July 7, 2025, Meeting Minutes

Posted: August 15, 2025

City of LeRoy MN – Council Meeting Minutes, July 7, 2025

 

A regular meeting of the LeRoy City Council was called to order by Mayor Ed Koppen on Monday, July 7, 2025, at 6:30 PM at the LeRoy Community Center with the following members present:  Mayor Ed Koppen, Council Members Harold Shipman, Chastidy Sweeney, Paul Apenhorst, Ashley Huntley, Maintenance Director Cole Wilcox, and City Clerk Patty White.
Also attending: Kevin Whalen, Brian Thiel, Dianne Ahrens, Axel Gumbel, Kyle Stern, Terry Free, Devin & Nicole Wallace, Jason Boynton, and Sheriff Steve Sandvik.  All stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Consent Agenda:

  • Council reviewed the information included in the consent agenda. Motion by Huntley, second by Sweeney to approve the consent agenda.  Motion carried 5-0.

Police Report:

  • Sheriff Steve Sandvik introduced himself to those in attendance. He updated the council on the ransomware attack on the County computer system.  Sheriff Sandvik provided the run sheet information for the past two weeks.
  • Koppen noted the property located at 219 E Lowell; this property is in disarray; there have also been numerous issues with the dogs being housed at this address. Koppen noted the vehicles, vehicle parts, wood, and other items are encroaching on the city right of way.  Sheriff Sandvik explained to those present about dogs; dogs can be classified as dangerous dogs and/or potentially dangerous dogs.  He stressed these issues need to be reported to law enforcement.  Dianne Ahrens questioned about the restraint of dogs and leash laws.  White explained what is currently in city ordinance; White also noted she had one of the Mower County deputies hand deliver the ordinance information about dogs to this address.
  • Koppen noted if the county attorney cannot take a case, it would go to the city attorney for review and possible prosecution. Koppen noted the cost to use the city attorney and being cognizant of the taxpayer dollar.  Council will continue to monitor this situation.
  • Sheriff Sandvik updated council on the scheduling of deputies. Koppen commended Sheriff Sandvik and the entire department; he noted this is the most efficient sheriff’s department Koppen has seen in his years as mayor.  Sheriff Sandvik appreciated the kind words but put the credence on his entire team in the sheriff’s department.

Public Input Time:

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

Standing Committee Reports:

  • Shipman reported Prairie Visions did not meet in the past month.

LeRoy Medical Clinic Property:

  • Koppen reported there will be an interview with KAAL and Robin Schluter, CEO of Regional Health Services of Howard County on July 10, at the LeRoy Clinic property.

Public Works Maintenance Worker:

  • White updated council on the applications that have been received. Koppen and Shipman reviewed these applications; an interview was offered to one of these applicants.  This person was no longer interested in the job.  Another of these applicants called city hall to note he is still interested in this job.  The help wanted ad was run for another two weeks in the area newspapers and was also sent to LMC and MRWA job posting pages.
  • Motion by Shipman, second by Apenhorst to pass Resolution 2025-06, a resolution of appreciation to Nick Sweeney for his years of service to the City of LeRoy in the public works department. Motion carried 5-0.

2024 Audit Report-Jason Boynton of Smith Schafer:

  • Boynton reviewed the audit report for 2024. He reported the city received an unmodified ‘clean’ opinion for 2024.  He noted there were no exceptions with Minnesota legal compliance.  Mr. Boynton answered questions from council and gave his personal opinion to levy increases.  Council thanked Mr. Boynton and his staff for the audit report.
  • Motion by Huntley, second by Sweeney to approve and accept the 2024 audit report. Motion carried 5-0.

Tree Removal Bids:

  • White reported the bids for the removal of the 49 dead or dying ash trees were due on June 30, 2025. Five bids were received according to the bid notice.  The bids were opened on July 1, at 10:30 AM with Koppen, Shipman, and White in attendance.  Koppen reviewed the five bids that were received.
  • Motion by Huntley to award the bid to the low bidder, Stern Family Tree Service. Second by Shipman.  Motion carried 5-0.

