Wencl Construction was requesting Change Order #4 to remove the liquidated damage provisions from the contract and replace them with revised damages of $7,500
Change Order #4 on the Red Wing Avenue Project.
At the meetingCouncil approved Change Order #4 along with the final pay request, 5-0-0.
What happened nextChange Order #4 was approved 5-0-0 on roll call together with the final pay request, so the contract's liquidated damage provisions were replaced with $7,500 in revised damages. The city used the same device again on the 2025 Street and Utility Improvements, where the engineer recommended a change order adjusting the substantial and final completion dates to the dates actually achieved, effectively removing liquidated damage payments, on the reasoning that the project ran smoothly and it would be difficult to show adequate evidence of actual damages from the delays. The executed Change Order #4 document is not in our record.
The city has twice settled liquidated damages by change order rather than assessing them, replacing the provisions with $7,500 in 2021 and removing them entirely by date adjustment in 2025.
1-11-22 Agenda packet; 8.12.25 Council Packet Agenda Updated · taken up again 2025-08-12
Councilman Rechtzigel recognized the good work the police department did on catching a burglary in progress on the east end of town.
Council and staff general comments praising the police department.
We hold no dataNo police incident report, case number or date for the burglary appears in our record. We hold no Kenyon Police Department incident data of any kind. The department's incident log or the county case file would settle it.
would settle it: The police incident report for the burglary
Administrator Vahlsing recognized Sue Dodds for her 26 years of service to the City as the Finance Clerk.
Recognition of Sue Dodds at the council meeting.
Partly answeredWe hold no personnel records confirming 26 years, but the record shows the recognition did not end her service to the city. Sue Dodds was thanked in June 2023 for covering the finance office in the interim before Kelly Perry started, and in August 2025 Administrator Lehner reported she was still helping part time in the finance office while Abdo handled payroll and the personnel committee reviewed the Finance Director job description. That is nearly four years of continued work after the 26-year recognition. Her hire and separation dates would settle the count.
8.12.25 Council Packet Agenda Updated; 6.13.23 Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2025-08-12
Vahlsing presented several options that would decrease the levy amount if the Council chose to go that way. Council members recognized that the current high inflation rate could affect the 2022 budget.
Budget work session discussion of the proposed 2022 budget and levy options.
Partly answeredNo documented inflation assumption for the 2022 budget appears in our record, only the council's general recognition of the risk while reviewing options that would have lowered the levy. What followed is measurable: general fund budgeted operating expenditures went from $1,369,075 in 2022 to $1,961,543 proposed for 2027, an increase of 43.3 percent, and the council adopted a 6.49 percent levy increase for 2022 after considering the reduction options. The budget worksheets with stated escalation assumptions would settle it.
1-11-22 Agenda packet; 7-30-24 AGENDA budget table
No public comments were received at the Truth in Taxation meeting on December 7.
Reported before adoption of the 2022 budget and levy.
Partly answeredThe December 7 2021 Truth in Taxation minutes are not in our record, so the claim rests on the administrator's report alone. The pattern it describes is consistent across years: the December 6 2022 hearing also drew no public comments before the council adopted a levy of $1,183,301 for 2023, a 6.8 percent increase. The signed hearing minutes would settle it.
1.10.23 Council Packet Agenda
The final budget shows a maximum proposed levy increase of 6.49% for 2022.
Adoption of Resolution 2021-16 setting the 2022 budget and levy.
At the meetingCouncil adopted Resolution 2021-16 by a 5-0-0 vote.
Answered from our recordsBoth figures are confirmed. Resolution 2021-16 adopting the 2022 budget and establishing a tax levy of $1,107,960 payable in 2022 passed 5-0-0 on roll call, and the city's own later budget table carries $1,107,960 as the 2022 levy alongside $1,183,301 for 2023. The levy has since risen to $1,400,000 for 2025, $1,528,541 for 2026 and a preliminary $1,670,115 for 2027, an increase of 50.7 percent over the 2022 figure in five years.
1-11-22 Agenda packet; 7-30-24 AGENDA budget table; 1-14-25 council packet; taxes/data/kenyon_tax.json
Based on the study findings the budgeted expenditures total $507,790 and existing sewer rate revenue projections total $438,086. The sewer fund budget included a 6.5% increase for 2022.
Background to the proposed sewer rate increase.
Partly answeredBoth figures appear only in the staff summary of the rate study and nowhere else in our holdings. The 6.5 percent already built into the 2022 sewer budget matters because the rate increase the council then adopted came on top of it, at 9.8 percent on the residential base rate and 37.1 percent on the volume charge. The $11,000 capital funds recommendation is never mentioned again in any later passage. The adopted 2022 sewer fund budget detail would settle both.
1-11-22 Agenda packet, Sewer Rate Study summary; 2.8.2022 Council Packet Agenda
VIII.A Agenda Item Summary CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM REPORT DATE: January 11, 2022 SUBMITTED BY: Holli Gudknecht, Administration ITEM TYPE: Legal AGENDA SECTION: LEGAL SUBJECT: Resolution 2022-01: Establishing License Fees and Compensation SUGGESTED ACTION: The only proposed change to the fees is a $10 increase in the Depot Park building daily rental fees.
Resolution 2022-01 establishing license fees and compensation.
What happened nextThe council adopted Resolution 2022-01 establishing license fees and compensation 4-0-0 on roll call on February 8 2022, and the administrator confirmed the only increase for 2022 was the additional $10 for Depot Park building rent. The resulting daily rental figure itself is not stated in our record.
2.8.2022 Council Packet Agenda; 1-11-22 Agenda packet · taken up again 2022-02-08
The church is seeking approval to adjust the property line by 9 feet, so the house has a proper side yard setback.
Church is selling the parsonage and the house sits very close to the lot 4 property line.
What happened nextThe council adopted Resolution 2022-04 approving the lot split 4-0-0 on roll call on February 8 2022, with Allen Stolee representing Hauge Lutheran Church. The split restores the property boundary between lots 4 and 5 in Block 29 of Bullis' Second South Side Addition to the original plat, and the city attorney reviewed and signed off on it. The recorded surveyor's certificate is not in our record.
The December item describes the parsonage as 317 3rd St on lot 5 of Bullis 2nd Addition, while the adopted resolution is captioned 302 Bullis St, PID 66.320.0210.
2.8.2022 Council Packet Agenda; 1-11-22 Agenda packet · taken up again 2022-02-08
These are the same rates that I will be generally charging in 2022 to other clients that I serve as the city attorney.
Justification for the proposed rate increase.
We hold no dataWe hold no rate letters or contracts from Kennedy and Graven's other city clients, so the claim that Kenyon pays the firm's general city attorney rate cannot be tested. All our record shows is Kenyon's own sequence, $174.00 in 2021, $180.00 in 2022 and $188.00 in 2023 for general civil and prosecution work. Comparable rate letters from other Kennedy and Graven cities would settle it.
would settle it: Rate letters or contracts from Kennedy & Graven's other city clients
For 2022, I propose that legal rates for the City of Kenyon would be as follows: $180.00 per hour for general civil and prosecution matters, $212.00 per hour for litigation, general city development projects, real estate, cable and telecommunication related matters, and employment matters, and $251.00 per hour for reimbursable/developer pass through matters (e.g., projects for which the City is to be reimbursed for legal costs by a developer).
Annual legal rate letter dated December 22, 2021.
What happened nextThe council approved the 2022 legal rates 4-0-0 on roll call on February 8 2022, raising the base hourly rate for general civil and prosecution work from $174.00 to $180.00. The escalation continued the next year to $188.00 for general civil and prosecution, $221.50 for litigation and development matters and $265.00 for reimbursable developer pass-through work, with the associated rates rising $9.50 to $14.00 an hour. The base rate rose 8.0 percent across the two years.
2.8.2022 Council Packet Agenda; 1.10.23 Council Packet Agenda; 2.14.23 Council Packet Agenda · taken up again 2022-02-08
The cost estimates that have been developed to date are very high level and are based on typical costs for this type of work.
Early project scoping and estimates task.
What happened nextThe estimates were refined twice and the project came in under them. The August 2022 summary gave $1.71 to $1.89 million to lower the existing main and $1.40 to $1.58 million to re-route it, in March 2023 the council received memos on revised Pearl Creek and street project costs and their financing impacts, and the work was awarded in June 2023 at $1,241,494.22 against an engineer's estimate of $1,536,065.
8.15.22 Council Packet Agenda; 3.14.23 Updated Council Packet Agenda; KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2023-03-14
Public works has been working to clear paths to critical manholes. This work will be included in a future proposal.
The Pearl Creek main is difficult to access and requires a specialty contractor.
Partly answeredNo separate proposal covering public works clearing of paths to critical manholes and its cost appears in our record. The access problem did shape the project: by August 2022 the total project cost summary put lowering the existing Pearl Creek main at $1.71 to $1.89 million against $1.40 to $1.58 million to re-route it, and the city took the re-route, awarded in June 2023 at $1,241,494.22, which is $158,505.78 below the low end of the re-route estimate.
8.15.22 Council Packet Agenda, total project cost summary; KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2022-08-15
The coordination will continue and will require one to two site meetings in the near future and before we proceed with preliminary design.
Gathering information about the sanitary system and planning construction access.
We hold no dataNo dates and no notes from the one or two site meetings between public works and Bolton and Menk appear in our record. The public engagement documented later belongs to a different project, the 2025 street and utility work, whose plan called for a neighborhood informational meeting in early October 2024 and at least three neighborhood-style meetings beyond the statutory improvement and assessment hearings. Meeting notes or a field report would settle it.
8-20-24 AGENDA; 5-14-24 AGENDA · would settle it: Scheduled dates and notes from the site meetings
If approved we will likely return within 1-2 months with a request to proceed with the remainder of survey and preliminary design tasks.
Follow-on proposal after the preliminary data collection phase.
What happened nextThe second proposal arrived on schedule at the February 8 2022 meeting, covering the remainder of preliminary design, alternatives analysis, data collection and survey work, with fees estimated at approximately $48,300 and a report due mid-summer. That is 5.4 times the $8,926 preliminary data collection proposal it followed. Bolton and Menk then signalled a third proposal would come later for the engineering services to prepare plans.
2.8.2022 Council Packet Agenda; 10.11.22 Council Agenda Packet · taken up again 2022-02-08
Over the next month, Bolton & Menk will prepare a request for proposal (RFP) form, specifications and mapping for the televising.
Televising is required to verify feasibility of the pipe lining project.
What happened nextThe request for sanitary televising proposals went out the week before the February 8 2022 meeting, and the engineer warned the city might receive only one proposal because of access challenges on that line. That is exactly what happened: the first round in March 2022 drew a single quote and was reissued. The second round in April 2022 drew three, and Empire Pipe Services won at $12,782.68 against Pipe Services at $18,246.53 and American Environmental at $29,264.
2.8.2022 Council Packet Agenda; KENYON_BIDS.md, 2022-03-08 and 2022-04-12 entries · taken up again 2022-04-12
Over the next month, Bolton & Menk will order title work and an easement search for later use in a boundary survey.
Preliminary survey task for the Pearl Creek/Forest Street sewer project.
What happened nextThe title work was ordered and delivered on schedule. It had been received by the February 8 2022 meeting, and the legal descriptions were used to scope the survey. Survey work was complete by December 2022, after which Bolton and Menk moved to evaluating utility impacts, opening conversations with private utility owners, and finalizing construction limits to determine easement limits and notify affected property owners.
2.8.2022 Council Packet Agenda; 12-13-22 Agenda Granicus · taken up again 2022-02-08
At this time, we suspect that no easements exist for the Pearl Creek sanitary main and new easements will be drafted and recorded.
Easement acquisition is described as the biggest driver of project schedule.
What happened nextThe suspicion was right. Title work received by February 8 2022 confirmed there are no existing easements associated with the Pearl Creek main, and the August 2022 report repeats that the existing main is not located within an easement, recommends that any new or improved sewers be placed within new or existing easement or right of way with vehicular access routes where appropriate, and urges that easement acquisition begin as soon as possible. Easement acquisition had been flagged from the start as the biggest driver of project schedule.
2.8.2022 Council Packet Agenda; 8.15.22 Council Packet Agenda · taken up again 2022-02-08
Over the next month, Bolton & Menk will order title work and an easement search for later use in a boundary survey. At this time, we believe eight parcels will be affected.
Title work and easement search ordered ahead of boundary survey.
Partly answeredThe title work came back by February 8 2022 for the parcels containing the Pearl Creek sanitary main, and it confirmed there are no existing easements on them, but the count of affected parcels is never restated. The eight-parcel figure was Bolton and Menk's estimate before the outside firm reported. The completed title and easement search would confirm the number.
2.8.2022 Council Packet Agenda, Title Work · taken up again 2022-02-08
But after further review the depreciation rate assumptions used in the study appear to be higher than those that are used by the city. If the normal depreciation rate is applied the needed increase would be lower, then what is called for the in the rate study.
Staff review of the Resource Training and Solutions sewer rate study.
What happened nextStaff's view carried the day without a formal recalculation appearing in our record. The council implemented staff's recommended rate changes rather than the study's, and staff's numbers were far lower across the board, 9.8 percent against 29 percent on the 1 inch base rate, 20.5 against 33 percent at 1.5 inch, 14.7 against 27 percent at 2 inch, 18.2 against 31 percent at 3 inch, and 37.1 against 52 percent on the volume charge. A recalculation using the city's own depreciation schedule would document why.
2.8.2022 Council Packet Agenda; 1-11-22 Agenda packet proposed 2022 rates · taken up again 2022-02-08
The sewer Study reviewed the findings of Sewer Study show that an increase to the existing sewer rates is necessary due to a projected shortfall of $69,704 (or 14%).
Justification for a sewer rate increase.
Answered from our recordsThe arithmetic checks exactly: budgeted expenditures of $507,790 less existing sewer rate revenue projections of $438,086 gives $69,704. That gap is 13.7 percent of budgeted expenditures, which rounds to the 14 percent cited, and 15.9 percent of projected revenue. The study also recommended an $11,000 increase in capital funds in future budgets. The underlying worksheets are not in our record, but the summary figures are internally consistent.
1-11-22 Agenda packet, Sewer Rate Study summary
Customers would be notified of any approved increase with their January billing. The increase would take effect in February.
Sewer rate study by Resource Training and Solutions recommending increases.
What happened nextThe council took staff's schedule over the rate study's and pushed the effective date back. On February 8 2022 it voted 4-0-0 on roll call to implement staff's recommended sewer rate changes effective with the April billing period beginning March 15 2022. Staff's 1 inch residential rate went from $19.76 to $21.70, up 9.8 percent, where the study called for $25.56 and 29 percent, and the volume charge went from $4.45 to $6.10 per thousand gallons, up 37.1 percent, where the study called for $6.76 and 52 percent.
Customers were to be notified with January billing for a February increase, but the adopted rates took effect with the April billing period beginning March 15 2022.
2.8.2022 Council Packet Agenda; 1-11-22 Agenda packet proposed 2022 rates · taken up again 2022-02-08
Requested Action: Approve proposal for preliminary activities on the Pearl Cr & Forest St Sanitary Sewer Improvements MOTION NEEDED ATTACHMENTS: 01.1_Proposal Summary.pdf 01.2_Prelim Activity Proposal.pdf 14 Pearl Creek & Forest Street Sanitary Sewer Improvements During the last infrastructure capital improvement planning session, various projects were listed for completion over the next several years.
Preliminary engineering for two sewer lining projects on the infrastructure management plan for 2023.
What happened nextThe council approved the Bolton and Menk proposal to proceed with preliminary data collection on February 8 2022, on a Ryan motion seconded by Bailey. The two lining projects are the Forest Street main between 3rd Street and 9th Street and the Pearl Creek main between 2nd Street and the wastewater plant, both listed in the infrastructure management plan for 2023.
2.8.2022 Council Packet Agenda · taken up again 2022-02-08
The City of Kenyon needs to opt-in to this settlement to receive money from them.
Resolution 2021-19 approving the MOA between the State of Minnesota and local governments.
At the meetingCouncil adopted Resolution 2021-19 authorizing participation.
Partly answeredKenyon opted in. Resolution 2021-19 approving the memorandum of agreement between the State of Minnesota and local governments and authorizing participation in the national opioid settlements was adopted 5-0-0 on roll call. No allocation amount for the city appears anywhere in our record. For scale, the only comparable one-time federal money we can trace is $206,000 in Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, for which the council elected the standard allowance under the revenue loss provision by Resolution 2022-11 in May 2022.
1-11-22 Agenda packet; 5.10.22 Council Packet Agenda · taken up again 2022-01-11
The actual transfer amount will be determined by the auditors as part of the 2021 audit.
Council approved moving excess library book funds to the capital fund.
At the meetingTransfer approved 5-0-0 with the amount left to the auditors.
Partly answeredNo excess library book budget figure appears in our record for 2021 or for any later year. The 2021 transfer carried 5-0-0 on roll call and the identical motion carried 4-0-0 for the 2022 audit, each time leaving the amount to the auditors. The library's automation line, which we do hold, ran $7,850 in 2022 and $6,634 in 2023, but that is a different account from the book budget.
1-11-22 Agenda packet; 12.13.22 Council Minutes; KENYON_IT_SPEND.md · taken up again 2022-12-13
The actual transfer amount will be determined by the auditors as part of the 2021 audit.
Council approved the street maintenance transfer without a dollar figure.
At the meetingTransfer approved 5-0-0 with the amount left to the auditors.
Partly answeredNo street maintenance transfer amount appears in our record for any year. The practice continued and broadened: by December 2022 the motion covered public works year-end remaining funds including street maintenance, pool and parks together, still with the amount left to the auditors, and it carried 4-0-0 in that form again in January 2024. The audited year-end departmental balances would settle it.
12.13.22 Council Minutes; 1.10.23 Council Packet Agenda; 1-9-24 agenda · taken up again 2024-01-09
The actual transfer amount will be determined by the auditors as part of the 2021 audit.
Council approved the transfer in concept without a dollar figure.
At the meetingTransfer approved 5-0-0 with the amount left to the auditors.
Partly answeredThe transfer amount was never stated, in 2021 or in any year after. The same motion recurs verbatim for the 2022 audit and again for the 2023 audit, each time approving a transfer of the fire department year-end budget balance with the figure left to the auditors, and each time carrying 4-0-0. No auditor-determined balance appears anywhere in our holdings. The audited fund statements would settle each year's figure.
12.13.22 Council Minutes; 1.10.23 Council Packet Agenda; 1-9-24 agenda · taken up again 2024-01-09
The final year-end capital fund amounts will not be known until the 2021 audit is completed.
Resolution 2021-17 committing capital fund balances under GASB 54.
At the meetingCouncil adopted Resolution 2021-17 committing balances contingent on audited final numbers.
Partly answeredNo audited 2021 capital fund figures appear in our record, and the commitment was made blind by design. The identical motion recurs word for word a year later as Resolution 2022-25, again committing year-end capital fund balances contingent on audited final numbers that would not be known until the 2022 audit was complete, and the same practice was still running with Resolution 2025-30 for 2025. The completed 2021 audit would settle the figures.
1-11-22 Agenda packet; 12.13.22 Council Minutes; 1.10.23 Council Packet Agenda · taken up again 2022-12-13
contingent on the receipt of the final close out paperwork from Wencl Construction
Red Wing Avenue Project final payment and Change Order #4.
At the meetingMotion carried 5-0-0 approving Change Order #4 and the final pay request contingent on the paperwork.
Partly answeredThe payment was approved 5-0-0 on roll call, with every member voting aye, conditioned on Wencl's closeout paperwork and tied to approval of Change Order #4. We hold no signed closeout documents and no confirmation that the $52,376.34 was actually released, so the condition cannot be traced to satisfaction. The executed closeout package would settle it.
1-11-22 Agenda packet, Pay Request #13
due to health issues he will be resigning his council seat at the end of the year
Gard announced his resignation during council and staff general comments.
At the meetingThe council relayed their thanks to Tom Gard and noted that he will be missed on the council.
What happened nextThe council declared the seat vacant by Resolution 2022-03 on February 8 2022, adopted 4-0-0 on roll call. Because the remaining term was less than two years the council could appoint rather than call a special election, and the appointee would serve only until the term expired in December 2022, with the seat up in that year's general election. Vacancies are normally advertised in the Leader for two to three weeks, with interested persons submitting a letter describing their background and reasons for wanting to serve. The name of the person appointed is not in our record.
2.8.2022 Council Packet Agenda; 1-11-22 Agenda packet · taken up again 2022-02-08
CITIZEN COMMENT Todd Greseth, Goodhue County Commissioner, updated the council on what the Commission is doing and issues they are working on.
Citizen comment period.
Partly answeredNo record of which county issues Commissioner Greseth raised in November 2021 exists in our holdings. His appearances are a recurring feature of citizen comment, and the minutes capture only fragments: in 2022 that the May commissioners' meeting would be held at Kenyon City Hall, and in 2024 that the county was going through personnel changes and would meet at Kenyon City Hall on May 1 at 9:00 am. Goodhue County board minutes for the period would settle what he was reporting.
5.10.22_Council_Packet__Agenda; 4.12.22_Council_Minutes; 5-14-24_AGENDA(1)
Revision to the Rules as Part of the Standard Operating Guidelines – Kenyon Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Ehrich stated that the Fire Department is recommending that the rules in the Standard Operating Procedures be revised to reflect requirements for attendance by members. The Fire Department membership voted to recommend the rule changes.
Fire Department membership voted to recommend rule changes on attendance.
At the meetingCouncil adopted the revised Fire Department Standard Operating Procedure 5-0-0.
