March 3, 2025, Meeting Minutes

Posted: May 2, 2025

City of LeRoy MN – Council Meeting Minutes, March 3, 2025

 

A regular meeting of the LeRoy City Council was called to order by Mayor Ed Koppen on Monday, March 3, 2025, 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, Ashley Huntley, Public Works employee Cole Wilcox, and City Clerk Patty White.
Also attending: Dick Soltau, Pat Newman, Phillip Whalen, Brent Dohlman, Alice & Don Darland, Terry Free, Diane Whalen, Deputy Katlynne Fisher, Nicole Wallace, Lynn Lanners, Kathy Parsons, and Mike Chicos.  All stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Consent Agenda:

  • Council reviewed the items included in the consent agenda. Motion by Huntley, second by Shipman to approve the consent agenda.  Motion carried 5-0.  Council also reviewed the balances in the investment accounts as of 12/31/24.

Police Report:

  • Deputy Fisher reported deputies spent 6.21 hours per day here in LeRoy over the past 28 days. There were 48 total calls for service.  Of those calls, there were 16 medical calls and 15 traffic stops.  Council reviewed the golf cart ordinance.  Council requested Deputy Fisher to review the ordinance and report back to the council if she sees anything that should be addressed in the ordinance.  White also had the 2025 golf cart sticker.  White is to email a copy of the sticker to Deputy Fisher; she will then share that information with the other deputies.  Council thanked Deputy Fisher for her report and her service.

Public Input Time:

  • Dick Soltau questioned if the 2025 golf cart permits are now available. It was noted they are available.  Soltau questioned if a bike lane is to be painted on Hwy 56; he expressed concern that there will not be room for the bike lane.  White reported the bike lane will be painted after the final lift of blacktop has been installed.  He also questioned about the parking lane in front of the school; he was under the impression this lane was to have been a full lane width.  It was noted the lane was installed as was in the plans for the project.  He also questioned about storm water drainage on Hwy 56 and the crown on the street.  Koppen noted that Mr. Soltau can reach out to MnDOT personnel to express his concerns.  Mr. Soltau also questioned about the staking that has happened on the bike trail.  Koppen reported he heard the trail was to be a complete rebuild project.
  • Alice Darland questioned about chickens. She expressed concern about the allowing of chickens and what restrictions will be put in place.  Kathy Parsons noted she is interested in having chickens.
  • Diane Whalen questioned if she can be included in discussions with Regional Health Services of Howard County about the medical clinic. White reported RHSHC will hold meetings in due time for people to ask questions of them.

Standing Committee Reports:

  • Huntley reported the Ambulance Board meets tomorrow evening.
  • Shipman reported Prairie Visions met. They are waiting on the Mower County Commissioners and the DNR on the proposed trail connections to the Wapsi Trail and to the Chert Quarry and the trail resurfacing to Taopi.

State Highway 56 Project-Sidwalks-Trees:

  • The final lift should be installed this spring. Tree plantings will also be done by MnDOT sometime in 2025.

Lake Louise State Park-Shooting Star Trail-Tourism:

  • Council reviewed the memorandum of understanding that all Friends groups will need to fill out at the State Parks. Council will keep this for further review and reference.

Update-LeRoy Medical Clinic Property:

  • Koppen reported the Regional Health Services of Howard County Board of Trustees have met and voted to proceed with the endeavor to bring a medical clinic to LeRoy. Koppen reported there will be periods of public comment to both the State of Minnesota and the Federal side.  RHSHC will work with a consultant to achieve CMS certification.

Chickens:

  • Council questioned if the present ordinance banning farm animals (including chickens) should be changed to allow chickens. Huntley noted there are some chickens that run at large now and a rooster that crows every morning.  She felt chickens should stay in the country.  Apenhorst questioned if the discussion should center on allowing chickens but with limiting the number of chickens that someone can have.  Huntley noted this would be another thing for the city employees to monitor; she noted there are still dogs running loose and trashy yards.  Shipman noted that some people would take care of chickens, but others would not take adequate care of them and leave things in a disarray.  Shipman reported the Adams city clerk had researched the Rochester ordinance pertaining to chickens.  He learned that Rochester has strict regulations; he also learned that you could have a $3,000 investment in a coop and run before you ever purchased the chickens.  Shipman and Huntley were not in favor of allowing chickens.  They also noted they would not make an exception for one person living on a larger lot to have chickens.  They felt the ordinance as it is currently written needs to be followed.  Apenhorst entertained the idea of allowing chickens but noted the reluctance to amend the ordinance.  It was the consensus of the council that the current ordinance will stand as it is written.

