What happened
- Resolution 2023-29 adopted the 2024 budget and a tax levy of $1,277,965 payable 2024, a maximum proposed increase of 8%
- Council voted 3-1 (Sjolander opposed) to eliminate the full-time administrative assistant position and move funding to full-time police officers
- Approved $2.00/hour raise (plus 3% COLA) for Muni manager and up to $3.00/hour for part-time Muni staff
- Approved SCBA equipment ($116,805) and compressor ($39,640) purchase totaling $156,445 for the Fire Department
- 2024 sanitary sewer rate raised from $6.61 to $7.40 per thousand gallons; residential base from $23.44 to $26.25/month; storm sewer fee from $4.03 to $9.00/month
- Approved final pay request #3 to BMI Inc. of $11,450.47 for the 2023 Street Improvement Project, contingent on closeout documentation
- Resolution 2023-30 committed capital fund balances under GASB 54; year-end fire and public works balances transferred to capital, amounts to be set by 2023 auditors
- Jacobson Law prosecution contract increase approved; annual cost to rise from $13,800 to $16,800
- Adopted the State Earned Sick and Safe Time policy; existing city full-time sick accrual of 12 days supersedes the law
- Approved 2024 tobacco license renewals for Kenyon Market, River Country Co-Op (Speedway) and Kenyon Municipal Liquor Store
What was asked 20 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.
The fire department is requesting to use half of the Public Safety Aid which is $42,000. and $37,000 in donations toward the purchase.
Old business purchase request for SCBA equipment and compressor totaling $156,445.
At the meetingCouncil approved the purchase of SCBA equipment and compressor 4-0-0.
The funding stack balances exactly. The $42,000 of Public Safety Aid, $37,000 in donations and $77,445 from the fire department capital fund sum to $156,445, which equals the $116,805 of SCBA equipment plus the $39,640 compressor. The council approved the purchase on a motion by Sjolander seconded by Ryan, carried 4-0-0, and the award went to Alex Air Apparatus.
1-9-24 agenda and factbook KENYON_BIDS.md
Based on the attached quotes the SCBA Equipment would cost $116,805. The cost of the compressor would be $39,640. Total cost: $156,445.
Presenting cost figures for the fire department equipment purchase.
The figures match our record. Alex Air Apparatus was awarded $156,445, being $116,805 for the SCBA equipment and $39,640 for the compressor.
Alex Air Apparatus is the only vendor named on a $156,445 purchase and no competing quote is on file, short of the two-quote rule the city set nine months later in Administrative Policy No. 34.
KENYON_BIDS.md
No public comments were received at the meeting. The final budget shows a maximum proposed levy increase of 8% for 2024.
Adoption of Resolution 2023-29 setting the 2024 budget and levy.
At the meetingCouncil adopted Resolution 2023-29 with the levy of $1,277,965.
Resolution 2023-29 set the 2024 levy at $1,277,965, an 8 percent increase, adopted on a motion by Sjolander seconded by Helgeson, carried 4-0-0. That base checks out exactly against the next year, since the $1,400,000 levy for 2025 is 9.55 percent above $1,277,965. The four-year chain runs $1,277,965 for 2024, $1,400,000 for 2025, $1,528,541 for 2026 and $1,670,115 preliminary for 2027, a rise of 30.7 percent in three years.
1-9-24 agenda and factbook levy history
Muni Roof and Flooring Replacement Administrator Vahlsing stated that he was continuing to get quotes for roofing and flooring replacement for the Muni. He is hoping to have additional quotes for the January Council meeting to approve.
Old business item on replacing the roof and flooring at the Municipal Liquor Store.
Both purchases were awarded in the first quarter of 2024, though neither at the January meeting. Flooring went to Hamernick's at $7,480.86 on February 13 2024, carried 5-0-0, over Picture Perfect at $11,745 and Hiller at $25,364.60, with both leading quotes covering removal of the existing tile and glued down sealed vinyl plank that needs no waxing. The roof went to Chandler Roofing at $40,640 on March 12 2024, against an L and M quote of $53,000 from 2022, and the cost was financed through KMU.
