What happened
- Consent agenda approved 5-0-0: remain with BCBS health insurance for 2026; MN Family Leave Act premium split half city/half employee; checks 77624-77665 and 7027E-7059E; October 14, 2025 minutes.
- Terry Campbell of the Kenyon/Wanamingo Messenger bid to be the city's legal newspaper for 2026; designation to be made early in 2026.
- Council voted 4-1-0 to continue hiring a part-time administrative assistant; posting open until November 17; Sjolander voted no.
- Resolution 2025-26 adopted 5-0-0 authorizing pursuit of 2025 Local Road Improvement Program funding for the 6th Street Reconstruction Project, planned for 2028.
- Fitzgerald Excavating & Trucking Pay Application No. 3 approved for $494,533.51, covering October 4-31 work on 5th, 8th, 2nd and Forest Streets.
- Jessi Sturtz of Abdo reported the 2026 final levy budget is 'down to 9.18%.'
- Ordinance No. 113 prohibiting discharge of firearms, bows and other projectile devices was tabled after citizen opposition; Council agreed bow hunting should be allowed on private property but not city property.
- 2026 joint-powers agreement with Goodhue County for State Building Code Administration approved for a one-year term starting January 1, 2026.
- Resolution 2025-27 adopted certifying grounds maintenance and delinquent utility bill assessments to property taxes.
- Power sales agreement with CMPAS approved for half a megawatt of wind energy, plus up to another half megawatt if available, subject to staff and attorney review.
- Posting of the Line Worker/Water Operator position (vacant since Austin Fitch resigned in May) tabled until Operations Superintendent Eggert provides written documentation defining 'busy.'
- Handicap parking space approved in front of Main Street Dental at the business's cost; meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m.
What was asked 23 raised · 10 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.
LEGAL FINANCIAL OLD BUSINESS 2026 Final Budget Jessi Sturtz from Abdo reviewed the final numbers for the 2026 budget. The final levy budget is down to 9.18%.
Review of the final 2026 budget numbers under old business.
The 9.18% held and became the certified figure. The certified 2026 city levy is $1,528,541, which is 9.18% above the $1,400,000 levied for 2025, and the council cut it from the 9.93% maximum approved in September, a reduction of 0.75 percentage points or about $10,500. The Truth in Taxation hearing drew no citizen comments.
taxes/data/kenyon_tax.json; 12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated · taken up again 2025-12-09
Tabled for further clarification of the ordinance. 2026 Proposed Agreement for Continuation of our City-County Joint-Powers "Agreement for State Building Code Administration" Administrator Lehner stated that Goodhue County requires the City of Kenyon to approve a yearly agreement to conduct residential and commercial building inspections.
Council heard citizen and council objections to including bow hunting in the proposed ordinance.
At the meetingNo vote taken; item tabled after discussion.
The ordinance came back revised at the December 9 2025 meeting, retitled from prohibiting to regulating the discharge of firearms, bows and hunting, and drafted as a new Section 925 of the Kenyon City Code. The council took it up alongside Resolution 2025-25 approving publication of Ordinance No. 113 by title and summary.
12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated · taken up again 2025-12-09
Councilmember Bailey read a script concerning her opposition to restricting the bow hunting aspect of the ordinance. The council agreed that bow hunting should be allowed on private property, but not on city property.
Council consensus after debate on the bow hunting provisions of Ordinance No. 113.
At the meetingCouncil stated its position and tabled the ordinance.
The redraft did exactly what the council asked. Section 925.11 of the amended ordinance permits bow hunting on private property within the city subject to conditions, and the summary of changes leads with bow hunting on private property now being explicitly allowed with restrictions. The conditions themselves are cut off in the extracts we hold.
12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated · taken up again 2025-12-09
Motion by Sjolander seconded by Kirchmann to table posting the line worker/water operator position until the needed documentation is received. Motion carried 5-0-0.
KMU Commission recommended posting the position to replace Austin Fitch, but supporting documentation was outstanding.