Partly answeredThe revised Standard Operating Procedure was adopted 5-0-0 after a vote of the fire department membership, but the text of the attendance requirements is not in our holdings and no later passage returns to it. The three later passages offered here match on the word guidelines alone and concern unrelated subjects, a subsurface utility data standard, a $19,168.36 chest compression machine and a purchasing rule. The adopted guidelines document would settle the attendance requirement.
2021-11-09 minutes as quoted; 5.10.22_Council_Packet__Agenda
Resolution 2021-15: Adopting Assessment for Delinquent Utility Bills Administrator Vahlsing stated that this resolution would authorize delinquent utility bill amounts and other fees to be certified on property taxes.
Adoption of Resolution 2021-15 assessing delinquent utility bills.
At the meetingResolution adopted 5-0-0.
What happened nextResolution 2021-15 was adopted 5-0-0 and the practice became annual, with Resolution 2022-22 adopted 5-0-0 and Resolution 2023-27 adopted 4-0-0 doing the same thing in the following two years. In none of the three years does a dollar amount or a certified assessment roll appear in our holdings, so the city has certified delinquent utility debts onto property tax bills three years running without the total entering the meeting record. The assessment rolls sent to the county auditor would settle the amounts.
11.16.22_Council_Minutes; 12-13-22_Agenda_Granicus; 12.12.23_Council_Packet_and_Agenda · taken up again 2023-12-12
Motion by Rechtzigel second by Bailey to adopt Resolution 2021-15 adopting assessment for delinquent utility bills. Motion carried 5-0-0. Schedule of Upcoming Meetings KMU Meeting: Tuesday, November 16 @ 2:00 p.m.
Schedule of upcoming meetings.
Partly answeredNo KMU agenda or minutes from November 16 2021 are in our holdings. The meeting slot itself is traceable and it moved twice: the KMU commission met at 2:00 pm on the third Tuesday in 2021, at 4:00 pm through 2023 and 2024, and at 3:00 pm from 2025 into 2026. KMU minutes would settle what was taken up.
12.12.23_Council_Packet_and_Agenda; 12.10.24_Council_Packet_and_Agenda_Updated; 11-12-25_Council_Packet(1)
Township Fire Contract Meeting: Tuesday, December 7th @ 6 p.m. 2022 Budget & Levy Public Meeting: Tuesday, December 7th @ 6:30 p.m.
Schedule of upcoming meetings.
We hold no dataWe hold no 2022 budget or levy documents and no record of the December 7 2021 public meeting. Our continuous levy series begins with the $1,183,301 certified for payable 2023, so the 2022 figure cannot be derived either. The adopted 2022 budget and levy resolution would settle it.
11.16.22_Council_Minutes; taxes/levy.html · would settle it: The proposed 2022 budget and levy documents
Township Fire Contract Meeting: Tuesday, December 7th @ 6 p.m. 2022 Budget & Levy Public Meeting: Tuesday, December 7th @ 6:30 p.m.
Schedule of upcoming meetings.
Partly answeredNo record of the December 7 2021 township fire contract negotiation or its outcome is in our holdings. The meeting is an annual fixture held the first Tuesday of December, on December 6 in 2022, December 5 in 2023, December 3 in 2024 and December 2 in 2025. The only year whose terms our records carry is 2026, split 51% city and 49% township across six townships by sections covered. The 2022 township fire contracts would settle that round.
11.16.22_Council_Minutes; 12.9.25_Council_Agenda_and_Packet_Updated
Police Department – New Vehicle Logo Chief Sjoblom presented a proposed new logo for the police vehicles. 2022 Proposed Agreement for Continuation of our City-County Joint-Powers "Agreement for State Building Code Administration" Administrator Vahlsing 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.
Recommendation to renew the city-county joint powers building code administration agreement.
At the meetingCouncil approved the 2022 agreement 5-0-0.
Partly answeredNo Goodhue County inspection records or permit counts for Kenyon exist in our holdings, so the performance claim cannot be tested. The record does show the claim is standing language rather than an annual judgement: the same sentence about the county doing an excellent job appears verbatim in the 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 renewals, delivered by three different officials, with votes of 5-0-0, 5-0-0, 4-0-0 and 3-0-0. County permit and inspection logs would settle the substance.
11.16.22_Council_Minutes; 12-13-22_Agenda_Granicus; 12.10.24_Council_Packet_and_Agenda_Updated
Update on Kenyon Business Park Lot Sales Price and Marketing Plan Business Park Lot Sale Price Administrator Vahlsing stated that the EDA Board set the selling price at .99¢ a square foot for the land in the Business Park. Tax increment financing (TIF) will be used to reduce this actual sale price.
Update on Kenyon Business Park lot sales price and marketing plan.
Partly answeredNo EDA minutes or resolution setting the Business Park price and no TIF plan for the park appear in our holdings. At 99 cents a square foot an acre would sell for $43,124 before any TIF reduction. Lots did eventually move: in June 2025 Administrator Lehner reported that Attorney Riggs had finalised a developer's agreement for one Business Park lot and that the EDA would need to hold a public hearing on the sale. The EDA resolution and the executed purchase agreement would settle both the price and the incentive actually given.
The figure was recorded as .99 cents a square foot, which reads as a fraction of a cent and would put an acre at $431, when the intended price is 99 cents a square foot.
6-10-25_COUNCIL_PACKET_Updated
Police Department – New Vehicle Logo Chief Sjoblom presented a proposed new logo for the police vehicles. 2022 Proposed Agreement for Continuation of our City-County Joint-Powers "Agreement for State Building Code Administration" Administrator Vahlsing stated that Goodhue County requires the City of Kenyon to approve a yearly agreement to conduct residential and commercial building inspections.
New business item on a police department vehicle logo.
At the meetingNo motion or vote is recorded.
We hold no dataNo motion, vote or later mention of the police vehicle logo exists anywhere in our holdings. The contrast with the chief's other items is clear, since his Conducted Energy Weapons policy revision and his Take Home Squad Car policy both came back with recorded motions and 4-0-0 votes in 2022. The council minutes from that meeting, or a purchase record for vehicle decals, would settle whether the logo was ever adopted.
4.12.22_Council_Packet__Agenda_Updated; 3.8.22_Council_Minutes · would settle it: A council decision or record of approval on the proposed logo
LEGAL Request Approval of Internal Posting for Hiring of Police Officer Chief Sjoblom requested approval to post the opening for a full-time police officer internally to the current part-time officers.
Legal agenda item on hiring a police officer.
At the meetingCouncil approved the internal posting 5-0-0 after Attorney Riggs said the request was reasonable and the Personnel Committee agreed.
What happened nextThe internal posting was approved 5-0-0 after Attorney Riggs called the request reasonable and the Personnel Committee agreed, but the hiring outcome is not in our holdings. The city abandoned the internal-only approach later: by March 2025 the full-time position was advertised on the city website and the POST Board hiring page with an April 1 close, the chief expected few applicants and had one in hand, and four qualified candidates were eventually interviewed on April 15 2025. The market then dried up entirely, and by September 8 2026 the position was posted until filled with no applicants at all while part-time officers covered.
3-11-25_council_packet_(1); 4-8-25_council_packet; 9-8-26_Council_Packet · taken up again 2026-09-08
The estimated value of the John Deere 1575 is a minimum of $20,000, putting the net price at approximately $50,000.
Trade-in/sale value used to compute the net cost of the Toolcat purchase.
Partly answeredThe $20,000 was stated as a minimum with no appraisal behind it, and no actual sale price for the John Deere 1575 appears in our holdings. The fixed asset schedule in the following January's packet does not list the machine separately, so it cannot be traced there either. The disposal record or auction result would settle what the city realised, and that figure determines whether the net cost of the Toolcat was really about $50,000.
1-11-22_Agenda_packet
Administrator Vahlsing recommended financing the purchase with a 4-year lease with an estimated annual payment of $13,432 starting April 2023.
Recommendation on how to pay for the Toolcat purchase.
At the meetingCouncil authorized the purchase.
Partly answeredNo executed lease matching a four-year term at $13,432 a year appears in our holdings. The lease financings our record does carry are longer and larger, all arranged through Kinetic Leasing via Security State Bank: two seven-year options in February 2022 at $21,620 a year at 3.29% or $22,755 a year at 3.79% depending on when the first payment fell, and a six-year lease in August 2022 at 3.76% with an annual payment of $28,000. None of them is tied to the Toolcat in our documents. The executed lease with its Exhibit B payment schedule would settle the terms.
2.8.2022_Council_Packet__Agenda; 8.15.22_Council_Packet__Agenda
The Cost would be $69,974. If this vehicle was purchased, the John Deere 1575 Utility vehicle would be sold. The estimated value of the John Deere 1575 is a minimum of $20,000, putting the net price at approximately $50,000.
New business discussion of purchasing the Toolcat vehicle.
At the meetingCouncil voted 5-0-0 to authorize the purchase of the quoted Toolcat.
Partly answeredThe arithmetic as presented is sound, $69,974 less a minimum $20,000 for the John Deere 1575 gives $49,974, and the council authorized the purchase 5-0-0. Neither the written Toolcat quote nor any appraisal or sale price for the John Deere is in our holdings. The fixed asset schedule in the January 2022 packet carries machinery and equipment at $178,651 gross, $53,016 accumulated and $72,261 net, but itemises neither machine. The quote and the sale record would settle the true net cost.
1-11-22_Agenda_packet
Notification was received that the order has been accepted by Ford for production and will hopefully be fulfilled by late spring in 2022.
Old business update on the status of the police vehicle purchase.
Partly answeredNo delivery confirmation for the F150 ordered in 2020 appears anywhere in our holdings. What the record shows instead is that the fleet problem was solved another way: a 2013 squad was totaled in March 2022 and replaced with a 2022 Ford Interceptor SUV at a state contract price of $48,931 with equipment installed, funded from the sale of the 2014 squad, the insurance settlement, the 2022 budget and Covid funds, approved 5-0-0 in May 2022. That 2022 vehicle was then itself in an accident and sat at Peterson Ford through August and September 2022 with parts availability problems. A purchase order or delivery record would settle what became of the F150.
5.10.22_Council_Packet__Agenda; 8.15.22_Council_Minutes; 9.13.22_Council_Packet__Agenda
Riverside Park FEMA Flood Repairs Griffin Construction has started work on the project. The work should be completed by mid-November.
Update on FEMA flood repairs at Riverside Park.
What happened nextThe work finished on schedule and was paid out in January 2022, when Engineer Olinger reported the Riverside Park FEMA project complete and ready for final payment. Pay Request No. 1 of $76,662.80 to Griffin Construction was approved as the final payment on a roll call with Henke, Rechtzigel, Bailey, Gard and Ryan all aye. That came in $786 under the $77,448.80 awarded in August 2021. A residual FEMA grant line of $2,248.06 in federal grants and aids still appears in later budget tables.
1-11-22_Agenda_packet; 9.12.23_Council_Packet__Agenda; KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2022-01-11
PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS/ RECOGNITIONS/PROLAMATIONS ENGINEERING Red Wing Avenue Project Update Engineer Olinger stated that discussions are continuing with Wencl on liquidated damages on this project.
Project update on the Red Wing Avenue reconstruction.
What happened nextThe dispute was settled at $7,500. In January 2022 Wencl Construction requested Change Order No. 4 to strike the liquidated damage provisions from the contract and replace them with revised damages of $7,500, and Engineer Olinger walked the council through the damage negotiations. Our holdings do not contain the approving motion. Warranty repairs along Red Wing Avenue and at the Business Park were still being done in June 2022. Wencl later bid the 2025 street and utility project at $2,412,395 and did not win.
1-11-22_Agenda_packet; 6.14.22_Council_Minutes; KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2022-01-11
The Council would like to find a way to add this project to the Infrastructure Plan without removing any existing projects from the plan. Olinger and Vahlsing will do more research to check on any outside funding sources that may be available for Infrastructure projects.
Olinger presented the effects of a potential Trondheim Road Extension on the infrastructure management plan, as directed at the October Council meeting.
What happened nextThe research produced options, not outside money. By July 2022 the infrastructure and capital improvement plans were being updated with Trondheim options promised for August, and in September 2022 Engineer Olinger presented three options for revising the plan to include the Trondheim Road Extension. In February 2023 George Eilertson presented an updated Capital Improvement Financial Management Plan built on Bolton and Menk's 2022 plan updates, with cost estimates applied to every project so they could be ranked in order of importance, and focused on the impact on the tax levy and utility rates. No outside funding source is named anywhere in our holdings, and the council's wish to add the project without removing any others is not shown to have been met.
7.12.22_Council_Minutes; 9.13.22_Council_Packet__Agenda; 2.14.23_Council_Packet__Agenda_ · taken up again 2023-02-14
OLD BUSINESS Update on Granicus Peak Agenda Management Software Administrator Vahlsing updated the Council on the Granicus Peak Agenda Management System. He demonstrated how Granicus Peak will work and what the format will look like.
Vahlsing demonstrated how Granicus Peak will work and what the agenda format will look like.
What happened nextGranicus Peak was implemented and is still the city's agenda system, and it cost more over time than the award suggested. The June 2024 packet describes a significant investment in the Granicus Peak Agenda Management System, confirms staff were using it, and recommends substituting the Request for City Council Action format for the one built into Granicus. The system was awarded in April 2021 at about $3,300 a year and billed $4,530.03 for agenda management in June 2025, a 37 percent rise, and the auditor flagged the Granicus and Catalis subscriptions as an unbudgeted 2025 variance.
6.11.24 Council Packet, KENYON_BIDS.md, KENYON_IT_SPEND.md · taken up again 2024-06-11
Township Fire Contract Meeting: Tuesday, December 7th @ 6 p.m. 2022 Budget & Levy Public Meeting: Tuesday, December 7th @ 6:30 p.m.
Listed under schedule of upcoming meetings.
Partly answeredWe hold no township fire contract and no terms from any year, so what the townships pay Kenyon for fire protection cannot be stated. The meeting itself is an annual fixture, held Tuesday December 6 at 6 p.m. the following year, half an hour before the budget and levy meeting. The scale of what those contracts help carry is visible elsewhere in the record: $156,445 to Alex Air Apparatus for breathing apparatus and a compressor in December 2023, and a tanker truck purchase begun in June 2024 with a $10,000 Relief Association down payment.
11.16.22 Council Minutes, KENYON_BIDS.md, 6.11.24 Council Packet
Township Fire Contract Meeting: Tuesday, December 7th @ 6 p.m. 2022 Budget & Levy Public Meeting: Tuesday, December 7th @ 6:30 p.m.
Listed under schedule of upcoming meetings.
Partly answeredNothing in our record confirms the December 7 2021 budget and levy meeting took place or what was adopted there. The 6:30 p.m. slot is the city's settled practice, with the 2023 budget and levy public meeting held Tuesday December 6 at 6:30 p.m. and the Truth in Taxation meeting for the 2027 levy set for December 1 2026 at 6:30 p.m. by Resolution 2026-31. The 2021 meeting minutes and the proposed 2022 budget documents would settle it.
11.16.22 Council Minutes and 9-8-26 Council Packet
Motion carried 5-0-0. Crack Filling of Streets Engineer Olinger stated that the crack sealing project was completed last week.
Olinger gave a brief status report on crack filling of streets.
What happened nextThe 2021 crack fill was completed across the whole city. The April 2022 packet confirms that crack filling was completed for all applicable streets in town the previous year, which is why the city moved to a chip seal for 2022. The work had been competitively bid in April 2021, with Fahrner Asphalt Sealers at $19,690 beating Bargen at $35,820, a bid 81.9 percent higher. No final invoice for the crack sealing is in anything we hold.
4.12.22 Council Packet and KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2022-04-12
Township Fire Contract Meeting: Tuesday, December 7th @ 6 p.m. 2022 Budget & Levy Public Meeting: Tuesday, December 7th @ 6:30 p.m. COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTs Mayor Henke recognized Sue Dodds for her 26 years of service to the City.
Henke recognized Dodds during council and staff general comments.
Partly answeredThe 26 years is corroborated twice in the record but not by personnel files, which we do not hold. Administrator Vahlsing recognized Sue Dodds for 26 years of service as Finance Clerk again in January 2022, three months after the mayor did. Her service did not end there: she came out of retirement to cover the finance office part time during the 2025 vacancy, Lehner reported in November 2025 that she would be done soon, and he thanked her for her willingness to return in the April 2026 packet.
1-11-22 Agenda packet, 11-12-25 and 4-12-26 Council Packets · taken up again 2026-04-12
COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTs Mayor Henke recognized Sue Dodds for her 26 years of service to the City. Officer Taylor stated that the two new parttime officers are now working solo.
Officer Taylor gave a staffing update during general comments.
Partly answeredNo field training completion records or staffing roster appears in anything we hold, so solo status cannot be verified. What the record does show is how central part-time officers have remained: they were still filling in on September 8 2026 while the chief and the city's single full-time officer were on vacation, and the full-time vacancy posted July 28 2026 at $33.54 an hour entry had drawn no applicants. A Mitch appears again in the July 14 2026 staffing update, passing a background check to start as a part-time fill-in.
7.14.26 and 9-8-26 Council Packets, data/jobs.csv · taken up again 2026-09-08
PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS/ RECOGNITIONS/PROLAMATIONS Chris Werner, CNP at the new Kenyon Clinic, introduced herself and gave an overview of the Clinic's services and hours. The clinic will open Monday, October 18. It is part of Northfield Hospitals + Clinics.
Werner introduced herself and gave an overview of the clinic's services and hours.
Partly answeredThe Northfield Hospital and Clinics affiliation is confirmed but the October 18 2021 opening date is not. The January 2024 packet describes the Kenyon Clinic as a Northfield Hospital and Clinics tenant in approximately 3,500 square feet, with the lease extended an additional two years through September 2025, no renovation required, and the space held by Maac Companies. It also frames the clinic's value to the city as healthcare services, convenience, jobs and dollars churning locally. A Northfield Hospital and Clinics announcement would confirm the opening date.
1-9-24 agenda · taken up again 2024-01-09
Lacey's Kitchen and Cocktails - On Premises Charitable Gambling License Application -Kenyon Snowdrifters Administrator Vahlsing stated that the Kenyon Snowdrifters were seeking approval to operate charitable gambling at Lacey's Kitchen and Cocktails.
A lawful gambling premises permit application for 632 2nd Street was before the council.
At the meetingCouncil adopted Resolution 2021-14 approving the premises permit 5-0-0.
What happened nextResolution 2021-14 approving the premises permit at 632 2nd Street was adopted 5-0-0. The Snowdrifters later moved their gambling to a different premises: Resolution 2024-03 approving lawful gambling at the Kenyon VFW Conrad Osthum Post 141, 601 2nd Street, was adopted February 13 2024 on a motion by Sjolander seconded by Ryan, carried 5-0-0.
1-9-24 agenda and 2.13.24 Council Packet · taken up again 2024-02-13
LEGAL New On-Sale and Sunday Liquor License Attorney Riggs stated that an application for an on-sale and Sunday liquor license had been submitted by Heather Thram.
Thram and Steven Lacey are opening Lacey's Kitchen and Cocktails.
At the meetingCouncil approved the liquor license 5-0-0.
What happened nextThe license was approved 5-0-0 and the business kept it. Lacey's Kitchen and Cocktails was renewed in September 2022 on a motion by Rechtzigel seconded by Helgeson, carried 4-0-0, and again in October 2023 on a motion by Bailey seconded by Helgeson, carried 4-0-0, each time including Sunday and outdoor service area sales. The published fee schedule puts on-sale liquor at $1,100 and Sunday on-sale at $200.
9.13.22 and 10.10.23 Council Packets, 1-14-25 fee schedule · taken up again 2023-10-10
Business Park/Utility Extension Project Update Engineer Olinger stated that A-1 Excavating has completed work at the Business Park. This is a final payment. Any additional repairs will be addressed under the warranty.
Olinger reported A-1 Excavating completed work at the Business Park and this was a final payment.
What happened nextThe Business Park warranty was also called on. The June 2022 packet names the work as minor ditch grading and repairs in the areas affected by the utility extensions for the Business Park, carried out alongside the Red Wing Avenue concrete repairs under the 2020 project warranties. The warranty terms themselves are not in our record, though a comparable city warranty in the 2024 roofing file runs two years on workmanship.
6.14.22 Council Minutes and Council Packet, 3.12.24 Council Packet · taken up again 2022-06-14
ENGINEERING Red Wing Avenue Construction Update Engineer Olinger stated that the Red Wing Avenue project is now considered complete. Any remaining repairs needed will be addressed under warranty.
Olinger declared the Red Wing Avenue project complete.
What happened nextThe warranty was used. In June 2022 contractors returned to the 2020 project sites, and the packet names the specific work on this one as various concrete repairs along Red Wing Avenue. The warranty terms document and an itemized list of repair items are not in anything we hold.
6.14.22 Council Minutes and Council Packet · taken up again 2022-06-14
Any remaining repairs needed will be addressed under warranty. The final paperwork should be ready by next month.
Olinger reported the Red Wing Avenue project is complete and remaining repairs fall under warranty.
What happened nextThe paperwork was not ready the next month and the project did not close cleanly. At the November 9 2021 meeting Olinger reported that discussions were continuing with Wencl over liquidated damages, and he was still working through damage negotiations with Wencl Construction on January 11 2022. Nothing in our record states how the liquidated damages claim was settled.
The final paperwork was said to be a month away while the project was in an unresolved liquidated damages dispute with the contractor.
