Watch the meeting
What happened
- Consent agenda approved check numbers 74127-74216 and 4213E-4257E plus liquor store appointments, 4-0-0
- Travis Washburn and Mitchell Sabotta appointed part-time liquor store employees
- Council directed City Engineer Olinger to proceed with the 2023 street project scope of asphalt repairs and overlays
- Packet estimate: base project $499,900.00; CIP budget approximately $515,000
- Two streets (State St. and Washington St., 7th-8th) proposed as add alternates at $76,800.00 and $67,800.00 due to higher projected asphalt pricing
- Attorney Riggs reported a cleanup plan and schedule received for 1 Langford Avenue; police chief and attorney to monitor progress
- Staff directed to develop cost estimates for renovating versus replacing the Depot Park shelter
- Administrative Policy #33, Electronic Funds Transfer Policy, adopted following a 2021 audit finding
- November Council meeting rescheduled to Wednesday, November 16 at 7:00 pm; 2022 election results to be canvassed at that meeting
- Budget work session on enterprise funds (sewer, storm sewer, liquor store) set for Wednesday, October 26 at 6:00 pm
- Meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m.
What was asked 15 raised · 7 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.
The Council would like to see some estimates of repairing the old Depot verses building a new one before a decision could be made. 8 Motion by Henke, second by Helgeson directing City staff to continue reviewing the future of the Depot Park including cost estimates.
Council could not decide whether to renovate the existing Depot shelter or construct a new one without cost comparisons.
At the meetingMotion carried 4-0-0; no estimates presented at the meeting.
Estimates came back on March 14 2023, but only for one of the two options. Administrator Vahlsing reviewed an L and M Construction estimate for improvements to the Depot Park shelter, with a few other improvements bringing total costs into the range of $25,000, and the Park Board recommended repairing the depot and seeking donations toward the cost. No estimate for building a new shelter appears anywhere in our record, so the comparison the council asked for was never completed.
3.14.23 Updated Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2023-03-14
A plan was received with a list of accomplishments and a schedule for the remaining cleanup. The police chief and attorney will be monitoring the progress.
Riggs updated Council on correspondence with the property owner's attorney and a cleanup plan received.
At the meetingRiggs reported a plan with accomplishments and a schedule for remaining cleanup was received.
The cleanup schedule failed and the city escalated to prosecution. By December 13 2022 Riggs reported the owner was still resisting with little progress, and the police department was instructed to write tickets for expired vehicles. A citation was issued on January 10 2023 with arraignment set for February 23, and by April 11 2023 the chief reported snow had slowed progress, the owner had surveyed the property and found the downed tree was his to remove, and the owner had until April to finish.
The submitted plan and schedule did not hold. Two months after it was received the city recorded the owner still resisting with little progress, and moved to citations.
12.13.22 Council Minutes, 3.14.23 Updated Council Packet and Agenda, 4.11.23 Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2023-04-11
Motion by Helgeson second by Rechtzigel to direct the City Engineer to proceed with the 2023 street project scope as presented.
Olinger presented a scope recommendation for 2023 asphalt repairs and overlays at Council's prior direction.
At the meetingMotion carried 4-0-0.
The scope became a bid project. Plans and specifications for the 2023 Street Improvements covered Bullis Street, Washington Street, 7th Street and 8th Street, with alternate improvements to State Street and Washington Street for asphalt overlays, patching, repaving and minor surface repairs, presented to the council June 13 2023. The work went to Bituminous Materials Inc at $450,693.95, the low bid against Crane Creek at $463,585.62 and SL Contracting at $535,437.60, with an engineer's estimate of $547,705.
6.13.23 Council Packet and Agenda and factbook KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2023-06-13
Schedule Budget Work Session to Review Enterprise Funds (Sewer, Storm Sewer, Liquor Store) Administrator Vahlsing requested that a budget work session be scheduled to review the enterprise funds including Sewer, Storm sewer, and the liquor store Motion by Rechtzigel second by Henke to schedule a work session on Wednesday, October 26 at 6:00 pm to review the enterprise funds.