2.13.24 Council Packet and Agenda, 3.12.24 Council Packet and Agenda, factbook KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2024-03-12
Ellingson Drainage installed forcemain in this area. The remainder of the project will be completed next spring.
Project update showing BCM wrapping up work for the year after installing water, electrical utilities and forcemain west of Gates Avenue.
Spring 2024 was wrong by more than a year. Pay application 5 came in June 2024, pay application 6 of $112,532.25 covered work through June 28 2024, lift station electrical was still being finished that August, yard restoration around the station was completed in late September 2024, final testing was submitted in November 2024, and grading and turf on the Barrett property carried into spring 2025. The closing change order of August 12 2025 set ready for final payment at July 9 2025.
The remainder of the project was not completed in spring 2024. Work continued through the 2024 season and the project did not reach final payment readiness until July 9 2025.
8-20-24 AGENDA, 6.11.24 Council Packet and Agenda, 8.12.25 Council Packet and Agenda Updated · taken up again 2025-08-12
(Funding moved to full time officers 9 in 2024 Budget) Chief Sjoblom requested that the council eliminate the administrative position and move funding to full time police officers in the 2024 budget.
2024 budget and levy discussion on staffing changes.
At the meetingCouncil voted 3-1 to eliminate the full-time administrative position and move funding to full time police officers, with Sjolander voting no.
The council eliminated the full-time administrative position on a motion by Henke seconded by Ryan, with Henke, Ryan and Helgeson in favor and Sjolander against, and moved the funding to full-time officers. Administrative capacity was proposed back into the budget two years later, with a part-time administrative assistant added to the 2026 budget alongside a finance director for the fourth quarter of 2026. The sworn side did not fill out either: by September 8 2026 the full-time officer position was posted until filled with no applicants.
1-9-24 agenda, 9-9-25 Council Packet, 9-8-26 Council Packet · taken up again 2025-09-09
After further review, staff would recommend increasing the Sanitary Sewer Fund increase rate from $6.61 per thousand gallons to $7.40 per thousand.
Setting 2024 sanitary and storm sewer rates following the November 28 special meeting discussion.
At the meetingCouncil approved the recommended 2024 sanitary and storm sewer utility rates 4-0-0.
The rates were adopted 4-0-0 and published, with sanitary sewer at $7.40 per thousand gallons and base rates of $26.25 a month for a service line of 1 inch or less, $84.07 at 1.5 inch, $125.80 at 2 inch and $223.78 at 3 inch. They were the first step of a four-year plan from the 2021 utility rate study, and the second step landed March 11 2025 at $7.77 per thousand, a $27.57 base and a $13.00 storm fee. Storm sewer carried the weight of both steps, rising from $4.03 to $9.00 and then to $13.00, a 223 percent increase in two years, against roughly 12 percent then 5 percent on the sanitary side.
1-9-24 agenda and 3-11-25 council packet · taken up again 2025-03-11
Motion by Bailey seconded by Ryan to close the City Office and Library at noon on Friday, December 22 and close the library on Saturday, December 23. 11 Motion carried 4-0-0.
Holiday office closings request.
At the meetingCouncil approved the closings 4-0-0.
The closings were approved on a motion by Bailey seconded by Ryan, carried 4-0-0, closing the city office and library at noon on Friday December 22 2023 and the library on Saturday December 23. The practice is routine and recurring, with Friday July 5 2024 approved 5-0-0, December 24 2024 approved with the library closing at 4:30 pm on December 31, and December 24 and 26 2025 approved 4-0-0. The posted public notice itself is not in our holdings.
1-9-24 agenda, 7.9.24 Council Packet and Agenda, 1-13-25 Council Packet Updated
Motion by Sjolander second by Helgeson to approve a rate increase of $100 per month for Jacobson Law effective January 1, 2023. Motion by Sjolander Second by Henke to approve rate increase for Jacobson Law office effective January 1, 2024.