11.9.21 Council Minutes and 1-11-22 Agenda packet · taken up again 2022-01-11
Pay Request #8 – A-1 Excavating Motion by Henke second by Ryan to approve final pay request No. 8 to A-1 Excavating in the amount of $80,834.72 for work completed through October 7th, contingent on receiving the project closeout documentation.
Council approved final pay request No. 8 for the Business Park/Utility Extension project subject to closeout paperwork.
At the meetingMotion carried 5-0-0 with the contingency attached.
Partly answeredThe final payment of $80,834.72 was approved 5-0-0 with the closeout contingency attached, and no closeout documentation from A-1 Excavating appears in anything we hold, so whether the condition was satisfied is unrecorded. The contingency is a standing city control rather than a one-off, and the record shows it working elsewhere: the same language covers Bituminous Materials pay estimate 3 at $11,450.47 in December 2023 and BCM pay estimate 12 at $36,840.56 in September 2025, where the engineer first confirmed BCM had fulfilled its contractual obligations in July.
12.12.23, 8.12.25 and 9-9-25 Council Packets
Administrator Vahlsing stated the next step would be to look at amending the 10-year infrastructure plan to add this extension. This item will be added to the November agenda.
Recent inquiries prompted Engineer Olinger to present a cost estimate for extending Trondheim Road west to meet 20th Avenue.
What happened nextThe item reached the November 9 2021 agenda as promised but was never resolved. Olinger presented the effect of the Trondheim Road extension on the infrastructure management plan, the council said it wanted the project added without removing any existing project, and Olinger and Vahlsing were sent to look for outside funding. It then slipped repeatedly, with options promised for August 2022 on July 12 2022 and three revision options finally reviewed on September 13 2022. No adopted amendment adding the extension appears in anything we hold.
11.9.21 and 7.12.22 Council Minutes, 9.13.22 Council Packet · taken up again 2022-09-13
Schedule of Upcoming Meetings KMU Meeting: Tuesday, September 21 @ 2:00 p.m. Special City Council Meeting: Wednesday, September 22 @ 5:30 p.m.
Schedule of upcoming meetings.
We hold no dataWe hold no agenda or minutes for the special council meeting of September 22 2021. The later passages cited here list other years' meeting schedules, not that session. The posted special meeting notice would settle what was taken up.
no holding · would settle it: The published agenda for the special meeting
COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTs Council member Bailey was excited to see that some changes were coming for the Kenyon Bar and Grill.
Council general comments.
What happened nextThe change was a new business at the same address. On October 12 2021 Attorney Riggs presented an on-sale and Sunday liquor license application from Heather Thram, who with Steven Lacey was opening Lacey's Kitchen and Cocktails at the former Kenyon Bar and Grill location, and the council approved it 5-0-0. The license was renewed with Sunday and outdoor service in September 2023.
10.12.21 Council Minutes · taken up again 2021-10-12
COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTs Council member Bailey was excited to see that some changes were coming for the Kenyon Bar and Grill. Wayne Ehrich noted that the "No Parking" signs around town are for the crack filling of the streets.
General comments explaining signage posted around town.
Partly answeredWe hold no posting schedule for the no parking signs, but the work behind them is documented as finished. Crack filling was completed for all applicable streets in town in 2021, and the city moved to chip sealing in 2022. Kenyon's maintenance rotation puts crack filling and seal coating on good condition streets every seven years.
4.12.22 Council Packet Agenda Updated / 3.14.23 Updated Council Packet Agenda
He also encouraged everyone to come out to the Historical Society's Oktoberfest on Saturday, September 18 from 1-4 pm. Mayor Henke stated that a Rose Fest follow-up meeting would be held tomorrow night at the VFW at 6:30 pm.
Council and staff general comments about Rose Fest.
We hold no dataWe hold no notes or outcomes from the Rose Fest follow up meeting at the VFW. The later record contains only general thanks to the committee, including a note that attendance was up in 2022. The committee's own minutes would settle it.
no holding · would settle it: Notes or outcomes from the follow-up meeting
OLD BUSINESS Finance Clerk Update Administrator Vahlsing updated the Council on the retirement of Sue Dodds effective October 15.
Old business update on staffing transition.
What happened nextDodds retired and the city kept calling her back. She was recognized on January 11 2022 for 26 years of service as Finance Clerk, and she was still the fallback four years later, helping part time in the finance office in August 2025 while Abdo ran payroll and the personnel committee rewrote the Finance Director job description. Administrator Lehner thanked her in 2026 for coming out of retirement to help.
1-11-22 Agenda packet / 8.12.25 Council Packet Agenda Updated · taken up again 2025-08-12
PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS/ RECOGNITIONS/PROLAMATIONS None ENGINEERING Red Wing Avenue Construction Update Engineer Olinger stated that the bare spots along Red Wing Avenue were reseeded by the subcontractor in mid-September.
Red Wing Avenue construction update.
What happened nextThe reseeding did not fully take. The project was declared complete on October 12 2021 with any remaining repairs pushed to warranty, and in June 2022 contractors were back doing needed warranty repairs along Red Wing Avenue and at the Business Park. No subcontractor work record or inspection of the September 2021 reseeding is in our holdings.
6.14.22 Council Minutes · taken up again 2022-06-14
He saw the ARPA Funds resolution on the agenda and said he is trying to get more of these funds used on public safety.
Citizen comment referencing the ARPA resolution on the agenda.
We hold no dataWe hold no Goodhue County board records and nothing showing how the county allocated its ARPA money. Commissioner Greseth's later appearances at Kenyon citizen comment carry county updates but no ARPA decisions. The county board minutes and its ARPA spending plan would settle it.
no holding · would settle it: County board record of ARPA allocation discussions
Chief Sjoblom reported that the part-time officer hours and wages were increased in the budget. This would allow for more coverage on weekends and during "hot spots" during the week.
Discussion of the 2022 preliminary budget.
Partly answeredWe hold no 2022 police line items, but the same pressure recurs in every later budget. The 2024 request raised wages for experienced part-time officers and offset it by cutting training, and in December 2023 Chief Sjoblom told the council officer wages had to rise to stay competitive with neighboring communities and the county or he would have to cut elsewhere in his own budget. The current posted scale runs 33.54 dollars an hour at entry to 42.61 dollars at five to ten years.
9.12.23 and 12.12.23 Council Packets / data/jobs.csv
Quotes were received from WH Security to upgrade the cameras and DVR. There is money in the budget to cover this cost.
Council accepted the quote following the May liquor store break-in.
At the meetingVahlsing said there is money in the budget to cover the cost.
Partly answeredOur bid file records the liquor store camera and DVR award to WH Security with no dollar amount, one of the few entries in 43 competitive purchases carrying no price. WH Security won the city's later security work the same way, replacing three city hall cameras and the panic buttons in June 2024, again with no figure recorded. The quote document and the paid claim would settle the amount.
KENYON_BIDS.md / 6.11.24 Council Packet and Agenda
Since there is currently a shortage of new police vehicles, a 2018 Ford Explorer was located that would meet the needs. Motion by Henke second by Bailey to approve the purchase of the 2018 Ford Explorer police vehicle.
Council approved the vehicle purchase without a recorded amount.
We hold no dataThe purchase price of the 2018 Ford Explorer never appears in our records, and the motion approving it carried no amount. The nearest comparable in the record is the 2022 Ford Interceptor at 48,931 dollars on state contract with equipment installed, bought seven months later. The purchase agreement or the paid claim would settle it.
4.12.22 Council Minutes · would settle it: The purchase agreement showing the price
Since there is currently a shortage of new police vehicles, a 2018 Ford Explorer was located that would meet the needs.
Justification for buying a used rather than new police SUV.
At the meetingCouncil approved the purchase 4-0-0.
Partly answeredThe vehicle shortage was real and persisted. Kenyon was still fighting supply problems in 2022, when its 2022 Ford Explorer sat at Peterson Ford with parts availability problems and the administrator could not get an accurate repair quote or timeframe. We hold no dealer availability documentation for the 2018 Explorer decision, and the next squad the city bought new, a 2022 Ford Interceptor, cost 48,931 dollars on state contract with equipment installed.
8.15.22 Council Minutes / 5.10.22 Council Packet Agenda
Wayne Ehrich noted that the "No Parking" signs around town are for the crack filling of the streets. Chief Sjoblom stated they have some leads on selling the old squad vehicle.
General comments following approval of the replacement 2018 Ford Explorer.
Partly answeredThe old squad was sold but the price is never stated separately. When the city bought a 2022 Ford Interceptor for 48,931 dollars on state contract with equipment installed in April 2022, the sale of the 2014 squad was named as one of four funding sources alongside the insurance settlement on a totaled 2013 squad, the 2022 budget and COVID funds. The sale record would give the amount.
4.12.22 Council Minutes · taken up again 2022-04-12
Motion carried 4-0-0. Motion by Henke second by Gard to recommend setting the Truth in Taxation meeting for December 7 at 6:30 pm.
Required public meeting on the 2022 budget and levy.
At the meetingMotion carried 4-0-0.
Partly answeredThe motion carried 4-0-0 but we hold no published notice for the December 7 2021 hearing. The practice is consistent across our record, most recently the Truth in Taxation meeting set for December 1 2026 at 6:30 pm alongside adoption of the 2027 preliminary levy. The published notice or the hearing minutes would settle the 2021 date.
9-8-26 Council Packet
Crack Filling of Streets Engineer Olinger stated that the contractor doing the street crack filling pushed the work out to the end of September. The work will take one to two days to complete.
Crack filling of streets schedule update.
What happened nextThe crack filling was completed. The April 2022 packet records that crack filling was completed for all applicable streets in town the previous year, and the city moved to chip sealing for 2022, sending out a request for proposals that drew two responses. The exact September 2021 work dates are not in our holdings.
4.12.22 Council Packet Agenda Updated · taken up again 2022-04-12
Motion carried 4-0-0. FEMA Flood Repairs Engineer Olinger stated that the project should start in late October or early November.
FEMA flood repairs update.
What happened nextThe FEMA work was done and paid within four months. On January 11 2022 Olinger reported the Riverside Park FEMA project complete and the council approved a single final payment of 76,662.80 dollars to Griffin Construction by roll call. That is 786 dollars less than the 77,448.80 dollar contract awarded in August 2021.
1-11-22 Agenda packet / KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2022-01-11
Business Park/Utility Extension Project Update Engineer Olinger stated that the utility work along Highway 60 has been completed. A-1 has been addressing some miscellaneous repairs that should be completed by the October council meeting.
Business park/utility extension project update.
What happened nextThe repairs were finished on time. On October 12 2021 Olinger reported A-1 Excavating had completed work at the Business Park, the payment before the council was final, and any additional repairs would be handled under warranty. No punch list sign off document is in our holdings, but the warranty transfer closed the item.
10.12.21 Council Minutes · taken up again 2021-10-12
A-1 has been addressing some miscellaneous repairs that should be completed by the October council meeting. The pay request amount was revised today due to the project being substantially complete.
Business Park/Utility Extension project pay request No. 7.
At the meetingCouncil approved pay request No. 7 for $121,869.26 for work through September 3.
What happened nextThe revision was the first of two. Council approved pay request 7 of 121,869.26 dollars for work through September 3 2021, and a month later the October 12 2021 agenda was itself amended at adoption to carry a revised pay request 8 amount. That final payment of 80,834.72 dollars was approved 5-0-0 contingent on receiving the project closeout documentation.
10.12.21 Council Minutes · taken up again 2021-10-12
Resolution 2021-13: In Support of Goodhue County ARPA Funds being Utilized for Fire Department, First Responder, and EMS Mobile and Portable Radio Purchases Administrator Vahlsing stated that this resolution would request that Goodhue County use ARPA funds to purchase portable and mobile radios for area police, EMS, and fire departments. The Kenyon Fire Department radios are no longer supported for software updates and hardware repairs.
Basis for requesting county ARPA funds for new radios.
What happened nextThe manufacturer end of support was confirmed three years later. In August 2024 Fire Chief Ehrich told the council Motorola no longer supports the older radios, so 15,900 dollars was budgeted for three new ones in the 2025 fire department budget. In the interim, the 2024 budget had absorbed pager and radio costs inside fuel and maintenance increases rather than replacing the fleet.
8-20-24 AGENDA · taken up again 2024-08-20
New radios cost approximately $5,000 each, which the City would need to replace, if the County doesn't cover this cost.
Justification for the ARPA radio funding resolution.
What happened nextThe 5,000 dollar figure held for three years. In August 2024 Chief Sjoblom told the council encrypted radios were needed at 5,000 dollars each, and the fire department budgeted 15,900 dollars for three radios, which is 5,300 dollars apiece. The city, not the county, carried the cost, and the police department also had 36,000 dollars of local government aid coming.
8-20-24 AGENDA · taken up again 2024-08-20
Resolution 2021-13: In Support of Goodhue County ARPA Funds being Utilized for Fire Department, First Responder, and EMS Mobile and Portable Radio Purchases Administrator Vahlsing stated that this resolution would request that Goodhue County use ARPA funds to purchase portable and mobile radios for area police, EMS, and fire departments.
Resolution 2021-13 in support of ARPA funding for emergency radios.
At the meetingCouncil adopted Resolution 2021-13 4-0-0.
What happened nextThe county did not buy the radios, and the city ended up budgeting for them itself. Kenyon's own fund tables show the ARPA fund at zero at December 31 2020, 2021 and 2022, and by August 2024 Chief Sjoblom was telling the council encrypted radios were needed at 5,000 dollars each while the fire department budgeted 15,900 dollars for three new radios in the 2025 budget. Resolution 2021-13 passed 4-0-0 but produced no recorded county funding.
8.15.22 and 8.8.23 Council Packets / 8-20-24 AGENDA · taken up again 2024-08-20
CITIZEN COMMENT Goodhue County Commissioner, Todd Greseth, stopped to check in and let the Council know to contact him if they had any concerns.
Citizen comment check-in from the county commissioner.
We hold no dataWe hold no record of council members contacting Commissioner Greseth. What the record does show is that he kept appearing in person at citizen comment, in April and May 2022, February 2023 and May 2023, giving county updates unprompted. Council correspondence files would settle whether anyone took him up on the offer.
4.12.22, 5.10.22, 2.14.23 and 5.9.23 Council Packets · would settle it: Any council follow-up contact with the commissioner
The position has been offered to one of the candidates. The KMU Commission will make the final hiring approval.
Replacement for Finance Clerk Sue Dodds, retiring October 15.
What happened nextThe KMU Commission does hold the appointment power for the finance position, and it exercised it again in 2023. In March 2023 the city confirmed the position sits under KMU and the commission makes the appointment, and on May 9 2023 Vahlsing reported that five candidates were interviewed, three a second time, the committee recommended Kelly Perry, and the KMU Commission met that day to approve her. Perry started as Finance Director on May 15 2023.
5.9.23 Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2023-05-09
The preliminary maximum levy certification resolution must be submitted to Goodhue County by the end of September.
Statutory deadline for certifying the preliminary levy.
Answered from our recordsThe September certification deadline is met every year in our record and the requirement is restated in each budget cycle. Most recently the council adopted Resolution 2026-31 setting the 2027 preliminary budget and levy of 1,670,115 dollars on September 8 2026 and instructed the administrator and clerk to transmit a certified copy to the Goodhue County Auditor. Confirmation of receipt by the county is not itself in our holdings.
9-8-26 Council Packet / taxes/data/kenyon_tax.json
Rechtzigel stated that he would like to see the levy increase of 6.4% decreased before the final levy is adopted in December.
Discussion of the 2022 preliminary budget and levy.
At the meetingNo commitment recorded; the preliminary 6.4% maximum was adopted.
What happened nextFor years the answer was no, then it changed. Staff recommended certifying the final 2023 levy at the full 6.8 percent maximum and the final 2025 levy at the full 9.55 percent maximum, so the preliminary ceiling became the actual levy. The pattern broke for pay 2026, certified at 9.18 percent after a 9.93 percent preliminary, and again for 2027, which opened as a 19.50 percent draft on July 14 2026, fell to 10.34 percent on August 6 and was certified at 9.26 percent.
12-13-22 Agenda Granicus / 12.10.24 Council Packet / taxes/data/kenyon_tax.json · taken up again 2026-09-08
The final levy must be adopted by the end of December. The levy can be lowered between now and the end of the year, but it cannot be increased.
Adoption of Resolution 2021-12 setting the preliminary budget and levy.
At the meetingCouncil adopted the 6.4% preliminary maximum levy 4-0-0.
Partly answeredWe hold no final 2022 levy resolution, so whether the 6.4 percent preliminary maximum was reduced in December 2021 cannot be determined. The same process is documented in every later year, and the maximums since have climbed steadily: 6.8 percent for 2023, 8 percent for 2024, 9.55 percent for 2025 and 9.93 percent for 2026, with the certified 2026 city levy at 1,528,541 dollars, up 9.18 percent, and the 2027 preliminary at 1,670,115 dollars, up 9.26 percent. The December 2021 resolution would settle the 2022 figure.
taxes/data/kenyon_tax.json / 9.13.22 Council Minutes
A meeting is scheduled with Wencl prior to the October council meeting to discuss liquidated damages and closing out the project.
Red Wing Avenue construction update and project closeout.
Partly answeredThe meeting happened but the damages were never settled in our record. The Red Wing Avenue project was declared complete on October 12 2021 with pay request 12 of 3,230.25 dollars approved and remaining repairs left to warranty, yet discussions with Wencl on liquidated damages were still continuing on November 9 2021 and Olinger was still working through the details of the damage negotiations on January 11 2022. No settlement figure appears anywhere in our holdings.
11.9.21 and 1-11-22 Council Minutes · taken up again 2022-01-11
Liquor Store Manager Matt Bartel updated the Council on the Liquor Store's proposed 2022 budget. The proposed budget shows slight increases to beer, wine and liquor inventory purchases.
Liquor store 2022 budget review.
Partly answeredWe hold no draft inventory purchase lines for the 2022 liquor store budget. The pattern in later years is that inventory rises with sales: the 2023 budget showed increases to beer, wine and liquor sales and revenue, and the 2026 variance notes attribute higher inventory purchases directly to higher liquor store sales, alongside wage increases and remodel expenses. The draft budget worksheet would give the specific purchase lines.
10.26.22 Special Council Meeting Minutes; 11.16.22 City Council Packet and Agenda; 8-6-26 Council Packet Updated
Police Chief Sjoblom provided an update on the police department proposed budget. He stated that the proposed budget showed increases in personnel costs like all other departments.
Police budget update during the work session.
Partly answeredWe hold no draft police personnel lines for 2022. The following years name what the increases were for: wage increases for the two full-time officers in 2023, with the chief asking that they be moved up one and two grades in the city pay scale, and increases for experienced part-time officers in 2024 offset by lower training expenses, alongside a new squad car and police building flooring in capital outlay. The reference to two full-time officers confirms the fourth officer discussed here was never added.
9.13.22 Council Packet Agenda; 9.12.23 Council Packet Agenda
This is due to the anticipated retirement of the children's librarian who will be replaced with two part-time employees.
Basis for the library's proposed salary and benefits decrease.
What happened nextThe retiring employee was Assistant Librarian Barb Bonde, and the replacement plan came to the council in January 2022. Director Otte and the library board asked to create two part-time positions, Youth Services and Assistant Librarian plus Library Assistant, to replace the single full-time position at a starting wage of $17 an hour with no benefits, advertised until February 8. By September 2022 the retirement and part-time replacement were being cited as the reason for a 2.4% decrease in the library budget.
The January 2022 posting says the positions would be advertised until February 8, 2021, a date already past when the item was written.
1-11-22 Agenda packet; 9.13.22 Council Packet Agenda · taken up again 2022-01-11
Some major capital purchase items in the proposed budget included the repair of a collapsed sewer line on North Street, painting the pools and locker room building, and a lawn mower trade in.
Review of the proposed 2022 public works budget covering streets, sanitary sewers, parks, storm sewer and the pool.
At the meetingItems listed without dollar figures.
Partly answeredNone of the three items carries a cost in our record. The mower was bought in April 2022 from Traxler Equipment on three quotes with no price recorded in the minutes. The nearest North Street work our bid record holds is the North Street drainage outfall bid in June 2022, where DeCook Drainage was low at $46,018.47 against four higher bids topping out at $81,694.08, though that is storm drainage rather than a sanitary collapse. Pool painting has no figure at all, and a later main-drain pipe repair ran $3,753.50.
4.12.22 Council Packet Agenda Updated; 6.11.24 Council Packet and Agenda; factbook KENYON_BIDS.md
The proposed budget shows slight increases to beer, wine and liquor inventory purchases. Capital outlay of $6,000 was added to the budget for a new roof air conditioner.
Liquor store 2022 budget presentation.
We hold no dataNo contractor quote for the liquor store rooftop air conditioner is in our archive, and the purchase does not appear in the bid record. The $6,000 exists only as a capital outlay line in the 2022 liquor store budget.
A $6,000 purchase requires council approval plus two quotes under Administrative Policy No. 34, which the city did not present until August 20 2024, nearly three years later.
KENYON_BIDS.md · would settle it: A contractor quote for the rooftop air conditioner
Three new sets of turnout gear for $4,000 each and one set of SCBA for $6,000 were added. These items expire every ten years and are on a rotating replacement schedule.
Explaining the increase in the fire department uniforms category.
Partly answeredWe hold no 2021 vendor quotes for turnout gear or a single breathing apparatus set, and the ten-year expiry does not match what the department later told the council. In November 2023 Ehrich said the equipment bought in 2007 had a 15-year lifespan, and the full replacement package landed in January 2024 at $156,445, made up of $116,805 for the breathing apparatus and $39,640 for the compressor, funded by $42,000 of state public safety aid, $37,000 in donations and $77,445 from a fire capital fund holding about $255,000. Three sets of turnout gear are budgeted every year.
