June 1, 2026, Meeting Minutes

Posted: August 3, 2026

City of LeRoy MN – Council Meeting Minutes, June 1, 2026

 

A regular meeting of the LeRoy City Council was called to order by Mayor Ed Koppen on Monday, June 1, 2026, 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, Public Works Supervisor Cole Wilcox, and City Clerk Patty White.
Also attending: Jan Rannells, TJ Lynch, Brian Thiel, and Terry Free.  All stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Consent Agenda:

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

Police Report:

  • There was no police report due to the absence of the assigned deputy.

Public Input Time:

  • TJ Lynch introduced himself; he is running as a candidate for Mower County Sheriff. He served as the LeRoy deputy from 2014 through 2016.  Lynch is currently a captain with the sheriff’s office.  Mr. Lynch questioned council if there is anything they would like to see from the sheriff’s office.  Koppen noted the city has had a good working relationship with the deputies and with the sheriff.  Council thanked Mr. Lynch for his attendance and wished him well with the upcoming election.

Standing Committee Reports:

  • Shipman reported on the Prairie Visions meeting. He noted $2M was awarded through the legislature for trail rehabilitation.  He felt quite sure that the Shooting Star Trail will not see any of these funds for trail improvements.
  • Apenhorst reported about the new technology that has been installed at LeRoy Public Library. The RFID process is being worked on; the new copier has been delivered and is in operation.

Stop Sign Installation Proposal-Luella & Everett, Benton & East County Road:

  • Council reviewed the email received from Deputy LaCore on the process to follow for the installation of additional stop signs. Apenhorst reported that East County Road and Everett Street are the only city streets without stop signs all the way to Lowell Street.  He suggested the installation of stop signs at the intersection of Luella & Everett.  Motion by Apenhorst, second by Huntley to approve the installation of stop signs at the intersection of East County Road and Benton Street and at the intersection of Everett Street and Luella Street.  Motion carried 5-0.  Residents will be notified of these sign installations by a text message, Facebook post, and a notice on the city website.  Notice will also be sent to the sheriff’s office.
  • Huntley questioned about parking on these streets. Excessive parking of trailers on various city streets has been happening.  Wilcox will reach out to law enforcement to alert them to these trailers being parked on city streets.

2026 Elections:

  • Affidavits of Candidacy can be filed from July 14 through July 28, both dates being inclusive, for the office of mayor and for two council seats. The seats of Koppen, Shipman, and Huntley will be up for election.  Shipman reported to those present that he will not be running for office.

 

 

 

Golf Cart Ordinance-Age Restrictions:

  • Koppen noted the council can put a stringent ordinance in place, but if the ordinance isn’t followed or enforced, the city could be drawn into legal action. The city attorney would need to defend the city at an expense to the city.
  • Apenhorst reviewed the information he had compiled from area cities on which cities allow golf carts and at what age someone can legally drive the golf cart. It was noted that state law states that anyone operating a motor vehicle must have a drivers license.  Huntley noted that the city changing their ordinance does not change state law.  Apenhorst commented an ordinance change may not change anything with the age of drivers on golf carts, but it would show the council is doing what they can to address this.  Huntley commented about the lights and timers at North Park and also commented that the five to six hours of county police coverage LeRoy gets each day is good but deputies cannot catch everything that is happening.
  • Apenhorst noted he was elected on the premise of protecting the community at large; he noted little steps that can be taken to move towards that goal. Shipman noted he has heard from many constituents expressing concern with the age of golf cart drivers.  Shipman questioned if someone can come back on the city if the city has no ordinance addressing the age of cart drivers.  Koppen noted people that see issues need to call law enforcement or write a complaint of what they have seen.
  • Huntley noted that these other cities with age restrictions for driving golf carts does not put them above the law; the law states one must be a licensed driver to operate a motor vehicle. Apenhorst noted he wants to be on the record that the council is doing all they can do to keep people safe; this includes the installation of additional stop signs.

Housing Tax Abatement Public Hearing:

  • Koppen read the due call for this public hearing, “Notice is hereby given that the LeRoy City Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, June 1, 2026, at 7:00 PM, at the LeRoy Community Center, 204 West Main Street, LeRoy, Minnesota, to consider a tax abatement request from the following named applicants, pursuant to Minnesota Statute 469.1813 and 116J.993 through 116J.995. The request is to abate 100% of the City of LeRoy portion of real estate taxes related to the building improvements on the subject property for a period of 5 years.”

 

Applicant                                 Property Description                             Estimated Value

                                                                                                                             To abate_______

Holdeman, Jeremy                    Lot 11, Block 1, River’s Edge Addition             $280,000

City of LeRoy, Mower County

(PIN 26.070.0110)

 

Orum, Donald & Judy               West half of Parcel 26.004.0041                        $350,000

Lots 2 & 3, Block 2, WW Sweets Addition

City of LeRoy, Mower County

  • The hearing was opened at 7:00 PM. No one in attendance had any comments about the requested tax abatements for these new constructions.
  • Motion by Huntley, second by Sweeney to pass Resolution 2026-02, a Resolution Approving Tax Abatement for Certain Property Pursuant to Minn. Stat. 469.1813. Motion carried 5-0.  Being no further business to come before this public hearing, the hearing was closed at 7:02 PM.

