the meetingCouncil adopted Resolution 2022-20 authorizing the minor subdivision and lot combination, 4-0-0.
The council adopted Resolution 2022-20 authorizing the minor subdivision and lot combination at 413 Skogen Drive, motion by Rechtzigel and second by Helgeson, carried 4-0-0. Recorded property descriptions are not in anything we hold.
10.11.22 Council Agenda and Packet · taken up again 2022-10-11
Lacey's Kitchen & Cocktails Liquor License Renewal Motion by Rechtzigel second by Helgeson to renew Lacey's Kitchen & Cocktails liquor license including Sunday and outdoor service area sales.
Annual liquor license renewal on the new business agenda.
At the meetingCouncil approved the renewal 4-0-0.
The renewal passed 4-0-0 including Sunday and outdoor service area sales, and the council renewed it again on the same terms 4-0-0 on October 10 2023. The city issued a license on identical terms to Cahill Bistro Bar on August 20 2024.
10.10.23 Council Packet · taken up again 2023-10-10
PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS/RECOGNITIONS/PROLAMATIONS ENGINEERING North Street Drainage Improvements Updates City Engineer Olinger stated that Decook has completed the North Street Drainage Project.
Project update preceding approval of a partial pay application.
At the meetingCouncil approved partial pay application No. 1 to Decook for $45,533.55.
Completion held and payment closed out at the November 16 2022 meeting, when the council approved pay application No. 2 to DeCook Drainage for $1,052.35, carried 5-0-0. No certificate of final completion is in anything we hold.
11.16.22 Council Minutes · taken up again 2022-11-16
Approve (Partial) Pay Application 1 Motion by Rechtzigel second by Bailey to approve partial pay application No. 1 to Decook in the amount of $45,533.55.
Payment on the completed North Street Drainage Project.
At the meetingPartial payment approved 4-0-0.
The balance was paid on November 16 2022 with pay application No. 2 for $1,052.35, carried 5-0-0. The two payments total $46,585.90 against an awarded contract of $46,018.47 for base and alternate work, $567.43 above the award.
The two approved pay applications total $567.43 more than the $46,018.47 quote the council accepted on June 14 2022, and no change order appears in the record.
11.16.22 Council Minutes; KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2022-11-16
Motion by Henke second by Helgeson to recommend setting the Truth in Taxation meeting for December 6 at 6:30 pm.
Council recommended a date for the Truth in Taxation hearing on the 2023 budget and levy.
At the meetingMotion carried 4-0-0.
The council set the hearing for December 6 2022 at 6:30 p.m. by motion of Henke and second of Helgeson, carried 4-0-0, and the date had to be named when the preliminary levy was certified to the county. No published notice or record of the hearing itself is in anything we hold. The city kept the same early-December 6:30 p.m. pattern, choosing December 3 for 2024 and December 1 for 2026.
10.11.22 Council Agenda and Packet; 9-8-26 Council Packet
Final Design Proposal Motion by Helgeson, second by Bailey to approve Bolton & Menk's proposal for final design and bidding services at an estimated cost of $118,135.00.
Approval of the final design proposal for the Pearl Creek sanitary improvement project.
At the meetingCouncil approved the proposal at the estimated cost.
The council approved the $118,135.00 estimate on motion by Helgeson and second by Bailey, carried 4-0-0. Final invoiced design and bidding costs never appear in anything we hold. For scale, the comparable 2025 Street and Utility Improvements final design and bidding proposal of October 2024 ran $246,200 across 1,437 hours, with bidding alone at $8,200.
10.11.22 Council Agenda and Packet; 10-8-24 AGENDA
However, the Pearl Creek sanitary main is the highest priority and should be ready for bidding in spring of 2023. Forest Street sanitary improvements are currently scheduled for 2025 and 2028.
Sequencing of sanitary sewer main improvement needs in Pearl Creek and Forest Street areas.
At the meetingStated as the current schedule; no action taken.
The 2025 half of the schedule held in the sense that a large street and utility project was bid and awarded, going to Fitzgerald Excavating at $2,294,629.25 on July 8 2025 after all six bids from the first round were rejected on June 10 2025. The 2028 slot is now occupied by the reconstruction of 6th Street near the school, which the August 12 2025 packet says has been on the capital improvement plan for many years and is scheduled for 2028. No capital improvement plan naming Forest Street sanitary years is in anything we hold.