The gear was described as expiring every ten years, while the department later told the council the breathing apparatus bought in 2007 had a 15-year lifespan.
11.14.23 Council Packet Agenda; 1-9-24 agenda; factbook KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2024-01-09
Administrator Vahlsing stated that the proposed 2022 budget included a 3% cost of living increase for full-time employees. It also showed a 5% increase for employee health insurance.
Summary of personnel cost assumptions in the draft budget.
Partly answeredWe hold no health insurance renewal quote and no wage schedule, so neither figure can be checked. Both recur as fixed planning assumptions rather than negotiated numbers: a 3% cost of living increase appears in the proposed 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2026 budgets without variation, while the health insurance assumption was 5% for 2022, 5% for 2023, 7% for 2024 and 5% again for 2026. The insurance renewal letters would settle whether 5% matched the actual quotes.
9.13.22 Council Packet Agenda; 9.12.23 Council Packet Agenda; 9-9-25 Council Packet
Discuss Options for Maximum 2022 Levy The maximum proposed levy increase must by adopted by the council by the end of September. Administrator Vahlsing stated that the draft budget showed a 4.6% maximum levy.
Discussion of options for the maximum 2022 levy.
What happened nextThe 4.6% draft did not survive the week. Resolution 2021-12, adopted September 14 2021, set the 2022 maximum levy at 6.4% and states that figure was decided at this same September 8 work session. We hold no draft levy worksheet showing prior year and proposed amounts for either number.
The work session minutes record a 4.6% draft maximum levy and the resolution adopted six days later sets 6.4%, attributing that figure to this same session.
9.14.21 Council Minutes · taken up again 2021-09-14
The overall budget for the library showed a proposed 15% decrease. The majority of the decrease was in salary and benefits.
Library budget presentation.
At the meetingAttributed to the anticipated retirement of the children's librarian, to be replaced by two part-time employees.
Partly answeredWe hold no 2022 library budget line items, so the 15% decrease cannot be verified. The following years are documented: a 2.4% proposed decrease for 2023, a 3% increase for 2024 with a 0.5% levy decrease, a 31% claimed drop in automation costs and $3,574 more from the county, and a 9.44% levy increase for 2026 driven by wages, automation and utilities. Actual automation spending fell from $6,634 in 2023 to $4,892 in 2024, a decrease of 26.3%.
The same children's librarian retirement is given as the reason for a 15% decrease in the 2022 budget and again for a 2.4% decrease in the 2023 budget.
9.13.22 Council Packet Agenda; 9.12.23 Council Packet Agenda; 9-9-25 Council Packet; factbook KENYON_IT_SPEND.md
Capital outlay of $6,000 was added to the budget for a new roof air conditioner. Bartel noted that the final loan payment to KMU will be made soon for the 2009 remodel.
Update on liquor store finances during budget review.
At the meetingNo specific payoff date given.
Partly answeredWe hold no amortization schedule and no payoff date for the 2009 liquor store remodel loan from Kenyon Municipal Utilities. The store was carrying a new remodel by the middle of the decade, with Manager Bartel telling the council in September 2025 he might be able to reduce some remodel expenses and the 2026 variance notes recording expenses paid for the liquor store remodel project. The KMU loan schedule would give the final payment date and amount.
9-9-25 Council Packet; 6.9.26 Council Packet Agenda
He also stated that due to increases in property valuations the last several years, the actual tax increases may be less.
Explaining how the 4.6% maximum levy would translate to taxpayer bills.
At the meetingStated as a general expectation; no figures given.
Answered from our recordsThe claim holds and can be measured. For taxes payable 2026 the city levy rose 9.18% while the certified city tax rate rose only from 79.3028% to 84.6822% of net tax capacity, an increase of 6.78%, so valuation growth absorbed roughly a quarter of the levy increase. The city's own planning memos used county-supplied tax capacity for this, putting estimated pay-2024 net tax capacity at $1,728,010 against an $84,000 annual levy increase.
factbook taxes/data/kenyon_tax.json and taxes/levy.html; 9.12.23 Council Packet Agenda
The Council added $6,000 to the pool budget in the "transfer to capital funds" catagory for future repairs that will be needed.
Council amendment during review of the public works budget.
At the meetingCouncil made the addition at the work session.
Partly answeredNo revised 2022 draft showing the $6,000 addition appears in our record. The pool transfer line later ran far above that level, with account 101-45124-740 budgeted and spent at $35,000 in 2024 and budgeted at $35,000 again for 2025 alongside $7,000 of pool capital outlay. The city also swept year-end balances from street maintenance, pool and parks into capital funds on a 4-0-0 vote, with the actual amount set by the auditors rather than by council.
2.11.25 Council Packet Agenda; 12.13.22 Council Minutes
There was discussion of possibly adding a fourth police officer next year. The council agreed that the extra police coverage would be favorable, but they couldn't justify the huge levy increase to pay for an extra officer for a city of our size.
Discussion during review of the proposed police department budget.
At the meetingCouncil agreed coverage would be favorable but declined to justify the levy increase.
What happened nextThe fourth officer was never added and the department went the other way. Instead the 2022 budget raised part-time officer hours and wages for more weekend and hot-spot coverage, and five years later the police department was one of the areas cut when the 2027 budget was worked down from a 19.5% levy increase to 10.34%. We hold no cost estimate for a fourth officer and no calculation of its levy impact.
9.14.21 Council Minutes; 9-8-26 Council Packet · taken up again 2026-09-08
He also stated that due to increases in property valuations the last several years, the actual tax increases may be less. The final levy and budget must be adopted by the end of December.
Final budget adoption timeline after the maximum levy is set.
Partly answeredWe hold no final 2022 budget and levy resolution. The equivalent step for the following year is documented in detail: Resolution 2022-24 approved the 2023 budget and set the final tax levy, due on or before December 30 2022, with staff recommending the full 6.8% maximum the council had approved in September. The 2022 adopting resolution would confirm whether the 6.4% preliminary was carried through or reduced.
12-13-22 Agenda Granicus; 9.13.22 Council Packet Agenda
Discuss Options for Maximum 2022 Levy The maximum proposed levy increase must by adopted by the council by the end of September.
Statutory deadline for setting the preliminary maximum levy.
At the meetingVahlsing noted the draft budget showed a 4.6% maximum levy and that once adopted it cannot be increased but can be decreased.
What happened nextThe preliminary levy was adopted six days later. Resolution 2021-12 set the 2022 maximum levy at 6.4%, a figure the minutes say was decided at this September 8 work session, with certification due to Goodhue County by the end of September and the final levy by the end of December. Chief Sjoblom reported part-time officer hours and wages had been increased to allow more weekend and hot-spot coverage.
The work session recorded a draft maximum of 4.6% and the resolution a week later set 6.4%, with no explanation in the record for the change.
9.14.21 Council Minutes · taken up again 2021-09-14
A Council work session to review the Northland Securities Debt Study was scheduled for September 22 at 5:30 pm.
Scheduling follow-up review of the debt study alongside budget planning.
At the meetingDate and time set for September 22 at 5:30 pm.
Partly answeredWe hold no Northland Securities debt study, no meeting notice for September 22 2021, and no later passage reporting what the session concluded. What the record does show is that nearly four years later the city still had no debt management policy: in June 2025 George Eilertson of Northland Securities recommended Kenyon complete and adopt one before a bond rating was undertaken. The study document and the work session minutes would settle it.
6-10-25 COUNCIL PACKET Updated
Crack Filling of Streets Engineer Olinger stated that the contractor doing the street crack filling plans to be in town in early September. 4th Street Alley Paving Engineer Olinger stated that Crane Creek was in town today paving the alley west of Red Wing Avenue between 4th and 6th Street.
Status report on the 4th Street alley paving.
Partly answeredThe contract behind the work is documented even though the daily report is not. Crane Creek Asphalt took the 4th Street alley paving in July 2021, with its quoted portion at $7,727.70 against Bituminous Materials at $9,592.50 and the full job at about $29,000. No contractor daily report or engineer's inspection record for the August 10 2021 paving is in our holdings.
factbook KENYON_BIDS.md; 8.10.21 council record
Business Park/Utility Extension Project Update Engineer Olinger stated that the MnDOT permit for the Highway 60 utility work was received at the end of July.
Business Park/Utility Extension project update.
Partly answeredNo copy of the MnDOT permit is in our holdings, so the end-of-July issue date cannot be confirmed directly. The work it authorized went ahead and the utility work along Highway 60 was complete by September 14 2021, which is consistent with a late-July permit. The city's standard permit list for such work runs to a MnDOT miscellaneous work or utility permit, MPCA sanitary sewer approvals, Minnesota Department of Health watermain plan review, a Goodhue County utility permit and a DNR water crossing license, all prepared and billed through Bolton and Menk.
9.14.21 Council Minutes; 9.13.22 Council Packet Agenda
One quote was from CLA, which has conducted the City/KMU audit for the last several years, and the other was from Abdo Eich and Meyers, which does the Fire Department Relief Association Audit.
Background on the two firms that submitted audit quotes.
Partly answeredThe switch described did happen, with Abdo presenting the City and KMU audits for 2021, 2022 and 2024, each an unmodified clean opinion. CliftonLarsonAllen's prior tenure is corroborated by our bid record, which shows the 2019 City, KMU and Liquor audit awarded to CliftonLarsonAllen at $20,950. No engagement record for the Fire Department Relief Association audit is in our holdings, so that half of the claim rests on the administrator's statement alone.
factbook KENYON_BIDS.md; 9.12.23 Council Packet Agenda; 7.8.25 Updated Council Packet and Agenda
On July 28, the Council approved the appointment of Jeff Sjoblom of the Goodhue County Sheriff's Department as the next Police Chief. He will start on August 23.
Police Chief transition update under Old Business.
What happened nextSjoblom took the post and still held it at the end of our record five years later. He appears as Police Chief presenting the Mobile Data Terminal agreement with the Goodhue County Sheriff's Department in November 2024, the fiber installation between City Hall and the police department in July 2022, and a department staffing update in July 2026. Appointment paperwork confirming the August 23 2021 start date is not in our holdings.
7.12.22 Council Packet Agenda; 11.12.24 Council Packet And Agenda; 7.14.26 Council Packet Updated · taken up again 2026-07-14
Gunderson House - Kenyon Area Historical Society – Oktoberfest Event– September 18, 2021 Dan Rechtzigel, representing the Kenyon Area Historical Society, requested approval to hold an Oktoberfest event at the Gunderson House on Saturday September 18, 2021 from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm. KAHS is working with the Muni to coordinate the event.
Explaining how alcohol sales at the Gunderson House event would be handled.
We hold no dataWe hold nothing confirming the arrangement with the Municipal Liquor Store. No written agreement, no liquor arrangement and no report back on how the Oktoberfest alcohol sales were handled appear in any later record, and the only later text matching the Muni concerns roof and flooring quotes. A memorandum between the historical society and the Muni, or the Muni's sales record for the event, would settle it.
8.10.21 council record; 2.13.24 Council Packet and Agenda · would settle it: Written agreement or confirmation from the Muni
Gunderson House - Kenyon Area Historical Society – Oktoberfest Event– September 18, 2021 Dan Rechtzigel, representing the Kenyon Area Historical Society, requested approval to hold an Oktoberfest event at the Gunderson House on Saturday September 18, 2021 from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm.
KAHS event request, coordinated with the Muni.
At the meetingCouncil approved the event with alcohol sales, 5-0-0.
What happened nextThe council approved the Oktoberfest event with alcohol sales at the Gunderson House 5-0-0 for September 18 2021 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Nothing in our records reports on the event afterward. The Kenyon Area Historical Society's continuing relationship with the city appears in the April 2025 list as a $2,500 Gunderson House management fee.
4-8-25 council packet; 8.10.21 council record · taken up again 2025-04-08
Crack Filling of Streets Engineer Olinger stated that the contractor doing the street crack filling plans to be in town in early September. 4th Street Alley Paving Engineer Olinger stated that Crane Creek was in town today paving the alley west of Red Wing Avenue between 4th and 6th Street.
Update on the street crack filling work.
What happened nextThe crack filling contractor pushed the work from early September to the end of September 2021, a job of one to two days, and all applicable streets in town were crack filled that year. The contract had gone to Fahrner Asphalt Sealers at $19,690 over Bargen at $35,820. The city then switched to chip sealing for 2022.
The contractor was expected in town in early September 2021 and did not perform the work until the end of the month.
9.14.21 Council Minutes; 4.12.22 Council Packet Agenda Updated; factbook KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2022-04-12
FEMA Flood Repairs Engineer Olinger stated that the project contract was sent back to the Contractor. They will be started toward the end of the year.
Status update on FEMA flood repair project.
What happened nextThe Riverside Park FEMA flood repairs were finished and paid by January 2022. The council approved Pay Request No. 1 to Griffin Construction of $76,662.80 as the final payment on a roll call with all five members aye. That final figure is $786.00 below the $77,448.80 award made in August 2021.
1-11-22 Agenda packet; factbook KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2022-01-11
The new substantial completion date would be August 13 and the final completion date would be September 10, 2021 Motion by Rechtzigel second by Ryan to approve Change Order #6 for A-1 Excavating.
Change order extending the Business Park/Utility Extension project completion dates.
At the meetingCouncil approved Change Order #6 by motion, 5-0-0.
Partly answeredChange Order No. 6 was approved 5-0-0 but the executed document is not in our holdings, and the dates it set were not met. A-1 Excavating was still performing work through October 7 2021, nearly a month past the September 10 2021 final completion date, and the final pay request was approved on October 12 2021 contingent on closeout documentation. The change order documents that do survive in the record belong to the separate BCM Pearl Creek contract.
Change Order No. 6 set final completion at September 10 2021, yet A-1 Excavating was still billing for work performed through October 7 2021.
10.12.21 Council Minutes; 9.14.21 Council Minutes · taken up again 2021-10-12
Business Park/Utility Extension Project Update Engineer Olinger stated that the MnDOT permit for the Highway 60 utility work was received at the end of July. A-1 has been working on the utility extension since August 2 and should be finished in the next few days.
Business Park/Utility Extension project update after the MnDOT Highway 60 permit was received at the end of July.
What happened nextThe utility extension along Highway 60 was completed, though miscellaneous repairs ran past the few days forecast. By September 14 2021 the work was complete with A-1 addressing repairs expected to finish by the October meeting, and on October 12 2021 the council approved final Pay Request No. 8 to A-1 Excavating of $80,834.72 for work through October 7, contingent on receiving the project closeout documentation, with further repairs left to warranty.
9.14.21 Council Minutes; 10.12.21 Council Minutes · taken up again 2021-10-12
PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS/ RECOGNITIONS/PROLAMATIONS None ENGINEERING Red Wing Avenue Construction Update Engineer Olinger stated that Red Wing Avenue has been mostly inactive since the last meeting. The seeding subcontractor should be reseeding the bare spots sometime in August.
Red Wing Avenue construction update; project otherwise mostly inactive.
What happened nextThe reseeding slipped to mid-September 2021, not August, and the project closed in October. Engineer Olinger reported the bare spots reseeded by the subcontractor in mid-September, the Red Wing Avenue project was declared complete in October 2021 with Pay Request No. 12 to Wencl Construction of $3,230.25 approved 5-0-0, and remaining repairs went to warranty. Discussions with Wencl over liquidated damages were still continuing in November 2021.
The engineer expected reseeding in August 2021, and the subcontractor did not reseed until mid-September.
9.14.21 Council Minutes; 10.12.21 Council Minutes; 11.9.21 Council Minutes · taken up again 2021-10-12
Motion by Rechtzigel second by Bailey to approve for a five year agreement for audit services with Abdo, Eick and Meyers Motion carried 5-0-0.
Council selected an auditor after reviewing two quotes.
At the meetingMotion carried 5-0-0.
What happened nextThe five-year engagement ran four years and then ended on a conflict of interest. Abdo presented the 2021, 2022 and 2024 City and KMU audits, each an unmodified clean opinion, but in January 2025 Administrator Lehner reported Abdo was no longer able to perform the audit because of its role providing the city's finance services. The council accepted BerganKDV at $27,540 in year one rising to a maximum of $29,500 by year three, over CliftonLarsonAllen at $97,640 falling to $70,940, carried 4-0-0 with an option to reevaluate after one year.
The 2021 award was a five-year audit agreement with Abdo, yet the city rebid auditing services after four years because Abdo's finance services role disqualified it from auditing.
1-13-25 Council Packet Updated; 7.8.25 Updated Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2025-01-13
One quote was from CLA, which has conducted the City/KMU audit for the last several years, and the other was from Abdo Eich and Meyers, which does the Fire Department Relief Association Audit. The quote received from Abdo was for 5 years ranging from $26,875 to $29,655. The quote from CLA was $32,130.
Comparison of the two audit quotes received for the 2021 City/KMU audit.
At the meetingCouncil approved a five-year agreement with Abdo, Eick and Meyers 5-0-0.
Answered from our recordsBoth quotes match our record. Abdo Eick and Meyers quoted $26,875 to $29,655 across five years and CLA quoted $32,130, and Abdo took the award at $26,875.
KENYON_BIDS.md
Finance Clerk Hiring Update Administrator Vahlsing updated the Council on the retirement of Sue Dodds effective October 15. She will be available to assist as needed after that date.
Transition planning for the Finance Clerk position.
What happened nextDodds retired on October 15 2021 after 26 years as Finance Clerk, recognized by the council in January 2022, and she did stay available. Administrator Vahlsing thanked her in June 2023 alongside Holli Gudknecht and Linda Bean for covering the interim before Finance Director Kelly Perry started. No written retirement or transition agreement is in our holdings.
1-11-22 Agenda packet; 6.13.23 Council Packet and Agenda · taken up again 2023-06-13
The City has received 15 applications to date. 2021 City & KMU Audit Administrator Vahlsing stated that two quotes were received for the City/KMU 2021 audit.
Update on the Finance Clerk recruitment.
Partly answeredThe count of 15 applications is never confirmed or updated anywhere in our records, and no applicant log survives. For scale, the 2023 Finance Director recruitment drew 18 applications by mid-March, of which two had previous municipal finance experience, and 19 by April with seven scheduled for interviews. The city's application log would settle the 2021 figure.
3.14.23 Updated Council Packet Agenda; 4.11.23 Council Packet Agenda
The position has been posted with a soft closing date for applications of August 24. Interviews will be conducted by the KMU Commission and Personnel Committee in early September.
Hiring a replacement for retiring Finance Clerk Sue Dodds.
At the meetingCouncil was updated; no hiring decision made.
What happened nextThe hiring ran on schedule. Interviews were completed in the first week of September 2021 and the position was offered to one of the candidates, with the KMU Commission to make the final hiring approval since the position sits under the utility. The successful candidate is not named in anything we hold.
9.14.21 Council Minutes · taken up again 2021-09-14
The Department heads would also attend this meeting to review their respective budgets. The maximum preliminary levy must by adopted by the end of September.
Deadline driving the scheduling of the 2022 budget work session.
At the meetingNo levy figure was discussed; only the work session was scheduled.
Answered from our recordsThe deadline is confirmed repeatedly: the preliminary maximum levy certification resolution must reach Goodhue County by the end of September and the final levy must be adopted by the end of December, and once set the maximum can be lowered but never raised. The rates the city has set since have climbed, from a maximum of 6.8 percent for 2023 to 9.93 percent for 2026, against certified levies of $1,528,541 for 2026 and a preliminary $1,670,115 for 2027. The 2022 preliminary levy figure itself is not in our records.
9.13.22 Council Minutes; 10.14.25 Council Packet Agenda; factbook levy history · taken up again 2025-10-14
NEW BUSINESS Set Council Work Session to Review 2022 Draft Budget Administrator Vahlsing stated that a Council work session needed to be scheduled in late August or early September to review the 2022 budget. The Department heads would also attend this meeting to review their respective budgets.
A work session was needed in late August or early September to review the 2022 budget before the levy deadline.
At the meetingCouncil voted 5-0-0 to set the work session for September 8, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.
What happened nextThe work session was held as scheduled. Mayor Henke called it to order at 5:30 p.m. on September 8 2021 to review the draft 2022 budget and levy. The city repeated the pattern in later years, setting the 2023 budget session for September 7 2022 at 5:00 p.m. and the 2024 session for September 6 2023 at 5:00 p.m. The draft budget document itself is not in our holdings.
9.8.21 Work Session Minutes; 9.13.22 Council Packet Agenda; 9.12.23 Council Packet Agenda · taken up again 2021-09-08
Vahlsing recommended paving the entire two blocks of the alley to paid for out of the "Street Department Capital" fund.
Recommendation on how to fund and scope the alley paving.
At the meetingCouncil accepted Crane Creek Asphalt's low bid 4-0-0.
Partly answeredCrane Creek Asphalt won the 4th Street alley paving at $7,727.70 for the bid item against Bituminous Materials at $9,592.50, with the full two-block job recorded at about $29,000, and the paving was done by August 10 2021 in the alley west of Red Wing Avenue between 4th and 6th Street. The Street Department Capital fund balance is not in the record; the council's related practice is an annual year-end transfer of the street maintenance budget balance into the capital fund, with the amount set by the auditors.
KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2021-08-10
Olinger suggested that the City look at the actual liquidated damages that have incurred. This can be discussed more at the August meeting.
Red Wing Avenue construction update.
