December 1, 2025, Meeting Minutes

Posted: February 2, 2026

City of LeRoy MN – Council Meeting Minutes, December 1, 2025

 

A regular meeting of the LeRoy City Council was called to order by Mayor Ed Koppen on Monday, December 1, 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: Terry Free, Stephen Schauer, Micah & Laurie Zeiset, Phil Whalen, Brian Thiel, and Sergent Katlynne Fisher.  All stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Truth-in-Taxation Hearing:

  • Koppen explained the purpose of the truth-in-taxation hearing. He reported the city council and city staff have reviewed the budget and also explained the proposed increase in the city levy.
  • No one in attendance had anything to bring forth during the hearing.
  • Being no further discussion for the truth-in-taxation hearing, the hearing was closed at 6:32 PM.

Police Report:

  • Sergeant Fisher reported Mower County deputies spent an average of 5.32 hours per day here in LeRoy over the past month. She reported there were 53 total calls for service.  Of these calls, 11 were traffic calls and 15 were medical calls.  Council thanked Sergeant Fisher and the other deputies for their service.

Consent Agenda:

  • Council reviewed the items included in the consent agenda. Huntley questioned about the number of people and the dollar amounts that show up on the past due water/sewer list.  White was directed to check with other city clerks about how they handle past due bills and late fees.
  • Motion by Sweeney, second by Huntley to approve the items included in the consent agenda. Motion carried 5-0.

Public Input Time:

  • Brian Thiel questioned about the operations at Wildwood Grove. Koppen noted this will be discussed under that agenda item.  Thiel also noted he had created a report that would give a snap-shot of the different city departments.  This report has not been utilized at all during 2025.

Standing Committee Reports:

  • Apenhorst reported Librarian Brenda Kiefer had applied for a SMIF Taylor Rural Improvement Grant for the library. This grant was awarded in the amount of $7,600 for improved technology at the library that will include new computers and a printer.
  • Huntley reported the LeRoy Area Ambulance Service has responded to 228 total calls through November, 2025.
  • Shipman reported Prairie Visions did not meet; their next meeting will be held in January.

LeRoy Medical Clinic Property:

  • Koppen reported the LeRoy Clinic can now take Medicare patients along with private pay. They are continuing the process to be able to accept other insurance plans.  Wilcox reported one of the new pumps has been installed; an additional part had to be ordered before the other pump can be installed.  It was reported snow removal at the property is being worked on.  At present, the city will plow the parking lot; shoveling of the sidewalks is being worked on.

2026 Preliminary Budget & Levy:

  • Being no further discussion about the proposed 2026 budget, a motion was made by Huntley and seconded by Shipman to approve the 2026 budget. Motion carried 5-0.
  • Motion by Huntley, second by Sweeney to pass Resolution 2025-11, a resolution approving the 2026 levy at $650,000. Motion carried 5-0.

Transient Merchants Ordinance Proposal:

  • Koppen reported he had talked to customers in his store and questioned them about door-to-door salespeople. Most didn’t see these salespeople as an issue; they had more complaints about telemarketers.  Apenhorst noted this topic is in the official record of the city by it being discussed at two council meetings.

2026 Liquor Licenses:

  • Council reviewed the list of 2026 liquor licenses. Stephen Schauer reported he is working with the Department of Public Safety for the off-sale license currently held by Travel Lanes.  Schauer reported Travel Lanes will be fully operational as the off-sale license holder until Schauer is up and running; Schauer noted that both Travel Lanes and he will be in operation until the complete move of the off-sale part of Travel Lanes is moved to Schauer’s business.  Koppen noted there is only one off-sale license; only one establishment can be in operation at a time.
  • Motion by Sweeney, second by Apenhorst to approve the 2026 liquor licenses to Sweet’s Hotel for an on-sale license and a Sunday license and to Travel Lanes for an on-sale license, off-sale license, and a Sunday license. Motion carried 5-0.
  • Apenhorst questioned about liquor license fees. White noted that any increase in these fees has to be substantiated.