Golf Cart Ordinance Discussion:

  • Koppen noted the current ordinance was given to Deputy Fisher for her review. Apenhorst questioned if the age to legally operate a golf cart is included in the current ordinance.  Council will review this at the April council meeting after Deputy Fisher has had time to review the ordinance.

Land Use Permits:

  • There were no land use permits for council review.

Communications File:

  • White presented a letter received from GSS, Inc. pertaining to the installation of cell towers within the city limits. Motion by Koppen to not recommend any installation of cell towers within the city limits.  Second by Huntley.  Motion carried 5-0.

Sidewalk Maintenance Program:

  • White reviewed the information from the Safe Step representative. Koppen suggested contacting the city engineer to see if he has an acceptable plan for dealing with sidewalks.  Apenhorst commented this information is from one company; there are many companies that do this type of work.  Huntley noted she didn’t feel it would hurt to hear a presentation on this; she noted the citizens of LeRoy could be made aware of when this presentation would be held.  She also questioned if the city attorney should review any of this information.  Motion by Apenhorst to table this for now, to reach out to the city engineer for direction, and review at an upcoming meeting.  Second by Huntley.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

West Street-West County Road:

  • Wilcox reported there have been two water main breaks along these streets within the past ten days; Wilcox noted this is an aging four-inch line. There are more repair clamps on this line than just these two.  These streets also took a beating during the detours last summer for the Hwy 56 project.  Wilcox noted the sewer main is probably old, too.  Wilcox noted the public works department is not looking at this for a project for this year due to other scheduled projects.
  • Koppen noted there are not many available buildable lots; should the council consider expanding to the west. This proposition would need to be discussed with that land owner.  Shipman felt that whatever is done to do it right and involve the city engineer.  White suggested incorporating Read Street infrastructure if a project is proposed.

Second Well:

  • Koppen noted the city has only one well. Nick Sweeney had suggested seeing if a second well could be drilled near where the original sealed well is located near the water tower.  White noted the Minnesota Department of Health does offer grants that could be used to fund the exploratory work.  Council consensus to apply for grant funds when the grant cycle is open.
  • Shipman noted of the investment balances, that $250,000 is allocated to the water tower project that will happen this year.

North Park Improvements:

  • Huntley and Brent Dohlman had come up with a list of items for North Baumbach Park improvements. These items include a gate access to the tennis courts, lighting and electrical, water supply to the bathrooms, larger pavilion, upgrades to the current ballfield, new basketball hoops, and a sand volleyball court.  Koppen questioned if they are looking at all of these or are prioritizing these.  Huntley would like to prioritize these.  Apenhorst and Shipman reported the LeRoy Community Foundation may have some funds to expend; they may be interested in allowing some funds for these improvements.  Further discussion centered on if bids are required or if quotes should be requested for these improvements.  Wilcox noted he and N. Sweeney would address the water supply to the bathrooms.  Koppen felt this committee should be able to move forward with these improvements.  Motion by Apenhorst for the committee (Huntley & Dohlman) to get bids for the lighting and electrical, the door access, basketball hoops, and sand volleyball courts.  Second by Sweeney.  Motion carried 5-0.

Service Award Recognition:

  • Koppen recognized the L-O FFA members at the Region 8 gathering; Tiffany Timm was also recognized for all she does for the Ag and FFA program.
  • Koppen recognized Carter Emerson for placing seventh at the Regional Spelling Bee.

Vacant & Nuisance Properties:

  • Council noted there has been some improvement at 219 East Lowell; this will continue to be monitored. White was directed to send another letter noting a $500 fine can be charged if there are not more improvements in cleaning up this property.

Housing Incentives Discussion:

  • Koppen reported the council has been looking at these options for some time. The tax abatement program is being used now.  Koppen questioned if the city is targeting the wrong housing; should the council try to entice more entry-level/work force and/or rental housing.  He questioned if the current incentive is being offered for a problem that isn’t there.  Brian Thiel was hoping, if a cash incentive were offered, that it could possibly bring in a spec builder.  Shipman noted there are only four lots currently for sale.  Huntley noted the program being offered now works.  Shipman reported he had talked to Jim at LeRoy Lumber; he could do the inspection if the cash abatement program is implemented, but he questioned why the city would do that when the tax abatement program is already being offered.  Koppen is not adverse to keeping this item on the agenda.  Apenhorst noted to take this off the agenda but keep Brian Thiel’s information for reference.

EDA & WWG Report:

  • Shipman reported the new management company is working out well. Occupancy has been increasing.

Being no further business to come before the council, the meeting was adjourned on a motion by Shipman, second by Sweeney at 8:02 PM.

 

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