At the meetingTabled by unanimous vote.
The posting stayed tabled for months. As of April 12 2026 the position still had not been posted, with Administrator Lehner reporting he was working with KMU staff to update the Line Worker and Water Operator job description and that it should be posted soon. That is roughly eleven months after Austin Fitch resigned in May 2025.
4-12-26 Council packet · taken up again 2026-04-12
At the last commission meeting, the commission voted to rehire this position, but Operations Superintendent Eggert was asked to define "busy" in writing. This documentation has not been received yet.
The KMU commission had asked Eggert to document workload in writing before the position is posted.
At the meetingLehner reported the documentation was still outstanding.
Eggert's written definition of busy never appears in anything we hold. The city took a different route instead, with Lehner working with KMU staff by April 12 2026 to update the job description rather than producing the workload justification the commission had asked for. The attachment the council did have was a line worker and water operator job description dated January 24 2008.
4-12-26 Council packet; 12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated · taken up again 2026-04-12
CITIZEN COMMENT Jim Gould, who lives at 103 Gates Avenue, requested that the city not ban bow hunting within city limits, especially on private property.
Citizen comment on the proposed firearms and bow discharge ordinance.
At the meetingCouncil later agreed bow hunting should be allowed on private property and tabled the ordinance.
Gould got what he asked for. The amended ordinance adopted in December 2025 explicitly permits bow hunting on private property within city limits, subject to conditions set out in Section 925.11.
12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated · taken up again 2025-12-09
Adrian Mogren would like the city to go along with what the DNR allows. Bow hunting is safer than firearm hunting. He felt it was unreasonable to outlaw bow hunting in city limits.
Public comment during discussion of Ordinance No. 113.
At the meetingCouncil agreed bow hunting should be allowed on private property; ordinance tabled.
The city did not simply defer to the Department of Natural Resources, but it stopped short of outlawing bow hunting. The amended Ordinance No. 113 regulates rather than prohibits, permitting bow hunting on private property with restrictions while barring discharge elsewhere in the city. Before the ordinance the city had adhered to DNR regulations alone.
12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated · taken up again 2025-12-09
Motion by Sjolander seconded by Bailey to approve the power sales agreement between CMPAS and the City of Kenyon subject to review and finalization by city staff and the city attorney.
KMU Commission recommended purchasing wind energy through CMPAS.
At the meetingMotion carried 5-0-0 with the review condition.
The council approved the agreement 5-0-0 subject to review and finalization by staff and the city attorney. The contract runs from January 1 2026 through December 31 2045, a twenty-year term, with the city and KMU buying an entitlement share of a long-term wind energy product. The executed final document is not in anything we hold.
12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated · taken up again 2025-12-09
Pay application No. 3 includes work from October 4 to October 31 in the amount of $494,533.51. 2025 Street and Utility Improvements – Fitzgerald Excavating & Trucking -Pay Application No. 3 Motion by Bailey seconded by Helgeson to approve pay application #3 to Fitzgerald Excavating in the amount of $494,533.51.
Approval of Fitzgerald Excavating pay application for paving on 5th and 8th Streets and patching on 2nd and Forest Streets.
At the meetingPay application approved 5-0-0.
The council approved pay application No. 3 for $494,533.51 on a 5-0-0 vote, covering paving on 5th and 8th Streets and patching on 2nd and Forest Streets. The project ran well past its original schedule, reaching pay application No. 6 for work through May 29 2026, with Fitzgerald delayed by private utility conflicts and 8th Street paving pushed to late October 2026 to let the street settle. The contract was awarded at $2,294,629.25 in July 2025.
12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated; 7.14.26 Council Packet Updated · taken up again 2026-07-14
Tabled for further clarification of the ordinance. 2026 Proposed Agreement for Continuation of our City-County Joint-Powers "Agreement for State Building Code Administration" Administrator Lehner stated that Goodhue County requires the City of Kenyon to approve a yearly agreement to conduct residential and commercial building inspections.