Jacobson Law requested an increase to fees for the 2024 criminal prosecution contract.
At the meetingA motion to approve a rate increase for Jacobson Law effective January 1, 2024 carried 4-0-0, without a stated dollar amount.
The record cannot be reconciled and the signed contract is not in our holdings. The requested $250 a month matches the stated jump from $13,800 to $16,800 exactly, since that is $3,000 a year over twelve months, but the first motion approved $100 a month effective January 1 2023, which would produce $15,000 a year and applies to a year already over, and the second motion that carried 4-0-0 named no dollar figure at all. The request recurred annually, appearing on the January 14 2025 agenda and in the December 9 2025 consent agenda for 2026.
The two motions are inconsistent with each other and with the request. One sets $100 a month effective January 1 2023, a date already past, and the one that carried states no amount.
1-9-24 agenda · taken up again 2025-12-09
The final design has been submitted to Precision Sign and MNDOT. The City is waiting for final approval of the sign right-of- way permit from MNDOT.
Final design of the community entrance sign was submitted to Precision Sign and MNDOT.
No MnDOT right-of-way permit decision for the community entrance sign is in our holdings. A larger question sits underneath it: the September 12 2023 quotes for the sign ran from Lewiston Monument at $14,500 to $20,500 through Schad-Tracy at $16,512.51, Precision Signs at $19,355.60 and Anderson Memorial at $23,873 to $25,653, staff recommended Schad-Tracy, and the award was still unresolved in November 2023, yet the final design in January 2024 went to Precision Sign. The permit file and the executed sign contract would settle both points.
Staff recommended Schad-Tracy at $16,512.51 in September 2023 and the award was unresolved in November, but by January 2024 the final sign design had been submitted to Precision Sign, whose quote was $2,843.09 higher.
factbook KENYON_BIDS.md and 1-9-24 agenda
OLD BUSINESS Resolution 2023-30: A Resolution Committing Capital Fund Balance Administrator Vahlsing stated that the general accounting standard (GASB 54) requires all public entities to set year end Capital fund balances before the end of the current year contingent on audited final numbers. The final year-end capital fund amounts will not be known until the 2023 audit is completed.
Resolution 2023-30 committing capital fund balance under GASB 54 was adopted contingent on audited final numbers.
The final 2023 capital fund balances are not in our holdings, and the contingency was never closed in the record. The same sentence recurs verbatim each December, for the 2023 audit under Resolution 2023-30, the 2024 audit under Resolution 2024-29 and the 2025 audit in the December 2025 packet, so the council has committed capital fund balances three years running against numbers it did not yet have. The audited fund balance statements would settle it.
1-9-24 agenda, 1-14-25 council packet, 12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated
PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS/RECOGNITIONS/PROLAMATIONS None ENGINEERING 2023 Street Improvements Project Update Engineer Olinger stated that the majority of the work is now complete with some small repairs remaining to be completed.
Project update stating the majority of work is complete.
No punch list for the 2023 Street Improvements project is in our holdings, so the small repairs are never itemized or dated in our record. The city's contracts hold the leverage in retainage, computed as 1 percent of work completed plus 250 percent of the value of remaining punch list items, a formula visible on other projects at $4,500.00 of punch list against $16,819.06 retained in December 2024 and $27,448.75 against $48,240.80 retained in September 2026. The project punch list or the final payment record would settle it.
12.10.24 Council Packet and Agenda Updated and 9-8-26 Council Packet
Ayes: Henke, Ryan and Helgeson Nayes: Sjolander Motion carried 3-1-0 Resolution 2023-29: Adopting the 2024 Budget and Establishing the Tax Levy for Payable 2024 Administrator Vahlsing stated that the Truth in Taxation meeting was held on December 5. No public comments were received at the meeting.
Background for adopting the 2024 budget and levy.
