February 2, 2026, Meeting Minutes

Posted: April 3, 2026

City of LeRoy MN – Council Meeting Minutes, February 2, 2026

 

A regular meeting of the LeRoy City Council was called to order by Mayor Ed Koppen on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 6:30 PM at the LeRoy Community Center with the following members present:  Mayor Ed Koppen, Council Members Paul Apenhorst, Harold Shipman, Chastidy Sweeney, Public Works Supervisor Cole Wilcox, and City Clerk Patty White.  Council member Ashley Huntley was absent.
Also attending: Brian Thiel.  All stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Consent Agenda:

  • Council reviewed the information included in the consent agenda. Hearing no questions, motion by Sweeney, second by Shipman 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 had anything to bring forth during public input time.

Standing Committee Reports:

  • Apenhorst reported there have been some remediation efforts taking care of some mold issues at the library. These remediation efforts were done by Independent Restoration Services and American Water Works.  The cost for this totaled $13,645.27.  Librarian Kiefer will apply for funds from the LeRoy Community Foundation to cover this expense.
  • Shipman reported Prairie Visions met. The bike trail is supposed to get repaired this year.  It was reported that all the local legislators have submitted letters of support to extend the Shooting Star Trail from east of Taopi to the Iowa border.

LeRoy Medical Clinic Property:

  • Koppen reported the facility is open here.

Internship/Deputy Clerk/City Administrator Conversation:

  • Koppen noted the city administrator position should be dropped from this consideration since that position signifies a position of authority. Brian Thiel noted to make sure a deputy clerk title is a legal title to bestow on a position.
  • White continues to gather information on what other cities have done when expanding their office from one person offices to two-person offices.

Update LeRoy Library Board Appointments:

  • White reported she had not updated the list of library board members following an appointment that was made in 2025. Courtney Vosberg is not a member of the library board; Laurette Kasel was appointed in 2025 and continues in that capacity.  Motion by Shipman, second by Sweeney to name Laurette Kasel as a member of the LeRoy Library Board.  Motion carried 4-0.

IronHorse Marathon Billboard Request:

  • Council reviewed the information from the IronHorse Marathon crew. It was noted this would not be considered a public purpose expenditure and cannot be entertained.

Land Use Permits:

  • There were no land use permits for council review.

Communications File:

  • Council reviewed the letter received from the law firm of LeVander, Gillen & Miller noting that Greta Bjerkness is leaving this law firm and will move to the Kennedy & Graven Chartered firm in Minneapolis. Bjerkness had been appointed by the LeVander firm to serve the as the City’s attorney.  Council could choose to follow Ms. Bjerkness to the new firm or stay with the LeVander firm.  Koppen recommended staying with the LeVander firm.  Council consensus to keep the legal services for the City with the law firm of LeVander, Gillen & Miller.
  • White reported all the cities and townships in Mower County have been working and submitting information for the Mower County Hazard Mitigation Plan. The plan has been approved at the state level.  Motion by Sweeney, second by Shipman to pass Resolution 2026-01, a resolution to adopt the 2025 Mower County Hazard Mitigation Plan.  Motion carried 4-0.
  • White updated council on the court proceedings for the stolen pickup case that occurred last November.

2026 Street Project Proposal:

  • Wilcox reviewed the quote received from Heartland Asphalt for mill and overlay on the one block of North Mather, North Park Road, and the 200 block of East Benton, and a patch on West Read Street. The total quote for these projects is $101,779.25.  Motion by Shipman, second by Sweeney to approve this quote. Motion carried 4-0.  Wilcox questioned about having the sewer mains televised prior to the project.  Council consensus to have Empire Pipe come televise these sanitary sewer mains.

Stop Sign Request for South Mather/South West County Road Intersection:

  • Koppen expressed concern that this requested stop sign placement may cause more confusion that what the uncontrolled intersection does. This topic was tabled for more research and will be brought back to the April council meeting.

Water Tower Update:

  • Wilcox reported Maguire plans on being here in May to finish the tower project.

Parks & Recreation:

  • Apenhorst questioned about tree replacement for the many ash trees the city removed last year due to the emerald ash borer disease. He questioned what the process is for replacing these trees.  He reminded council of the text message that Axel Gumbel had sent out requesting what types of trees people would like to see planted.  The majority of people requested maple trees.  Council felt a variety of species of trees should be planted.  Council requested the list of trees that were planted following the Highway 56 project.  This will be discussed at upcoming meetings.

Service Award Recognition:

  • Koppen noted a very nice article about Bear’s Smoke Shop that was published in the Fillmore County Journal. He also noted the open house that was held for the Gopher to Badger Link.  Koppen recognized Ian Thomason and the L-O Community Ed board for all the programs they put together.  Apenhorst noted that Stephen Schauer continues with the renovation and permitting/licensing process for his new business to be located in the old grocery store building.

Vacant & Nuisance Properties:

  • A letter along with pictures will be sent to the mortgage company that now owns the property located at 219 East Lowell.

EDA & WWG Report:

  • Council reviewed the balance sheet and profit/loss reports for WWG through 12/31/25. Apenhorst reported the 2026 WWG budget is based on 33 of 35 units rented; WWG currently sits at 30 of 35 units rented.  Apenhorst noted each month, under the LSI leadership, is getting better.

Being no further business to come before the council, the meeting was adjourned on a motion by Sweeney, second by Shipman at 7:02 PM.

 

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