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 October 2023. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Henke.
The following members were present: Mayor Doug Henke, Council Members Kim Helgeson, Lee Sjolander, Mary Bailey, and Molly Ryan
Also, present: City Administrator Mark Vahlsing, Attorney Scott Riggs, Public Works Director Wayne Ehrich, City Engineer Derik Olinger, Administrative Assistant Holli Gudknecht, Police Chief Jeff Sjoblom, Dylan Craig, Don Kirchmann, Jen Smith, John Smith, Bob Klahr, John Lee, Todd Greseth, Jeremy Kiffmeyer, Lee Skillestad, Justin Peterson, Diane Barrett, Adam Schuster, Kelly Kreisler, Ryan Lund
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
CITIZEN COMMENT
Goodhue County Commissioner, Todd Greseth, stated that the County set their preliminary budget at 5.5%. He also reported on the issues with the Goodhue Police Department resigning and the County Sherrif’s department taking over the coverage in Goodhue.
ADOPT AGENDA
Motion by Ryan second by Bailey to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0-0.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Bailey second by Helgeson to approve the Consent Agenda, which includes payment of check numbers, 75254 through 75348; 4703E through 4755E.
Motion carried 5-0-0.
PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS/RECOGNITIONS/PROLAMATIONS
ENGINEERING
2023 Street Improvements
Project Update
Engineer Olinger reviewed the status of the street maintenance project. The milling is being done now and they will start laying pavement next week.
Approve Pay Request #1 – BMI Inc -$20,612.39
Motion by Helgeson second by Ryan to approve pay request No. 1 to BMI Inc in the amount of $20,612.39 for work completed through the end of September. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Pearl Creek & Gates Avenue Utility Improvements
Project update
Engineer Olinger updated the Council on the Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer project. He stated that the contractor has half of the lift station driveway installed. Ellingson Drainage will be boring the new forcemain lines later this week.
Approve Change Order #1
Engineer Olinger prepared a change order for the cost to complete additional grading work required due to the presence of concrete rubble in the hillside.
Motion by Henke second by Helgeson to approve Change Order #1 for BCM Construction in the amount of $14,800.00. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Approve Pay Request #1- BCM Construction- $146,217.91
Motion by Ryan second by Bailey to approve pay request No. 1 to BCM Construction in the amount of $146,217.91. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Establishment of Trail Committee
Engineer Olinger reported that the Park and Rec Board had met on October 2 and discussed the overall process and next steps for continued planning on a future trail in Kenyon. The next step would be to form a committee. Once formed, the committee would figure out committee involvement and initial outreach to the community.
MNDOT Local Road Improvement Program Grant Application
Engineer Olinger provided a summary of the MNDOT Local Road Improvement Program. This program provides funding up to $1.5 million for eligible road projects. Sixth Street from Spring Street to Huseth Street would meet the program eligibility requirements. The grant application is due by December 8. If approved, the project would have to be completed by 2026. The estimated cost for Bolton and Menk to prepare an application for the program would be $2,800.00.
Approve preparation of LRIP Grant Application
Motion by Ryan second by Henke directing Bolton & Menk and Staff to prepare the LRIP grant application. Motion carried 5-0-0.
LEGAL
Lot Combination: Nicole Boyum
City Attorney Riggs stated that Nicole Boyum had applied for a combination of two adjoining parcels (PID's 66.160.0330 and 66.160.0400) that she owns on Trondheim Road. The smaller lot is non-conforming, so the combination would create one conforming lot.
Resolution 2023-23: Approving Lot Combination (Boyum)
Motion by Bailey second by Helgeson to adopt Resolution 2023-23 approving the lot combination for Boyum. Motion carried 5-0-0.
OLD BUSINESS
Administrator Vahlsing stated that the community entrance sign was discussed at the September Council meeting. Sign examples from Schad Tracy were available. Precision Signs hasn’t supplied any examples yet. Updated quotes from both vendors should be available at the November Council meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Fire Department SCBA Quotes
Assistant Fire Chief Wayne Ehrich reviewed quotes for SCBA (Breathing apparatus), compressor, tanks and related equipment. The current equipment was purchased in 2007 with a 15-year lifespan. The new versions are greatly improved and meet current standards. The Fire Department is currently fundraising money toward the purchase of the SCBA Equipment which would be approximately $150,000. There is $41,000 in the proposed 2024 budget for the equipment from a portion of the State Public Safety Aid.
Kenyon Firemen’s Relief Association Gambling Request
Administrator Vahlsing stated that the Fire Relief Association requested Council approval to operate electronic and paper pull tabs at the Muni. The pull tabs are currently operated by the Kenyon Snow Drifters Club.
City Attorney Riggs discussed the laws and regulations covering charitable gambling.
Assistant Fire Chief Wayne Ehrich explained their need to replace expensive capital equipment at the Fire Department. The benefits of hosting the pull-tabs and e-tabs would help the city save money towards these expenses and eventually should reduce the burden on taxpayers.
Jeremy Kiffmeyer, Wanamingo Fire Relief Gambling Manager, gave an informative explanation of how charitable gambling works in Wanamingo and how they run their gambling.
Diane Barrett, Gambling Manager for the Snow Drifters, reviewed the gambling earnings for their organization. She listed previous organizations where the Snow Drifters made donations to. They don’t receive tax money and must fundraise to get their money. The DNR does provide some help.
After much discussion, the council members were asked for their comments.
Council member Bailey stated it was a hard decision to make.
Council member Sjolander stated that when he was the police chief, he had benefited from many donations from the Snow Drifters. He has also worked side by side with the fire department and first responders and felt they should have needed equipment. He saw the pros of both sides.
Council member Helgeson saw the benefits of both sides also but wanted more time to consider the final decision.
Council member Ryan stated that the Snow Drifters have done a great job, but also sees the needs of the Fire Department.
Mayor Henke stated that he has always supported the fire department as a council member. He thinks switching the gambling operatorship to the fire department would not reduce the city budget and the budget would probably still increase. He felt the gambling should stay with the Snow Drifters. He was willing to show the fire fighters how to make money on their bingo nights at the Muni.
Motion by Ryan second by Bailey to schedule a work session to further discuss the chartable gambling.
Schedule of Upcoming Meetings
KMU Meeting: Tuesday, October 17th @ 4:00 p.m.
EDA Meeting: Tuesday, October 31st @ 8:00 a.m.
City Council Meeting: Tuesday, November 14th @ 7:00 p.m.
Township Fire Contract Meeting: Tuesday, December 5th @ 6:00 p.m.
2023 Budget & Levy Public Meeting: Tuesday, December 5th @ 6:30 p.m.
COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTS
Council member Bailey thanked all the volunteers who helped paint the Depot and stated that a second successful year of the farmer’s market had come to a close.
Mayor Henke commented that there had been some good discussions tonight.
City Administrator Vahlsing thanked all the volunteers who helped with painting the Depot.
Council member Sjolander thanked all city staff for all they do. They are not recognized enough.
Council member Helgeson noted that the Depot looked great, Trunk or Treat will be held October 29, and Christmas in Kenyon will be December 9.
Police Chief Sjoblom stated that they now have their body cameras.
Motion by Helgeson second by Bailey to adjourn the meeting at 8:41 p.m.
Motion carried 5-0-0.
Holli Gudknecht, Administrative Assistant
Douglas Henke, Mayor
