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 11th day of January 2022. The meeting was called to order by Acting Mayor Rechtzigel.
The following members were present: Council Members Dan Rechtzigel, Molly Ryan, and Mary Bailey
Via Zoom: Mayor Doug Henke, Administrator Mark Vahlsing, Attorney Scott Riggs
Absent:
Also, present: Administrative Assistant Holli Gudknecht, Police Chief Jeff Sjoblom, Engineer Derek Olinger, Kathy Flikke Finance Clerk, Todd Greseth, Rodney and Michelle Robertson, and Michelle Vlasak reporter for Kenyon Leader
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.
ADOPT AGENDA
Motion by Bailey second by Ryan to approve the agenda.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Rechtzigel – Aye, Bailey – Aye, Ryan - Aye
Motion carried 4-0-0.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Bailey second by Henke to approve the Consent Agenda, which includes payment of check numbers, 73146 through 73255; 3847E through 3854E.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Rechtzigel – Aye, Bailey – Aye, Ryan - Aye
Motion carried 4-0-0.
PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS/RECOGNITIONS/PROLAMATIONS
Police Chief Sjoblom announced the hire of part-time Officer Rodney Roberts. Officer Roberts gave the Council a background on himself and introduced his wife, Michelle.
ENGINEERING
Request for Authorization to Begin Preliminary Engineering Design for 2023 Pearl Creek & Forest Street Sanitary Sewer Lining Project
Engineer Olinger stated that the City has two sanitary sewer lining projects listed on the infrastructure management plan for completion in 2023. One project is located on Forest Street between 3rd Street and 9th Street and the other is the Pearl Creek main located between 2nd Street and the wastewater plant. Olinger outlined the preliminary activities, fees, and the tentative schedule for this project.
Motion by Ryan seconded by Bailey to approve the proposal by Bolton & Menk to proceed with the preliminary data collection on the Pearl Creek and Forest Street sanitary sewer improvements at a cost of $8,946.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Rechtzigel – Aye, Bailey – Aye, Ryan - Aye
Motion carried 4-0-0.
LEGAL
2022 Appointments and Designations
Planning Commission – 2 Year Term – Jerry Barrett, Dennis Wickum
Public Utility Commission – 3 Year Term – Jim Malloy
Library Board – 3 Year Term – Eileen Ehrich
Acting Mayor – Dan Rechtzigel
Legal Newspaper – Kenyon Leader
Depository – Security State Bank of Kenyon
City Attorney – Scott Riggs, Kennedy & Graven Chartered
Prosecuting Attorney – David Jacobsen, Hero, Jorstad, Jacobsen Law Firm
City Engineer – Derek Olinger, Bolton & Menk
City Auditor – Abdo Eich and Meyers
Financial Consultant – George Eilertson- Northland Securiteis
Investments – As Allowed Per Minnesota Statutes
Deputy Clerk – Holli Gudknecht
Weed Inspector – Doug Henke
Audit Committee – Doug Henke, Molly Ryan, Kathy Flikke, Mark Vahlsing
Personnel Committee – Dan Rechtzigel, Doug Henke and Mark Vahlsing
Liquor Committee – Doug Henke, Russell Thurmes, Mark Vahlsing
Kenyon Fire Relief Association – Doug Henke and Mark Vahlsing
Motion by Ryan seconded by Rechtzigel to approve the 2022 committee appointments and designations.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Rechtzigel – Aye, Bailey – Aye, Ryan - Aye
Motion carried 4-0-0.
Resolution 2022-01: Establishing License Fees and Compensation
Administrator Vahlsing stated that the only increase for 2022 was an additional $10 for the Depot Park building rent.
Motion by Bailey second by Ryan to approve Resolution 2022-01.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Rechtzigel – Aye, Bailey – Aye, Ryan – Aye
Motion carried 4-0-0.
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 Ryan second by Bailey to approve the annual refuse, recycling, sidewalk, dance, and mobile merchant licenses.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Rechtzigel – Aye, Bailey – Aye, Ryan - Aye
Motion carried 4-0-0.
Kennedy & Graven 2022 Rates for Legal Services
Attorney Riggs reviewed the proposed rates for legal services for 2022. This increase would raise the hourly base rate from $174.00 to $180.00 an hour.
Motion by Ryan seconded by Bailey to approve 2022 rates for legal services.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Rechtzigel – Aye, Bailey – Aye, Ryan - Aye
Motion carried 4-0-0.