The December 5 2023 Truth in Taxation minutes are not in our holdings, so the claim of no public comments rests on Vahlsing's report alone. The pattern he described has held since: the December 9 2025 Truth in Taxation record likewise states no citizen comments, on a levy that had come down from a 9.93 percent maximum to 9.18 percent. The December 5 2023 special meeting minutes would settle it.
12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated
City of Kenyon / KMU's current sick policy supersedes the law and will not change sick time accrual for full-time employees.
Adoption of the State Earned Safe and Sick Time Policy effective January 1, 2024.
At the meetingCouncil adopted the State Earned Safe and Sick Time Policy 4-0-0.
On accrual volume the claim holds arithmetically, since 12 working days is roughly 96 hours against the state floor of 48 hours a year, double the minimum. What it does not address is the rest of the law, and the city's own November 2025 training material treats earned sick and safe time as a distinct scheme with its own carryover cap and frontloading rules sitting alongside FMLA and the Minnesota Paid Leave program that began January 1 2026. The city personnel policy sick leave section is not in our holdings, and the policy rewrite with Abdo was still unfinished as of August 2026.
1-9-24 agenda and 11-12-25 Council Packet
Employees must accrue at least one hour of earned sick and safe time for every 30 hours they work, up to at least 48 hours in a year.
Explaining the new state earned sick and safe time law.
The city's own later leave comparison corroborates the accrual terms, listing earned sick and safe time as Minnesota law effective January 1 2024, paid by the employer, accruing 1 hour every 30 hours worked up to 48 hours a year, with yearly carryover capped at 80 hours or frontloading in lieu of carryover. The statute text is not in our holdings. Note the number 80 appears in both places doing different work, as the eligibility threshold in the 2023 description and as the carryover cap in the 2025 material.
11-12-25 Council Packet leave comparison · taken up again 2025-11-12
Schedule of Upcoming Meetings KMU Meeting: Tuesday, December 19th @ 4:00 p.m. City Council Meeting: Tuesday, January 9th @ 7:00 p.m.
Schedule of upcoming meetings under other business.
The January 9 2024 council meeting was held, since its own minutes are the source of this record, but no published notice for either meeting is in our holdings and the December 19 2023 KMU meeting is not separately confirmed. The scheduling pattern is stable across years, with KMU and the EDA meeting on the same Tuesday in mid December and the council meeting on the second Tuesday of January, December 17 and January 14 in the following cycle and December 16 and January 13 in the one after. The posted notices would settle it.
12.10.24 Council Packet and Agenda Updated and 12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated
Approve Transfer of Fire Department Year End Remaining Funds to Capital Fund Administrator Vahlsing stated that council approval is needed to move the year end Fire Department budget balance to the capital fund. The actual transfer amount will be determined by the auditors as part of the 2023 audit.
Council approved transferring the year-end Fire Department budget balance to the capital fund without a stated amount.
The auditor-determined fire department year-end transfer amount is not in our holdings, and no later passage reports it. The nearest reference point is the fire department capital fund balance of roughly $255,000 cited a month later in support of the SCBA purchase, which the transfer would have added to. The 2023 audit fund statements or the journal entry for the transfer would settle it.
1-9-24 agenda · would settle it: The auditor-determined year-end Fire Department budget balance
Approve Transfer of Fire Department Year End Remaining Funds to Capital Fund Administrator Vahlsing stated that council approval is needed to move the year end Fire Department budget balance to the capital fund. The actual transfer amount will be determined by the auditors as part of the 2023 audit.
Council approved transferring year-end public works balances to the capital fund without a stated amount.
The auditor-determined street maintenance, pool and parks year-end balances are not in our holdings, and no later passage reports them. Note that the agenda item was titled for street maintenance alone while the motion that carried 4-0-0 swept in public works generally, including street maintenance, pool and parks. The 2023 audit fund statements would settle the amounts.