8.12.25 Council Packet and Agenda Updated; KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2025-08-12
The following members were present: Mayor Doug Henke, Council Members Dan Rechtzigel, Kim Helgeson, and Mary Bailey Absent: Molly Ryan Also, present: Administrator Mark Vahlsing, Engineer Derek Olinger, Finance Clerk Kathy Flikke, Administrative Assistant Holli Gudknecht, Public Works Director Wayne Ehrich, Police Chief Jeff Sjoblom, County Commissioner Todd Greseth The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. CITIZEN COMMENT County Commissioner Todd Greseth gave an update on the happenings in the County.
Citizen comment portion of the meeting.
At the meetingNo substance recorded in the minutes.
The substance of the September 2022 remarks is not recorded anywhere we hold. The nearest recorded content is Commissioner Greseth's February 14 2023 update, which reported the county levy finalized at a 4.69% increase for 2023, well under the city's own 6.8% preliminary ceiling for the same year. A recording or staff notes from the September 13 2022 meeting would settle what he actually said.
2.14.23 Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2023-02-14
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 levy adoption timeline after setting the preliminary maximum.
At the meetingPreliminary maximum set at 6.8%; final figure still to be determined.
We hold no December 2022 levy resolution, so the final adopted 2023 levy is unknown to us. Our certified levy series starts with the 2025 preliminary of $1,400,000 at plus 9.55%, then $1,528,541 for 2026 and $1,670,115 preliminary for 2027. The December 2022 final levy resolution would settle it.
taxes/levy.html; taxes/data/kenyon_tax.json · would settle it: The adopted final 2023 levy resolution in December.
This item is in the 2023 budget, but the cost is $5,000.00 cheaper if ordered now. The estimated delivery time for the pump is 20 weeks or longer.
Justification for ordering the sludge pump and mixing system now rather than in 2023.
At the meetingCouncil approved the purchase; actual delivery date remains unknown.
No delivery date for the sludge pump and mixing system appears in anything we hold. A supplier delivery confirmation or a later public works update reporting the pump in service would settle it.
10.11.22 Council Agenda and Packet · would settle it: A confirmed delivery date from the pump supplier.
Wastewater Treatment Plant – Replace Sludge Mixing and Loadout Pump System Public Works Superintendent Wayne Ehrich explained his request to order a new sludge pump and mixing system to replace the existing pump. This item is in the 2023 budget, but the cost is $5,000.00 cheaper if ordered now.
Reason given for advancing a budgeted 2023 purchase into 2022.
At the meetingCouncil accepted the reasoning and approved the $48,600.00 purchase.
We hold no vendor quote showing 2022 against 2023 pricing, so the $5,000 saving is unverified. On the stated figures the saving is 9.3% of the $48,600 approved price, meaning the 2023 price would have been $53,600. The supplier quote behind the October 2022 purchase would settle it.
10.11.22 Council Agenda and Packet · would settle it: The vendor quote showing current versus 2023 pricing.
COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTS Administrator Vahlsing thanked everyone involved with Rose Fest. The committee did a great job and attendance was up.
General comments thanking the Rose Fest committee and volunteers.
At the meetingNo figures were provided.
We hold no attendance counts for Rose Fest in any year, so the claim cannot be checked. The festival runs on free Google Forms and a Jotform that now reads over quota, with $0 spent on event software, so no registration data exists to count. A gate count or committee event report would settle it.
KENYON_IT_SPEND.md; KENYON_ROSEFEST archive · would settle it: Attendance counts or event reports comparing years.