Golf Cart Ordinance-Age Restrictions Continued:

  • Sweeney noted she had let her underaged children drive their golf cart. She noted she would have heard from other parents if her kids had not obeyed traffic signs.  She noted that if parents let their kids drive golf carts, it is hoped that the kids have been taught the right way to drive.  She noted this can be one of the advantages of living in a small town.
  • Apenhorst reported he had a prepared motion to make. Huntley encouraged Apenhorst to make his motion.  Koppen suggested to have Apenhorst make a statement that the whole council could agree to.
  • Apenhorst stated that he opposes the current ordinance as it is written. He would like to see it changed to designate golf cart drivers must be 16 years or older with a valid drivers license.  Council respected this statement.

Land Use Permits:

  • Council reviewed one land use permit.
  1. Lot 5 & E ½ Lot 4, Block 3, WW Sweets, 520 E Main, Chris & Angela Leff-remove old shed and build new shed with addition
  • Motion by Huntley, second by Sweeney to approve this permit. Motion carried 5-0.

Communications File:

  • Council reviewed the minutes from the LeRoy Public Library board meeting. Koppen noted he has heard many positive comments about the library and librarian.

2026 Street Project-Update:

  • Wilcox reported he reached out to Insituform to review the televised mains on that portion of Mather, North Park Road, and Benton. Insituform provided a bid to line all three of these sections.  The bid was for $83,796.16.  Wilcox reached out to Insituform for additional information pertaining to the lining on Benton.  After many phone calls with messages left and numerous emails with no response, Wilcox reached out to H & M Underground for a quote to just line that portion of Mather and North Park Road.  That block of Benton Street sewer main is in such poor condition that it should be fully replaced/reconstructed.  H & M quoted $43,855 to line Mather and North Park Road.  Wilcox reported Heartland Asphalt will be here on Friday to begin milling these streets.  Wilcox noted he had talked to Colten from Heartland and requested doing a portion of South Mather and South Strong (neither of these streets have any infrastructure below them) in exchange for not doing Benton.
  • Motion by Shipman, second by Huntley to proceed with the quote from H & M Underground and to approve the change in the streets being upgraded this year. Motion carried 5-0.

North Business Alley between Mather & Broadway:

  • Koppen felt this project is too expensive to proceed with at this time. He felt that in the future when this project is considered would be the time for the council to consider upgrading the parking lot, too.  Koppen requested the council blessing to reach out to the owner of record of the metal building on the north side of the business alley to see if he would be interested in selling or deeding it to the city.  Council could also consider development of the east end of the parking lot  with either a commercial or residential building.  Council consensus to allow Koppen to reach out to the owner of record of this building.

Well House-Update from Thein Well:

  • Wilcox reported Thein Well replaced the well pump and some of the piping. Wilcox noted he has not had issues with VFDs since Thein Well was here.  He would like to get this on an inspection schedule.
  • Wilcox reported Maguire will be here tomorrow to reinstall the containment curtain and begin the final repairs and painting of the water tower. Maguire hopes to be done with the entire project by July 1.  Wilcox noted he will address parking disruptions at area businesses and the Lutheran Church when this project gets underway.

Grace Christian Church:

  • Brian Thiel updated council on Grace Christian Church. Thiel also reviewed the information he provided to council pertaining to the church property.  The trustees of Grace Christian want to dispose of the entire property; their first option would be to transfer the property to a Christian congregation or Christian ministry.  They have not found this entity.  Another option would be to deed the property to the city for public purpose.  Koppen questioned if there are any covenants that would restrict the city if they were to accept the property.  Thiel reported there are no covenants or other restrictions on the property; there are no limitations on it.
  • Koppen felt either the city or EDA could enter into this offer. Shipman felt the city should be the owner of record.  Apenhorst felt the EDA would have more options for this property.
  • Thiel noted the property is slated for auction, but the date has not been set yet. He noted there could be an off-setting fee with the auctioneer if the auction does not happen.  Koppen questioned what costs could be involved.  Thiel replied.  Apenhorst suggested forming a committee to look at the building and the contents and to negotiate the transfer.  Instead of forming a committee, council called for a special meeting to be held on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 5:00 PM at Grace Christian Church.  Council thanked Thiel for this offer.

Closing Time for Both Parks & Lights:

  • Huntley questioned if the lights for the tennis/basketball courts could be changed to a two-hour timer and remove the four-hour option. White noted many communities have designated park closing times.  Huntley noted the parks are being used; council has not had to address any vandalism.  Koppen reported he hasn’t received any complaints about either park.  It was the consensus of the council to have the timer switched to a two-hour timer.

Service Award Recognition:

  • Koppen acknowledged the LeRoy Lions for their brat burger fundraiser and for the Boulevard of Flags promotion; to the participants in the IronHorse Marathon and all the people that work behind the scenes to make the Marathon happen; to the graduating Class of 2026 and for the many dollars’ worth of scholarships that are distributed; and to the many field trips the L-O school kids were able to go on. Apenhorst also expressed his congratulations to the Class of 2026.

Vacant & Nuisance Properties:

  • There was no new information to share on this issue.

EDA & WWG Report:

  • Apenhorst reviewed the WWG report with council. He noted the YTD loss on the income statement but reported that $166,000 in Medicaid funds have not been received yet.  It is hoped that occupancy will increase.
  • White explained the request of the auditors to write-off the amount in the due to city account on the WWG balance sheet. Motion by Apenhorst, second by Shipman to allow this write-off.  Motion carried 5-0.

Being no further business to come before the council, the meeting was adjourned on a motion by Sweeney, second by Huntley at 7:59 PM.

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