Vahlsing requested a work session to review enterprise fund budgets.
At the meetingWork session scheduled for October 26 at 6:00 pm; motion carried 4-0-0.
The work session was held on Wednesday October 26 2022 at 6:00 pm, narrowed to the enterprise portion of the budget covering the municipal liquor store, sewer and storm sewer funds, which had to be adopted by the end of December. The agenda notes this was a change from prior years, when the entire budget was reviewed at that session. The city kept the practice, setting the 2024 enterprise fund work session for Tuesday November 28 2023 at 5:00 pm.
10.26.22 Special City Council Agenda and 12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2022-10-26
Motion by Rechtzigel second by Helgeson to canvass the 2022 election results at the regular Council meeting on Wednesday, November 16 at 7:00 pm.
State law requires canvassing between November 11 and 18.
At the meetingCanvass scheduled for November 16 at 7:00 pm; motion carried 4-0-0.
The council met as the Canvassing Board and canvassed the results of the November 8 2022 General Election on a motion by Rechtzigel seconded by Ryan, carried 5-0-0, inside the statutory November 11 to 18 window. The city repeated the same step two years later, canvassing the November 5 2024 General Election on a motion by Helgeson seconded by Sjolander, carried 4-0-0. The county abstract of results is not in our holdings.
11.16.22 Council Minutes and 12.10.24 Council Packet and Agenda Updated · taken up again 2022-11-16
The Farmer's Market has been great support from the community and it will be brought back for next year. Park and Rec will also be sponsoring Trunk or Treat on Sunday, October 30th.
Helgeson announced upcoming Park and Rec events.
The event was held and the council thanked the organizers. Council member Bailey appreciated the work Park and Rec put into the Trunk or Treat event and said they were doing great work, recorded in the November 16 2022 minutes.
11.16.22 Council Minutes · taken up again 2022-11-16
OLD BUSINESS Future of Depot Park Shelter Administrator Vahlsing outlined the repairs that are needed to the Depot Park shelter. The City and Park and Rec Board are looking for future direction from the Council.
Vahlsing outlined needed repairs to the Depot Park shelter and sought Council direction.
At the meetingCouncil deferred a decision and directed staff to gather cost estimates.
The direction became repair rather than replacement, and the project ran for years afterward. The Park Board recommended repairing the depot and seeking donations, a Minnesota State Mankato graduate design team produced a draft design presented at the December 5 2023 special meeting, a local cabinet shop donated kitchen cabinets through Council member Helgeson, and Park and Rec moved $2,750.41 and $4,594.59 from its Carriage and Cutter and 5K Run funds into the Depot Park fund, totaling exactly the $7,345 transfer on record. Shelters were funded by a $10,000 grant from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, and the work was still going in September 2026 with a concrete apron and ramp going to Lexvold Construction at $9,980.
3.14.23 Updated Council Packet and Agenda, 12.12.23 Council Packet and Agenda, 3.12.24 Council Packet and Agenda, factbook KENYON_DEPOT_PARK.md · taken up again 2023-12-12
The Council would like to see some estimates of repairing the old Depot verses building a new one before a decision could be made. 8 Motion by Henke, second by Helgeson directing City staff to continue reviewing the future of the Depot Park including cost estimates.
Council said it needed the estimates before making a decision on the Depot Park shelter.
Only the repair side was ever priced. The L and M Construction estimate plus a few other improvements put repair in the range of $25,000 as of March 14 2023, and the Park Board recommended that path with donations. No contractor or engineer estimate for new construction of a Depot Park shelter is in our holdings, so the two options were never compared on cost.
3.14.23 Updated Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2023-03-14
Township Fire Contract Meeting: Tuesday, December 6th @ 6 p.m. 2023 Budget & Levy Public Meeting: Tuesday, December 6th @ 6:30 p.m.