Approval of the city-county joint powers agreement for state building code administration.
At the meetingAgreement approved 5-0-0.
The council approved the 2026 agreement 5-0-0, motion by Kirchmann and second by Bailey, for a one-year term beginning January 1 2026, with Lehner saying the county has done an excellent job on inspections. The signed agreement is not in anything we hold.
The item is titled a city-county joint powers agreement, but section 15 of the contract states it is a service contract and that nothing in it shall be construed as creating a joint powers agreement, joint venture or joint enterprise.
12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated · taken up again 2025-12-09
Approve posting the Line Worker/Water Operator Position Administrator Lehner stated that the KMU Commission recommended approval to post the Line Worker/Water Operator position to replace Austin Fitch who resigned in May. Per Mayor Kirchmann's request, John Lee clarified the need to rehire an additional line worker.
Discussion of the KMU recommendation to post the Line Worker/Water Operator position.
At the meetingJohn Lee clarified the need at the meeting; Lehner added it was not a new topic.
The record notes only that John Lee clarified the need at the meeting and that Lehner said this was not a new topic, without preserving the substance of the answer. Nothing we hold gives KMU crew size, outage counts, overtime hours or any other workload measure. The written justification the commission requested from Operations Superintendent Eggert would settle it and was never produced.
12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated
The ordinance includes limited exceptions for law enforcement, defense of persons or property, approved ranges, ceremonial events, and authorized wildlife control activities. Doug Henke stated that firearms should be allowed for the colorguard and military funerals.
Public comment on exceptions in the proposed firearms ordinance.
At the meetingMayor Kirchmann and Councilmember Sjolander replied that this is allowed per section 5 of the ordinance.
The ordinance does carry exceptions covering ceremonial use, since the staff summary lists limited exceptions for law enforcement, defense of persons or property, approved ranges and ceremonial purposes. The full text of Section 5 is cut off in the extracts we hold, so the precise wording covering colorguard and military funerals cannot be quoted. The adopted Ordinance No. 113 text would settle it.
12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated
PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS/RECOGNITIONS/PROLAMATIONS Kenyon/Wanamingo Messenger Bid to Publish Legal Notices for 2026-Terry Campbell Terry Campbell of the Kenyon/Wanamingo Messenger stated that he would like to be considered for appointment as the legal newspaper of the City of Kenyon starting in 2026. This designation is one of the first items the Council approves in 2026.
Presentation of the Messenger's bid to publish legal notices for 2026.
At the meetingNo action taken; noted the designation is among the first items the Council approves in 2026.
No designation vote appears in anything we hold, and the January 2026 appointments list still carried Legal Newspaper as to be determined. Our payment records show the city continuing to pay APG Media of Southern Minnesota, owner of the Kenyon Leader, across 19 register lines running through August 2026, so the incumbent was still being paid after the Messenger's bid. Kenyon's annual legal notice spend runs roughly $2,600, and the Kenyon Leader's paid circulation has fallen from 2,866 to 416.
The council heard a competing bid in November 2025, yet the city's own payment register shows money still going to APG Media, the Kenyon Leader's owner, through August 2026.
APG files; 1-13-25 Council Packet Updated appointments list
He worked with Abdo on the details of the job description and the personnel committee reviewed it. The job posting is open until November 17.
Administrator update on the part-time administrative assistant hire, with job description developed with Abdo.
At the meetingMotion to continue with the hiring process carried 4-1-0 with Sjolander opposed.
The council authorized continuing the hire 4-1-0, with Sjolander the only no, and the posting closed November 17 2025. Nothing we hold records an applicant pool, a recommendation or a hire for that position. The city's later part-time hiring actions that do appear are liquor store employees and part-time police officers, approved 5-0-0 in early 2026.