Land Use Permits:

  • There were no land use permits for council review. Council took no action on the tabled land use permit that was reviewed at the June, 2025, council meeting.

Communications File:

  • Council reviewed the schedule of events for Summer Fest 2025.

2025 Street Project Update:

  • Wilcox reported the gravel streets have been regraded, crushed rock has been added, and the crown was put back on these streets. The condition of these streets will be monitored for additional grading and/or rock.
  • Wilcox plans to work on the potholes in some of the alleys by using the grapple bucket on the skidloader to work through the potholes. He then plans to add rock, if necessary, to improve the alleys.

Request to Close the 100 Block of East Cabot Street July 12 from 5-11 PM:

  • A request was received to close the 100 block of East Cabot Street on Saturday, July 12, from 5:00 to 11:00 PM for a neighborhood block party. Apenhorst also requested to close the 200 block of East Luella Street on Friday, July 18, from 5:00 PM until midnight for a neighborhood block party.  Motion by Apenhorst, second by Sweeney to approve both of these closures.  Motion carried 5-0.

Outfall Pipe-Ponds:

  • Wilcox reported the city will need to file for a permit through the DNR prior to replacing this pipe. Wilcox had gathered quotes for a 30’ pipe for this project.  Wilcox noted he is still waiting for a quote for construction costs from Cordell Stockdale.  A flap-gate will also need to be installed.

Update-Lead Service Line Inventory:

  • Wilcox reported this inventory is due to MDH by August 15, 2025. Bolton & Menk, an engineering firm, had reached out to Wilcox to see where the city is at with meeting this deadline.  It was reported that Bolton & Menk, through a grant from MDH, would be paid to complete the lead service line inventory.  Through this same grant, Bolton & Menk can get a free GIS program, for one year, for the city.  Once the State approves this grant proposal through Bolton & Menk, the time-line for completing this inventory is extended by a few months.
  • Council consensus to proceed with this program through Bolton & Menk.

Lighting for Fire Hall, Well House, City Hall:

  • Wilcox would like to get quotes for replacing the lighting in these three buildings for council review at an upcoming meeting. Council can then decide if they would like to proceed with lighting improvements for these three buildings.  Council consensus to allow Wilcox to request quotes for these projects.

Well House:

  • Wilcox reported two weeks ago he had an issue with one of the well VFDs. One of the VFDs was kicked out due to a nearby lighting strike.  There is no surge protector installed to protect these in case of power surges or lighting strikes.  A surge protector is available for the cost of $3,042; this would protect both VFDs.  Council consensus to proceed with this surge protector.

North & South Park Improvements:

  • Wilcox reported the shingles and vents on both bathrooms are in very poor repair. He had gotten two quotes to put green steel on both bathroom roofs.  Council reviewed these quotes.  Motion by Huntley to proceed with the quote from Logan Harden Construction in the amount of $3,752.  Second by Apenhorst.  Motion carried 5-0.
  • Wilcox reported Gavin Sweeney has returned to college; he had been hired to do some of the city mowing. Wilcox suggested hiring Dennis White to do this mowing.  Council consensus to contact Mr. White to see he would be interested in mowing the remainder of this mowing season.

Service Award Recognition:

  • Council thanked LeRoy Fire for the time they spend doing storm/weather spotting. Council also thanked everyone involved with the park improvements.

Vacant & Nuisance Properties:

  • Koppen reported he is exploring ideas for the property located at 219 East Lowell. It was suggested to send letters to the mortgage holder, the tenant, and the owner of record.  This area was also discussed due to part of it being city property and the adjoining property owner.

EDA & WWG Report:

  • Apenhorst reported things are going well. He noted the back memory care either has been reopened or it will be reopened soon.  He reported LSI Consulting is assisting with advertising the facility.

Being no further business to come before the council, the meeting was adjourned on a motion by Huntley, second by Sweeney at 8:05 PM.

 

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