1-9-24 agenda · would settle it: The auditor-determined year-end street maintenance, pool, and parks balances
Approve Pay Request #3 – BMI Inc -$11,450.47 Motion by Ryan second by Helgeson to approve pay request No. 3 to BMI Inc in the amount of $11,450.47 for work completed through November 9, contingent on submittal of closeout documentation.
Council approved pay request No. 3 of $11,450.47 for the 2023 Street Improvements project.
No closeout documentation from BMI Inc is in our holdings, so whether the condition on pay request 3 was satisfied cannot be confirmed. The payment was $11,450.47 against a 2023 Street Improvements contract awarded to Bituminous Materials Inc at $450,693.95, and the city used the same conditional structure again in August 2025, approving pay estimate 12 and change order 2 with final payment contingent upon submittal of contractor closeout documentation. A final payment record or the closeout submittal would settle it.
1-9-24 agenda, 8.12.25 Council Packet and Agenda Updated, factbook KENYON_BIDS.md · would settle it: The submitted project closeout documentation from BMI Inc
The remaining amount of the purchase price ($77,445) could come out of the FD capital fund which currently has an approximate balance of $255,000.
Explaining funding sources for the SCBA equipment and compressor purchase.
No fire department capital fund ledger balance is in our holdings, so the approximate $255,000 figure cannot be verified. On the numbers as stated the $77,445 draw would leave about $177,555, before whatever the year-end fire department transfer added. The 2023 audit fund balance statement would settle it.
1-9-24 agenda · would settle it: The fire department capital fund ledger balance
Decisions 13 motions
Who did what
| Person | At this meeting |
|---|---|
| Doug Henke Mayor | Called the meeting to order, seconded several motions and thanked staff for their work through a year of challenges |
| Kim Helgeson Council Member | Moved approval of the consent agenda, Resolution 2023-30 and adjournment; thanked those involved in Christmas in Kenyon |
| Lee Sjolander Council Member | Moved adoption of Resolution 2023-29 and the utility rate increases; cast the lone no vote on eliminating the administrative position |
| Molly Ryan Council Member | Moved adoption of the agenda, the Muni wage increases, and the fire department and public works year-end fund transfers |
| Mary Bailey Council Member | Absent from the meeting |
| Mark Vahlsing City Administrator | Presented the budget and levy, SCBA purchase, utility rates, sick leave policy and holiday closings; reported on Muni roof and flooring quotes |
| Derik Olinger City Engineer | Updated Council on the 2023 Street Improvement Project, Pearl Creek and Gates Avenue utilities, and the community entrance sign design |
| Jeff Sjoblom Police Chief | Requested elimination of the administrative position to fund full-time police officers |
| Wayne Ehrich Public Works Director | Attended the meeting |
| Whitney Kyllo Finance Director | Attended the meeting |
| Scott Riggs Attorney | Attended the meeting; no legal items were presented |
| Brian Homeier Police Officer | Attended the meeting |
Organizations named: BMI Inc, BCM Construction, Ellingson Drainage, Bolton & Menk, MNDOT, Precision Sign, Jacobson Law, Kenyon Market, River Country Co-Op (Speedway), Kenyon Municipal Liquor Store, Kenyon Fire Department, KMU (Kenyon Municipal Utilities), Kenyon Park Board
Figures
| Amount | What |
|---|---|
| $1,277,965 | 2024 tax levy adopted under Resolution 2023-29, payable in 2024 |
| $156,445 | Total cost of Fire Department SCBA equipment and compressor purchase |
| $116,805 | Cost of SCBA equipment |
| $39,640 | Cost of the compressor |
| $42,000 | Half of Public Safety Aid applied to SCBA/compressor purchase |
| $37,000 | Donations applied toward SCBA/compressor purchase |
| $77,445 | Remaining SCBA/compressor cost to come from Fire Department capital fund |
| $255,000 | Approximate current balance of the Fire Department capital fund |
| $11,450.47 | Pay request #3 to BMI Inc. for 2023 Street Improvement Project work through November 9 |
| $16,800 | New annual Jacobson Law criminal prosecution contract cost, up from $13,800 |
Said at the meeting
The increases are needed to offset upcoming project costs and reflect recommendations from the utility rate study.
