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 12th day of November 2024. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Henke.
The following members were present: Mayor Doug Henke, Council Members Mary Bailey (left at 7:40 pm), Lee Sjolander, and Kim Helgeson
Absent: Molly Ryan
Also present: Interim Administrator Frank Boyles, Administrative Assistant Holli Gudknecht, Finance Director Whitney Kyllo, Engineer Derek Olinger, Attorney Scott Riggs, Public Works Director Wayne Ehrich, Officer Brian Homeier, Officer Josephine Homeier, Police Chief Jeff Sjoblom, Don Kirchmann, Elana Brunner, John Mortensen, Todd Kieffer, Tasha Homeier, Hailee Homeier, Aaron Miller-BCM, Daren Strobel-Kenyon Leader, Pastor DJ Chatelaine-First Lutheran
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
CITIZEN COMMENT
Pastor DJ Chatelaine introduced himself. He is the new pastor at First Lutheran Church. He encouraged the city to let him know if they could partner with the city on any projects.
ADOPT AGENDA
Addition: / XI / New Business / J / Establish an Exchange Safe Zone in Kenyon
Motion by Bailey seconded by Helgeson to approve the amended agenda. Motion carried 4-0-0.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Helgeson seconded by Bailey to approve the Consent Agenda, which includes payment of check numbers 76562 through 76663; 5181E through 5220E. Motion carried 4-0-0.
PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS/RECOGNITIONS/PROCLAMATIONS
Oath of Office for Kenyon Police Officer Josephine Homeier
Chief Sjoblom recited the oath of office for Officer Josephine Homeier. Officer Josephine Homeier introduced herself to the council members.
ENGINEERING
2025 Street and Utility Improvements
Engineer Olinger stated that the design work for the 2025 street and utility improvements is being worked on and should be completed in February.
8th Street Development
Engineer Olinger stated that he had attended a meeting with CEDA, City Staff, and a local developer to discuss a potential low density housing development in the city. Issues were identified that could impede a new development. Bolten & Menk could prepare a high-level layout and cost projection for a new development. The EDA recommended having the layout and cost projection completed.
8th Street Development Cost Proposal Approval Request
Motion by Henke seconded by Bailey to approve the 8th Street development cost study by Bolton & Menk. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Pearl Creek & Gates Avenue Utility Improvements
Engineer Olinger stated that the work is now substantially complete. There are still a few repairs needed to close out the contract. Payment #10 includes work completed between September 28 and November 1 and a portion of the retainage that was withheld. The remaining retainage withheld will be paid when all repair items are completed. Aaron Miller, BCM Subcontractor, addressed the remaining items to be completed. They are waiting until the ground is frozen to minimize additional damage.
Pay Application #10 to BCM Construction
Motion by Bailey second by Helgeson to approve pay request No. 10 to BCM Construction in the amount of $31,726.22 for work completed through November 1, 2024.
Motion carried 4-0-0.
LEGAL
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
Canvass 2024 Election Returns and Declare Results
The Council met as the Canvassing Board to canvass the results of November 5, 2024, General Election.
Motion by Helgeson second by Sjolander to approve and declare all 2024 canvassed election results.
Motion carried 4-0-0.
Goodhue County Sheriff’s Department - Communications Subscriber Agreement – with Kenyon PD
Motion by Sjolander seconded by Helgeson to approve the communications subscriber agreement between the Kenyon Police Department and Goodhue County Sheriff’s Department.
Motion carried 4-0-0.
CEDA 2025 Contract
Interim Administrator Boyles stated that the contract with CEDA is up for renewal. The EDA recommended increasing the CEDA contract from one day a week to two days a week for a total annual fee of $53,580. The increase was requested to accomplish all the work the EDA desires to have done.
Proposed Increase in Scheduled Hours
Motion by Sjolander seconded by Helgeson to approve the 2025 CEDA contracted services.
Motion carried 4-0-0.
2025 Proposed Agreement for Continuation of our City-County Joint-Powers “Agreement for State Building Code Administration”
Interim Administrator Boyles stated that Goodhue County requires the City of Kenyon to approve a yearly agreement to conduct residential and commercial building inspections. The County has done an excellent job conducting inspections for the city. The term of the contract would be for one year starting January 1, 2025.
Motion by Helgeson seconded by Sjolander to approve the 2025 agreement with Goodhue County for State Building Code Administration. Motion carried 3-0-0.
Resolution 2024-27: Adopting Assessment for Delinquent Utility Bills
Interim Administrator Boyles stated that this resolution would authorize delinquent utility bill amounts to be certified on property taxes.
Motion by Helgeson second by Henke to adopt Resolution 2043-27 adopting assessments for delinquent utility bills. Motion carried 3-0-0.
Goodhue County Delegation Agreement for Cannabis Retail Registration
Interim Administrator Boyles stated that either the city of Kenyon or Goodhue County could be responsible for the retail registration and compliance checks on cannabis retail businesses. Attorney Riggs recommended deferring this issue until more information was received. He stated that the city would be premature to decide this now since the state has not established the rules yet.
Update of City of Kenyon Administrative Policy #29 - Pothole Repair
Public Works Supervisor Ehrich stated that the city Pothole Repair policy had recently been updated.
Motion by Sjolander seconded by Henke to adopt updated Administrative Policy #29 – Pothole Repair.
Motion carried 3-0-0.
Consider Adoption of Administrative Policy #37 - A Policy Relative to Expectations for Members of the City Council, Boards, Commissions, Committees, and Authorities
Interim Administrator Boyles recommended adopting a policy to set meeting attendance standards for members of the city’s various boards, committees, commissions, and authorities. The policy would encourage attendance at meetings.
Motion by Sjolander seconded by Helgeson to adopt updated Administrative Policy #37 – Relating to Expectations for Members of the City Council, Boards, Commissions, Committees, and Authorities.
Motion carried 3-0-0.
Periodic Request for Proposals (RFP) for Selection of Professional Service Firms
Interim Administrator Boyles stated that it is standard practice to periodically send out requests for proposals for selection of professional service firms.
Motion by Sjolander seconded by Helgeson to approve sending out RFPs for professional service firms. Motion carried 3-0-0.
Safe Zone
Police Chief Sjoblom stated that in the interest of public safety, he would recommend creating a safe exchange zone in Kenyon. This zone would be used for child custody exchanges and swapping of internet purchases. Two parking spaces in the parking lot next to the police department building could be designated for these exchanges and would be monitored by 24-hour video surveillance. The cost of signage would be about $55.
Motion by Sjolander seconded by Helgeson to designate a safe exchange zone in Kenyon.
Motion carried 3-0-0.
Schedule of Upcoming Meetings
KMU Meeting: Tuesday, November 19 @ 4 p.m.
EDA Meeting: Tuesday, November 26 @ 8 a.m.
Township Fire Contract Meeting: Tuesday, December 3rd @ 6:00 p.m.
Truth in Taxation Public Meeting: Tuesday, December 3rd @ 6:30 p.m.
Planning Commission Meeting: Wednesday, December 4 @ 6:00 p.m.
City Council Meeting: Tuesday, December 10 @ 7 p.m.
COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTS
Council Member Sjolander thanked all the veterans, election judges, new council members for running, and staff and council that worked on getting a new administrator hired.
Attorney Riggs wished everyone an early Happy Thanksgiving.
Motion by Sjolander seconded by Helgeson to adjourn the meeting at 8:14 pm.
Motion carried 3-0-0.
Holli Gudknecht, Administrative Assistant
Douglas Henke, Mayor
