March 2, 2026, Meeting Minutes

Posted: April 15, 2026

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

 

A regular meeting of the LeRoy City Council was called to order by Mayor Ed Koppen on Monday, March 2, 2026, at 6:30 PM at the LeRoy Community Center with the following members present:  Mayor Ed Koppen, Council Members Chastidy Sweeney, Paul Apenhorst, Harold Shipman, Ashley Huntley, Public Works Worker Kyle Stern, and City Clerk Patty White.
Also attending: Phil Whalen, Brian Thiel, Axel Gumbel, Terry Free, Stephen Schauer, Deputy Mike LaCore, Diane Whalen, Rebecah Sarazin, Rikki Nightingale, Heidi Riehl, Harley Lawson, Jen Prevo, Taylor Losee, Amy Forsberg, and Drew Tempero.  All stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Consent Agenda:

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

Police Report:

  • Deputy Mike LaCore introduced himself to council. He noted he has been employed with the Mower County Sheriff’s office for four years.  Council introduced themselves to Deputy LaCore.  Deputy LaCore reported the sheriff’s department plans on being at most council meetings and questioned council if there was anything they want included in a report.  Council thanked Deputy LaCore for his service and for attending the meeting.

Public Input Time:

  • Stephen Schauer requested to be on the April agenda for his request for the off-sale liquor license. He reported he hopes to have the grocery side of his business open by April 1.

Standing Committee Reports:

  • Shipman reported the IronHorse Marathon was discussed at the Prairie Visions meeting. He also reported they have been told the Shooting Star Trail is to be resurfaced from LeRoy to Taopi this year.  He did note this is the third year they have been told about the trail resurfacing.
  • Apenhorst reported the remediation projects at the LeRoy Public Library have been completed. Funding for these expenses is to be reimbursed by funds from the LeRoy Community Foundation.

LeRoy Medical Clinic Property:

  • Koppen reported he has seen ads on television and in the local newspapers that include the LeRoy Clinic as one of the locations of RHSHC. An open house is being planned for May.

Internship/Deputy Clerk Conversation:

  • White reported she plans to speak to clerks at the annual MCFOA conference for their input on adding a staff person.

City-Wide Cleanup Date:

  • Council concurred to offer a city-wide cleanup again and hold the event on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 8:00AM until 10:00 AM.

Boulevard Trees:

  • Stern reported council will want to choose trees with straight trunks; he noted hardwoods would be better trees to plant on the boulevards. He suggested some different types of maples, white spire birch, red or white oaks, and hackberry.  Stern was questioned on when would be the best time to plant trees.  He noted fall is a good time; but trees can also be planted in the spring.
  • Brian Thiel questioned about funding. He reported you can reference materials from Minnesota Extension.  White thanked Thiel for the thumb drive he provided; she had printed off some tree lists from this information.  Council discussed how best to proceed.  Apenhorst questioned about forming a subcommittee to address trees and planting.  Apenhorst volunteered to chair this committee and requested Stern and Huntley, as being assigned parks & rec, to also serve.  White also volunteered to serve on this committee.

Lawn Mowing for 2026 Season:

  • Stern reported that Wilcox had reviewed the mowing at the two city parks and the time it took to mow these parks. It was noted that the city could hire the same two retired guys that mowed last year for the city and have them also mow both city parks for less than what is being charged by the contracted mowing company.  Motion by Shipman to hire the part-time mowing guys to mow both city parks plus the other mowing and to review the price for mowing the cemetery from Blades of Glory at the April meeting.  Second by Apenhorst.  Motion carried 5-0.

Land Use Permits:

  • There were no land use permits for council review.

Communications File:

  • Koppen read the thank you from the LeRoy Area Historical Society for the museum signage. Council was reminded of the Public Hearing to Adopt a Local Option Sales Tax for road and bridge projects for Mower County to be held on March 24 at 9:05 AM.

Closure of 300 Block of West Lowell on May 2 from 5 to 7 AM for Marathon Start:

  • It was the consensus of the council to allow the closure of this block of West Lowell Street on May 2 from 5 to 7 AM for the start of the IronHorse Marathon.

2026 Street Project-Empire Pipe Report:

  • White reported the sewer mains have been televised, but Wilcox has not received the report on the televising from Empire Pipe yet.

New Truck Bed for 2008 Ford:

  • Council reviewed the information from Harrington Enterprises for an aluminum truck bed for the Ford pickup. The present bed is full of holes and ready to fall off.  Motion by Apenhorst, second by Shipman to proceed with this purchase for the aluminum truck bed for $3,202.50.  Motion carried 5-0.

Service Award Recognition:

  • Koppen recognized Carl White for the opening of his mental health and addiction services business; he recognized the LeRoy Food Shelf and the March Foodshare Month; he recognized the L-O FFA and their activities during National FFA Week; he recognized Dawn from LSI Consulting and read the letter he had sent to LSI; he recognized Tracy Smith for her professionalism in chairing the March 23 EDA meeting and Mihaela Algadi, Josh Lewis, and Paul Apenhorst for their efforts and thoughts during that meeting.

Vacant & Nuisance Properties:

  • There was nothing new to report on these properties.

EDA & WWG Report:

  • Koppen noted the Net Income from January, 2026, for WWG at a -$638; he noted that is the best beginning of a new fiscal year figure he has seen for a long time.
  • Rebecca Sarazin questioned if the council had heard anything about the finances from what was brought to the EDA meeting in an unsigned letter. Koppen reminded those present that one of his committee assignments is legal affairs.  He reported the council does not accept anonymous letters; he noted this policy has been in place for over 25 years.  He reminded those present that LSI Consulting is the contracted manager of WWG; Wildwood Grove, Inc. board would be under LSI; the EDA is above the Wildwood Grove, Inc. board.  The city council is the entity that makes the appointments to the EDA board.  Heidi Riehl reported she wrote the letter that is in question.  Koppen did not give any validity to that statement, noting this could be considered hearsay.  Riehl reported Axel Gumbel knew who wrote the letter; Koppen again noted this is hearsay.

Being no further business to come before the council, the meeting was adjourned on a motion by Shipman, second by Sweeney at 7:06 PM.

 

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