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 2025. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Donald Kirchmann.
The following members were present: Mayor Donald Kirchmann, Council Members Lee Sjolander, Mary Bailey, Elana Brunner, and Kim Helgeson
Via Zoom: Jessi Sturtz-Abdo
Also, present: City Administrator Scott Lehner, Administrative Assistant Holli Gudknecht, Attorney Scott Riggs, John Lee, Doug Henke, Aaron Meyer, Angela Peterson, Bradley Johnson, Logan Meyers, Adrian Mogren, Justin Mogren, Terry Campbell, Jim Gould, Tyler Eggert, Police Officer Armani Tucker, Police Chief Jeff Sjoblom, Lynn Miller, Ricky Koester, Deanna Walker
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
CITIZEN COMMENT
Jim Gould, who lives at 103 Gates Avenue, requested that the city not ban bow hunting within city limits, especially on private property.
ADOPT AGENDA
Motion by Bailey seconded by Lee to approve the agenda. Motion carried 4-0-0.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Helgeson second by Bailey to approve the Consent Agenda, which includes:
City to Remain with BCBS Health Insurance for 2026
MN Family Leave Act - the city and the Employee will Each Pay Half of the Premium
Financials and Payment of check numbers, 77624 through 77665; 7027E through 7059E
Council Minutes of October 14, 2025
Motion carried 5-0-0.
PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS/RECOGNITIONS/PROLAMATIONS
Kenyon/Wanamingo Messenger Bid to Publish Legal Notices for 2026-Terry Campbell
Terry Campbell of the Kenyon/Wanamingo Messenger stated that he would like to be considered for
appointment as the legal newspaper of the City of Kenyon starting in 2026. This designation is one of the first items the Council approves in 2026.
ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE
Part-Time Hire
Administrator Lehner updated the council on the hire of a part-time administrative assistant. He worked with Abdo on the details of the job description and the personnel committee reviewed it. The job posting is open until November 17.
Motion by Kirchmann seconded by Helgeson to continue with the hiring process of the part-time administrative assistant.
AYES: Councilmember Kirchmann, Councilmember Helgeson, Councilmember Brunner, Councilmember Bailey — NAYS: Councilmember Sjolander — ABSTAIN: None. Motion carried 4-1-0.
ENGINEERING
6th Street Reconstruction – LRIP Funding Application
Administrator Lehner stated that the reconstruction of 6th Street project has been identified in the infrastructure management plan as a project in 2028. The financial feasibility of this project is highly dependent on outside funding. In 2023, a grant was applied for through the state's local road improvement program (LRIP). Although funding was not awarded in 2023, the project scored well. The plan is to resubmit the application for the 2025 solicitation.
Resolution 2025-26: Authorizing the Pursuit of 2025 Local Road Improvement Program Funding for the 6th Street Reconstruction Project
Motion by Sjolander seconded by Helgeson to adopt Resolution 2025-26. Motion carried 5-0-0.
2025 Street and Utility Improvements
Fitzgerald Excavating has been paving on both 5th and 8th Streets and patching pavement within 2nd Street and Forest Street. Pay application No. 3 includes work from October 4 to October 31 in the amount of $494,533.51.
2025 Street and Utility Improvements – Fitzgerald Excavating & Trucking -Pay Application No. 3
Motion by Bailey seconded by Helgeson to approve pay application #3 to Fitzgerald Excavating in the amount of $494,533.51. Motion carried 5-0-0.
LEGAL
FINANCIAL
OLD BUSINESS
2026 Final Budget
Jessi Sturtz from Abdo reviewed the final numbers for the 2026 budget. The final levy budget is down to 9.18%.
NEW BUSINESS
Ordinance No. 113: Prohibiting the Discharge of Firearms, Bows, and Other Projectile Devices Within City Limits
Administrator Lehner stated that the city currently has no ordinance regulating the discharge of firearms or bows within city limits. Every year this question comes up at hunting season. We currently adhere to the DNR regulations. To enhance public safety and align with practices in surrounding Minnesota cities, staff are presenting a draft ordinance that prohibits the discharge of firearms, bows, and other projectile devices within the City of Kenyon. The ordinance includes limited exceptions for law enforcement, defense of persons or property, approved ranges, ceremonial events, and authorized wildlife control activities.