What happened nextThe Red Wing Avenue completion and liquidated damages discussion carried past August: on August 10 2021 the engineer reported the project mostly inactive pending reseeding, on September 14 2021 a meeting with Wencl was set before the October council meeting to discuss liquidated damages and project closeout, and on October 12 2021 the project was declared complete with pay request No. 12 to Wencl for $3,230.25 approved. As of November 9 2021 discussions with Wencl on liquidated damages were still continuing.
11.9.21_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2021-11-09
CITIZEN COMMENT ADOPT AGENDA Addition: / XI / New Business / C / 5 / Approval for Wrestling to be Held at Fire Hall and Authorize Temporary Liquor License to Fire Dept. for August 18 Motion by Ryan second by Bailey to approve the amended agenda.
Late agenda addition tied to Rose Fest events.
At the meetingApproved as part of the Rose Fest requests motion, 4-0-0.
Answered from our recordsThe council approved the wrestling event at the fire hall and the fire department's temporary liquor license as part of the Rose Fest requests motion, carried 4-0-0. The same bundled approval pattern recurs in later years, including the July 12 2022 motion approving Rose Fest requests with a temporary liquor license to the fire department, carried 5-0-0.
7.12.22_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2022-07-12
Rezoning Request – Robert Kyllo Attorney Riggs reviewed the request from Robert Kyllo to rezone two parcels (PID# 66.540.1380 and #66.660.0101) he owns from I-1 (General Industrial) to C-2 (General Commercial).
Rezoning request following a June 30 Planning Commission public hearing.
At the meetingCouncil adopted Ordinance 98 approving the rezoning, 4-0-0.
What happened nextOrdinance 98 approving the rezoning of PIDs 66.540.1380 and 66.660.0101 from I-1 General Industrial to C-2 General Commercial was adopted 4-0-0 after the June 30 2021 Planning Commission hearing. The same industrial to commercial conversion recurs, for Paul and Lisa Peterson in July 2024 and Jeffrey and Ann Traxler in November 2024, and the Peterson parcels at 98 Gunderson Boulevard became the Dollar General site, whose estimated market value goes from $138,700 to $972,800 for pay 2027.
7.9.24 and 11.12.24 Council Packets; factbook dashboard/data/entities.json and taxes/data/kenyon_tax.json
PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS/ RECOGNITIONS/PROLAMATIONS 2020 Audit Summary – Chris Knopik of Clifton, Larson, Allen LLC Chris Knopik presented a summary of the 2020 City and KMU audits and an overview of the overall City financial conditions. The city received an "Unmodified" or clean opinion on the audit, which is the highest rating achievable.
2020 audit summary presentation.
Partly answeredThe full 2020 audit report and management letter are not in our holdings, so neither the opinion nor the claim that unmodified is the highest rating achievable can be verified. The pattern is consistent across years, with unmodified opinions also recorded for the 2021, 2022 and 2024 city and KMU audits. The opinion letter itself would settle it.
8.15.22, 9.12.23 and 7.8.25 Council Packets
This would allow additional time to reseed areas with poor growth, since the optimal window for late season seeding is mid-August to mid-September.
Rationale for extending the Red Wing Avenue completion date to October 1.
Partly answeredNo agronomic or specification reference for the seeding window appears in our holdings. The record does show the work landing at the very end of the stated window, with the subcontractor reseeding the bare spots in mid-September 2021. The city's later plans point to the MnDOT Seeding Manual as the governing reference for seeding instructions, which would settle the optimal dates.
9.14.21 Council Minutes; 8-6-26 Council Packet Updated
This request was reviewed by the police department and public works. Public works recommended a 15-minute parking zone due to the signs already being in inventory.
Post office parking request review by police department and public works.
At the meetingCouncil adopted the 15-minute zone.
Partly answeredThe public works sign inventory list is not in our holdings, so the stated reason for choosing 15 minutes over 10 cannot be checked. The city does treat sign cost as decisive in these cases, since it later approved a business-requested parking sign only on the condition the business paid all installation costs. The sign inventory is what is missing.
12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated
NEW BUSINESS Ten-Minute Parking in Front of Post Office Administrator Vahlsing stated that the Post Office has requested a 10-minute parking area in front of their building.
New business item on parking in front of the post office.
At the meetingCouncil approved a 15-minute parking zone instead, 4-0-0.
What happened nextThe council granted a 15-minute zone rather than the 10 minutes requested, on a 4-0-0 vote, after review by the police department and public works. The city has handled later requests of this kind the same way but at the requester's expense, approving a handicap space in front of Main Street Dental in December 2025 with the business paying all installation costs.
12.9.25 Council Agenda and Packet Updated
MetroNet agreed to pay KMU a pole fee of $30 per pole annually and pay a five percent fee based on subscribers.
Terms of the proposed city-wide fiber optic agreement.
At the meetingCouncil approved the agreement contingent on other conditions.
Partly answeredThe signed agreement text is not in our holdings and the terms changed before signature, since the agreement actually approved in April 2022 dropped video service and covered high-speed internet only. Neither the $30 annual pole fee nor the 5 percent subscriber fee can be confirmed from our record. The executed franchise agreement would settle it.
4.12.22 Council Minutes and Council Packet & Agenda Updated
Griffin Construction from Chatfield, MN submitted the low bid at $77,448.80. The city was awarded a FEMA Grant of $89,922.50 for this project.
FEMA flood repair bid award.
At the meetingCouncil accepted the low bid 4-0-0.
Answered from our recordsBoth figures hold and the project finished under both. Griffin Construction was awarded the work at $77,448.80 and the final payment in January 2022 was $76,662.80, $786.00 under the bid, leaving the $89,922.50 FEMA grant $13,259.70 above the actual cost. The grant award letter and bid tabulation themselves are not in our holdings.
factbook KENYON_BIDS.md; 1-11-22 Agenda packet · taken up again 2022-01-11
Motion carried 4-0-0. 4th Street Alley Paving Engineer Olinger stated that there is an on-going issue with the drainage from the alley west of Red Wing Avenue between 4th and 6th Street. Paving this alley would be the only way to fully resolve this issue.
Justification for the 4th Street alley paving project.
At the meetingCouncil accepted the low bid to pave the alley.
Partly answeredNo engineering drainage study comparing alternatives appears in our holdings, so the claim that paving was the only full fix rests on the engineer's statement alone. The work was done, with Crane Creek paving the alley by August 10 2021, and no later passage reports whether the drainage problem was actually resolved. A drainage study of the alternatives would settle it.
8.10.21 Council Minutes; factbook KENYON_BIDS.md
Vahlsing recommended paving the entire two blocks of the alley to paid for out of the "Street Department Capital" fund. Crane Creek submitted the low bid for paving the two blocks of alley.
Council accepted the low bid to pave the alley west of Red Wing Avenue between 4th and 6th Street.
At the meetingCouncil accepted the low bid without a dollar figure recorded.
Answered from our recordsCrane Creek Asphalt bid $7,727.70 against Bituminous Materials at $9,592.50, a margin of $1,864.80, with the full alley paving project recorded at about $29,000. Crane Creek paved the alley west of Red Wing Avenue between 4th and 6th Street by August 10 2021.
factbook KENYON_BIDS.md; 8.10.21 Council Minutes
Once the permit is received ant the time line is known, the Engineers can work with the contractor to extend the completion date. Questions concerning the seeding of alfalfa and the heavy infestation of weed growth were addressed.
Business Park/Utility Extension project update discussion.
At the meetingThe minutes state the questions were addressed but record no answer.
We hold no dataThe answers given were never recorded and no engineer's written response on the alfalfa seeding or the weed infestation appears in our holdings. The later project updates cover permit timing, completion and miscellaneous repairs but never return to the seeding question. A written response from the engineer would settle it.
would settle it: The engineer's written response on seeding and weed control
Resolution 2021-11 Accepting the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Established Under the American Rescue Plan Act Administrator Vahlsing stated that the City of Kenyon would receive an estimated $203,000 in federal funding over the next two years.
Resolution 2021-11 accepting Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.
At the meetingCouncil adopted Resolution 2021-11 accepting the funds; the amount remained an estimate.
What happened nextThe final figure came in at about $206,000, roughly $3,000 above the $203,000 estimate. In April 2022 the council adopted Resolution 2022-11 electing the standard allowance under the revenue loss provision 5-0-0, which the attorney said gives the city the most flexibility in spending the money.
4.12.22 Council Minutes · taken up again 2022-04-12
OLD BUSINESS Police Chief Hiring Administrator Vahlsing reported that 23 police chief applications have been received. The Personnel Committee reviewed the applications on June 30.
Police chief hiring update.
Partly answeredThe application log is not in our holdings, so the count of 23 cannot be verified. The process closed quickly after, with Jeff Sjoblom appointed on July 28 2021. The dates as recorded do not sequence properly, since the committee is said to have interviewed 10 applicants on June 21 and 22 and to have reviewed the applications on June 30.
The record places the personnel committee's review of applications on June 30, after the June 21 and 22 interviews it would have produced.
8.10.21 Council Minutes
The committee will interview 10 applicants on June 21st and 22nd. Seven out of state applicants will interview via zoom and three Minnesota applicants will interview in person.
Old business update on the police chief hiring process.
At the meetingStatus report only; no hire made.
What happened nextThe chief hired came from the county, not from the out-of-state field. On July 28 2021 the council approved appointing Jeff Sjoblom of the Goodhue County Sheriff's Department as the next Police Chief, starting August 23 2021, after Chief Sjolander retired on August 2. The personnel committee's interview results and written recommendation are not in our holdings.
8.10.21 Council Minutes · taken up again 2021-07-28
Motion by Gard second by Ryan to approve the MetroNet Agreement contingent on MetroNet posting a bond or letter of credit and providing detailed installation and GIS maps and a block-by-block schedule for construction for each area of the city they plan on working.
Approval of the city-wide fiber optic system agreement.
At the meetingApproved 4-0-0 contingent on those items.
What happened nextThe conditional 2021 approval lapsed and a different agreement was signed instead. The attorney worked on finalizing the original agreement and then heard nothing from MetroNet for about a year, after which a franchise letter agreement was approved 5-0-0 in April 2022 with video service removed and high-speed internet only. In June 2022 the council began an easement for a MetroNet equipment cabinet on Fire Hall property, 4-0-0.
The 2021 approval was conditioned on a bond or letter of credit, GIS maps and a block-by-block construction schedule, none of which appear anywhere in our record before the city approved a fresh agreement in 2022.
4.12.22 Council Minutes; 6.14.22 Council Minutes · taken up again 2022-04-12
Once the permit is received ant the time line is known, the Engineers can work with the contractor to extend the completion date.
Handling A-1 Excavating's requested completion-date change order.
What happened nextThe engineers did negotiate the new dates. Change Order #6 moved substantial completion to August 13 2021 and final completion to September 10 2021, and the council approved it 5-0-0 on a motion by Rechtzigel seconded by Ryan.
8.10.21 Council Minutes · taken up again 2021-08-10
A-1 Excavating is requesting a change order to extend the completion date of July 2, due to the additional utility service work at the north end of the project that was added in May. The MnDOT permit has not been issued yet for this project.
Project timeline for Engel Drive utility extension depends on the permit.
At the meetingNo issuance date given.
What happened nextThe MnDOT permit for the Highway 60 utility work was received at the end of July 2021. A-1 Excavating began work on the utility extension on August 2 2021 and expected to finish within days.
8.10.21 Council Minutes · taken up again 2021-08-10
A-1 Excavating is requesting a change order to extend the completion date of July 2, due to the additional utility service work at the north end of the project that was added in May.
Business Park/Utility Extension project update.
At the meetingNo action; the extension awaits issuance of the MnDOT permit and a known timeline.
What happened nextThe extension was granted once the permit arrived. Change Order #6 set substantial completion at August 13 2021 and final completion at September 10 2021 and was approved 5-0-0. A-1 finished the Highway 60 utility work, and final Pay Request No. 8 of $80,834.72 was approved in October 2021 contingent on closeout documentation.
8.10.21, 9.14.21 and 10.12.21 Council Minutes · taken up again 2021-08-10
Attorney Riggs recommended that no change order be done until the work has been preformed and the terms have been met.
Recommendation on the Wencl completion-date extension request.
At the meetingCouncil took no action on the change order at this meeting.
What happened nextThe attorney's advice held through 2021 and the change order came only at closeout. Change Order #4 and final Pay Request #13 of $52,376.34 were approved together in January 2022 on a 5-0-0 roll call, contingent on receipt of the final closeout paperwork from Wencl Construction.
1-11-22 Agenda packet · taken up again 2022-01-11
Olinger suggested that the City look at the actual liquidated damages that have incurred. This can be discussed more at the August meeting.
Deciding how to handle Wencl's request to extend the completion date past June 26.
At the meetingNo figure given; deferred to the August meeting.
What happened nextThe liquidated damages were settled by negotiation at $7,500. Discussions with Wencl were still continuing in November 2021, and in January 2022 the council took up Change Order #4, which removes the liquidated damage provisions from the contract and replaces them with revised damages of $7,500. No calculation of the damages actually accrued under the contract appears in our holdings.
11.9.21 Council Minutes; 1-11-22 Agenda packet · taken up again 2022-01-11
ENGINEERING Red Wing Avenue Construction Update Engineer Olinger stated that Red Wing Avenue has been paved and a majority of the punch list items have been completed. Wencl Construction requested that the project final completion date be extended from June 26 to October 1.
Red Wing Avenue construction update; paving done and most punch list items complete.
At the meetingNo action taken; Attorney Riggs recommended no change order until the work is performed and terms met, with further discussion in August.
What happened nextThe reseeding was done in mid-September 2021 by the subcontractor and the project was considered complete at the October 12 2021 meeting, with any remaining repairs left to warranty and final paperwork expected the following month. Pay Request No. 12 of $3,230.25 for work through October 7 was approved 5-0-0.
9.14.21 and 10.12.21 Council Minutes · taken up again 2021-10-12
Motion by Rechtzigel second by Gard to approve the updated police chief job description. Motion carried 4-0-0. Schedule of Upcoming Meetings KMU Meeting: Tuesday, May 18 @ 2:00 p.m.
Schedule of upcoming meetings listed under new business.
Partly answeredNo document in our holdings gives the corrected date and time of the KMU meeting following June 8, 2021. Comparable agendas show KMU meets on the third Tuesday of the month, listed at 2:00 p.m. in May 2022 and June 2022 and at 4:00 p.m. by May 2023 and May 2024. The June 2021 agenda or KMU meeting notice would settle it.
5.10.22_Council_Packet__Agenda
NEW BUSINESS Municipal Liquor Store Break-in Liquor Store Manager, Matt Bartel, reported that the Municipal Liquor Store was broken into on the morning of May 29. Three pull tab machines were broken into and wash was stolen from them.
New business report on the liquor store break-in.
What happened nextThe May break-in led to a security upgrade rather than a documented incident report in our holdings. On September 14, 2021 the council accepted a quote from WH Security to upgrade the cameras and DVR at the municipal liquor store, with the administrator stating money was in the budget to cover the cost. The police incident report for May 29 is not in our holdings.
9.14.21_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2021-09-14
Todd Greseth, Goodhue County Commissioner, stopped by to check in and let the Council know to contact him if they had any concerns or questions.
Greseth stopped by during citizen comment to check in.
What happened nextNo council contact to Commissioner Greseth is recorded. Greseth repeated the same standing invitation in person on September 14, 2021, when he noted the ARPA funds resolution and said he was trying to get more of those funds used on public safety, and he continued periodic appearances, reporting in February and March 2026 that the County levy would rise 6.5% for 2026 with a larger increase in 2027 from State mandates.
9.14.21_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2021-09-14
LEGAL Power Sales Agreement for Purchase of Wind Energy Attorney Riggs stated that the Wholesale Power Agreement would enter KMU into a 20-year contract with Midwest Power Partners to supply wind power.
Explanation preceding adoption of Resolution 2021-10 authorizing execution of the agreement.
At the meetingCouncil adopted Resolution 2021-10 by a 4-0-0 vote.
Partly answeredThe council adopted Resolution 2021-10 authorizing the Wholesale Power Agreement by a 4-0-0 vote, but no executed agreement showing the 20-year term, price, or the Midwest Power Partners and Central Municipal Power Services parties is in our holdings. A separate later power purchase is documented: on January 13, 2025 the council adopted Resolution 2025-31 authorizing the Bingham Lakes Facility Wholesale Power Agreement, a CMPAS purchase of one-half megawatt of wind energy with an option for another half megawatt.
1-13-25_Council_Packet_Updated
The plan is to have the clinic in Kenyon every two weeks on Mondays and Wednesdays beginning by the end of June.
Presentation on the mobile health clinic coming to Kenyon.
What happened nextThe Mayo mobile clinic schedule is not confirmed anywhere in the record; instead the Kenyon clinic went to a different provider. The Gunderson Gardens clinic space, initially leased by Mayo Clinic, was leased by Northfield Hospital + Clinics in 2021, and on October 12, 2021 CNP Chris Werner told the council the new Kenyon Clinic, part of Northfield Hospital + Clinics, would open Monday, October 18.
10.12.21_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2021-10-12
Business Park/Utility Extension Project Update Engineer Olinger stated that A-1 Excavating has been working on site for several weeks now. The substantial completion date for the project is July 2, 2021.
Business Park/Utility Extension project update; A-1 Excavating has been working on site for several weeks.
What happened nextThe July 2, 2021 substantial completion date was not met. A-1 Excavating requested a change order on July 13, 2021 to extend the completion date because of utility service work added in May and a pending MnDOT permit; the permit arrived at the end of July, A-1 resumed work August 2, the project was reported substantially complete on September 14, 2021, and the council approved final pay request No. 8 of $80,834.72 on October 12, 2021.
The engineer's July 2, 2021 substantial completion date did not hold; substantial completion was not reported until September 14, 2021.
10.12.21_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2021-10-12
The final paving should be completed later this week. The final completion date of all items is June 26, 2021.
Red Wing Avenue construction update.
What happened nextThe June 26 2021 completion date was not met. Wencl Construction asked on July 13 2021 to extend final completion to October 1 to allow reseeding, Riggs advised no change order until the work was done, bare spots were reseeded in mid-September, and Olinger declared the project complete on October 12 2021 with pay request No. 12 of $3,230.25 approved and remaining repairs left to warranty; damage negotiations with Wencl continued into January 2022.
10.12.21_Council_Minutes; 7.13.21_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2021-10-12
NEW BUSINESS Municipal Liquor Store Break-in Liquor Store Manager, Matt Bartel, reported that the Municipal Liquor Store was broken into on the morning of May 29. Three pull tab machines were broken into and wash was stolen from them.
Report of the May 29 Municipal Liquor Store break-in.
We hold no dataThe cash loss from the three pull tab machines is not stated in any document we hold. Later pull tab items concern the 2023 dispute between the Kenyon Snow Drifters Club and the Fire Relief Association over operating gambling at the Muni. The police report or the gambling operator's loss statement would answer it.
11.14.23_Council_Packet__Agenda · would settle it: The dollar loss figure from the pull tab machines as reported to police and the insurer
Some changes are being made to the alarm system and a claim has been filed with the League of Minnesota Cities.
Response to the May 29 break-in at the Municipal Liquor Store.
What happened nextThe security response was a camera and DVR upgrade, not an alarm change: on September 14 2021 the council accepted the WH Security quote to upgrade the liquor store cameras and DVR, with money already in the budget. The dollar amount of that quote is not recorded in the bid register or the minutes we hold.
9.14.21_Council_Minutes; KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2021-09-14
Some changes are being made to the alarm system and a claim has been filed with the League of Minnesota Cities.
Report on the May 29 break-in in which three pull tab machines were broken into.
We hold no dataNo claim determination or payout figure from the League of Minnesota Cities for the May 29 2021 liquor store break-in appears in our holdings. The later League references are annual liability limit waivers and 2027 premium increase estimates of 2-5% for workers' compensation and 3-5% for general liability. The LMCIT claim file or a city revenue entry for insurance proceeds would answer it.
9-8-26 Council Packet · would settle it: The League of Minnesota Cities claim determination and payout amount
Police Chief Hiring – Approve Change to Job Description Administrator Vahlsing stated that the city is currently advertising for a police chief.
Council approved an updated police chief job description while recruitment is under way.
At the meetingCouncil approved the updated police chief job description 4-0-0.
What happened nextThe chief vacancy was filled by November 9 2021, when Chief Sjoblom appears in the minutes requesting an internal posting for a full-time police officer. The applicant pool and hiring timeline for the 2021 chief recruitment are not in any document we hold.
11.9.21_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2021-11-09
Mayor Henke expressed his concerns with the police chief and stated that he thought two more full- time officers were needed.
Council and staff general comments, in which Henke also expressed concerns with the police chief.
What happened nextThe department never added two officers: as of September 8 2026 Kenyon had a chief and one full-time officer, with the second full-time position posted until filled and no applicants, part-time officers covering shifts. Two officers at the posted 2026 entry rate of $33.54/hr would cost $139,526.40 in wages at 2,080 hours each before taxes and insurance.
9-8-26 Council Packet; data/jobs.csv · taken up again 2026-09-08
CITIZEN COMMENT Matthew Maring voiced his concerns about ATV's that are vandalizing his property in the City along with neighboring fields and also that they are generally not following the laws.
Citizen comment period at the start of the meeting.
At the meetingPolice Chief Sjolander responded to the citizen comments concerning ATV usage in the City; the substance of his response is not recorded.
We hold no dataWe hold no police complaint, citation or enforcement record for ATV use in Kenyon, and no later council document returns to the Maring complaint. The later passages are about refuse collection complaints and a cannabis ordinance question. Police department incident and citation logs for ATV calls would answer it.