12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated; 3-10-26 Council Packet Updated
NEW BUSINESS Ordinance No. 113: Prohibiting the Discharge of Firearms, Bows, and Other Projectile Devices Within City Limits Administrator Lehner stated that the city currently has no ordinance regulating the discharge of firearms or bows within city limits. Every year this question comes up at hunting season. We currently adhere to the DNR regulations.
Introduction of the draft firearms ordinance.
The drafting supports the claim, since Ordinance No. 113 amends the Kenyon City Code by adding a new Section 925 rather than amending an existing one, which is what a city does when nothing is on the books. We hold no copy of the Kenyon City Code, so the absence of any other firearms provision cannot be confirmed directly. A search of the codified ordinances would settle it.
12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated
ENGINEERING 6th Street Reconstruction – LRIP Funding Application Administrator Lehner stated that the reconstruction of 6th Street project has been identified in the infrastructure management plan as a project in 2028. The financial feasibility of this project is highly dependent on outside funding.
Background for the LRIP funding resolution.
An infrastructure management plan does exist and drives the city's capital finance work, since Northland built the 2021 financial management plan on Bolton and Menk's 2020 plan and presented an update based on the 2025 plan revisions on March 10 2026. We do not hold the plan itself, so the 2028 date and the cost of 6th Street cannot be verified. The dependence on outside funding is corroborated by the 2023 application failing and the city having to reapply.
3-10-26 Council Packet Updated
Handicap Parking Space-Main Street Dental Administrator Lehner stated that Main Street Dental requested approval for the installation of handicapped parking signage and pavement markings for one parking space in front of their business. The business will pay for all installation costs.
Request for a handicapped parking space in front of the business.
At the meetingCouncil approved the handicap space at the business's cost 5-0-0.
The council approved the space at the business's cost 5-0-0, motion by Sjolander and second by Kirchmann, covering signage and pavement markings for one space. No installation invoice or payment record from Main Street Dental appears in anything we hold.
12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated · taken up again 2025-12-09
COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTS Council Member Sjoblom thanked the fire department for their work at the recent barn fire and the police department for working shorthanded.
General comments thanking the fire department for a recent barn fire response and the police department for working shorthanded.
The shortage was real and lasted at least eight months. By July 14 2026 the potential full-time officer was still going through a background check, Mitch had passed his and was starting as a part-time fill in, and Misty had worked one part-time shift. The council had approved hiring part-time officers 5-0-0 in early 2026, and the city was posting a full-time officer job at $33.54 an hour entry in July 2026. We hold no staffing roster or authorized headcount, so the size of the gap cannot be stated.
7.14.26 Council Packet Updated; data/jobs.csv · taken up again 2026-07-14
Power Sales Agreement Between CMPAS and City of Kenyon Administrator Lehner stated that the KMU Commission recommended approving the purchase of half a megawatt of wind energy and up to another half a megawatt if it becomes available.
KMU recommendation on the CMPAS wind energy purchase.
At the meetingAgreement approved including the contingent additional capacity.
No confirmation from the power agency that a second half megawatt became available appears in anything we hold. The approved position is half a megawatt firm plus up to another half megawatt contingent, so the commitment could double. A later KMU commission or council item reporting the final entitlement share would settle it.
12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated · would settle it: Confirmation from CMPAS of available additional capacity
Although funding was not awarded in 2023, the project scored well. The plan is to resubmit the application for the 2025 solicitation.
Council adopted Resolution 2025-26 authorizing pursuit of 2025 LRIP funding for a project planned for 2028.
At the meetingResolution 2025-26 adopted 5-0-0 to pursue the funding.
No award notification for the 2025 solicitation appears in anything we hold. What we do know is that the 2023 application failed outright, with the state writing that the 6th Street project was not selected from the solicitation that closed December 8 2023. The council authorized the resubmission by Resolution 2025-26, carried 5-0-0.
12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated · would settle it: LRIP award notification from the state
To enhance public safety and align with practices in surrounding Minnesota cities, staff are presenting a draft ordinance that prohibits the discharge of firearms, bows, and other projectile devices within the City of Kenyon.
