June 2, 2025, Meeting Minutes

Posted: July 14, 2025

City of LeRoy MN – Council Meeting Minutes, June 2, 2025

 

A regular meeting of the LeRoy City Council was called to order by Mayor Ed Koppen on Monday, June 2, 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, Maintenance Employee Cole Wilcox, and City Clerk Patty White.  Councilor Ashley Huntley arrived at 6:44 PM.
Also attending: Devin & Nicole Wallace, Brian Thiel, Axel Gumbel, Jim Gronwoldt, Sergeant Katlynne Fisher, and Terry Free.  All stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Consent Agenda:

  • Council reviewed the items included in the consent agenda. Motion by Sweeney, second by Apenhorst to approve the consent agenda.  Motion carried 4-0.

Police Report:

  • Sergeant Fisher reported deputies spent 5.67 hours per day here in LeRoy over the past 28 days. There were 56 total calls for service; of these calls 17 were traffic stops and 12 were medical calls.  Koppen noted the previous council discussion about golf carts seems to have helped.  Koppen reminded council that the council does have the right to revoke a golf cart permit.  Fisher also noted that if people see errant driving, to call it in to dispatch.  Council thanked Sergeant Fisher for her time and report.

Public Input Time:

  • Jim Gronwoldt requested to close South Broadway between Main Street and the South Business Alley for Summer Fest, July 18, 19, and 20. Motion by Apenhorst, second by Sweeney to allow this closure with the understanding the holes created from the tent stakes will be filled in.  Motion carried 4-0.
  • Koppen reviewed the letter that Devin Wallace had submitted to council at the beginning of the meeting pertaining to renaming the Upper Iowa River. This letter will be taken under advisement.

Standing Committee Reports:

  • Shipman reported Prairie Visions is meeting tonight. He expected their discussion to focus on the upcoming Shooting Star Bike Ride to be held on Saturday, June 14.

State Highway 56 Project:

  • Koppen reported the ceremonial ribbon cutting for the Hwy 56 project was held this past Friday. There were two television stations present (KTTC & KAAL) along with other dignitaries.

LeRoy Medical Clinic Property:

  • Koppen reported the lease has been signed. Koppen has met with some of the upper management of Regional Health Services of Howard County; they are moving forward with the paperwork that needs to be filed to be able to open this clinic.  The parking lot has been repaved; the sidewalk work will happen within the next few days.  The building has been thoroughly cleaned; RHSHC will take care of the painting and moving of any cabinetry.

Public Works Maintenance Worker:

  • Koppen noted Cole Wilcox is in the process of updating the contact information for MPCA and MDH to his name and contact information due to the resignation of Nick Sweeney. Koppen noted council had not formally named Wilcox as the Supervisor of this department.  Motion by Apenhorst, second by Shipman to name Cole Wilcox as the Public Works Maintenance Supervisor.  Motion carried 5-0.
  • Apenhorst noted the city-wide cleanup was very well attended; much “stuff” was disposed of in six regular dumpsters and one dumpster for metal. We may need to consider another dumpster for metal.  Apenhorst also suggested offering a spot for recyclables.  This will be further researched.

131 East Main Street City Lot-Available for Sale & Price:

  • Council reviewed the information compiled on this parcel. White suggested making sure some type of development agreement is in place if this parcel is sold to make sure that something is built on this parcel.  Apenhorst suggested requiring the full details of a proposed development and the timeline for completion prior to any sale.  Council took no further action on this.

Property Adjustment Application-Janssen/Strelow:

  • No information had been received on this from Mower County.

Land Use Permits:

  • Council reviewed three land use permits.
  1. Lots 5 & 6, Block 10, Original Village, 214 E Frederick, Dom Jones-install fence
  2. E ½ Lot 11 & W 15’ Lot 12, Block 14, Original Village, 213 E Main, Lisa Krapf, install privacy fence and gazebo
  3. Lot 15, Block 11, Caswell & Lewis, 215 E Cabot, Ashley Huntley-build grain bin gazebo on cement pad
  • Koppen recommended tabling Permit #2 due to a dispute over payment. Huntley questioned why that would pertain to the council approving or denying this permit.
  • Motion by Sweeney, second by Shipman to approve Permit #3. On a roll call of votes, Koppen, Shipman, Apenhorst, and Sweeney voted aye.  Huntley abstained.  The motion carried.  Motion by Shipman, second by Sweeney to approve Permit #1 with the stipulation that setbacks are complied with.  Motion carried 5-0.  Council tabled Permit #2.

Communications File:

  • Koppen presented information received from Dave Miller about the entry fence at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery. Koppen noted the city could become involved in making sure that all the entrance signs for the three cemeteries (St. Patrick’s, LeRoy Lutheran, LeRoy City) would be uniform and offer funds from the Karlen endowment.  Koppen suggested that each cemetery take care of their respective fences.  It was noted the need to reach out to the representatives of the LeRoy Lutheran Cemetery to see if they would be interested in this.  It was the consensus of the council to begin these conversations.

2025 Street Project Update:

  • This project has been completed.

Water & Sewer:

  • Koppen reviewed the letter received from MPCA pertaining to a recent compliance evaluation inspection and letter of warning. Wilcox updated council on the karst contingency plan that needs to be completed.  The 60-day window that is allowed for completion of this contingency plan begins when Wilcox receives the required information from MPCA.

North & South Park Improvements:

  • It was noted Brent Dohlman had presented an application for funds to the LeRoy Community Foundation for these park improvements. The Foundation approved $40,000 towards these park improvements.  It was the consensus of the council to thank the LeRoy Community Foundation for the $40,000 to be used towards these park improvements.
  • It was noted that some of the electrical work has begun; some of the equipment has been delivered. The water issue at North Park has been fixed.

Service Award Recognition:

  • Koppen recognized MnDOT for the Hwy 56 construction project. He also recognized the American Legion Family and the LeRoy Boy Scouts for the Memorial Day services.  He also recognized Brent and Ashley Dohlman plus the rest of the LeRoy Commercial Club for the very successful Basket Social and to all those that attended the Social.
  • Sweeney recognized the LOHS 2025 graduates.
  • The council recognized Axel Gumbel for his recently acquired U.S. citizenship.
  • Axel Gumbel gave a shout-out to IROC, the company that hosts the city website, for responding to a customer service request in the early morning hours.

Vacant & Nuisance Properties:

  • White updated council on the dead ends she keeps running into in trying to find an inspector to look at the 210 E Frederick property. This will continue to be pursued.

EDA & WWG Report:

  • Council reviewed the financial reports from WWG; they took note of the profit/loss statement.

Being no further business to come before the council, the meeting was adjourned on a motion by Huntley, second by Sweeney at 7:24 PM.

 

All City Docs
City council docs