Listed under the schedule of upcoming meetings.
No minutes or draft terms from the December 6 2022 township fire contract meeting are in our holdings, though the meeting stayed on the published schedule through the December 13 2022 agenda. The contract structure that eventually governs is on file: the township agreement requires the city to present an annual fire department operational budget by the anniversary date, and permits a capital fund amount for tools and equipment but not for land or buildings. The 2026 split runs $99,338.82 to the city at 51 percent and $95,443.18 to the township.
The fire cost-share worksheet does not foot. Total 2026 fire expenses of $234,398.00 less $10,000.00 of reimbursements and grants and $33,000.00 of state fire aid is $191,398.00, but the budget used for the city and township split is $194,782.00, $3,384.00 higher.
12.2.25 Special Council Meeting and 12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated
Township Fire Contract Meeting: Tuesday, December 6th @ 6 p.m. 2023 Budget & Levy Public Meeting: Tuesday, December 6th @ 6:30 p.m.
Listed under the schedule of upcoming meetings.
No minutes or budget documents from the December 6 2022 public budget and levy meeting are in our holdings, and our levy history begins with the 2025 levy. The 2023 levy can be bounded from the next year, since the 2024 levy of $1,277,965 was an 8 percent increase, implying a 2023 levy of roughly $1,183,300. The adopted 2023 budget resolution and the county certification would settle it.
factbook levy history and 1-9-24 agenda
NEW BUSINESS Administrative Policy 33 – Electronic Funds Transfer Policy Administrator Vahlsing stated that one of the findings of the 2021 audit was for the City to adopt an Electronic Fund Transfer Policy.
Vahlsing introduced Administrative Policy 33 as a response to an audit finding.
At the meetingCouncil adopted Administrative Policy #33 by a 4-0-0 vote.
The 2021 audit report is not in our holdings, so the finding itself cannot be read, though the city acted on it by adopting Administrative Policy 33 governing ACH, wire transfers and other electronic payment types, carried 4-0-0 on roll call. The 2021 city and KMU audit was performed by Abdo Eick and Meyers at $26,875, chosen over CliftonLarsonAllen at $32,130. The following year's findings are on record and are different ones, limited segregation of duties and preparation of financial statements, both internal control findings.
8.8.23 Council Packet and Agenda and factbook KENYON_BIDS.md
Officer Mitch is doing a great job of coordinating the selling of pink patches. 9 Councilman Helgeson stated that the last Farmer's Market will be on Thursday, October 20th.
Helgeson reported on Park and Rec activities during general comments.
The closing date of Thursday October 20 2022 is recorded in the minutes, but no Park and Rec schedule confirming it or the return the following season is in our holdings, and no later passage mentions the Farmer's Market again. What the record does show is Park and Rec consolidating its money elsewhere, moving $2,750.41 from the Carriage and Cutter fund and $4,594.59 from the 5K Run fund into the Depot Park fund in early 2024. Park and Rec Board minutes would settle whether the market came back.
11.16.22 City Council Packet and Agenda and 3.12.24 Council Packet and Agenda
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Rechtzigel – Aye, Helgeson – Aye, Bailey - Aye Motion carried 4-0-0. Schedule of Upcoming Meetings KMU Meeting: Tuesday, October 18th @ 2:00 p.m.
Listed under the schedule of upcoming meetings.
No KMU agenda for October 18 2022 is in our holdings, and KMU minutes are not part of the council record we hold. The commission's meeting slot drifts across the years, at 2:00 pm in October 2022, 4:00 pm in September and December 2024 and 3:00 pm in October and December 2025, always on a Tuesday. KMU's own posted agendas would settle it.
10-8-24 AGENDA and 11-12-25 Council Packet
Park and Rec will also be sponsoring Trunk or Treat on Sunday, October 30th. Mayor Henke commented that four new trees were planted in Veteran's Park.
General comment during council and staff comments.