Staff rationale for prohibiting discharge of firearms and bows in city limits.
We hold no firearms or hunting ordinances from any other Minnesota city, so the alignment claim cannot be checked in either direction. Copies of the discharge ordinances from Wanamingo, Goodhue, Zumbrota and comparable neighbours would settle it.
12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated · would settle it: Copies of comparable ordinances from surrounding cities
Adrian Mogren would like the city to go along with what the DNR allows. Bow hunting is safer than firearm hunting.
Public comment opposing inclusion of bow hunting in the ordinance.
We hold no hunting incident data of any kind, for Minnesota or elsewhere, so the relative safety of bow and firearm hunting cannot be assessed. Department of Natural Resources hunting incident statistics broken out by weapon type would settle it. The council acted on the argument without any figures in the packet.
12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated · would settle it: Hunting incident data comparing bow and firearm hunting
Approve posting the Line Worker/Water Operator Position Administrator Lehner stated that the KMU Commission recommended approval to post the Line Worker/Water Operator position to replace Austin Fitch who resigned in May.
Background on the KMU recommendation to post the position.
We hold no city personnel records, so Austin Fitch's resignation date cannot be confirmed. The May date is stated consistently in the agenda summary and in the discussion, and nothing in our records contradicts it. A personnel file or payroll record would settle it.
12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated · would settle it: Personnel records showing the resignation date
Decisions 11 motions
Who did what
| Person | At this meeting |
|---|---|
| Donald Kirchmann Mayor | Called the meeting to order; moved to continue the part-time administrative assistant hiring process, the Goodhue County building code agreement, and seconded motions on the line worker posting and handicap parking; asked John Lee to clarify the need for an additional line worker |
| Lee Sjolander Council Member | Moved adoption of Resolution 2025-26, the CMPAS power sales agreement, tabling the line worker posting, and the Main Street Dental handicap space; voted no on continuing the part-time hire |
| Mary Bailey Council Member | Moved to approve the agenda and Pay Application No. 3; read a script opposing the bow hunting restriction in Ordinance No. 113 |
| Elana Brunner Council Member | Seconded Resolution 2025-27 and moved to adjourn |
| Kim Helgeson Council Member | Moved approval of the consent agenda and Resolution 2025-27; seconded several motions |
| Jessi Sturtz-Abdo Council Member (via Zoom) / Abdo | Reviewed the final 2026 budget numbers, reporting the final levy budget down to 9.18% |
| Scott Lehner City Administrator | Reported on the part-time hire, LRIP application, Ordinance No. 113, the county building code agreement, Resolution 2025-27, the CMPAS agreement, the line worker posting and the Main Street Dental request |
| Holli Gudknecht Administrative Assistant / Deputy City Clerk | Prepared the agenda and signed the minutes |
| Scott Riggs Attorney | Attended the meeting; power sales agreement approved subject to review by city staff and the city attorney |
| Terry Campbell Kenyon/Wanamingo Messenger | Presented a bid to be appointed the city's legal newspaper starting in 2026 |
| Jim Gould Resident, 103 Gates Avenue | Asked during citizen comment that the city not ban bow hunting within city limits |
| Doug Henke Resident | Said firearms should be allowed for the color guard and military funerals |
| Adrian Mogren Resident | Urged the city to follow DNR rules and not outlaw bow hunting in city limits |
| John Lee Attendee | Clarified the need to rehire an additional line worker at the Mayor's request |
| Tyler Eggert Operations Superintendent | Was asked by the KMU Commission to define 'busy' in writing; documentation not yet received |
| Austin Fitch Former Line Worker/Water Operator | Resigned in May, leaving the position that the KMU Commission recommended posting |
| Jeff Sjoblom Police Chief | Attended the meeting |
| Armani Tucker Police Officer | Attended the meeting |
Organizations named: City of Kenyon, Kenyon/Wanamingo Messenger, Abdo, Fitzgerald Excavating & Trucking, Goodhue County, CMPAS, Kenyon Municipal Utilities (KMU) Commission, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), Minnesota DNR, Main Street Dental, Minnesota Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP), Kenyon EDA, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Guardian, ShelterPoint
Figures
| Amount | What |
|---|---|
| $494,533.51 | Pay Application No. 3 to Fitzgerald Excavating & Trucking for 2025 Street and Utility Improvements, work from October 4 to October 31 |
| $22,349.85 | Packet estimate of total annual 2026 Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave premium under the state plan for the City of Kenyon |
| $11,174.93 | Packet estimate of the annual employer share (and equal employee share) of MN PFML premium under the state plan |
| $1,423 | State average weekly wage (SAWW) used as the maximum weekly MN PFML benefit as of 10/1/25 |
Said at the meeting
Jim Gould, who lives at 103 Gates Avenue, requested that the city not ban bow hunting within city limits, especially on private property.