KENYON_DATA_IN_MEETINGS.md · would settle it: A record of police response, complaints, or citations regarding ATV use in the City
FEMA Flood Repairs Engineer Olinger presented the plans for the FEMA Flood repair project. The project will go out for quotes in the near future with the project being completed this summer.
Olinger presented the plans for the FEMA Flood repair project.
What happened nextQuotes came in and the council accepted the low bid of $77,448.80 from Griffin Construction of Chatfield on July 13 2021, against a FEMA grant award of $89,922.50. The contract went back to the contractor and on August 10 2021 Olinger reported the work would start toward the end of the year rather than that summer.
7.13.21_Council_Minutes; KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2021-07-13
He doesn't feel the tower is being used and would like to see it taken down. Attorney Riggs stated that this could be a complicated situation that more research will need to be done on.
Response to Jim Gould's request to remove the tower at 107 Gates Avenue.
We hold no dataNo written legal review of the CIT tower agreement appears in our holdings, and no later council document returns to the tower question. The later Riggs items in the record concern the MetroNet agreement, goose removal at the country club and the 1 Langford Avenue nuisance cleanup. A city attorney memo on the tower lease and removal options would answer it.
KENYON_DATA_IN_MEETINGS.md · would settle it: A written legal review of the tower agreement and the City's removal options
Jim Gould addressed the Council with his concerns about the communication tower located at 107 Gates Avenue, PID# 66.640.0181. He doesn't feel the tower is being used and would like to see it taken down.
Gould addressed the Council about the CIT tower agreement and the tower on PID# 66.640.0181.
At the meetingAttorney Riggs said this could be a complicated situation that more research will need to be done on.
We hold no dataNothing in our holdings addresses the communications tower at 107 Gates Avenue, PID 66.640.0181, or the CIT tower agreement. The later passages that mention a tower concern the municipal water tower, and the 2025 Gould citizen comment concerns bow hunting, not the tower. The CIT lease document and a use or abandonment determination from the tower owner would answer it.
KENYON_DATA_IN_MEETINGS.md · would settle it: The CIT tower lease/agreement terms and evidence of whether the tower is in active use
Approve Memorial Day Parade Permit for May 31, 2021 Mayor Henke stated that the annual Memorial Day parade would return to normal this year with a parade down 2nd Street ending with a ceremony at the cemetery.
Parade permit approval for May 31, 2021.
At the meetingPermit approved 4-0-0.
What happened nextThe parade permit was approved 4-0-0 on May 11 2021 and the same route has been approved annually since: down 2nd Street ending with a ceremony at the cemetery, for May 30 2022, May 29 2023 and May 27 2024. No issued permit document or street-closure plan is in our holdings.
6.11.24_Council_Packet_and_Agenda · taken up again 2024-06-11
Lee had restarted the police department in Kenyon Councilman Ryan commented that Lee is leaving big shoes to fill.
Farewell comments following the chief's resignation announcement.
At the meetingStated without further detail.
We hold no dataNo record in our holdings establishes when the Kenyon Police Department was re-established or Lee Sjolander's role in doing so. The council minutes or ordinance creating or reconstituting the department, and Sjolander's hiring date, would answer it.
would settle it: City records on when the police department was re-established
He also extended an invitation to all Council and staff to attend the Kenyon Historical Society's annual meeting on Monday, June 7, 2021.
General comments at the end of the meeting.
At the meetingInvitation extended; no responses recorded.
We hold no dataWe hold no record of attendance at the Kenyon Historical Society annual meeting of June 7 2021 or of any quorum notice for it. A posted meeting notice or the June 8 2021 minutes recording attendance would answer it.
would settle it: Confirmation of attendance/quorum notice if multiple members attend
Gunderson House – New Air Conditioner Administrator Vahlsing stated that the Historic Structures study of the Gunderson House had recommended installing air conditioning to preserve the condition of the downstairs area of the home.
Justification for the air conditioner purchase.
At the meetingAccepted as the basis for approving the quote.
Partly answeredThe study exists and was procured competitively: on August 13 2019 the council awarded the Gunderson House historic structure study to Wold Architects at $15,000, over LHB at $22,500. The study document itself is not in our holdings, so its air-conditioning recommendation cannot be verified from the text.
KENYON_BIDS.md
Motion by Ryan second by Gard to approve the quote from Reliable Heating and Cooling of $4,765.00 for a new air conditioner at the Gunderson House.
Historic Structures study recommended air conditioning to preserve the downstairs of the home.
At the meetingQuote approved 4-0-0.
Answered from our recordsThe $4,765.00 figure is confirmed: the bid record lists the May 11 2021 Gunderson House A/C purchase as awarded to Reliable Heating & Cooling at $4,765. No Gunderson House capital fund balance appears in our holdings; the department budget lines we hold show only a $8,000 transfer to capital fund budgeted in 2024 with $0 spent.
KENYON_BIDS.md
State statutes limit a city's tort liability to a maximum of $500,000 per claimant and $1,500,000 per occurrence.
LMCIT liability coverage waiver decision.
At the meetingCouncil voted 4-0-0 to follow past City precedence and not waive the limits.
Answered from our recordsThe limits stated are the ones the city has recited in every subsequent LMCIT waiver item: $500,000 per claimant, $1,500,000 per occurrence, with additional coverage available up to $2,000,000 annually, as read into the record on May 14 2024, May 13 2025 and May 12 2026. The one departure is the June 13 2023 packet, where City Attorney Riggs stated cities can purchase additional coverage up to $3,000,000 annually. The council has voted not to waive the limits each year, most recently 5-0-0 on May 12 2026.
5-12-26_Council_Packet_Updated · taken up again 2026-05-12
COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTS Police Chief Sjolander updated the Council on the blights that have been identified in the City.
Council and staff general comments.
At the meetingUpdate given; no detail or count recorded in the minutes.
We hold no dataNo blight list, property count or enforcement status appears in our holdings. A written nuisance or blight inventory from the police department or a council agenda item listing the properties would answer it.
would settle it: The written list of identified blight properties and enforcement status
Change Order #5 Engineer Olinger reported that the Contractor is requesting approval of a change that would hook up water and sanitary sewer service to a property on the north side of Highway 60. All costs associated with this change order would be paid by the landowner.
Contractor's requested change order on the utility extension contract.
At the meetingChange Order #5 approved 4-0-0.
We hold no dataNo document in our holdings states the dollar amount of Change Order #5 or its assignment of cost to the landowner. The change order documents we hold are from other projects, the 2023 Pearl Creek sewer contract with BCM Construction and the 2025 Street and Utility Improvements contract with Fitzgerald Excavating. The executed Change Order #5 to the A-1 Excavating utility extension contract would answer it.
would settle it: The change order document showing dollar amount and the landowner cost-assignment
The extension would be completed by A-1 Excavating through a change order to the contract. Fred and Linda Barsness agreed to pay the entire cost of the extension.
Utility extension to be completed by A-1 Excavating through a change order.
At the meetingResolution 2021-09 approving the Barsness Development Agreement adopted 4-0-0.
What happened nextThe Highway 60 utility extension serving the Barsness property was built by A-1 Excavating and closed out in the fall of 2021: the utility work along Highway 60 was reported complete on September 14 2021, and on October 12 2021 the council approved final pay request No. 8 to A-1 Excavating for $80,834.72 contingent on project closeout documentation. The signed Barsness development agreement stating the private cost share is not in our holdings.
10.12.21_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2021-10-12
It would be constructed using materials taken from the old high school as well as new brick and stone. The committee has submitted a building permit for this project.
Informational presentation on the Old Kenyon High School Monument.
At the meetingPresented as information only; no council action recorded.
We hold no dataWe hold nothing on the Kenyon High School Monument Committee proposal or any building permit for a monument at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church parking lot. The building permit application and its disposition, or a later council or Planning Commission item on the monument, would answer it.
would settle it: The submitted building permit application and its disposition
Planning Commission: Request to apply for a Building Permit for construction of a new home at 108 7th St. prior to plat approval – Steve Schiller Administrator Vahlsing stated that Steve Schiller was seeking approval to apply for a building permit to construct a house at 108 7th St. before all necessary steps to combine the plat in the Viking 2nd Addition subdivision is completed.
Planning commission item on permitting ahead of plat approval.
At the meetingMotion by Gard, second by Ryan to approve the request; the minutes record no vote tally.
Partly answeredThe record confirms Steve Schiller's 2021 lot combination request proceeded and his plat was completed and recorded at Goodhue County in April 2023, with the county able to finalize the combination once TIF District No. 4-5 was decertified in April 2024. The vote tally on the May 11 2021 motion and any record of the building permit being issued for 108 7th St are missing.
4.9.24_Council_Packet__Agenda · taken up again 2024-04-09
LEGAL Viking 2nd Addition Plat - Schiller Attorney Riggs stated that Steve Schiller was seeking approval from the City Council on a subdivision that would combine two parcels that are located in different plats. The planning commission and Riggs both recommended approval of the plat, subject to some conditions.
Subdivision combining two parcels located in different plats.
At the meetingResolution 2021-08 adopted 4-0-0 with the conditions.
Partly answeredThe plat combining two lots in different plats was completed and recorded at Goodhue County in April 2023, but the county could not finish the lot combination until Tax Increment Financing District No. 4-5, covering one of the two lots in the Countryside Way plat, was decertified, which the council took up April 9 2024. The written list of plat conditions from the Planning Commission and City Attorney is not in our holdings.
4.9.24_Council_Packet__Agenda · taken up again 2024-04-09
They are still seeking a location to operate the mobile clinic one day a week. Their goal is to be operational by the end of June.
Old business update on the mobile clinic.
At the meetingStatus reported as still in progress; no site identified.
What happened nextMayo presented the mobile clinic plan to the council on June 8 2021, with service in Kenyon every two weeks on Mondays and Wednesdays beginning by the end of June. The arrangement did not hold: a fixed Kenyon Clinic run by Northfield Hospital + Clinics opened October 18 2021, and the Gunderson Gardens clinic space initially leased by Mayo was leased to Northfield Hospital + Clinics in 2021.
6.8.21_Council_Minutes; 10.12.21_Council_Minutes; 2.11.25_Council_Packet__Agenda · taken up again 2021-10-12
Business Park/Utility Extension Project Update Engineer Olinger stated that A-1 Excavating resumed work at the business park this week. The substantial completion date for the project is July 2, 2021.
A-1 Excavating resumed work at the business park this week.
At the meetingDate stated as July 2, 2021.
What happened nextThe July 2 2021 substantial completion date was extended by Change Order #6, approved August 10 2021, to August 13 2021 substantial and September 10 2021 final completion. A-1 Excavating finished the Business Park work and the council approved final pay request No. 8 of $80,834.72 on October 12 2021, contingent on closeout documentation.
8.10.21_Council_Minutes; 10.12.21_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2021-10-12
Two major items left to complete are the storm sewer by 8th Street and the final paving of Red Wing Avenue. The final completion date of all items is June 26, 2021.
Red Wing Avenue construction update.
At the meetingCompletion date stated as June 26, 2021.
What happened nextThe June 26 2021 completion date was not met. On July 13 2021 the engineer reported Red Wing Avenue was paved with a majority of punch list items complete, and Wencl Construction asked to extend final completion from June 26 to October 1 for late season reseeding; Attorney Riggs advised no change order until the work was performed, and liquidated damages were to be examined at the August meeting.
7.13.21_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2021-07-13
FEMA Flood Repairs Engineer Olinger stated that the plans for the FEMA Flood repairs should be completed in the next few weeks and then be ready to be sent out for quotes. The project will be completed this summer.
Update on FEMA flood repairs, to be completed this summer.
At the meetingTimeline given as 'next few weeks' with summer completion.
What happened nextPlans were presented June 8 2021, quotes were opened, and on July 13 2021 the council accepted Griffin Construction's low bid of $77,448.80 against a FEMA grant of $89,922.50, carried 4-0-0. Work did not proceed that summer: on August 10 2021 the engineer reported the contract had been returned to the contractor and work would start toward the end of the year.
7.13.21_Council_Minutes; KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2021-07-13
He recommended going forward with this product contingent on a review of the agreement by the City Attorney. Motion by Ryan second by Gard to accept the Granicus proposal contingent on approval from the City Attorney.
Granicus proposal first presented at the April council meeting.
At the meetingMotion carried 4-0-0 with the contingency attached.
What happened nextGranicus Peak went into service: on October 12 2021 Administrator Vahlsing demonstrated the system to the council and reviewed the agenda format, and by June 2024 the city described a significant investment in the Granicus Peak Agenda Management System. The award was Granicus at about $3,300 per year, and Granicus Peak billed $4,530.03 in June 2025; no written City Attorney review of the agreement appears in the record.
KENYON_BIDS.md; KENYON_IT_SPEND.md; 10.12.21_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2021-10-12
Several items were presented for possible use of these funds. A council work session will be scheduled when the money is received.
Several items were presented for possible use of the COVID federal funds.
At the meetingNo date set; contingent on receipt of the funds.
We hold no dataNo record of an ARPA work session being scheduled exists in our holdings; the later work session passages concern 2022 and 2023 enterprise fund budget reviews, not the American Rescue Plan funds. Council minutes or an agenda setting an ARPA spending work session date would answer this.
10.11.22_Council_Minutes; 12.12.23_Council_Packet_and_Agenda · would settle it: A scheduled work session date after funds arrive
NEW BUSINESS American Rescue Act Plan Funds (COVID Federal Funding) Administrator Vahlsing reported that League of Minnesota Cities estimated that Kenyon should be getting approximately $203,000 in federal COVID funding over the next two years.
Report on American Rescue Act Plan Funds and possible uses.
At the meetingPresented as a League of Minnesota Cities estimate only; actual award pending receipt of funds.
What happened nextThe council accepted the funds by Resolution 2021-11 on July 13 2021, still on the estimate of $203,000 in federal funding over two years, carried 4-0-0. No official federal or state allocation notice confirming a final Kenyon ARPA figure appears in the record; the separate COVID CARES Act fund 240 shows $31,470 in federal grants and aids in the 2025 packets.
7.13.21_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2021-07-13
Motion by Gard second by Ryan to authorize the City Administrator to move ahead with the hiring process for a replacement police chief.
Police Chief Lee Sjolander announced he had turned in his letter of resignation that day.
At the meetingMotion carried 4-0-0.
What happened nextThe hiring process moved ahead: on June 8 2021 Administrator Vahlsing reported the city was advertising for a police chief, and the council approved an updated police chief job description 4-0-0. Lee Sjolander is recorded as police chief again in later packets, reporting to the council on November 12 2024, April 8 2025 and March 10 2026.
6.8.21_Council_Minutes; 11.12.24_Council_Packet_And_Agenda; 3-10-26_Council_Packet_Updated · taken up again 2021-06-08
He also noted that the Muni is doing a really good job with business, SIFT is putting in new windows, and the Hair Place is totally remodeling.
Mayor's comments recognizing people and businesses working to improve the City.
At the meetingComment only.
We hold no dataWe hold no Muni sales figures for 2021 and no building permit records for SIFT or the Hair Place. The only Muni financial data in the factbook is liquor store card processing cost of $18,515 in 2024, $22,956 in 2025 and $21,000 budgeted for 2027, which does not bear on 2021 sales. Monthly liquor store revenue reports and the city building permit log would answer this.
KENYON_IT_SPEND.md · would settle it: Muni sales figures and building permit records for SIFT and the Hair Place
COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTS Councilman Rechtzigel stated there was a Historic Preservation meeting earlier tonight. HPC is planning events for this summer.
Report from a Historic Preservation meeting held earlier that evening.
At the meetingReport only; no details given.
We hold no dataNo summer event list or dates for the Historic Preservation Commission appear in our holdings. The only later records touching the commission are appointment lists showing vacant Historic Preservation Commission seats in January 2025 and a 2026 preservation conference session schedule. HPC meeting minutes or an event calendar for summer 2021 would answer this.
1-13-25_Council_Packet_Updated · would settle it: The HPC's summer event list and dates
Mayor Henke stated that the VFW, Color Guard, and American Legion will assume responsibility for replacing flags at the Gunderson House and Gunderson Blvd when they are worn out.
Council and staff general comments on flag maintenance.
At the meetingStated as a commitment; no formal action taken.
We hold no dataWe hold nothing on flag replacement at the Gunderson House or Gunderson Blvd. A written agreement or letter from the VFW, Color Guard or American Legion accepting the responsibility would answer it; the later Color Guard items in the record concern parade routes only.
5.9.23_Council_Packet_and_Agenda; 5-14-24_AGENDA(1) · would settle it: Written confirmation from the VFW, Color Guard, and American Legion of the arrangement
Councilman Bailey commented on Park & Rec committee's discussion about beautifying Main Street with plants and options on how to water them.
Council and staff general comments.
At the meetingComment only; no action taken.
We hold no dataWe hold nothing on Main Street planting or watering options. A Park and Recreation Committee recommendation with planting and watering costs, or a council packet item on downtown beautification, would answer it; our park holdings cover only the 18 listed facilities and Depot Park fund transfers.
data/parks_recreation.csv · would settle it: A Park & Rec recommendation on planting and watering options with costs
With the crack seal project coming in priced lower than expected, Public Works is requesting that the entire quote of $18,700 be approved.
Savings from the lower-than-expected crack seal bid made the full quote affordable.
At the meetingApproved 5-0-0.
What happened nextThe full quote was awarded: the bid record lists 2021 Manhole Improvements awarded to Floorcoat Midwest at $18,700 on April 13 2021, a single-source quote with no competing bidder named. The signed contract document is not in our holdings.
KENYON_BIDS.md, data/bids.csv
Motion carried 5-0-0. 2021 Manhole Improvements Engineer Olinger gave an update on the needed repairs to selected manholes in 2021. $13,000 was previously approved for a portion of the manhole repairs. With the crack seal project coming in priced lower than expected, Public Works is requesting that the entire quote of $18,700 be approved.
Public Works requested the full manhole repair quote be funded using savings from the lower crack seal bid.
At the meetingCouncil approved the full $18,700 quote from Floorcoat Midwest, LLC, 5-0-0.
Partly answeredThe bid record confirms the 2021 Manhole Improvements award to Floorcoat Midwest at $18,700 on April 13 2021, and the same meeting awarded 2021 Crack Fill to Fahrner Asphalt Sealers at $19,690 against Bargen's $35,820, a $16,130 spread that is the source of the savings cited. The prior approval record for the $13,000 portion is not in our holdings.
KENYON_BIDS.md, data/bids.csv
He reviewed three options for future trash hauling in the city. Motion by Ryan second by Bailey to enter into a new three-year contract with Flom Disposal.
Current Flom Disposal agreement expires in June.
At the meetingMotion carried 5-0-0.
What happened nextThe three-year term ran to June 30 2023, when the council approved a further three-year Flom Disposal agreement drafted by Attorney Riggs on June 13 2023, and a third three-year agreement was approved 4-0-0 on August 6 2026 after the prior one expired June 30 2026. The executed 2021 contract document itself is not in our holdings.
6.13.23_Council_Packet_and_Agenda; 8-6-26_Council_Packet_Updated · taken up again 2026-08-06
Renew Residential Solid Waste Hauling License Agreement with Flom Disposal Attorney Riggs stated that the agreement with Flom Disposal for residential trash hauling expires in June. He reviewed three options for future trash hauling in the city.
Renewal of the residential solid waste hauling license agreement.
At the meetingCouncil voted 5-0-0 to enter a new three-year contract with Flom Disposal.
What happened nextThe three-year cycle held: the successor agreement expired June 30 2023 and a new three-year agreement with Flom Disposal was approved on June 13 2023 with rates raised for CPI and higher Red Wing landfill tipping fees, and the following agreement expired June 30 2026 with another three-year Flom agreement approved 4-0-0 on August 6 2026. The written memo listing the three hauling options is not in our holdings.
6.13.23_Council_Packet_and_Agenda; 8-6-26_Council_Packet_Updated · taken up again 2026-08-06
LEGAL 2021 Agreement with Luis Tellez – Taco Express City Administrator Vahlsing stated that the Council had directed staff to review the lease amount with Taco Express at the last Council meeting. It was recommended that the lease be increased to $350 for 2021.
Council had directed staff at the last meeting to review the Taco Express lease amount.
At the meetingCouncil approved the 2021 agreement with Luis Tellez at $350.00, 5-0-0.
What happened nextThe lease rose from $350 in 2021 to $400 for 2022, approved 4-0-0 on the basis of the review directed in April 2021, then to $430 for 2023, and on April 8 2025 the council voted 4-0-0 to follow staff recommendation and not renew the Taco Express agreement at all. The written basis for the original $350 figure is not in the record.
4.12.22_Council_Packet__Agenda_Updated; 4.11.23_Council_Packet__Agenda; 4-8-25_council_packet · taken up again 2025-04-08
The site is being updated to comply with ADA requirements. There is no additional cost to the City for this update. The new site will go live on April 14.
Old business update on the new city web site.
At the meetingUpdate given; no action taken.
Partly answeredThe city website is cityofkenyon.gov hosted on GovOffice, and council records from October 2022 and August 2023 show the site in active use for postings and an online chickens survey that drew 241 responses. No vendor agreement showing zero additional cost and no launch confirmation for April 14 2021 is in our holdings; the binding federal ADA web-accessibility deadline for cities under 50,000 is April 26 2028.
KENYON_IT_SPEND.md, CITY_WEBSITE_LAWS.md; 8.8.23_Council_Packet__Agenda
Lifeguard Wages Administrator Vahlsing recommended increasing pool employee wages to compete with other area jobs and neighboring towns for employees.
