May 4, 2026, Meeting Minutes

Posted: July 2, 2026

City of LeRoy MN – Council Meeting Minutes, May 4, 2026

 

A regular meeting of the LeRoy City Council was called to order by Mayor Ed Koppen on Monday, May 4, 2026, at 6:30 PM at the LeRoy Community Center with the following members present:  Mayor Ed Koppen, Council Members Harold Shipman, Ashley Huntley, Chastidy Sweeney, Paul Apenhorst, Public Works Supervisor Cole Wilcox, and City Clerk Patty White.
Also attending: Terry Free, Daniel Till, Jimmie Sczudlo, Brian Thiel, Don & Judy Orum, Russ Rudlong, and Deputy Mike Lacore.  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.

Public Input Time:

  • Brien Thiel discussed the traffic traveling on East County Road near the North Park. He suggested the installation of two additional stop signs at the intersection of East County Road and Benton Street; this would make this intersection a four-way stop intersection.  Koppen noted the installation of these additional stop signs will need to be approved and/or cleared through the sheriff’s department.  Council thanked Thiel for this suggestion.
  • Daniel Till introduced himself to the council; he purchased the Dennis Winfield farm for a growing and processing facility for cannabis. The fence is being installed; the crop should be planted on approximately 50 acres in June.  Till reported there could be between 10 to 50 part-time and full-time jobs associated with this business.  He will leave contact information for people interested in employment at city hall.  Council thanked Mr. Till and Mr. Sczudlo for this information and for bringing employment to the LeRoy area.

Police Report:

  • Deputy Lacore reported the contract time was fulfilled for the month of April. Deputy Lacore was informed of the earlier conversation about the installation of two additional stop signs on East County Road/Benton Street.  Koppen requested the review of this request and to let White know if this is okay.  Council thanked Deputy Lacore for his service and for the report.

Standing Committee Reports:

  • Shipman reported on the Prairie Visions meeting. He noted they have been told many stories about the trail getting resurfaced; the Shooting Star Trail is not one of the top five trails, so Prairie Visions does not know if there will be any funds appropriated to resurfacing the trail.  He reported they were told only 40% of the trails in Minnesota will be smooth by 2030.
  • Apenhorst report the LeRoy Public Library will updating to the RFID process for checking out and checking in books.

LeRoy Medical Clinic Property-Open House May 7:

  • Council was reminded of the Open House scheduled for Thursday, May 7; the ribbon cutting will be conducted at 5:00 PM. Koppen reported these are exciting times for this clinic.

Supplemental Help Conversation:

  • Council reviewed the information compiled by Koppen and White addressing supplemental and/or fill-in help. Koppen noted this would not be a long-term position and could be more of a sporadic basis.  Apenhorst questioned if this would grow to a full-time position.  Koppen noted not at this time would this become a full-time position; he noted this is still being reviewed.  Motion by Apenhorst, second by Sweeney to approve the supplemental help proposal.  Motion carried 5-0.

Boulevard Trees:

  • Wilcox reported they had rented a tree spade from J & S Repair and moved eight trees from city property to the boulevards. There were seven hackberry trees and one basswood tree moved.  The oak tree in North Park was also moved.  Apenhorst noted a committee has been formed to further discuss tree replacements.

Stephen Schauer-Liquor License:

  • White reported Schauer and Jim Gronwoldt have agreed on June 1 for the transfer of the off-sale liquor license. Motion by Sweeney, second by Huntley to approve the off-sale liquor license for The Thomas Alexander Group, LLC dba Pour Farm Liquors effective June 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026.  Motion carried 5-0.