Jim Gould, resident of 103 Gates Avenue · minutes, verbatim
Adrian Mogren would like the city to go along with what the DNR allows. Bow hunting is safer than firearm hunting. He felt it was unreasonable to outlaw bow hunting in city limits.
Adrian Mogren, resident · minutes, verbatim
Doug Henke stated that firearms should be allowed for the colorguard and military funerals.
Doug Henke, resident · minutes, verbatim
The council agreed that bow hunting should be allowed on private property, but not on city property.
City Council (record) · minutes, verbatim
Council Member Sjoblom thanked the fire department for their work at the recent barn fire and the police department for working shorthanded.
Council Member Sjoblom (as recorded) · minutes, verbatim
Administrator Lehner stated that the KMU Commission recommended approving the purchase of half a megawatt of wind energy and up to another half a megawatt if it becomes available.
City Administrator Scott Lehner · packet, verbatim
Resolutions and ordinances
- Authorizing the Pursuit of 2025 Local Road Improvement Program Funding for the 6th Street Reconstruction Project Motion by Sjolander secondedRes. 2025-26
- Adopting Assessment for Grounds Maintenance/Delinquent Utility Bills Administrator Lehner stated that this resolution would authorize groundsRes. 2025-27
- Prohibiting the Discharge of Firearms, Bows, and Other Projectile Devices Within City Limits Administrator Lehner statedOrd. 113
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 the Agenda for November 12, 2025
- IV. CONSENT AGENDA
- IV.A Approve the Consent Agenda Items Including:
- V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES and APPOINTMENTS
- VI. PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS RECOGNITIONS/PROCLAMATIONS
- VI.A Presentation:
- VII. ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE
- VII.A Part-Time Hire
- VIII. ENGINEERING
- IX. LEGAL
- X. FINANCIAL
- XI. OLD BUSINESS
- XII. NEW BUSINESS
- XII.A Ordinance No. 113: Prohibiting the Discharge of Firearms, Bows, and Other Projectile
- XII.C Resolution 2025-27: Adopting Assessment for Grounds Maintenance/Delinquent
- XII.D Power Sales Agreement Between CMPAS and City of Kenyon
- XII.E Approve posting the Line Worker/Water Operator position
- XII.F Handicap Parking Space-Main Street Dental
- XIII. F.Y.I. - Department Updates
- XIII.A FYI for November 12, 2025
- XIV. COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTS
- XV. ADJOURNMENT
- A. City to Remain with BCBS Health Insurance for 2026
- B. MN Family Leave Act - the City and the Employee will Each Pay Half of the Premium
- A. City Council Meeting Minutes of October 14, 2025
- A. Kenyon/Wanamingo Messenger Bid to Publish Legal Notices for 2026-Terry
- A. Part-Time Hire
- A. Ordinance No. 113: Prohibiting the Discharge of Firearms, Bows, and Other
- C. Resolution 2025-27: Adopting Assessment for Grounds Maintenance/Delinquent
- D. Power Sales Agreement Between CMPAS and City of Kenyon
- E. Approve posting the Line Worker/Water Operator position
- F. Handicap Parking Space-Main Street Dental
- XIII. OTHER BUSINESS
- A. Schedule of Upcoming Meetings
Full packet text (606k characters)
The minutes
Official minutes as adopted, from 12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated; 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 November 2025. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Donald Kirchmann.