City Administrator Mark Vahlsing · packet, verbatim
Chief Sjoblom requested that the council eliminate the administrative position and move funding to full time police officers in the 2024 budget.
Police Chief Jeff Sjoblom · packet, verbatim
City of Kenyon / KMU's current sick policy supersedes the law and will not change sick time accrual for full-time employees.
City Administrator Mark Vahlsing · packet, verbatim
Mayor Henke stated that this has been an exciting year with many challenges.
Mayor Doug Henke · minutes, verbatim
He stated that BCM was wrapping up work for this year.
City Engineer Derik Olinger · packet, verbatim
Resolutions and ordinances
- Adopting the 2024 Budget and Establishing the Tax Levy for Payable 2024 Administrator Vahlsing stated that the Truth in Taxation meeting wasRes. 2023-29
- A Resolution Committing Capital Fund Balance Administrator Vahlsing stated that the general accounting standard (GASB 54) requires all publicRes. 2023-30
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 Adopt Agenda
- IV. CONSENT AGENDA
- V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES and APPOINTMENTS
- V.A Approve Minutes
- VI. PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS
- VII. ENGINEERING
- VII.B Pearl Creek Sewer & Gates Ave Utility Improvements Update
- VIII. LEGAL
- IX. FINANCIAL
- X. OLD BUSINESS
- X.B Purchase of SCBA equipment and Compressor - Fire Department
- X.C Community Entrance Sign Final Design
- X.D Muni Roof and Flooring Replacement
- XI. NEW BUSINESS
- XI.A Resolution 2023-30: A Resolution Committing Capital Fund Balance
- XI.B Approve Transfer of Fire Department Year End Remaining Funds to Capital
- XI.C Approve Transfer of Street Maintenance Year End Remaining Funds to Capital
- XI.F Jacobson Law - Request for Increase to Fees for 2024 Criminal Prosecution
- XI.G Holiday Office Closings
- XI.H Adopt State Earned Safe and Sick Time Policy
- XII. F.Y.I. - Department Updates
- XIII. COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTS
- XIV. ADJOURNMENT
- A. City Council Meeting Minutes of November 14, 2023
- B. City Council Work Session Minutes of November 28, 2023
- C. City Council Special Meeting Minutes of December 5, 2023
- B. Pearl Creek Sewer & Gates Ave Utility Improvements Update
- B. Purchase of SCBA equipment and Compressor - Fire Department
- C. Community Entrance Sign Final Design
- D. Muni Roof and Flooring Replacement
- A. Resolution 2023-30: A Resolution Committing Capital Fund Balance
- B. Approve Transfer of Fire Department Year End Remaining Funds to Capital Fund
- C. Approve Transfer of Street Maintenance Year End Remaining Funds to Capital Fund
- F. Jacobson Law - Request for Increase to Fees for 2024 Criminal Prosecution Contract
- G. Adopt State Earned Safe and Sick Time Policy
- H. Holiday Office Closings
- XII. OTHER BUSINESS
- A. Schedule of Upcoming Meetings
Full packet text (202k characters)
The minutes
Official minutes as adopted, from 1-9-24 agenda; 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 December 2023. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Henke.
- Present
- Mayor Doug Henke, Council Members Kim Helgeson, Lee Sjolander, Molly Ryan
- Absent
- Mary Bailey
- Also present
- City Administrator Mark Vahlsing, Attorney Scott Riggs, Public Works Director Wayne Ehrich, City Engineer Derik Olinger, Police Chief Jeff Sjoblom, Finance Director Whitney Kyllo, Police Officer Brian Homeier
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Citizen Comment
None
Adopt Agenda
Motion by Ryan second by Henke to approve the agenda. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Consent Agenda
Motion by Helgeson second by Sjolander to approve the Consent Agenda, which includes payment of check numbers, 75474 through 75570; 4780E through 4808E.