No planting record or invoice for four trees at Veterans Park is in our holdings, so the claim rests on Mayor Henke's comment during general comments. Kenyon Veterans Memorial Park is one of 18 parks and recreation facilities on file. A public works work order or a nursery invoice would settle it.
factbook data/parks_recreation.csv · would settle it: Public works planting record or invoice
COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTS Police Chief Sjoblom stated that October is breast cancer awareness month. Officer Mitch is doing a great job of coordinating the selling of pink patches. 9 Councilman Helgeson stated that the last Farmer's Market will be on Thursday, October 20th.
Sjoblom noted October is breast cancer awareness month during general comments.
No pink patch sales record is in our holdings, so neither proceeds nor volume can be given. The officer is identified elsewhere in the record as Mitch Taylor, who accepted a position with the Apple Valley Police Department with a last day of October 17 2024. A police department fundraising accounting or a donation resolution would settle it.
11.12.24 Council Packet And Agenda · would settle it: Police department pink patch sales record
Decisions 9 motions
Who did what
| Person | At this meeting |
|---|---|
| Doug Henke Mayor | Called the meeting to order, moved approval of the consent agenda and the motion directing staff to continue reviewing the Depot Park shelter; noted four new trees planted in Veteran's Park |
| Dan Rechtzigel Council Member | Moved to approve the agenda, to adopt Administrative Policy #33, to canvass election results November 16, and to schedule the October 26 enterprise fund work session |
| Kim Helgeson Council Member | Moved to direct the City Engineer to proceed with the 2023 street project scope; reported the last Farmer's Market on October 20 and Park and Rec's Trunk or Treat on October 30 |
| Mary Bailey Council Member (via Zoom) | Moved to reschedule the November Council meeting to November 16 and moved to adjourn; seconded the electronic funds transfer policy |
| Molly Ryan Council Member | Absent |
| Mark Vahlsing City Administrator | Outlined Depot Park shelter repairs, presented the Electronic Funds Transfer Policy audit finding, and requested rescheduling of the November meeting, canvass date and enterprise fund work session |
| Derek Olinger City Engineer | Presented the 2023 street improvement project scope recommendation and reviewed the list of proposed street improvements |
| Scott Riggs City Attorney | Updated Council on the 1 Langford Avenue nuisance cleanup and correspondence with the owners' attorney |
| Jeff Sjoblom Police Chief | Noted October is breast cancer awareness month and praised Officer Mitch's coordination of pink patch sales; will monitor the Langford Avenue cleanup |
| Wayne Ehrich Public Works Director | Attended; reviewed applicable streets for the 2023 project with the City Engineer per the packet |
| Kathy Flikke Finance Clerk | Attended the meeting |
| Holli Gudknecht Administrative Assistant | Prepared the agenda and packet materials and recorded the minutes |
| Travis Washburn Part-Time Liquor Store Employee appointee | Appointed via the consent agenda |
| Mitchell Sabotta Part-Time Liquor Store Employee appointee | Appointed via the consent agenda |
| Trina Kalvig Also present | Attended the meeting |
Organizations named: City of Kenyon, Bolton & Menk, Kenyon Park and Rec Board, KMU (Kenyon Municipal Utilities), Kenyon Police Department, Kenyon Municipal Liquor Store
Figures
| Amount | What |
|---|---|
| $499,900.00 | Estimated cost of the base 2023 street improvements project (mill & overlay with patching on Bullis, Washington, 8th and 7th Street segments) |
| $76,800.00 | Estimated cost of Add Alternate 1: State Street (7th-8th) reclaim/mill & repave |
| $67,800.00 | Estimated cost of Add Alternate 2: Washington Street (7th-8th) reclaim/mill & repave |
| $515,000 | Approximate CIP budget for the 2023 street improvements project |
Said at the meeting
A plan was received with a list of accomplishments and a schedule for the remaining cleanup.
