Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a City Council Meeting was duly held in the City Council chambers at 7:00 p.m. on the 10th day of January 2023. The meeting was called to order by Acting Mayor Ryan.
The following members were present: Council Members Kim Helgeson, Lee Sjolander, and Molly Ryan
Via Zoom: Mayor Doug Henke and Mary Bailey
Also, present: City Administrator Mark Vahlsing, Administrative Assistant Holli Gudknecht, Police Chief Jeff Sjoblom, Engineer Derek Olinger, Finance Clerk Kathy Flikke, City Attorney Scott Riggs, Officer Brian Homeier, Linda and Cal Bean, Todd Greseth, Tasha Homeier, Josephine Homeier, and Hailee Homeier
The Oath of Office was read by Lee Sjolander and Kim Helgeson.
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
CITIZEN COMMENT
Goodhue County Commissioner, Todd Greseth, gave an update on what’s happening in the County. The County levy was finalized at a 4.69% increase for 2023.
ADOPT AGENDA
Motion by Helgeson second by Sjolander to approve the agenda.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Sjolander – Aye, Bailey – Aye, Ryan – Aye, Helgeson - Aye
Motion carried 5-0-0.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Sjolander second by Ryan to approve the Consent Agenda, which includes payment of check numbers, 74405 through 74479; 4358E through 4415E.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Sjolander – Aye, Bailey – Aye, Ryan – Aye, Helgeson - Aye
Motion carried 5-0-0.
PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS/RECOGNITIONS/PROLAMATIONS
Police Chief Jeff Sjoblom read a letter of commendation and presented it to Officer Homeier.
ENGINEERING
General Project Update
Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer Improvements
Engineer Olinger stated that the construction plans for the Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer improvements are about 50% completed. They will begin working with property owners on the needed easements in this area soon.
2023 Street Improvements
City Engineer Olinger stated that the design work for this project will begin once the sewer project design is completed sometime this spring.
LEGAL
Nuisance Property Violation – 1 Langford Ave. Update
Police Chief Sjoblom stated that a citation has been issued to the property owner and he has 30 days to respond.
2023 Appointments and Designations
• Economic Development Authority – 4 Year Term – Chris Mallery
Council Members – Doug Henke and Mary Bailey
• Library Board – 3 Year Term – Kevin Anderson, Heidi Haugen
• Planning Commission – 2 Year Term – Jim Malloy
Council Member – Doug Henke
• Public Utility Commission – 3 Year Term – Jerry Houglum
• Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) – 3 Year Term – Open
• Park & Recreation – 3 Year Term – Elizabeth Engel
Council Member – Kim Helgeson
a. Acting Mayor – Molly Ryan
b. Legal Newspaper – Kenyon Leader
c. Depository – Security State Bank of Kenyon
d. City Attorney – Scott Riggs, Kennedy & Graven Chartered
e. Prosecuting Attorney – David Jacobsen, Jacobsen Law Firm
f. City Engineer – Derek Olinger, Bolton & Menk
g. City Auditor – Abdo Eich and Meyers
h. Financial Consultant – George Eilertson- Northland Securities
i. Investments – As Allowed Per Minnesota Statutes
j. Deputy Clerk – Holli Gudknecht
k. Weed Inspector – Doug Henke
l. Audit Committee – Doug Henke, Molly Ryan, Kathy Flikke, Mark Vahlsing
m. Personnel Committee – Doug Henke, Molly Ryan, and Mark Vahlsing
n. Liquor Committee – Doug Henke, Lee Sjolander, Mark Vahlsing
o. Kenyon Fire Relief Association – Doug Henke and Mark Vahlsing
Motion by Henke seconded by Helgeson to approve the 2023 committee appointments and designations.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Sjolander – Aye, Bailey – Aye, Ryan – Aye, Helgeson - Aye
Motion carried 5-0-0.
Resolution 2023-01: Establishing License Fees and Compensation
Administrator Vahlsing stated that the 2023 fee schedule was unchanged from last year.
Motion by Bailey second by Ryan to approve Resolution 2023-01.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Sjolander – Aye, Bailey – Aye, Ryan – Aye, Helgeson - Aye
Motion carried 5-0-0.