Motion carried 4-0-0Presentations / Public Hearings / Recognitions / Prolamations
None
Engineering
2023 Street Improvements Project Update Engineer Olinger stated that the majority of the work is now complete with some small repairs remaining to be completed. Approve Pay Request #3 – BMI Inc -$11,450.47
Motion by Ryan second by Helgeson to approve pay request No. 3 to BMI Inc in the amount of $11,450.47 for work completed through November 9, contingent on submittal of closeout documentation.
Motion carried 4-0-0Pearl Creek & Gates Avenue Utility Improvements Update
Engineer Olinger updated the Council on the Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer project. He stated that BCM was wrapping up work for this year. Water and electrical utilities west of Gates Avenue have been installed. Ellingson Drainage installed forcemain in this area. The remainder of the project will be completed next spring.
Legal
No items
Old Business
2024 Budget and Levy Approve Increase $2.00 per hour (plus 3% Cola) Increase for Manager and up to $3.00 per hour for PT Staff. Motion Ryan, Second Henke to approve $2.00 per hour raise for manager and up to $3.00 per hour for part- time Muni staff. Motion carried 4-0-0 Eliminate Admin Assist Position. (Funding moved to full time officers 9 in 2024 Budget) Chief Sjoblom requested that the council eliminate the administrative position and move funding to full time police officers in the 2024 budget.
Motion by Henke, second by Ryan to eliminate the full-time administrative position and move funding to full time police officers in the 2024 budget. Ayes: Henke, Ryan and Helgeson Nayes: Sjolander
Motion carried 3-1-0Resolution 2023-29: Adopting the 2024 Budget and Establishing the Tax Levy for Payable 2024
Administrator Vahlsing stated that the Truth in Taxation meeting was held on December 5. No public comments were received at the meeting. The final budget shows a maximum proposed levy increase of 8% for 2024.
Motion by Sjolander second by Helgeson to adopt Resolution 2023-29 adopting the 2024 budget and establishing the tax levy of $1,277,965 payable in 2024. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Purchase of SCBA equipment and Compressor - Fire Department
Administrator Vahlsing stated that the Fire Department is seeking approval to purchase SCBA Equipment and Compressor. Based on the attached quotes the SCBA Equipment would cost $116,805. The cost of the compressor would be $39,640. Total cost: $156,445. The fire department is requesting to use half of the Public Safety Aid which is $42,000. and $37,000 in donations toward the purchase. The remaining amount of the purchase price ($77,445) could come out of the FD capital fund which currently has an approximate balance of $255,000.
Motion by Sjolander, second by Ryan to approve the purchase of SCBA equipment and compressor.
Motion carried 4-0-0Community Entrance Sign Final Design
City Engineer Olinger provided an update on the Community Entrance Sign project. The final design has been submitted to Precision Sign and MNDOT. The City is waiting for final approval of the sign right-of- way permit from MNDOT.
Muni Roof and Flooring Replacement
Administrator Vahlsing stated that he was continuing to get quotes for roofing and flooring replacement for the Muni. He is hoping to have additional quotes for the January Council meeting to approve.
Old Business
Resolution 2023-30: A Resolution Committing Capital Fund Balance
Administrator Vahlsing stated that the general accounting standard (GASB 54) requires all public entities to set year end Capital fund balances before the end of the current year contingent on audited final numbers. The final year-end capital fund amounts will not be known until the 2023 audit is completed.
Motion by Helgeson seconded by Ryan to adopt Resolution 2023-30 committing capital fund balances.
Motion carried 4-0-0Approve Transfer of Fire Department Year End Remaining Funds to Capital Fund
Administrator Vahlsing stated that council approval is needed to move the year end Fire Department budget balance to the capital fund. The actual transfer amount will be determined by the auditors as part of the 2023 audit.