Decisions 10 motions
Who did what
| Person | At this meeting |
|---|---|
| Doug Henke Mayor | Called the meeting to order; moved adoption of Resolution 2022-19, the Truth in Taxation meeting date, and seconded adjournment |
| Dan Rechtzigel Council Member | Moved the consent agenda, the Decook pay application, Resolution 2022-20, the liquor license renewal and the sludge pump purchase; praised Rose Fest volunteers |
| Kim Helgeson Council Member | Moved approval of the Bolton & Menk design proposal; seconded several motions |
| Mary Bailey Council Member | Moved to approve the agenda and to adjourn; seconded multiple motions |
| Molly Ryan Council Member | Absent |
| Mark Vahlsing City Administrator | Presented the 2023 preliminary budget and levy, reported on the City Hall roof, and thanked Rose Fest organizers |
| Derek Olinger City Engineer | Reported completion of the North Street Drainage Project and outlined Pearl Creek and Forest Street sanitary sewer priorities |
| Wayne Ehrich Public Works Director/Superintendent | Requested approval to order the new sludge pump and mixing system early to save costs |
| Kathy Flikke Finance Clerk | Present at the meeting |
| Holli Gudknecht Administrative Assistant | Recorded and signed the minutes |
| Jeff Sjoblom Police Chief | Present at the meeting |
| Todd Greseth County Commissioner | Gave an update on the happenings in the County during citizen comment |
| Riggs City Attorney | Reported on enforcement at 1 Langford Avenue and presented the 413 Skogen Drive lot split and combination request |
| Elden Ehrich Property owner, 413 Skogen Drive | Requested approval to split and combine the lot at 413 Skogen Drive |
| Eileen Ehrich Property owner, 413 Skogen Drive | Requested approval to split and combine the lot at 413 Skogen Drive |
Organizations named: City of Kenyon, Decook Drainage, Bolton & Menk, Inc., Goodhue County, Lacey's Kitchen & Cocktails, KMU (Kenyon Municipal Utilities)
Figures
| Amount | What |
|---|---|
| $45,533.55 | Partial pay application No. 1 to Decook for the North Street Drainage Project |
| $118,135.00 | Bolton & Menk proposal for final design and bidding services, Pearl Creek sanitary improvements |
| $48,600.00 | Replacement sludge pump and mixing system at the wastewater treatment plant |
| $5,000.00 | Savings from ordering the sludge pump now rather than in 2023 |
| 6.8% | Maximum 2023 preliminary levy adopted under Resolution 2022-19 |
| $46,018.47 | Original contract price for North Street Drainage Outfall Improvements (packet) |
| $459.93 | Retainage withheld (1%) on North Street pay application (packet) |
Said at the meeting
City Engineer Olinger stated that Decook has completed the North Street Drainage Project.
City Engineer Derek Olinger · packet, verbatim
The levy can be lowered between now and the end of the year, but it cannot be increased.
Administrator Mark Vahlsing · packet, verbatim
Their attorney did respond and was to have a plan submitted by now, but did not follow through.
Attorney Riggs · minutes, verbatim
This item is in the 2023 budget, but the cost is $5,000.00 cheaper if ordered now.
Public Works Superintendent Wayne Ehrich · minutes, verbatim
Councilman Rechtzigel commented that a lot of people came to together to make Rose Fest happen.
Councilman Dan Rechtzigel · minutes, verbatim
Resolutions and ordinances
- Authorizing Minor Subdivision and Lot Combination Property at 413 Skogen Drive Motion by Rechtzigel second by Helgeson to adopt Resolution 20Res. 2022-20
- Adopting the 2023 Preliminary Budget and Levy Administrator Vahlsing stated that the proposed budget and levy were reviewed at the Council woRes. 2022-19
Agenda
Each item links to where it appears in the packet.
- I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
- II. CITIZEN COMMENTS
- III. ADOPT AGENDA
- III.A Agenda
- IV. CONSENT AGENDA
- V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES and APPOINTMENTS
- V.A Approval of Minutes and Appointments
- VI. PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS
- VII. ENGINEERING
- VII.A North Street Drainage Improvements
- VII.B Pearl Creek Sanitary Improvement project
- VIII. LEGAL
- VIII.A Nuisance Property Violation - 1 Langford Av. update
- VIII.B Lot Split and Combination Application - 413 Skogen Dr. - Elden and Eileen
- IX. FINANCIAL
- X. OLD BUSINESS
- XI. NEW BUSINESS
- XI.A Resolution 2022-19: Adopting the 2023 Preliminary Budget & Levy
- XI.C Lacey's Kitchen & Cocktails Liquor License Renewal
- XI.D Wastewater Treatment Plant - Replace Sludge Mixing and Loadout Pump System
- XII. F.Y.I. - Department Updates
- XII.A FYI - Department Updates
- XIII. COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTS
- XIV. ADJOURNMENT
- A. City Council Meeting Minutes of August 15, 2022
- B. City Council Special Meeting Minutes of August 30, 2022
- C. City Council Special Meeting Minutes of September 7, 2022
- A. Project Updates
- A. Nuisance Property Violation - 1 Langford Av. update
- A. Resolution 2022-19: Adopting the 2023 Preliminary Budget & Levy
- C. Lacey's Kitchen & Cocktails Liquor License Renewal
- D. Replace Sludge Mixing and Loadout Pump System at Wastewater Treatment Plant –
- XII. OTHER BUSINESS
- A. Schedule of Upcoming Meetings
Full packet text (86k characters)
The minutes
Official minutes as adopted, from 10.11.22 Council Agenda Packet; text extracted from the PDF.
Council Meeting was duly held in the City Council chambers at 7:00 p.m. on the 13th day of September 2022. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Henke.
