August 5, 2025, Meeting Minutes

Posted: October 2, 2025

A regular meeting of the LeRoy City Council was called to order by Mayor Ed Koppen on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, 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, Ashley Huntley, Public Works Supervisor Cole Wilcox, and City Clerk Patty White.
Also attending:  Dick Soltau, Brent & Ashley Dohlman, Gerald Payne, and Terry Free.  All stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Consent Agenda:

  • Huntley questioned about a couple of past due water/sewer bills. White suggested instead of shutting off water for non-payment of the bill, to consider assessing the past due amount to the taxes of that property.  This could be safer for Wilcox when he puts the shut-off notice on the door and shuts the water off.  This could also provide safety for White when a disgruntled resident comes to city hall to pay their bill.  Council discussed these options.  It was the consensus of the council that if the past due bill reaches three months, the shut-off notice will be hand delivered by a deputy; the shut off will then occur.  Sweeney questioned about the Mini Mart #15 bills.  Apenhorst noted this business is closed due to many issues.  Motion by Huntley, second by Shipman to approve the consent agenda.  Motion carried 5-0.

Police Report:

  • There was not a deputy in attendance to give this report.

Public Input Time:

  • Gerald Payne noted he attended to address nuisance properties. He noted that properties that received the $500 fine last year are falling back in disrepair.  He questioned what is happening with addressing these.  He reported the City of Wykoff has two houses owned by Alexander Lucas; the City of Fountain has one house owned by Alexander Lucas.  He saw this information in the Fillmore County Journal; these two cities are addressing issues with these houses.  Koppen reported he had visited with the state fire marshal about building codes.  Council will continue to monitor these properties.  Payne noted there is a policy in place; this needs to be enforced and press forward.

Standing Committee Reports:

  • Shipman reported Prairie Visions met. He reported the Shooting Star Trail will not be resurfaced this year.

LeRoy Medical Clinic Property:

  • Koppen reported the plan is for RHSHC to open the clinic this fall. One small strip of Formica needs to be installed.  Koppen updated the council on RHSHC request for a standby generator.  Koppen noted there was a verbal conversation where the city would provide the electrical hoopup for a generator; RHSHC would provide the generator.  Koppen noted some of the waiting room furniture is no longer in the facility; RHSHC will need to provide these pieces.  Wilcox reported he is working on cleaning out the small lift station in the building.

Public Works Maintenance Worker:

  • Wilcox, White, and Shipman had conducted an interview via Zoom for a candidate for this position. The interviewee has both her Class D water and Class D wastewater licenses.  Shipman recommended offering her the job; her application was by far the best that has been received and the only candidate with licenses.  Motion by Apenhorst, second by Huntley to make a job offer to Erika Daniels.  Motion carried 5-0.

147 Penny Lane-Land Use Question:

  • Koppen noted the question about covenants agreements in the Olson Addition would be between the developer and the prospective buyer. These would not pertain to any action by the council.

Land Use Permits:

  • Council reviewed four land use permits:
  1. Outlot 4, Original Village-312 N East County Road, Dick Soltau-move and install 14’x20’ shelter from north park on bare land
  2. Lot 2, Block 2, Hickock Addition, 308 W Lowell, John Swander-build privacy fence
  3. Outlot 2, Original Village-502 N East County Road, Gordon Holdeman-build garage & porch
  4. Lots 3 & 4, River’s Edge Addition-117 Freund Blvd, Mike Stascko-build house & garage
  • Motion by Shipman, second by Sweeney to approve the four permits. Motion carried 5-0.  Motion by Huntley, second by Sweeney to call for a public hearing for tax abatement on September 8, 2025, at 7:00 PM.  Motion carried 5-0.

Communications File:

  • White informed council the Dropbox renewal is coming due. Council consensus to not renew Dropbox.  Council read a thank you from Tyson Stevens for the Pangborn Scholarship he received.  Council reviewed the membership invitation from the Minnesota Association of Small Cities.  Council denied membership in this association.

Multi-Use Streets:

  • Koppen noted that during the summer months more kids are out and about; there is also more vehicle traffic. Koppen reported state statute sets the speed limit at 30 mph throughout all communities unless those communities file for a change in the speed limit.  Koppen noted there are two very nice parks for everyone to use.  Koppen reiterated to use common sense and be aware of the kids, but parents also need to monitor the activities of their children.
  • Huntley noted the many people that use golf carts, ATVs, and UTVs. The parks are being used a lot.  Wilcox reported the park bathrooms have been re-roofed.

Weed Eater:

  • Wilcox reported the one weed eater the city owns was in the shop for repairs. The repairman noted the present weed eater isn’t really built for the use it gets.  A second weed eater was recommended by the repairman.  The cost for a weed eater like we currently have is $250; the cost for a weed eater built more for commercial use is $350.  Motion by Apenhorst, second by Sweeney to approve the purchase of the $350 weed eater from Ulven’s.  Motion carried 5-0.

Utility Bill-East Mobile Home Park:

  • Neither Hunter nor Tim Johnston were in attendance to request an adjustment. Koppen noted that if there is a leak, the city pumps still run and could not see a reason to allow an adjustment.

Water Tower Update:

  • Wilcox reported Maguire will begin the tower work the first week in September. Shipman reported Axel Gumbel had contacted him about getting the #Loving LeRoy logo on the water tower.  Wilcox will check with Maguire to see what is set up for this.

Lighting for Fire Hall, Well House, City Hall:

  • Wilcox presented two bids for these lighting improvements, one from Wheeler Electric and one from TNT Electric. Wilcox noted the fixtures in the well house are sealed fixtures.  Council reviewed these two bids.  It was the consensus of the council to table this until the September meeting so more information about the bids can be obtained.

 

LED Sign:

  • Wilcox reported he is working on getting the LeRoy sign up and wired. When this is completed he and White will work on the programming of the sign.

Building Along North Business Alley:

  • Koppen reported a letter was sent to the owner of record to request his intentions for this building. The owner intends to rehab the building and address the roof issues.

North & South Park Improvements:

  • Brent Dohlman reported the small pavilion in North Park has been removed; the new pavilion will be built beginning on the east side where the small pavilion stood. The wiring and electrical is progressing; the basketball hoops are up.  He reported Summer Fest went really well.  The sand volleyball courts were used, but there were some complaints that the sand was hard.  Disc golf will be installed at South Park; the horseshoe pits will also be installed.  Lighting near the South Park basketball court was discussed.  Council consensus to have Huntley address the lighting.

Service Award Recognition:

  • Koppen recognized everyone involved with making Summer Fest and the Circus a success. He also recognized Brent & Ashley Dohlman for being the spark plugs for Summer Fest, the park renovations, and bringing the circus to town.

Vacant & Nuisance Properties:

  • 219 E Lowell was addressed. Koppen recommended sending the administrative fine letter to all parties associated with this property including the tenants and the records of owner.
  • The vehicles parked on East Cabot Street were discussed. Wilcox and White will work with law enforcement to get these moved.

EDA & WWG Report:

  • Apenhorst reported there are seven vacancies at WWG. The financials are being worked on.
  • Apenhorst reported work at the EDA Pocket Park is progressing. The mural painting should begin soon.

Since the first Monday in September is Labor Day, it was the consensus of the council to set the meeting date for Monday, September 8.  Being no further business to come before the council, the meeting was adjourned on a motion by Shipman, second by Sweeney at 7:43 PM.

 

 

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