Doug Henke stated that firearms should be allowed for the colorguard and military funerals.
Mayor Kirchmann and Councilmember Sjolander replied that this is allowed per section 5 of the ordinance.
Administrator Lehner clarified why this ordinance was drafted and the reasoning as to why bow hunting was included in the ordinance.
Adrian Mogren would like the city to go along with what the DNR allows. Bow hunting is safer than firearm hunting. He felt it was unreasonable to outlaw bow hunting in city limits.
Councilmember Bailey read a script concerning her opposition to restricting the bow hunting aspect of the ordinance.
The council agreed that bow hunting should be allowed on private property, but not on city property.
Tabled for further clarification of the ordinance.
2026 Proposed Agreement for Continuation of our City-County Joint-Powers “Agreement for State Building Code Administration”
Administrator Lehner stated that Goodhue County requires the City of Kenyon to approve a yearly agreement to conduct residential and commercial building inspections. The County has done an excellent job conducting inspections for the city. The term of the contract would be for one year starting January 1, 2026.
Motion by Kirchmann seconded by Bailey to approve the 2026 agreement with Goodhue County for State Building Code Administration. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Resolution 2025-27: Adopting Assessment for Grounds Maintenance/Delinquent Utility Bills
Administrator Lehner stated that this resolution would authorize grounds maintenance/delinquent utility bill amounts to be certified on property taxes.
Motion by Helgeson second by Brunner to adopt Resolution 2025-27 adopting assessments for grounds maintenance/delinquent utility bills. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Power Sales Agreement Between CMPAS and City of Kenyon
Administrator Lehner stated that the KMU Commission recommended approving the purchase of half a megawatt of wind energy and up to another half a megawatt if it becomes available.
Motion by Sjolander seconded by Bailey to approve the power sales agreement between CMPAS and the City of Kenyon subject to review and finalization by city staff and the city attorney.
Motion carried 5-0-0.
Approve posting the Line Worker/Water Operator Position
Administrator Lehner stated that the KMU Commission recommended approval to post the Line Worker/Water Operator position to replace Austin Fitch who resigned in May. Per Mayor Kirchmann’s request, John Lee clarified the need to rehire an additional line worker. Administrator Lehner stated that this was not a new topic. At the last commission meeting, the commission voted to rehire this position, but Operations Superintendent Eggert was asked to define “busy” in writing. This documentation has not been received yet.
Motion by Sjolander seconded by Kirchmann to table posting the line worker/water operator position until the needed documentation is received. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Handicap Parking Space-Main Street Dental
Administrator Lehner stated that Main Street Dental requested approval for the installation of handicapped parking signage and pavement markings for one parking space in front of their business. The business will pay for all installation costs.
Motion by Sjolander seconded by Kirchmann to allow a handicap parking space to be installed in front of Main Street Dental at their cost. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Schedule for Upcoming Meetings
EDA Special Meeting: Thursday, November 13th @ 8:30 a.m.
KMU Meeting: Tuesday, November 18th @ 3:00 p.m.
EDA Meeting: Tuesday, November 28th @ 8 a.m.
Township Fire Contract Meeting: Tuesday, December 2nd @ 6:00 p.m.
Truth in Taxation Public Meeting: Tuesday, December 2nd @ 6:30 p.m.
City Council Meeting: Tuesday, December 9 @ 7 p.m.
COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTS
Council Member Sjoblom thanked the fire department for their work at the recent barn fire and the police department for working shorthanded. He also thanked all other staff for everything they do.
Motion by Brunner seconded by Helgeson to adjourn the meeting at 8:44 p.m. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Holli Gudknecht, Deputy City Clerk
Donald Kirchmann, Mayor