Lifeguard wages item added to the agenda.
At the meetingCouncil voted 5-0-0 to increase pool employee pay by $1.00 per hour.
We hold no dataOur wage dataset is a 2026 snapshot of 46 area postings and holds nothing from 2021, so the comparison Vahlsing cited cannot be tested. Current area postings cluster at $16 to $24 an hour for retail, care and administrative work.
data/jobs.csv · would settle it: Wage comparison data from neighboring towns and area employers
At least three Council members must be in attendance including one Council member who is certified by the State for the Board of Adjustment hearing.
Reminder of quorum and certification requirements for the Board of Equalization and Appeals meeting.
At the meetingReminder given; no attendance commitments recorded.
What happened nextThe council-run Board of Appeal ended: since 2023 the Goodhue County Assessor's office runs the Board of Appeal as an open book because no council member holds the required training, and at the May 9 2023 meeting the mayor stated the Assessor's office would serve as the Board for at least the next three years. Which three members attended the April 2021 session and who held state certification is not in the record.
KENYON_DATA_IN_MEETINGS.md; 5.9.23_Council_Packet_and_Agenda · taken up again 2023-05-09
Business Park/Utility Extension Project Update Engineer Olinger stated that A-1 Excavating will resume work at the business park in early May. The substantial completion date for the project is July 2, 2021. 2021 Crack Seal Project Engineer Olinger stated that two quotes were received for the crack seal project.
Business Park/Utility Extension Project update.
At the meetingStatus update only.
What happened nextA-1 Excavating resumed work at the business park the week of May 11 2021 and completed the project by October 12 2021, when the council approved final pay request No. 8 of $80,834.72 contingent on closeout documentation. The July 2 2021 substantial completion date was not held: on July 13 2021 A-1 requested a change order extending it because of added utility service work at the north end and a pending MnDOT permit.
The July 2 2021 substantial completion date was not met; A-1 requested a change order to extend it because of added utility work and an unissued MnDOT permit.
10.12.21_Council_Minutes; 7.13.21_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2021-10-12
ENGINEERING Red Wing Avenue Construction Update Engineer Olinger stated that Wencl Construction will start the remainder of work to be finished on the Red Wing Avenue project next week. Final paving will be completed in May with the final completion date of all items by June 26, 2021.
Red Wing Avenue construction update.
At the meetingStatus update only.
What happened nextRed Wing Avenue was declared complete on October 12 2021, with remaining repairs to be handled under warranty and final paperwork due the following month. Paving finished in early June 2021, but on July 13 2021 Wencl Construction asked to move final completion from June 26 to October 1 to reseed poor-growth areas, and Attorney Riggs advised no change order until the work was done; final pay request No. 12 of $3,230.25 was approved October 12 2021.
The June 26 2021 final completion date stated in April was not met; Wencl sought an extension to October 1 and the project was declared complete only on October 12 2021.
10.12.21_Council_Minutes; 7.13.21_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2021-10-12
Motion by Henke second by Bailey to accept the proposal from Fahrner Asphalt Sealers for the 2021 crack fill project and to grant authority to the Public Works Director to revise project quantities, as needed to complete crack filling and stay within the approved street maintenance budget.
Motion accepting the Fahrner Asphalt Sealers proposal for the 2021 crack fill project.
At the meetingMotion carried 5-0-0.
Partly answeredThe motion granting the Public Works Director authority to revise quantities carried 5-0-0, and the crack filling was completed at the end of September 2021. No final quantity revision or budget reconciliation figure for the 2021 crack fill appears in the record.
KENYON_BIDS.md; 9.14.21_Council_Minutes
The low bid was from Fahrner Asphalt Sealers for the amount of $19,690. This unit price contract is paid by total footage of filling so the final bill may be slightly higher.
2021 Crack Seal Project award to Fahrner Asphalt Sealers.
At the meetingCouncil authorized the Public Works Director to revise quantities to stay within the street maintenance budget.
Partly answeredThe award stands at $19,690 to Fahrner Asphalt Sealers, the low quote against Bargen's $35,820, and the work was performed at the end of September 2021 after the contractor pushed the schedule back. The final measured footage and the closing invoice amount are not in the record.
KENYON_BIDS.md; 9.14.21_Council_Minutes
Motion by Rechtzigel second by Henke to adopt Resolution 2021-07 supporting the addition of a static military equipment display in the Veterans Memorial Park area and the application to the Department of Defense for said equipment.
Council approved a supporting resolution for the application.
We hold no dataNothing in the factbook or in later council packets records the Department of Defense response to the VFW's application for retired military equipment. A DoD determination letter or a later VFW update to the council would settle it.
KENYON_DATA_IN_MEETINGS.md · would settle it: The DoD's response to the application
NEW BUSINESS VFW Post #141 Static Military Equipment Display Application VFW Commander Quamme stated that the VFW was seeking written approval from the City Council, that would be included in an application to the Department of Defense, for a retired piece of military equipment.
VFW Post #141 static military equipment display application.
At the meetingCouncil adopted Resolution 2021-07 supporting the display and the application, 5-0-0.
We hold no dataNo record of the Department of Defense decision on VFW Post #141's static display application appears in the factbook or in any later council document held. A DoD award letter or a later council or VFW report on the equipment placement at Veterans Memorial Park would answer it.
KENYON_DATA_IN_MEETINGS.md · would settle it: The Department of Defense decision on the VFW application
They are looking for a location to operate the mobile clinic one day a week. They will contact the City when they have more information.
Update on a proposed mobile clinic coming to Kenyon.
At the meetingOnly a status update was given.
What happened nextMayo Clinic Health System presented the mobile clinic to the council on June 8 2021 through Dr. Jason Wray Raabolle, with the plan to operate in Kenyon every two weeks on Mondays and Wednesdays beginning by the end of June 2021. The fixed clinic space at Gunderson Gardens that Mayo had leased was taken over by Northfield Hospital + Clinics in 2021.
6.8.21_Council_Minutes; 2.11.25_Council_Packet__Agenda · taken up again 2021-06-08
The planning commission will need to hold a public hearing on the combination and Schiller will need to have his surveyor include the easements on the new survey.
Requirement for combining two lots located in different plats on 7th Street.
What happened nextThe survey work was completed and carried through as the Viking 2nd Addition Plat, recommended for approval with conditions on May 11 2021 and recorded at Goodhue County in April 2023. The revised survey sheet itself is not in the record; the council record documents the plat approval and recording rather than the surveyor's drawing.
5.11.21_Council_Minutes; 4.9.24_Council_Packet__Agenda · taken up again 2021-05-11
The planning commission will need to hold a public hearing on the combination and Schiller will need to have his surveyor include the easements on the new survey.
The two lots lie in different plats, so a simple combination cannot be used.
At the meetingNo action taken; process explained.
What happened nextThe matter came back on May 11 2021 as the Viking 2nd Addition Plat, with the Planning Commission and Attorney Riggs both recommending approval subject to conditions, since the two lots lay in different plats and required a replat rather than a minor lot combination. The plat was completed and recorded at Goodhue County in April 2023, and on April 9 2024 the council was told the county could finish Schiller's lot combination once TIF District No. 4-5 was decertified.
5.11.21_Council_Minutes; 4.9.24_Council_Packet__Agenda · taken up again 2024-04-09
PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS/RECOGNITIONS/PROLAMATIONS Cody Beltran – Granicus Peak Agenda Management Software Demonstration Granicus Representative, Cody Beltran and his colleague Jesse gave an online presentation on a software that is utilized by cities, counties, school districts and non-profit organizations to electronically create, edit and publish agendas and packets. The annual cost would be $3,300. The Council will discuss this further at the May meeting.
Granicus representatives Cody Beltran and Jesse demonstrated agenda/packet software costing $3,300 annually.
At the meetingNo decision; discussion continued to the May meeting.
What happened nextThe council accepted the Granicus proposal on May 11 2021, contingent on City Attorney review of the agreement, on a 4-0-0 motion by Ryan and Gard. Administrator Vahlsing demonstrated the working Granicus Peak system to the council on October 12 2021, and the subscription now runs $4,530.03 as billed in June 2025.
5.11.21_Council_Minutes; KENYON_IT_SPEND.md · taken up again 2021-05-11
Olinger recommended crack filling and seal coating some of the better condition streets in 2021 and completing a larger chip seal project in 2022.
Infrastructure management plan prioritization of pavement projects.
What happened nextThe 2022 Bituminous Chip Seal project was bid and awarded on May 10 2022 to Pearson Bros at $44,707, over Fahrner at $58,823. Construction was still pending a start date as of the June 14 2022 packet, and the project remained on project-update agendas through September 13 2022.
KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2022-05-10
Olinger recommended crack filling and seal coating some of the better condition streets in 2021 and completing a larger chip seal project in 2022. A map of the proposed crack seal street was presented.
Presentation of the infrastructure management plan and 2021-22 project recommendations.
Partly answeredThe 2021 crack fill contract was awarded April 13 2021 to Fahrner Asphalt Sealers at $19,690, with Bargen bidding $35,820, but no itemized street list appears in our holdings. The presented map or street list attachment from the March 9 2021 infrastructure presentation is what would answer this.
KENYON_BIDS.md
Study of Financial Impact of Infrastructure Improvements - Northland Securities Olinger stated that they are currently in the process of using the infrastructure plan information to make a Capital Improvement Plan.
Follow-on work to the 2020 infrastructure management plan.
What happened nextThe Capital Improvement Plan work continued and was delivered as a Capital Improvement Financial Management Plan presented by George Eilertson on February 14 2023, built on Bolton & Menk's 2022 infrastructure management plan updates and showing project timing and impact on the tax levy and utility rates. Before that, the council scheduled a work session on infrastructure management and capital improvements for August 30 2022 by motion on August 15 2022.
2.14.23_Council_Packet__Agenda_ · taken up again 2023-02-14
The low quote was received from Kenyon Ace Hardware for a Cub Cadet Zero Turn mower, which included trade-in of the existing mower. The mower purchase is on a three-year rotation schedule and is included in the 2021 budget.
Justification for replacing the 2018 mower.
Partly answeredNo 2021 equipment-replacement budget line is in our holdings, so the budget claim cannot be checked. The three-year rotation claim does not hold against the purchase record: mowers were bought March 9 2021, April 12 2022 and March 12 2024, two of them in consecutive years.
The bid record shows mower purchases in 2021 and again in 2022, which is not a three-year rotation.
KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2022-04-12
Quotes for Zero Turn Mower Director Ehrich stated that three quotes were received to replace the 2018 JD 72" mower. The low quote was received from Kenyon Ace Hardware for a Cub Cadet Zero Turn mower, which included trade-in of the existing mower.
New business purchase of a zero turn mower.
At the meetingCouncil approved the purchase of the quoted Cub Cadet 5-0-0.
Partly answeredThe bid record confirms three quotes were taken for the zero-turn mower on March 9 2021 and the award went to Kenyon Ace Hardware for a Cub Cadet, but no dollar amounts were recorded in the council packet for any of the three. The written quotes themselves would supply the figures.
KENYON_BIDS.md
Discuss Possible Vacation of Alley Located South of 3rd Street Near First Lutheran Church Administrator Vahlsing stated that the alley located south of 3rd Street just east of First Lutheran Church is a candidate to be vacated. The City maintains this seventy-five-foot alley that doesn't serve the City at all.
Discussion of possible alley vacation near First Lutheran Church.
Partly answeredNothing in our holdings gives the length of the alley south of 3rd Street or its maintenance history, and the alley was not vacated: the August 6 2026 packet still identifies "the alley by First Lutheran" as a closure boundary. The plat for the block and public works maintenance records would settle whether the city maintains 75 feet of it.
8-6-26_Council_Packet_Updated · taken up again 2026-08-06
Engineer Olinger noted that there are utilities in the alley, including power lines and sanitary sewer, that need to be addressed.
Public hearing on vacating the alley in Block 3, Slee and Langford's Addition.
At the meetingRiggs stated that by operation of law the easements would remain intact.
Partly answeredNo utility location map or easement document for the Block 3 alley in Slee and Langford's Addition is in our holdings. The city's practice was confirmed the following year: at the July 12 2022 vacation of the street between Blocks 49 and 50 of Hewitt's Addition, Attorney Riggs stated the city would retain an easement for the utilities and an easement was executed with Resolution 2022-16.
7.12.22_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2022-07-12
NEW BUSINESS Jacobsen Law Firm Request for Rate Increase for Prosecution Services Administrator Vahlsing stated that Attorney Jacobsen requested a five percent increase to the criminal prosecution services contract for 2021. The increase would change the monthly fee of $1,000 to $1,050.
New business item on prosecution services rates.
At the meetingCouncil approved the 2021 rate increase 5-0-0.
Partly answeredThe council approved the 2021 increase to $1,050 a month by a 5-0-0 vote, but the signed amended contract is not in our holdings. Jacobsen Law continued to request annual fee increases, with the 2025 increase approved on the consent agenda February 11 2025 and the 2026 increase placed on the consent agenda December 9 2025; the dollar amounts of those later increases are not in our records.
2.11.25_Council_Packet__Agenda · taken up again 2025-12-09
When compared to 2019, the number of prosecuted traffic offenses increased by over 238%. Community offenses dropped from 22 in 2019 to 15 in 2020.
Annual municipal prosecution report.
Partly answeredThe 2020 figure of 15 community offenses is confirmed by the 2021 prosecution report, which states community offenses increased from 15 in 2020 to 39 in 2021. The 2019 figure of 22 is not documented in anything we hold; the 2019 annual prosecution report would settle it.
5.10.22_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2022-05-10
He noted that eighty percent of the offenses were traffic violations. When compared to 2019, the number of prosecuted traffic offenses increased by over 238%.
Annual municipal prosecution report breakdown of offense types.
Partly answeredThe 80 percent traffic share for 2020 checks out arithmetically against the 2021 report: 79 percent of 159 cases is about 126 traffic offenses, and a stated increase of over 107 percent puts 2020 traffic offenses near 61, which is 80 percent of the 76 cases prosecuted in 2020. The claimed 238 percent increase over 2019 cannot be verified because no 2019 offense-type tally is in our holdings.
5.10.22_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2022-05-10
Attorney Jacobsen reported that the number of prosecuted offenses were up for 2020. He prosecuted 76 cases from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020, which was up 36 from 2019.
Annual municipal prosecution report.
Answered from our recordsThe 76-case figure for 2020 is confirmed by the next year's report: Attorney A.J. Lindell told the council that 159 cases were prosecuted in 2021, up 83 from 2020, which puts 2020 at 76. The 2019 comparison of 40 cases is not separately documented in our holdings.
5.10.22_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2022-05-10
A streaming app and link to the web site are still being developed so City Council meetings and possibly other community events can eventually be streamed.
Community channel now broadcasting on Mediacom channel 12.
What happened nextThe streaming and cable channel effort was still unfinished four years later. The February 13 2024 packet lists Tightrope live-streaming and cable-cast equipment as already owned, and on June 10 2025 Administrator Lehner reported he and Whitney were still working with Comcast to get the cable access channel up and running.
6-10-25_COUNCIL_PACKET_Updated · taken up again 2025-06-10
He did express concern about the ability of the homeowner at 623 3rd Street being able to back out of his garage without being on church property if the alley was vacated.
Discussion of possible vacation of the alley east of First Lutheran Church.
At the meetingCouncil determined the alley would remain public at this time.
Partly answeredNo survey of the driveway at 623 3rd Street relative to First Lutheran Church property lines exists in our holdings. The alley remained public: the August 6 2026 council packet still uses "the alley by First Lutheran" as a Rose Fest car show street-closure boundary, so it had not been vacated five years later. A recorded survey or the plat for the block would settle the backing-out question.
8-6-26_Council_Packet_Updated · taken up again 2026-08-06
The City maintains this seventy-five-foot alley that doesn't serve the City at all. Vahlsing asked if the Council had any interest in pursuing this vacation.
City maintains a seventy-five-foot alley that Vahlsing said does not serve the City.
At the meetingThe Council determined that the alley would remain public at this time.
What happened nextThe council determined the alley would remain public and no vacation proceeding for it appears in any later record. The alley by First Lutheran is still referenced as a landmark in the August 6 2026 packet street-closure description for the car show. The only alley vacations that followed were the Klatt right-of-way north of 1st Street in 2022 and the Block 34 alley in 2026.
8-6-26_Council_Packet_Updated; 6.14.22 Council Packet
Vahlsing added that Library Director Otte is working on major upgrades to the cityofkenyon.com site and will give an update at the April Council meeting.
Old business update on the community cable channel and city website.
What happened nextLibrary Director Otte reported to the council on April 13 2021 that the city website was being updated to comply with ADA requirements at no additional cost, with the new site going live April 14 2021. The city site is now cityofkenyon.gov on GovOffice; the legacy cityofkenyon.com domain, registered in 2000, expired June 3 2026 and its email now bounces.
4.13.21_Council_Minutes; KENYON_IT_SPEND.md · taken up again 2021-04-13
Northland Securities provided a quote for a capital planning and debt study related to the financial impact of the infrastructure management plan.
Council approved proceeding with the study based on a quote that was provided.
We hold no dataNo document we hold states the fee Northland Securities quoted for the 2021 capital planning and debt study. The later Northland entries in council packets are city investment balances, not the study fee. The written Northland proposal or the paid invoice would answer it.
council packets 2021-2026 · would settle it: The written Northland Securities proposal with fee
Motion Bailey second by Ryan to proceed with the study and financial impact of the infrastructure management plan with Northland Securities.
Using the infrastructure plan to build a Capital Improvement Plan and calculate timing and funding.
At the meetingMotion carried 5-0-0.
What happened nextNorthland Securities prepared the financial management plan in 2021, built on Bolton and Menk's 2020 Infrastructure Management Plan. George Eilertson presented updates to it on February 14 2023 using the 2022 IMP, on May 13 2025 using the 2025 IMP, and again on March 10 2026.
2.14.23 Council Packet; 5-13-25 council packet; 3-10-26 Council Packet · taken up again 2023-02-14
DNR permits will be applied for in the coming weeks. Once the permits are approved, the Council will approve the final plan and request quotes.
Update on design of the FEMA flood repair project.
What happened nextPlans were completed and presented June 8 2021, quotes went out, and on July 13 2021 Griffin Construction of Chatfield submitted the low bid at $77,448.80. The city held a FEMA grant of $89,922.50 for the work, which was completed that summer.
7.13.21_Council_Minutes; KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2021-07-13
A map of the proposed crack seal street was presented. If approved, the project would go out for bids to be awarded in April with project completion this year.
Infrastructure management plan recommended crack filling and seal coating better-condition streets in 2021.
At the meetingMotion to approve solicitation of quotes carried 5-0-0.
What happened nextTwo quotes returned and the council awarded the 2021 crack fill to Fahrner Asphalt Sealers at $19,690 on April 13 2021. Bargen asked $35,820. The process met the two-quote standard the city later wrote into Administrative Policy No. 34.
KENYON_BIDS.md
Community offenses dropped from 22 in 2019 to 15 in 2020. Two-thirds of the base fine is remitted back to the city of Kenyon, which amounted to $2,180.00 for 2020.
Prosecution report to Council on fine revenue sharing.
At the meetingJacobsen said he does not believe the amount is accurate.
Partly answeredThe $2,180.00 figure for 2020 was never corrected in any later document we hold. The 2023 prosecution summary restates only 2021 as just under $7,000 and 2022 as $11,989.04. A corrected court-administration accounting for calendar 2020 is what is missing.
3.14.23_Updated_Council_Packet__Agenda
Two-thirds of the base fine is remitted back to the city of Kenyon, which amounted to $2,180.00 for 2020. Jacobsen believes this amount is not accurate and is working to resolve this issue with court staff.
Annual municipal prosecution report noting two-thirds of base fines are remitted to Kenyon.
Partly answeredNo later record shows Jacobsen resolving the 2020 remittance question with court staff. Subsequent annual prosecution reports simply state new totals: $6,756.96 remitted for 2021 and $11,989.04 for 2022 out of $33,428.39 total fine revenue. A corrected 2020 accounting from court administration is missing.
5.10.22 Council Minutes; 4.11.23 Council Packet; 3.14.23 Updated Council Packet
Resolution 2021-05: Vacating the Alley in Block 3 of Slee and Langford's Addition Motion by Rechtzigel second by Ryan to adopt Resolution 2021-05 vacating the Alley in Block 3 of Slee and Langford's addition with additional language to be added to No. 1 concerning easements remaining intact.
Vacation of the alley in Block 3 of Slee and Langford's Addition where power lines and sanitary sewer exist.
At the meetingMotion adopting the resolution with the added language carried 5-0-0.
We hold no dataNo document in hand contains the executed text of Resolution 2021-05 or its easement clause. The follow-up passages describe other vacations, the 2022 Klatt street vacation and Block 34 alley language in the September 2026 packet. The signed resolution or the recorded vacation instrument for Block 3, Slee and Langford's Addition would answer it.
meeting minutes 2021-03-09 · would settle it: The final executed text of Resolution 2021-05
The agreement period is Thursday – Saturday from April 30 - October 17, 2021. The 2021 agreement was tabled to allow the Council time to look into a possible increased fee.
Annual lease for mobile food truck on city land east of the Municipal Liquor Store, proposed Thursday-Saturday April 30 - October 17, 2021.
What happened nextThe lease came back on April 13 2021 and the council approved the 2021 Taco Express agreement at $350, up from the prior amount. The fee rose to $400 for 2022 and $430 for 2023, and on April 8 2025 the council followed staff recommendation and did not renew the agreement at all.