Motion by Ryan seconded by Helgeson to approve the transfer of fire department year end remaining funds to capital funds. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Approve Transfer of Street Maintenance Year End Remaining Funds to Capital Fund Administrator Vahlsing stated that council approval is needed to move the year end Street Maintenance Department budget balance to the capital fund. The actual transfer amount will be determined by the auditors as part of the 2023 audit.
Motion by Ryan seconded by Helgeson to approve the transfer of public works year end remaining funds, including street maintenance, pool, and parks, to capital funds. Motion carried 4-0-0.
2024 Sanitary and Storm Sewer Rates Administrator Vahlsing stated that during the November 28 special council meeting, discussion was held on possible increases to sanitary and storm water rates. After further review, staff would recommend increasing the Sanitary Sewer Fund increase rate from $6.61 per thousand gallons to $7.40 per thousand. The residential sewer base rate would also increase from $23.44 to $26.25 per month. For storm sewer the recommendation would be to increase the maintenance fee from $4.03 per month to $9.00 a month for residential customers. The increases are needed to offset upcoming project costs and reflect recommendations from the utility rate study.
Motion by Sjolander Second by Helgeson to approve recommended sanitary and storm sewer utility rates for 2024. Motion carried 4-0-0
2024 Tobacco License Renewals Kenyon Market River Country Co-Op (Speedway) Kenyon Municipal Liquor Store
Motion by Ryan seconded by Sjolander to approve the 2024 tobacco license renewals.
Motion carried 4-0-0Jacobson Law - Request for Increase to Fees for 2024 Criminal Prosecution Contract
Administrator Vahlsing stated that Prosecuting Attorney Jacobson requested a $250 monthly increase to their contract effective January 1, 2024. The annual cost would increase from $13,800 to $16,800.
Motion by Sjolander second by Helgeson to approve a rate increase of $100 per month for Jacobson Law effective January 1, 2023.
Motion by Sjolander Second by Henke to approve rate increase for Jacobson Law office effective January 1, 2024. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Adopt State Earned Safe and Sick Time Policy
Administrator Vahlsing updated the Council on a new law requiring sick leave that was passed by the legislature earlier this year. Beginning January 1, 2024, earned sick and safe time is available for full and part time employees that work at least 80 hours in a year for an employer in Minnesota. Employees must accrue at least one hour of earned sick and safe time for every 30 hours they work, up to at least 48 hours in a year. Currently, City of Kenyon / KMU allows a full-time employee to accrue 12 working days during the full year (365 days) of employment. City of Kenyon / KMU's current sick policy supersedes the law and will not change sick time accrual for full-time employees.
Motion by Ryan, Second by Helgeson to approve Adopt State Earned Safe and Sick Time Policy. Motion Carried 4-0-0
Holiday Office Closings
Administrator Vahlsing requested approval for City Offices/Library to close at noon on Friday, December 22 and for the library to be closed on Saturday, December 23.
Motion by Bailey seconded by Ryan to close the City Office and Library at noon on Friday, December 22 and close the library on Saturday, December 23. 11
Motion carried 4-0-0Schedule of Upcoming Meetings
KMU Meeting: Tuesday, December 19th @ 4:00 p.m. City Council Meeting: Tuesday, January 9th @ 7:00 p.m.
Council And Staff General Comments
Administrator Vahlsing thanked everyone for their hard work in making Christmas in Kenyon successful. (Especially Kim and the Park Board)
Mayor Henke stated that this has been an exciting year with many challenges. He thanked everyone for their hard work.
Council member Helgeson thanked everyone involved in Christmas in Kenyon.
Council member Sjolander wished everyone a Merry Christmas and thanked City Staff for their continued hard work.
Council member Ryan wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Police Chief Sjoblom wished everyone Happy Holidays
Motion by Helgeson second by Ryan to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 p.m.
Motion carried 4-0-0Mark R. Vahlsing, City Administrator Douglas Henke, Mayor
AGENDA ITEM NO. VI.A
Agenda Item Summary
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM REPORT