Attorney Scott Riggs (as recorded in minutes) · minutes, verbatim
This policy would govern how the City conducts electronic payments including ACH, Wire Transfers, and other electronic payment types.
Administrator Mark Vahlsing (as recorded in minutes) · packet, verbatim
As we understand from contractor discussions, asphalt pricing is projected to be higher than previously estimated.
City Engineer Derek Olinger (project scope memo) · packet, verbatim
Officer Mitch is doing a great job of coordinating the selling of pink patches.
Police Chief Jeff Sjoblom · minutes, verbatim
The Farmer's Market has been great support from the community and it will be brought back for next year.
Councilman Kim Helgeson · minutes, verbatim
four new trees were planted in Veteran's Park
Mayor Doug Henke · minutes, verbatim
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 Approval of Minutes and Appointments
- III.B Adopt Agenda
- IV. CONSENT AGENDA
- V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES and APPOINTMENTS
- VI. PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS
- VII. ENGINEERING
- VIII. LEGAL
- VIII.A Nuisance Property Violation - 1 Langford Av. update
- IX. FINANCIAL
- X. OLD BUSINESS
- X.A Discussion on future of Depot Park Shelter
- XI. NEW BUSINESS
- XI.A Administrative Policy 33 – Electronic Funds Transfer Policy
- XI.B Reschedule November Council Meeting
- XI.C Schedule Meeting to Canvass 2022 Election Results, November 11-18
- XI.D Schedule Budget Work Session to Review Enterprise Funds (Sewer, Storm Sewer,
- XII. F.Y.I. - Department Updates
- XIII. COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTS
- XIV. ADJOURNMENT
- A. City Council Meeting Minutes of September 13, 2022
- B. Appoint Travis Washburn and Mitchell Sabotta to Part-Time Liquor Store Employees
- A. Nuisance Property Violation - 1 Langford Av. update
- A. Future of Depot Park Shelter
- A. Administrative Policy 33 – Electronic Funds Transfer Policy
- B. Reschedule November Council Meeting
- C. Schedule Meeting to Canvass 2022 Election Results, November 11-18
- D. Schedule Budget Work Session to Review Enterprise Funds (Sewer, Storm Sewer,
- XII. OTHER BUSINESS
- A. Schedule of Upcoming Meetings
Full packet text (26k characters)
The minutes
Official minutes as adopted, from 11.16.22 City Council Packet and Agenda; text extracted from the PDF.
Council Meeting was duly held in the City Council chambers at 7:00 p.m. on the 11th day of October 2022. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Henke.
- Present
- Mayor Doug Henke, Council Members Dan Rechtzigel, and Kim Helgeson
- Via Zoom
- Mary Bailey
- Absent
- Molly Ryan
- Also present
- Administrator Mark Vahlsing, Engineer Derek Olinger, Attorney Scott Riggs, Finance Clerk Kathy Flikke, Administrative Assistant Holli Gudknecht, Public Works Director Wayne Ehrich, Police Chief Jeff Sjoblom, Trina Kalvig
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Citizen Comment
Adopt Agenda
Motion by Rechtzigel, second by Helgeson to approve the agenda.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Rechtzigel – Aye, Helgeson – Aye, Bailey - Aye
Motion carried 4-0-0Consent Agenda
Motion by Henke, second by Rechtzigel to approve the Consent Agenda, which includes payment of check numbers 74127 through 74216; 4213E through 4257E and the liquor store appointments.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Rechtzigel – Aye, Helgeson – Aye, Bailey - Aye
Motion carried 4-0-0Presentations / Public Hearings / Recognitions / Prolamations
Engineering
2023 Street Improvement Project Scope City Engineer Olinger stated that, at the direction of the Council, he prepared a scope recommendation for the 2023 street improvements project including asphalt repairs and overlays. He reviewed the list of proposed 2023 street improvements.