- Present
- Mayor Donald Kirchmann, Council Members Lee Sjolander, Mary Bailey, Elana Brunner, and Kim Helgeson
- Via Zoom
- Jessi Sturtz-Abdo
- Also present
- City Administrator Scott Lehner, Administrative Assistant Holli Gudknecht, Attorney Scott Riggs, John Lee, Doug Henke, Aaron Meyer, Angela Peterson, Bradley Johnson, Logan Meyers, Adrian Mogren, Justin Mogren, Terry Campbell, Jim Gould, Tyler Eggert, Police Officer Armani Tucker, Police Chief Jeff Sjoblom, Lynn Miller, Ricky Koester, Deanna Walker
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Citizen Comment
Jim Gould, who lives at 103 Gates Avenue, requested that the city not ban bow hunting within city limits, especially on private property.
Adopt Agenda
Motion by Bailey seconded by Lee to approve the agenda. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Consent Agenda
Motion by Helgeson second by Bailey to approve the Consent Agenda, which includes:
Motion carried 5-0-0Presentations / Public Hearings / Recognitions / Prolamations
Kenyon/Wanamingo Messenger Bid to Publish Legal Notices for 2026-Terry Campbell
Terry Campbell of the Kenyon/Wanamingo Messenger stated that he would like to be considered for appointment as the legal newspaper of the City of Kenyon starting in 2026. This designation is one of the first items the Council approves in 2026.
Administrator Update
Part-Time Hire
Administrator Lehner updated the council on the hire of a part-time administrative assistant. He worked with Abdo on the details of the job description and the personnel committee reviewed it. The job posting is open until November 17.
Motion by Kirchmann seconded by Helgeson to continue with the hiring process of the part-time administrative assistant. AYES: Councilmember Kirchmann, Councilmember Helgeson, Councilmember Brunner, Councilmember Bailey — NAYS: Councilmember Sjolander — ABSTAIN: None. Motion carried 4-1-0.
Engineering
6th Street Reconstruction – LRIP Funding Application Administrator Lehner stated that the reconstruction of 6th Street project has been identified in the infrastructure management plan as a project in 2028. The financial feasibility of this project is highly dependent on outside funding. In 2023, a grant was applied for through the state's local road
19 improvement program (LRIP). Although funding was not awarded in 2023, the project scored well. The plan is to resubmit the application for the 2025 solicitation. Resolution 2025-26: Authorizing the Pursuit of 2025 Local Road Improvement Program Funding for the 6th Street Reconstruction Project
Motion by Sjolander seconded by Helgeson to adopt Resolution 2025-26. Motion carried 5-0-0.
2025 Street and Utility Improvements Fitzgerald Excavating has been paving on both 5th and 8th Streets and patching pavement within 2nd Street and Forest Street. Pay application No. 3 includes work from October 4 to October 31 in the amount of $494,533.51. 2025 Street and Utility Improvements – Fitzgerald Excavating & Trucking -Pay Application No. 3
Motion by Bailey seconded by Helgeson to approve pay application #3 to Fitzgerald Excavating in the amount of $494,533.51. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Legal
Financial
Old Business
2026 Final Budget Jessi Sturtz from Abdo reviewed the final numbers for the 2026 budget. The final levy budget is down to 9.18%.