Annual Refuse Licenses
Flom Disposal Inc., Waste Management, Veit Container Corp (Commercial, Temporary roll off, dumpster)
Annual Recycling Licenses
Flom Disposal Inc., Goodhue County Public Works, Waste Management (Commercial Recycling).
Annual Sidewalk Obstruction Licenses
Kenyon Ace Hardware, Kenyon VFW Post 141, Mary’s Rustic Rose, Twice Found, D&S Banner, Taco Express
Annual Dance License
Kenyon VFW Post 141
Annual Mobile Merchant License
Che Che’s Lunchera, Taco Express
Motion by Henke second by Helgeson to approve the annual refuse, recycling, sidewalk, dance, and mobile merchant licenses.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Sjolander – Aye, Bailey – Aye, Ryan – Aye, Helgeson - Aye
Motion carried 5-0-0.
Kennedy & Graven 2023 Rates for Legal Services
Attorney Riggs reviewed the rates for legal services for 2023. This increase would raise the hourly base rate for general civil and prosecution matters from $180.00 to $188.00 an hour. The other associated rates would also increase $9.50 to $14.00 per hour.
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 2023-02: A Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of 2022 Donations
Motion by Bailey second by Helgeson to approve Resolution 2023-02 authorizing the acceptance of the
2022 donations of $23,281.24.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Sjolander – Aye, Bailey – Aye, Ryan – Aye, Helgeson - Aye
Motion carried 5-0-0.
Set Council Work Session (January 25 or 26 at 6:00 pm) to Review Infrastructure Management Plan Financial Impacts, George Eilertson – Northland Securities
Administrator Vahlsing requested that a work session be scheduled for George Eilertson and the City Engineer to review the estimated financial impacts and payment options for the 10-year Infrastructure management plan.
Motion by Sjolander second by Helgeson to schedule a work session on Tuesday, January 24 at 6:00 pm to review the Infrastructure Management Plan Financial Impacts.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Sjolander – Aye, Bailey – Aye, Ryan – Aye, Helgeson - Aye
Motion carried 5-0-0.
Proposed 8% Increase to Sanitary Sewer Rates
Administrator Vahlsing stated that an 8% increase to the 2023 Sanitary Sewer Budget was reviewed at the work session in October 2022. An increase to existing sewer rates is necessary due to a projected shortfall.
Motion by Ryan second by Bailey to approve the proposed 8% increase to the sanitary sewer rates beginning with the April billing period that begins March 15, 2023.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Sjolander – Aye, Bailey – Aye, Ryan – Aye, Helgeson - Aye
Motion carried 5-0-0.
Change City Signatories at Security State Bank of Kenyon
Administrator Vahlsing stated that Council approval was needed to change signatories on the City account at the Security State Bank of Kenyon
Motion by Henke second by Bailey to change the signatories on the City of Kenyon account at the Security State Bank of Kenyon, deleting Dan Rechtzigel and adding Molly Ryan.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Sjolander – Aye, Bailey – Aye, Ryan – Aye, Helgeson - Aye
Motion carried 5-0-0.
Schedule of Upcoming Meetings
KMU Meeting: Tuesday, January 17th @ 4:00 p.m.
EDA Annual Meeting: Tuesday, January 31st @ 9 a.m. at City Hall
City Council Meeting: Tuesday, February 14th @ 7 p.m.
COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTS
Mayor Henke commented on the warm weather in Arizona.
Administrator Vahlsing welcomed Lee Sjolander to the Council.
Attorney Riggs also welcomed Lee Sjolander to the Council.
Council Member Ryan welcomed Lee Sjolander and congratulated Officer Homeier on his recognition.
Council Members Helgeson and Sjolander congratulated Officer Homeier on his recognition.
Motion by Helgeson second by Henke to adjourn the meeting at 7:28 p.m.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Sjolander – Aye, Bailey – Aye, Ryan – Aye, Helgeson - Aye
Motion carried 5-0-0.
Holli Gudknecht, Administrative Assistant
Molly Ryan, Acting Mayor