Motion by Helgeson second by Rechtzigel to direct the City Engineer to proceed with the 2023 street project scope as presented.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Rechtzigel – Aye, Helgeson – Aye, Bailey - Aye
Motion carried 4-0-0Legal
Nuisance Property Violation – 1 Langford Avenue Update
Attorney Riggs updated the Council on the 1 Langford Avenue cleanup. Riggs has had several conversations and some email correspondence with their attorney. A plan was received with a list of accomplishments and a schedule for the remaining cleanup. The police chief and attorney will be monitoring the progress.
Old Business
Future of Depot Park Shelter
Administrator Vahlsing outlined the repairs that are needed to the Depot Park shelter. The City and Park and Rec Board are looking for future direction from the Council. A determination needs to be made as to whether the existing Depot shelter should be renovated or a new shelter constructed. The Council would like to see some estimates of repairing the old Depot verses building a new one before a decision could be made. 8
Motion by Henke, second by Helgeson directing City staff to continue reviewing the future of the Depot Park including cost estimates.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Rechtzigel – Aye, Helgeson – Aye, Bailey - Aye
Motion carried 4-0-0New Business
Administrative Policy 33 – Electronic Funds Transfer Policy
Administrator Vahlsing stated that one of the findings of the 2021 audit was for the City to adopt an Electronic Fund Transfer Policy. This policy would govern how the City conducts electronic payments including ACH, Wire Transfers, and other electronic payment types.
Motion by Rechtzigel second by Bailey to adopt Administrative Policy #33 covering electronic fund transfers.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Rechtzigel – Aye, Helgeson – Aye, Bailey - Aye
Motion carried 4-0-0Reschedule November Council Meeting
Administrator Vahlsing stated that, due to the General Election, the November Council meeting will need to be rescheduled.
Motion by Bailey, second by Helgeson to reschedule the November Council meeting to Wednesday, November 16 at 7:00 pm.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Rechtzigel – Aye, Helgeson – Aye, Bailey - Aye
Motion carried 4-0-0Schedule Meeting to Canvass 2022 Election Results, November 11-18
Administrator Vahlsing stated that the Council needs to canvass the election results between November 11 and 18.
Motion by Rechtzigel second by Helgeson to canvass the 2022 election results at the regular Council meeting on Wednesday, November 16 at 7:00 pm.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Rechtzigel – Aye, Helgeson – Aye, Bailey - Aye
Motion carried 4-0-0Schedule Budget Work Session to Review Enterprise Funds (Sewer, Storm Sewer, Liquor Store)
Administrator Vahlsing requested that a budget work session be scheduled to review the enterprise funds including Sewer, Storm sewer, and the liquor store
Motion by Rechtzigel second by Henke to schedule a work session on Wednesday, October 26 at 6:00 pm to review the enterprise funds.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Rechtzigel – Aye, Helgeson – Aye, Bailey - Aye
Motion carried 4-0-0Schedule of Upcoming Meetings
KMU Meeting: Tuesday, October 18th @ 2:00 p.m. City Council Work Session: Wednesday, October 26 @ 6:00 pm City Council Meeting: Wednesday, November 16 @ 7 p.m. Township Fire Contract Meeting: Tuesday, December 6th @ 6 p.m. 2023 Budget & Levy Public Meeting: Tuesday, December 6th @ 6:30 p.m.
Council And Staff General Comments
Police Chief Sjoblom stated that October is breast cancer awareness month. Officer Mitch is doing a great job of coordinating the selling of pink patches.
Councilman Helgeson stated that the last Farmer's Market will be on Thursday, October 20th. The Farmer's Market has been great support from the community and it will be brought back for next year. Park and Rec will also be sponsoring Trunk or Treat on Sunday, October 30th.
Mayor Henke commented that four new trees were planted in Veteran's Park.
Motion by Bailey second by Henke to adjourn the meeting at 8:03 p.m.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Rechtzigel – Aye, Helgeson – Aye, Bailey - Aye
Motion carried 4-0-0_____ Holli Gudknecht, Administrative Assistant Douglas Henke, Mayor
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a City