New Business
Ordinance No. 113: Prohibiting the Discharge of Firearms, Bows, and Other Projectile Devices
Within City Limits Administrator Lehner stated that the city currently has no ordinance regulating the discharge of firearms or bows within city limits. Every year this question comes up at hunting season. We currently adhere to the DNR regulations. To enhance public safety and align with practices in surrounding Minnesota cities, staff are presenting a draft ordinance that prohibits the discharge of firearms, bows, and other projectile devices within the City of Kenyon. The ordinance includes limited exceptions for law enforcement, defense of persons or property, approved ranges, ceremonial events, and authorized wildlife control activities. Doug Henke stated that firearms should be allowed for the colorguard and military funerals. Mayor Kirchmann and Councilmember Sjolander replied that this is allowed per section 5 of the ordinance. Administrator Lehner clarified why this ordinance was drafted and the reasoning as to why bow hunting was included in the ordinance. Adrian Mogren would like the city to go along with what the DNR allows. Bow hunting is safer than firearm hunting. He felt it was unreasonable to outlaw bow hunting in city limits. Councilmember Bailey read a script concerning her opposition to restricting the bow hunting aspect of the ordinance. The council agreed that bow hunting should be allowed on private property, but not on city property. Tabled for further clarification of the ordinance.
2026 Proposed Agreement for Continuation of our City-County Joint-Powers "Agreement for State Building Code Administration" Administrator Lehner stated that Goodhue County requires the City of Kenyon to approve a yearly agreement to conduct residential and commercial building inspections. The County has done an excellent job conducting inspections for the city. The term of the contract would be for one year starting 20 January 1, 2026.
Motion by Kirchmann seconded by Bailey to approve the 2026 agreement with Goodhue County for State Building Code Administration. Motion carried 5-0-0. Resolution 2025-27: Adopting Assessment for Grounds Maintenance/Delinquent Utility Bills Administrator Lehner stated that this resolution would authorize grounds maintenance/delinquent utility bill amounts to be certified on property taxes.
Motion by Helgeson second by Brunner to adopt Resolution 2025-27 adopting assessments for grounds maintenance/delinquent utility bills. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Power Sales Agreement Between CMPAS and City of Kenyon
Administrator Lehner stated that the KMU Commission recommended approving the purchase of half a megawatt of wind energy and up to another half a megawatt if it becomes available.
Motion by Sjolander seconded by Bailey to approve the power sales agreement between CMPAS and the City of Kenyon subject to review and finalization by city staff and the city attorney.
Motion carried 5-0-0Approve posting the Line Worker/Water Operator Position
Administrator Lehner stated that the KMU Commission recommended approval to post the Line Worker/Water Operator position to replace Austin Fitch who resigned in May. Per Mayor Kirchmann's request, John Lee clarified the need to rehire an additional line worker. Administrator Lehner stated that this was not a new topic. At the last commission meeting, the commission voted to rehire this position, but Operations Superintendent Eggert was asked to define "busy" in writing. This documentation has not been received yet.
Motion by Sjolander seconded by Kirchmann to table posting the line worker/water operator position until the needed documentation is received. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Handicap Parking Space-Main Street Dental
Administrator Lehner stated that Main Street Dental requested approval for the installation of handicapped parking signage and pavement markings for one parking space in front of their business. The business will pay for all installation costs.
Motion by Sjolander seconded by Kirchmann to allow a handicap parking space to be installed in front of Main Street Dental at their cost. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Schedule for Upcoming Meetings
EDA Special Meeting: Thursday, November 13th @ 8:30 a.m. KMU Meeting: Tuesday, November 18th @ 3:00 p.m. EDA Meeting: Tuesday, November 28th @ 8 a.m. Township Fire Contract Meeting: Tuesday, December 2nd @ 6:00 p.m. Truth in Taxation Public Meeting: Tuesday, December 2nd @ 6:30 p.m. City Council Meeting: Tuesday, December 9 @ 7 p.m.
Council And Staff General Comments
Council Member Sjoblom thanked the fire department for their work at the recent barn fire and the police department for working shorthanded. He also thanked all other staff for everything they do.
Motion by Brunner seconded by Helgeson to adjourn the meeting at 8:44 p.m. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Holli Gudknecht, Deputy City Clerk Donald Kirchmann, Mayor
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a special City