Resolution 2022-04: Approving Minor Subdivision - Lot Split Application – 302 Bullis St. (PID 66.320.0210) – Hauge Lutheran Church
City Administrator Vahlsing stated that Allen Stolee, representing Hauge Lutheran Church, was seeking approval of a lot split that would restore the property boundary between lots 4 and 5 in Block 29 of Bullis’ Second South Side addition to the original plat. The proposed lot split has been reviewed and signed off by the City Attorney.
Motion by Henke seconded by Ryan to adopt Resolution 2022-04 approving the lot split for Hauge Lutheran Church.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Rechtzigel – Aye, Bailey – Aye, Ryan - Aye
Motion carried 4-0-0.
Resolution 2022-05: Approving Minor Subdivision - Lot Split Application – 1221 Mantorville Rd (PID 66.140.0270) – Cecelia Foss
City Administrator Vahlsing stated that Russell Foss, POA for Cecelia Foss, was seeking approval to split a 2.49 acre parcel from their larger parcel located at 1221 Mantorville Road. The area is zoned residential. The proposed lot split has been reviewed and signed off by the City Attorney.
Motion by Bailey seconded by Ryan to adopt Resolution 2022-05 approving the lot split for Cecelia Foss.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Rechtzigel – Aye, Bailey – Aye, Ryan - Aye
Motion carried 4-0-0.
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
Sewer Rate Study – Review Possible Sewer Rate Increase
Administrator Vahlsing reviewed the sewer rate study that was completed and the proposed rate increase. The study shows an increase to existing sewer rates is necessary due to a projected shortfall.
Motion by Henke second by Ryan to implement the staff’s recommended sewer rate changes that would take affect with the April billing period that begins March 15, 2022.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Rechtzigel – Aye, Bailey – Aye, Ryan - Aye
Motion carried 4-0-0.
Resolution 2022-02: A Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of 2021 Donations
Motion by Ryan second by Bailey to approve Resolution 2022-02 authorizing the acceptance of the
2021 donations of $17,510.02.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Rechtzigel – Aye, Bailey – Aye, Ryan - Aye
Motion carried 4-0-0.
Resolution 2022-03 Declaring Vacant City Council Seat
Attorney Riggs stated that this resolution declares the open council seat of Tom Gard, who resigned his seat at the December council meeting. Since the remaining term is less than two years, the Council can appoint a replacement to serve until the term expires in December 2022. Vahlsing will advertise for interest in this position.
Motion by Bailey second by Ryan to adopt Resolution 2022-03 declaring vacant City Council seat.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Rechtzigel – Aye, Bailey – Aye, Ryan - Aye
Motion carried 4-0-0.
Approve job descriptions - Library
Youth Services/Library Assistant
Library Assistant
Administrator Vahlsing stated that Assistant Librarian Barb Bonde will be retiring from her full-time position in March. Library Director Otte and the Library Board are requesting approval to create two part-time positions, a Youth Services/Assistant Librarian and a Library Assistant.
Motion by Ryan second by Henke to approve the Youth Services/Assistant Librarian job description and posting.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Rechtzigel – Aye, Bailey – Aye, Ryan - Aye
Motion carried 4-0-0.
Motion by Bailey second by Ryan to approve the Library Assistant job description and posting.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Rechtzigel – Aye, Bailey – Aye, Ryan - Aye
Motion carried 4-0-0.
Schedule of Upcoming Meetings
KMU Meeting: Tuesday, January 18th @ 2:00 p.m.
EDA Annual Meeting: Tuesday, January 25th @ 9 a.m. at Lacey’s Kitchen & Cocktails (Rescheduled to March)
City Council Meeting: Tuesday, February 8th @ 7 p.m.
COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTS
Chief Sjoblom stated that they have been dealing with several incidents that have occurred in town.
Mayor Henke commented on the nice weather in Arizona.
Administrator Vahlsing thanked Derek for running the electronic part of the meeting and thanked Mayor Henke for zooming in to the meeting.
Motion by Ryan second by Bailey to adjourn the meeting at 7:52 p.m.
Roll Call Vote: Henke- Aye, Rechtzigel – Aye, Bailey – Aye, Ryan - Aye
Motion carried 4-0-0.
Holli Gudknecht, Administrative Assistant Dan Rechtzigel, Acting Mayor