Land Use Permits:

  • Council reviewed four land use permits:
  1. Lot 4, Block 13, Caswell & Lewis, 113 W Lowell, John McKenzie-install chain link fence
  2. Lot 11, Block 1, River’s Edge, 108 Miller Court, Jeremy Holdeman-build new home
  3. Lot 1, Block 1, Hanson Addition, 109 N County Rd 56, Dan Hanson-install deck
  4. Lots 2 & 3, Block 2, WW Sweet’s Addition, 311 East County Rd S, Don Orum-build new home
  • Motion by Huntley, second by Shipman to approve these four permits. Motion carried 5-0.
  • White reported both applicants for the new homes are also requesting tax abatement. Motion by Apenhorst, second by Huntley to call for a public hearing for tax abatement on June 1, 2026, at 7:00 PM.  Motion carried 5-0.

Communications File:

  • Council was reminded of the Gopher to Badger Link transmission line project open house to be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the LeRoy Community Center.

2026 Street Project-Empire Pipe Report:

  • Wilcox reported he is waiting for information from Insituform pertaining to the possibility of lining some of these sanitary sewer mains.

North Business Alley Between Mather & Broadway:

  • Wilcox reported he and the city engineer walked the alley; they looked at the best way to address the stormwater flow and water pooling during rain events.
  • Wilcox reported the engineer recommended completely rebuilding the alley with additional catch basins and installing a good base. The estimated cost for this project is $182,835.63.  Wilcox noted spot repairs could be done, but these would not be anything that would last; he noted having the alley rebuilt would be the best way to correct the water issues.
  • Apenhorst suggested putting this project out for bids. White questioned how this project would be funded.  She reported assessments were used in the past for projects at a 60%/40% split with the city paying 60% and the adjoining land owners paying 40%.  Wilcox noted that any bidding would be done through the city engineer’s office.  Koppen questioned if the parking lot across the alley from First State Bank and Alexander’s Market should also be paved during this project.  He then included the remainder of the gravel parking areas on the north side of the alley for paving.  Koppen suggested getting all of this area surveyed.  Council concurred to have Wilcox further discuss this project with the city engineer.

Well House Roof:

  • Wilcox reported Harden Construction will complete this roofing project after the well is pulled.

 

 

Well House Well Pump:

  • Wilcox reported the well pump will be pulled by Thein Well on Wednesday. Residents will need to limit water usage on Wednesday until this procedure is completed.  The well casing will be reviewed and any wear parts will be replaced.

Parks:

  • Huntley reported the trash cans in North Park smell bad. Wilcox reported he is aware of this; he will address this issue.

Service Award Recognition:

  • Koppen recognized the L-O Trap Team for the fundraising breakfast they held along with the volunteers that helped them. Koppen also recognized Lutheran Social Services for doing the Easter Egg Dash and for filling 7,000 eggs for this event.  Huntley thanked the LeRoy Commercial Club for providing the candy to fill the eggs for this event.  Koppen also recognized the LeRoy FFA with all they do and the contests they attend.  Koppen recognized those involved with a very successful city-wide cleanup.  Koppen also recognized Eli Young for attaining Eagle Scout; he also acknowledged the leaders that helped Eli on this path.  Apenhorst commended the L-O School Board and the progress they are making to improve the school district.

Vacant & Nuisance Properties:

  • It was noted the property at 219 E Lowell has a company involved to clean up this property due to foreclosure. Apenhorst questioned if this topic needs to be kept on the council agenda.  Koppen felt it should stay on the agenda.
  • Koppen also suggested having the council work with the EDA to address the vacant lots in town along with the older homes here in town. He suggested to either get houses built on these lots or to get some of these houses renovated for people to purchase.  He questioned if the EDA could purchase these lots to get starter homes built.

EDA & WWG Report:

  • Koppen reviewed the income statement; he noted WWG is moving in the right direction. Apenhorst reviewed the line-item nurse consultant on the income statement.  He noted this item is way over budget; these are consultants from LSI that are brought in to train current staff on new procedures/practices.  It is hoped this item will be back to within budget after May.  Apenhorst also noted the budget WWG is following is based on an 83% occupancy rate; occupancy above that will also help the budget.

Being no further business to come before the council, the meeting was adjourned on a motion by Sweeney and seconded by Huntley at 7:26 PM.

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