2026 Pay Package:

  • White reviewed the information based on a 5% increase in all employees’ wages for 2026. Motion by Shipman, second by Apenhorst to approve the 5% increase in all employees’ wages for 2026.  Motion carried 5-0.

Designate Polling Place for 2026:

  • Motion by Apenhorst, second by Huntley to pass Resolution 2025-12, a resolution designating the annual polling place as the LeRoy Community Center. Motion carried 5-0.

Land Use Permits:

  • Council reviewed one land use permit:
  1. Lots 7 & 8 & S10’ Adj Alley, Block 15, Original Village, 204 John Street, Taylor Roe-install privacy fence/dog fence panels
  • Council discussed the placement of the fence to make sure it is installed on Mr. Roe’s private property. Motion by Sweeney, second by Shipman to approve said permit with the stipulation the fence cannot connect to the south edge of the adjacent shed or the fence will be in the street right-of-way.  Motion carried 5-0.

Communications File:

  • Koppen reminded council of the conversation about the cemetery fence and entrance signs for all three cemeteries; he has not heard any additional information about this proposal. Koppen noted he fielded another question about platting the far southwest section of the cemetery.  Council took this information under advisement.
  • Koppen reported he had attended an Energy Forum at the main office of Freeborn-Mower Electric Cooperative. Information gathered at this meeting included information about the cooperative electric companies in Minnesota; FMEC also reviewed their plans and infrastructure.  Koppen made note that LeRoy is 57 miles from the FMEC offices in Albert Lea.  There are no service people that live near to our area; all the equipment and supplies are stored in Albert Lea.  He noted we could possibly have outage times of over an hour; he noted FMEC is doing everything they can do in keeping the electricity flowing by making improvements to the transmission system, improving the lines, etc.  Koppen noted this was a good way for FMEC to provide answers and solutions.
  • White questioned about the past due water/sewer bills, the bill for garbage removal, and the bill for lawn mowing at Mini Mart #15. White reported a billing statement was sent to the address on file noting these amounts could be assessed to the property taxes if these bills were not paid in full by December 15, 2025.  Motion by Apenhorst, second by Shipman to pass Resolution 2025-13, a Resolution assessing unpaid bills.  Motion carried 5-0.

Water Tower Update:

  • Wilcox reported Maguire was back to conduct another hardness test; he has not heard the results of this test yet.

Service Award Recognition:

  • Koppen recognized the LeRoy Community Theater for the Old Time Radio Theater production; for the Veterans Day program and dinner and the volunteers that made these events happen; Stephen Schauer for taking the initiative to utilize an empty store-front with new businesses; the LeRoy Garden Club for their decorating skills at the East Y and the downtown pots; in memory of Tom Hovde for his vision to start the LeRoy Auto Clinic and turn it into a thriving business and for all he did for the LeRoy business community; the Thanksgiving Community Worship Service and all those involved; the City employees for all they do with their jobs; the LeRoy EDA Board for all they do in handling issues and the time each member spends serving on this board; and to the City Council for all they do for the city and its residents.

Vacant & Nuisance Properties:

  • These will be monitored.

EDA & WWG Report:

  • Apenhorst reported this was the first EDA meeting without Sara Gerk as president. The EDA has not received the October WWG financials as of yet.  Apenhorst reported LSI Consulting will have a budget for 2026 prepared for EDA review and approval at their December meeting.  Koppen noted he was very impressed with LSI and their professionalism.  Apenhorst noted LSI is addressing some door issues at WWG.  A question arose if capital funds are being set aside for capital expenditures.  Koppen gave some history of WWG and the different management tactics used throughout the years.  Apenhorst noted LSI is handling compliance with state regulations.  It was noted all 200 of the EDA Advent Calendars have been sold.
  • Council reviewed one letter of interest that was received for a seat on the EDA. The letter from Mihaela Algadi was read.  Koppen recommended the appointment of Algadi effective 01/01/2026.  Motion by Apenhorst, second by Shipman to appoint Mihaela Algadi to the EDA board effective January 1, 2026.  Motion carried 5-0.

Being no further business to come before the council, the meeting was adjourned on a motion by Apenhorst, second by Sweeney at 7:32 PM.

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