- Present
- Mayor Doug Henke, Council Members Dan Rechtzigel, Kim Helgeson, and Mary Bailey
- Absent
- Molly Ryan
- Also present
- Administrator Mark Vahlsing, Engineer Derek Olinger, Finance Clerk Kathy Flikke, Administrative Assistant Holli Gudknecht, Public Works Director Wayne Ehrich, Police Chief Jeff Sjoblom, County Commissioner Todd Greseth
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Citizen Comment
County Commissioner Todd Greseth gave an update on the happenings in the County.
Adopt Agenda
Motion by Bailey, second by Henke to approve the agenda.
Motion carried 4-0-0Consent Agenda
Motion by Rechtzigel, second by Helgeson to approve the Consent Agenda, which includes payment of check numbers 74007 through 74126; 4164E through 4212E.
Motion carried 4-0-0Presentations / Public Hearings / Recognitions / Prolamations
Engineering
North Street Drainage Improvements Updates
City Engineer Olinger stated that Decook has completed the North Street Drainage Project. Approve (Partial) Pay Application 1
Motion by Rechtzigel second by Bailey to approve partial pay application No. 1 to Decook in the amount of $45,533.55. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Pearl Creek Sanitary Improvement Project
City Engineer Olinger stated that the sanitary sewer mains in the Pearl Creek and Forest Street areas are both in need of improvements. However, the Pearl Creek sanitary main is the highest priority and should be ready for bidding in spring of 2023. Forest Street sanitary improvements are currently scheduled for 2025 and 2028. Final Design Proposal
Motion by Helgeson, second by Bailey to approve Bolton & Menk's proposal for final design and bidding services at an estimated cost of $118,135.00. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Legal
Nuisance Property Violation – 1 Langford Avenue
Attorney Riggs stated that the process has been started to enforce action against 1 Langford Avenue for cleanup. Their attorney did respond and was to have a plan submitted by now, but did not follow through. If the plan is not received by the end of the week, Riggs will proceed with enforcement.
Lot Split and Combination Application – 413 Skogen Dr – Elden
Attorney Riggs stated that Elden and Eileen Ehrich requested approval to split the lot at 413 Skogen Drive into two halves and then combine each half with the adjacent lots on each side.
Resolution 2022-20 Authorizing Minor Subdivision and Lot Combination Property at 413 Skogen Drive
Motion by Rechtzigel second by Helgeson to adopt Resolution 2022-20. Motion carried 4-0-0. OLD BUSINESS
New Business
Resolution 2022-19: Adopting the 2023 Preliminary Budget and Levy
Administrator Vahlsing stated that the proposed budget and levy were reviewed at the Council work session on September 7. It was decided to set the maximum levy at 6.8%. 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. The levy can be lowered between now and the end of the year, but it cannot be increased.
Motion by Henke second by Rechtzigel to adopt Resolution 2022-19 adopting the 2023 preliminary budget and levy, which is a maximum of 6.8%. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Motion by Henke second by Helgeson to recommend setting the Truth in Taxation meeting for December 6 at 6:30 pm. Motion carried 4-0-0.
2023 City Hall Roof Replacement Administrator Vahlsing stated that the roof of City Hall needs to be replaced. It was inspected after sustaining damage from storms in June and found to be in poor condition. Replacement will be scheduled for 2023.
Lacey's Kitchen & Cocktails Liquor License Renewal
Motion by Rechtzigel second by Helgeson to renew Lacey's Kitchen & Cocktails liquor license including Sunday and outdoor service area sales. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Wastewater Treatment Plant – Replace Sludge Mixing and Loadout Pump System
Public Works Superintendent Wayne Ehrich explained his request to order a new sludge pump and mixing system to replace the existing pump. This item is in the 2023 budget, but the cost is $5,000.00 cheaper if ordered now. The estimated delivery time for the pump is 20 weeks or longer.
Motion by Rechtzigel second by Bailey to approve replacing the sludge pump and mixing system at a cost of $48,600.00. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Schedule of Upcoming Meetings
KMU Meeting: Monday, September 19th @ 2:00 p.m. City Council Meeting: Tuesday, October 11 @ 7:00 p.m.
Council And Staff General Comments
Administrator Vahlsing thanked everyone involved with Rose Fest. The committee did a great job and attendance was up.
Councilman Rechtzigel commented that a lot of people came to together to make Rose Fest happen.
Motion by Bailey second by Henke to adjourn the meeting at 7:41 p.m.
Motion carried 4-0-0_____ Holli Gudknecht, Administrative Assistant Douglas Henke, Mayor