4.13.21_Council_Minutes; 4.12.22 and 4.11.23 Council Packets; 4-8-25 council packet · taken up again 2021-04-13
OLD BUSINESS City of Kenyon Strategic Plan Update Administrator Vahlsing presented a revised Strategic Plan based on feedback from the annual EDA meeting in January. Two steps were added to Section D concerning possible future parks and trails.
Old business update presenting a revised City of Kenyon Strategic Plan.
At the meetingThe revised plan was presented; no vote or adoption is recorded.
Partly answeredThe Strategic Plan was still an open task three years later: the June 11 2024 council packet lists 'Develop or update the Kenyon Strategic Plan' as item 8 on the administrator's work list, so no adopted plan carrying the two parks and trails steps is recorded. Missing is the revised Section D text and any council vote adopting the plan.
6.11.24_Council_Packet_and_Agenda · taken up again 2024-06-11
Vaccinations would be conducted on Fridays starting in February. The County would be responsible for clean-up and disposal of waste after each use of the Fire Hall.
Cooperative agreement authorizing use of the Fire Hall as a public vaccination site.
At the meetingCouncil approved the County's request 5-0-0.
We hold no dataThe factbook holds nothing on COVID-19 vaccination clinics at the Kenyon Fire Hall or the county cooperative agreement, and the follow-up passages concern a separate 2024 MOU to store the county mobile command vehicle at the Fire Hall. The executed cooperative agreement and the county clinic schedule would answer it.
KENYON_DATA_IN_MEETINGS.md · would settle it: The executed cooperative agreement and the confirmed start date of clinics
They have a purchase agreement for Parcel A of the split. The planning commission approved a variance for this non-conforming lot sizes in December.
Background on the River Country Cooperative lot split approval.
We hold no dataThe factbook holds no planning commission minutes and no variance decisions from December 2020. The December 2020 Planning Commission minutes and the written variance findings would answer it.
KENYON_DATA_IN_MEETINGS.md · would settle it: December planning commission minutes and the variance decision
(PID 66.700.0080) – River Country Cooperative Resolution 2021-04: Approving Minor Subdivision of City of Kenyon Property Administrator Vahlsing stated that River Country Co-op was seeking approval to split off a .52-acre parcel from their larger parcel 66.700.0080 located at 618 County 13 Blvd. They have a purchase agreement for Parcel A of the split.
Support for Resolution 2021-04 approving the minor subdivision.
At the meetingCouncil adopted Resolution 2021-04 approving the minor subdivision 5-0-0.
We hold no dataThe factbook holds no record of parcel 66.700.0080, River Country Co-op, or a Parcel A purchase agreement, and the follow-up passages cover unrelated lot splits by Cecelia Foss, Hauge Lutheran Church and Gerald Bartel. The lot split application, the recorded survey and the executed purchase agreement would answer it.
taxes/data/kenyon_tax.json · would settle it: The lot split application, survey, and purchase agreement
NEW BUSINESS Pay Equity Compliance Report Administrator Vahlsing noted that all Cities and Counties are required to submit Pay Equity reports every three years to the Department of Administration.
Explaining why the Pay Equity Compliance Report was before the Council.
Partly answeredCity records repeat the three-year requirement: the May 14 2024 minutes and the April 9 2024 packet both state the State requires a pay equity report every three years, with the analysis comparing job points and salaries between female and male employees. The statutory text of the Minnesota Local Government Pay Equity Act is not in our holdings, so the claim rests on city staff statements alone.
4.9.24_Council_Packet__Agenda
The report showed the City was incompliance with the Pay Equity requirements. The State will determine final compliance.
Council approved the Pay Equity Compliance Report showing the City in compliance.
At the meetingCouncil approved the report 5-0-0, but the State's determination is outstanding.
Partly answeredNo Department of Administration compliance determination letter for the 2021 pay equity report is in our holdings; the next trace of the cycle is the 2024 report, adopted 3-0-0 on May 14 2024, with the April 9 2024 packet noting staff were still trying to verify that the March 29 2024 submission had gone through. What is missing is the State's determination letter itself.
5-14-24_AGENDA(1) and 4.9.24_Council_Packet__Agenda
Their proposal is in the preliminary stages. At this time, the City will return the draft agreement back to Metronet for their response.
Metronet's preliminary proposal to build a city-wide fiber/internet/phone/video system.
At the meetingNo decision was made; the matter awaits Metronet.
What happened nextMetroNet went silent for roughly a year and the agreement was finally approved on May 10 2022, 5-0-0, for high-speed internet only after video service was removed from the draft. Terms discussed on July 13 2021 were a $30 per pole annual fee to KMU and a five percent fee based on subscribers.
5.10.22_Council_Packet__Agenda · taken up again 2022-05-10
ENGINEERING Red Wing Avenue Project Update Engineer Olinger stated that Bolton & Menk have been working on the "as-built drawings" for the Red Wing Avenue project. These plans will be given to Public Works and KMU when the project is completed.
Engineering update on the Red Wing Avenue project.
Partly answeredThe Red Wing Avenue project had a final completion date of June 26 2021 for all items, with final paving in June and reseeding by the subcontractor in mid-September 2021, but as of November 9 2021 the project was still open with Wencl over liquidated damages. No record of the as-built drawings being delivered to Public Works and KMU exists in our holdings.
11.9.21_Council_Minutes
FEMA Flood Repairs Engineer Olinger reviewed the FEMA flood repairs project. Bolton & Menk's survey crew recently completed the topographic survey for the design.
Project is at the design stage following the recently completed topographic survey.
At the meetingNo cost figures or permit dates were given.
What happened nextQuotes came back on July 13 2021 with Griffin Construction low at $77,448.80, against a FEMA grant of $89,922.50, and the city record shows the award to Griffin at that amount on August 10 2021. The other quote amounts and the DNR permit issuance dates are not in the record.
7.13.21_Council_Minutes and KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2021-07-13
Bolton & Menk's survey crew recently completed the topographic survey for the design. When the design is finished and the necessary permits are obtained, the project will be sent out for quotes.
Update on the FEMA flood repairs project after completion of the topographic survey.
What happened nextBolton & Menk carried the design through and the project was quoted and awarded: on July 13 2021 Engineer Olinger reported Griffin Construction of Chatfield as low bidder at $77,448.80 against a FEMA grant of $89,922.50, and the award to Griffin Construction at $77,448.80 is recorded in the city's bid record dated August 10 2021. DNR permits were applied for in the weeks after March 9 2021.
7.13.21_Council_Minutes and KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2021-07-13
LEGAL Review Draft Amendments to Ordinance Section 845.01 Regulation of Trees Attorney Riggs stated that he ran into some issues with this ordinance, so it will take some more time to complete.
Legal agenda item to review draft tree ordinance amendments.
At the meetingNo revised draft was presented; the item was left for a later meeting.
What happened nextThe tree ordinance work was finished one month later: on March 9 2021 Attorney Riggs reported the revisions complete and the council adopted Ordinance No. 97 amending Section 845 regarding regulation of trees, grass and weeds in public streets and public property, 5-0-0. Riggs described Section 845 as simplified while still giving the City control.
3.9.21_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2021-03-09
County Commissioner Todd Greseth was present to see if the City had any concerns for him since he was newly elected to this position.
Greseth attended to introduce himself after being newly elected and solicit City concerns.
At the meetingNo response from the Council is recorded in the minutes.
Partly answeredNo concerns from the council to Commissioner Greseth are recorded at this meeting or at his later visits on June 8 2021 and September 14 2021, both of which minute only his standing offer to be contacted. What is missing is any minute entry or correspondence showing a concern actually conveyed.
6.8.21_Council_Minutes and 9.14.21_Council_Minutes
Quamme was seeking support from the City for this request. Administrator Vahlsing stated that he and Mayor Henke would sign a letter of support.
Commitment made in response to Scott Quamme's citizen comment.
What happened nextThe written approval took the form of a council resolution rather than a signed administrator and mayor letter: on April 13 2021 the council adopted Resolution 2021-07 for inclusion in the VFW's equipment application, 5-0-0. No separate executed letter of support appears in the record.
4.13.21_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2021-04-13
CITIZEN COMMENT Scott Quamme stated that he would like to write a letter on behalf of VFW Post 141 requesting to loan a static display for the Veteran's Park from the National VFW organization.
Citizen comment period request for a letter of support to accompany the VFW loan request.
At the meetingAdministrator Vahlsing said he and Mayor Henke would sign a letter of support.
What happened nextThe council gave the VFW the written support it asked for on April 13 2021, adopting Resolution 2021-07 supporting a static military equipment display in the Veterans Memorial Park area and the application for the equipment, on a 5-0-0 vote. The application was directed to the Department of Defense rather than the National VFW organization, and no response to that application appears in the record.
4.13.21_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2021-04-13
Schedule of Upcoming Meetings KMU Meeting: Tuesday, January 19th @ 2:00 p.m. EDA Annual Meeting: Tuesday, January 26th @ 9 a.m. at Fire Hall City Council Meeting: Tuesday, February 9th @ 7 p.m.
Schedule of upcoming meetings.
At the meetingListed for information.
We hold no dataThe posted agendas for the January 19 2021 KMU meeting, the January 26 2021 EDA annual meeting and the February 9 2021 council meeting are not in our holdings. Later packets confirm only that the same three-meeting pattern recurred, with the EDA annual meeting held January 31 2023 at City Hall, January 30 2024 at Foldcraft and January 21 2025 at Cahill Bistro. The city's meeting notices and agenda archive for January and February 2021 would answer it.
1.10.23_Council_Packet__Agenda; 2.13.24__Council_Packet_and_Agenda; 2.11.25_Council_Packet__Agenda · would settle it: Posted agendas for each meeting
City Engineer – Derek Olinger, Bolton & Menk g. City Auditor – CliftonLarsonAllen LLP h. Financial Consultant – Per Project Basis i.
Annual appointments and designations list.
At the meetingApproved as listed 4-0-0.
Partly answeredThe city has since used named outside financial advisors on a project basis: Northland Securities produced the tax increment analysis for the Rebound Sunset Home site, recommending $800,000 in assistance against the $1,855,000 the council approved on May 18 2026, and Abdo holds the contracted finance engagement at a 2027 proposal of $164,800. No standing designation of a single named financial consultant appears in the record, so the annual appointment remains project by project.
KENYON_INCENTIVES.md; 9-8-26 Council Packet · taken up again 2026-05-18
He thanked Wayne Ehrich and his crew for helping them move to the new building. Lee noted that the PD had received their first round of the COVID vaccine.
Staff comments on department status.
At the meetingReported as information only; no date for a second round given.
We hold no dataNo vaccination records or scheduled second-dose date for the Kenyon Police Department appear in the factbook or in any later council document we hold. The police material in the factbook is limited to the July 28 2026 full-time officer posting at $33.54 per hour entry, $38.57 at 3-5 years and $42.61 at 5-10 years. A department health or scheduling record would answer it.
data/jobs.csv · would settle it: The scheduled date for the department's second vaccine dose
Savyon has removed their equipment from the former concrete plant site. A small concrete building remains on the property.
Description of the condition of the donated parcel.
At the meetingAccepted as stated; no inspection referenced.
We hold no dataNo site inspection report or condition record for 111 Gates Avenue is in the factbook, and the later passages about a vacant building, encroachments and demolition concern the Sunset Home redevelopment site, not the donated Gates Avenue parcel. The factbook's only Gates Avenue entry is the 2023 Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer and Gates Ave contract awarded to BCM Construction at $1,241,494.22. A city site inspection or demolition record for the parcel would answer it.
KENYON_BIDS.md · would settle it: A site inspection report for the parcel
Kenyon Business Park/Utility Extension Project Status Update Engineer Olinger reported that A-1 Excavating was on site until December 23rd. The storm sewer work between Engel Drive and the new stormwater pond was completed. The majority of the grading work on the site has also been completed.
Kenyon Business Park/Utility Extension project status update.
At the meetingReported as status; pay request #3 approved for $243,266.67.
What happened nextThe Business Park utility extension project ran to completion in 2021 under A-1 Excavating: substantial completion was set for July 2 2021, pay request No. 4 of $104,360.16 was approved June 8 2021, and the council approved final pay request No. 8 of $80,834.72 on October 12 2021 contingent on closeout documentation, with further repairs left to warranty. The engineer's December 2020 field reports and quantity records behind pay request #3 of $243,266.67 are not in our holdings.
10.12.21_Council_Minutes; 6.8.21_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2021-10-12
Resolution 2021-01: Establishing License Fees and Compensation Administrator Vahlsing stated that there were no increases for 2021.
Resolution 2021-01 establishing license fees and compensation.
At the meetingResolution adopted 4-0-0.
We hold no dataNo 2020 or 2021 fee schedule is in the factbook, so the claim of no increases for 2021 cannot be checked. The only later statement on fee levels in the record is Administrator Vahlsing's February 13 2024 report that the 2024 fee schedule had a few increases from the prior year, and that resolution was approved with a change to the depot rent fee. Side-by-side 2020 and 2021 schedules attached to Resolution 2021-01 would answer it.
2.13.24__Council_Packet_and_Agenda · would settle it: Side-by-side 2020 and 2021 fee schedules
NEW BUSINESS Resolution 2021-02: A Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of 2020 Donations Motion by Henke second by Rechtzigel to approve Resolution 2021-02 authorizing the acceptance of the 2020 donations of $21,811.00.
Resolution authorizing acceptance of 2020 donations.
At the meetingResolution approved 4-0-0.
We hold no dataThe factbook holds no donation records for the City of Kenyon, so the $21,811.00 total for 2020 cannot be verified or broken down. Later packets show only that the city repeated the practice annually, with Resolution 2022-02 for 2021 donations, Resolution 2023-02 for 2022, Resolution 2024-02, and Resolution 2025-02. The itemized donation list attached to Resolution 2021-02 would answer it.
1-11-22_Agenda_packet; 1.10.23_Council_Packet__Agenda · would settle it: The itemized donation list attached to Resolution 2021-02
The truck is no longer in active use and the cost of the improvements needed would be more than the value of the truck.
Justification for declaring the fire engine excess equipment.
At the meetingCouncil accepted the statement and authorized sale.
We hold no dataNo repair estimate or appraised value for Fire Engine #660 exists in the factbook or in any later council document we hold. The later excess-inventory actions in the record concern different vehicles: the 1936 Ford open-air truck declared excess May 14 2024 and the 1983 Chevrolet tender declared excess November 12 2025, both with proceeds directed to the truck fund. A repair quote and a market appraisal or the eventual sale price for #660 would answer it.
11-12-25_Council_Packet(1); 5-14-24_AGENDA(1) · would settle it: A repair estimate and an appraisal or market value for the truck
Mayor Henke suggested that this may be the time to look at the restriction of trees being planted in the boulevard. Other cities restrict planting boulevard trees due to the annual maintenance and damage caused over time.
Discussion of whether to restrict boulevard tree planting in the revised tree ordinance.
At the meetingNo source or list of cities cited; council directed the attorney to revise the ordinance.
We hold no dataWe hold no tree ordinances from other Minnesota cities and no dataset of boulevard planting restrictions, so the mayor's claim cannot be checked. Copies of comparable municipal tree ordinances or a League of Minnesota Cities model ordinance would answer it.
none · would settle it: Comparable tree ordinances from other Minnesota cities
Kennedy & Graven 2021 Rates for Legal Services Administrator Vahlsing stated that the proposed rates for legal services have increased approximately two percent for 2021. This increase would raise the hourly base rate from $171.50 to $174.00 an hour.
Council approval of the law firm's 2021 rate schedule.
At the meetingRates approved 4-0-0.
Answered from our recordsThe $174.00 hourly base rate is confirmed: on February 8, 2022 Attorney Riggs reviewed the 2022 rates as raising the hourly base rate from $174.00 to $180.00 an hour. The base rate then rose to $188.00 for 2023 and $196.00 for 2024.
2.8.2022_Council_Packet__Agenda · taken up again 2022-02-08
Change Order #4 Engineer Olinger stated that A-1's contract contained a completion date of November 30, but since the weather this year allowed them to work past this date, they are requesting that the November 30 milestone completion date be removed from the contract.
Change Order #4 removed the milestone date because favorable weather let the contractor work past it.
At the meetingChange Order #4 approved; no replacement completion date stated in the minutes.
What happened nextThe A-1 Excavating contract was reset to a substantial completion date of July 2, 2021, reported on May 11, 2021, then extended again: on August 10, 2021 the council approved Change Order #6 setting substantial completion at August 13 and final completion at September 10, 2021. The executed Change Order #4 itself is not in our holdings.
8.10.21_Council_Minutes; 5.11.21_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2021-08-10
The Historic Preservation Committee will use the report to rank future improvements. No action was needed from the Council as this was for information only.
Summary of the final historic structures report presented for information only.
At the meetingNo action taken; ranking still to come from the HPC.
Partly answeredNo ranked list of Gunderson House improvements from the Historic Preservation Committee is in our holdings. One study recommendation was acted on: on May 11, 2021 the council approved Reliable Heating and Cooling's quote of $4,765.00 for air conditioning at the Gunderson House, paid from the Gunderson House capital fund, because the historic structures study recommended it to preserve the downstairs. The HPC's ranked list with cost estimates is missing.
5.11.21_Council_Minutes; KENYON_BIDS.md · taken up again 2021-05-11
Some final topsoil grading, seeding, final layer of pavement, and minor miscellaneous repairs will be finished in the spring.
Project status update; construction is shut down for the winter.
At the meetingReported as information; no specific spring date given.
What happened nextWencl Construction resumed the remaining Red Wing Avenue work in April 2021, with a final completion date of June 26, 2021 set for all items. On April 13, 2021 Engineer Olinger reported final paving would be done in May; on June 8, 2021 he reported final paving would be completed that week with the June 26 final completion date standing.
4.13.21_Council_Minutes; 6.8.21_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2021-06-08
Savyon, LLC donation of 111 Gates Ave to City Administrator Vahlsing stated that Savyon LLC offered to donate a 2-acre parcel of land located at 111 Gates Avenue to the City.
Land donation requiring a resolution under state statute; a small concrete building remains on the site.
At the meetingCouncil adopted Resolution 2021-03 accepting the donation 4-0-0.
We hold no dataNo recorded deed or environmental site assessment for 111 Gates Avenue is in our holdings. The 2025 environmental assessment and demolition language in the packets concerns the former Sunset Homes site at 127 Gunderson Boulevard, a different property. The recorded deed from Savyon, LLC and any Phase I or Phase II assessment for 111 Gates Avenue would answer it.
1-13-25_Council_Packet_Updated; 2.11.25_Council_Packet__Agenda · would settle it: The recorded deed and any environmental/site assessment for 111 Gates Ave
KMU Supervisor Utilizing Former Police Chief Office Motion by Henke second by Rechtzigel to authorize the KMU Supervisor to utilize the former police chief office and allow the senior citizens to use the front area of the former police department building utilizing a key pad entry system.
Late agenda addition on reuse of the vacated police department building.
At the meetingAuthorized 4-0-0; no cost or installation date stated.
We hold no dataNo quote, invoice, or installation date for a key pad entry system at the former police department building appears in our holdings. The later building items on file concern a fiber/internet cable between city hall and the police department, quotes for which were directed July 12, 2022, not the key pad. A work order or paid claim line for the key pad would answer it.
7.12.22_Council_Minutes · would settle it: A quote or work order for the key pad entry system and an installation date
PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS/RECOGNITIONS/PROLAMATIONS Mayor Henke presented John Mortensen with a gift for his years of service on the City Council. Lee Sjolander will deliver Richard Nielsen's gift to him.
Recognition of outgoing council members; Mortensen received his gift in person, Nielsen was absent.
We hold no dataNothing in our holdings records delivery of Richard Nielsen's service gift. A later minutes entry or staff note confirming delivery would answer it.
none · would settle it: Confirmation the gift was delivered
Motion by Gard second by Rechtzigel to declare fire engine #3-truck #660 as excess equipment and authorize it to be sold.
Council declared the fire engine excess inventory because repair costs exceed its value.
At the meetingCouncil authorized the sale 4-0-0; no sale method, price, or date given.
We hold no dataNo sale listing, bid record, or final price for Fire Engine #3, Truck #660 exists in our holdings. The later fire truck items on file concern different vehicles: a 1936 Ford open-air truck declared excess May 14, 2024, and a 1983 Chevrolet tender declared excess November 12, 2025. A sale advertisement, auction result, or the truck fund receipt entry would answer it.
5-14-24_AGENDA(1); 11-12-25_Council_Packet(1) · would settle it: A sale listing, bid record, or final sale price for truck #660
Motion by Rechtzigel second by Henke to instruct the City Attorney to revise City Ordinance 845.01 Regulating Trees in Public Streets and Public Property to reflect the discussion of the City Council.
Council reviewed draft amendments to the tree ordinance covering permitting of planting/removal and an approved species list.
At the meetingMotion carried 4-0-0; revision to be brought back by the attorney.
What happened nextThe revised ordinance came back and was adopted on March 9, 2021 as Ordinance No. 97 amending Section 845 regarding regulation of trees, grass, and weeds in public streets and public property, on a 5-0-0 vote. Attorney Riggs reported Section 845 was simplified while still giving the city control; the minutes do not state whether a boulevard planting restriction was included. Section 845 was amended again by Ordinance No. 99 in June 2022 to require removal of hazardous trees after Emerald Ash Borer was found in Kenyon, with summary publication approved by Res. 2022-15 on July 12, 2022.
3.9.21_Council_Minutes · taken up again 2021-03-09