April 6, 2026, Meeting Minutes

Posted: May 29, 2026

City of LeRoy MN – Council Meeting Minutes, April 6, 2026

 

A regular meeting of the LeRoy City Council was called to order by Mayor Ed Koppen on Monday, April 6, 2026, at 6:30 PM at the LeRoy Community Center with the following members present:  Mayor Ed Koppen, Council Members Harold Shipman, Paul Apenhorst, Chastidy Sweeney, Public Works Supervisor Cole Wilcox, and City Clerk Patty White.  Council Member Ashley Huntley was absent.
Also attending: Jan Rannells, Dave Farlinger, Axel Gumbel, Stephen Schauer, and Phil Whalen.  All stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Consent Agenda:

  • Council reviewed the items included in the consent agenda. Motion by Sweeney, second by Apenhorst to approve the consent agenda.  Motion carried 4-0.

Police Report:

  • There was no police report with the absence of a deputy.

Public Input Time:

  • No one present had anything to bring during public input time.

Standing Committee Reports:

  • Shipman reported Prairie Visions had met. They discussed the advertising they will do this year and also discussed the IronHorse Marathon.

LeRoy Medical Clinic Property-Open House May 7:

  • The Open House for the LeRoy Medical Clinic is scheduled for Thursday, May 7, 2026, from 2:00 PM until 5:00 PM. The ribbon cutting will be conducted at 5:00 PM.
  • It was noted the LeRoy Clinic is now accepting most insurances including Medicare Parts A & B.

Internship/Deputy Clerk/Supplemental Help Conversation:

  • White reported on the conversations she had at the annual clerk’s conference pertaining to job titles. Koppen noted he prefers to use the title ‘supplemental help’ to allow a person to work in any department needing some additional help.  Koppen noted there is nothing in the budget to fund this position.

Boulevard Trees:

  • Wilcox reported he and Stern have found some nice hackberry trees that can be moved. Wilcox noted he would rent a tree spade from J & S for the skid loader and move these trees to the boulevards or other city property.

Stephen Schauer-Liquor License:

  • Schauer requested the transfer of the off-sale liquor license from Travel Lanes & Supper Club to The Thomas Alexander Group, LLC dba Pour Farm Liquors. Mr. Schauer did not know which day the license transfer would happen; he noted the council may need to meet in special session when the date is known for the transfer to approve it.  Mr. Schauer will keep White posted on the timing for this.

Lawn Mowing for 2026 Season-Cemetery:

  • White had received a quote from Brady O’Connor dba Blades of Glory for mowing both city parks and the city cemetery for 2026. White contacted Mr. O’Connor to let him know the city would be mowing both city parks this year; Mr. O’Connor was still interested in the cemetery mowing.  The quote for mowing the cemetery each time is $545.  Motion by Shipman, second by Apenhorst to approve the quote of Brady O’Connor dba Blades of Glory for the cemetery mowing for 2026.  Motion carried 4-0.

Land Use Permits:

  • Council reviewed two land use permits.
  1. Lot 4 & E 9’ Lot 5, Block 19, Caswell & Lewis, 107 E Lowell, Jason Bastian-add to existing garage
  2. Lots 5 & 6 and S 10’ Adj Alley, Block 15, Original Village, 304 N Strong, Kyle Waugh-remove single-wide mobile home and move in new double-wide home
  • Motion by Shipman, second by Sweeney to approve both permits. Motion carried 4-0.

Communications File:

  • There was nothing to review in the communications file.

Closure of 200 Block of East Luella on July 19 and 100 Block of East Cabot on July 11:

  • Council reviewed these two requests for street closures. Both requesting parties were reminded they need to notify Mower County Law Enforcement prior to their event about the street closure.  Motion by Shipman, second by Koppen to allow these two street closures on the designated days.  Motion carried 4-0.

2026 Street Project-Empire Pipe Report:

  • Wilcox reported he has received the report from Empire Pipe; he forwarded this report to Insituform for their review.

North Business Alley Between Mather & Broadway:

  • Koppen reported the curb behind his store has been settling and has affected drainage. Wilcox reported he walked the alley with the city engineer; the city engineer is putting together a plan on how best to address the drainage in this alley.

Well House Roof:

  • Wilcox reported the well house roof is leaking. He contacted the company that did the park restroom roofs for a bid.  They have measured the roof, but Wilcox has not received their bid yet.  Wilcox questioned council if the bid comes under $10,000 if he can proceed in getting the roof fixed.  Motion by Apenhorst to allow getting this project done if the bid comes in under $10,000.  Second by Shipman.  Motion carried 4-0.

Parks & Recreation:

  • Koppen thanked Jan Rannells for bringing traffic and speed concerns to the council pertaining to both city parks. Koppen noted traffic has been heavy by the parks; not all drivers are being courteous to the kids or foot traffic.  Koppen will be encouraging law enforcement to keep an eye on these areas.
  • Shipman reported the Garden Club would like to have the three LeRoy entrance signs sent to Featherlite Graphics to have them re-skinned. It was the consensus of the council to allow the Garden Club to proceed with this project.

Service Award Recognition:

  • Koppen recognized the city council, EDA, Wildwood Grove, Inc. board, and city employees for shouldering through the unrest that a few employees from Wildwood Grove have put on these boards and individual people. He thanked all these people for their professionalism during this.

Vacant & Nuisance Properties:

  • Shipman reported there has been some progress made with cleanup at the property located at 219 East Lowell.

EDA & WWG Report:

  • Council reviewed the financial reports from February for WWG. They look forward to receiving the March reports; this will give them the first quarter of operations information for 2026.

Being no further business to come before the council, the meeting was adjourned on a motion by Shipman, second by Sweeney at 6:49 PM.

____________________________________________

Edwin Koppen, Mayor

Attest:

_______________________________________

Patty A. White, City Clerk-Treasurer

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