May 5, 2025, Meeting Minutes

Posted: June 4, 2025

A regular meeting of the LeRoy City Council was called to order by Mayor Ed Koppen on Monday, May 5, 2025, at 6:30 PM at the LeRoy Community Center with the following members present:  Mayor Ed Koppen, Council Members Harold Shipman, Ashley Huntley, Paul Apenhorst, Chastidy Sweeney, Public Works Supervisor Nick Sweeney, and City Clerk Patty White.
Also attending: Brian Thiel, Terry Free, Brent Dohlman, Cindy Stansfield, Tim Lewison, and Kevin Whalen.  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:

  • No one was present from the Sheriff’s Department to present a report.

Public Input Time:

  • Brian Thiel reported his property located at 208 East Frederick Street has been listed for sale. He would like the council to make a statement addressing the condition of the house located at 210 East Frederick Street.  Koppen noted any discussion on this property would happen later in the meeting.

Standing Committee Reports:

  • Council was reminded of the City-Wide Cleanup scheduled for Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 8:00 AM until 10:00 AM.
  • Huntley reported the Ambulance Board meets tomorrow evening. All is going well with the service.
  • Apenhorst noted he had seen two deputies parked near the edge of town; he questioned if the city was being charged for both deputies towards the hours they spend here in the LeRoy area. Koppen felt the city receives more coverage now with how the Sheriff’s Department handles their staffing levels.
  • Shipman reported Prairie Visions had met. Tom Trow was at the meeting; Mr. Trow is in charge of the Chert Quarry.  The Shooting Star Bike Ride is scheduled for June 14.  The trail is to be resurfaced this year from LeRoy to Taopi.

State Highway 56 Project:

  • 170 trees are being planted this week. The final lift of blacktop is to be installed on Thursday and Friday of this week.  The entire project should be completed on Friday, May 9.

LeRoy Medical Clinic Property-Lease Agreement:

  • Council reviewed the lease agreement that had been provided by RHSHC. This agreement had been sent to the city attorney for her review.  Koppen reported the Board of Trustees had met at the end of April; they are still proceeding forward.  They need the lease signed to keep this project moving forward.  Koppen noted he had met with some of the members of the Board of Trustees and some of the upper management at RHSHC.  They have compiled a small list of things they would like to be completed at the clinic building.  Koppen reported RHSHC is considering offering telehealth services at the LeRoy location.  RHSHC is continuing the process to get the final approval from the Minnesota Department of Health to be able to open the clinic.
  • Motion by Huntley, second by Apenhorst to approve the signing of the lease agreement. Motion carried 5-0.

Golf Cart Ordinance Discussion:

  • Koppen noted he had read the current ordinance and Sargeant Fisher’s notes. Koppen recommended to council to not take any further action on this.  He felt this limits the city’s exposure by following the current ordinance.  He noted the present ordinance addresses occupant load; he also noted the city does have the right to repeal an issued permit.  Koppen noted it is up to law enforcement to enforce the ordinance.  No further council action was taken.

City Lawn Mowing-Seasonal Help:

  • Sweeney reported the public works department has utilized someone to do the city lawn mowing the past couple of years. He requested to hire Gavin Sweeney to do the lawn mowing again this year (he has done this the past couple of years); this would allow Sweeney and Wilcox more time to complete other projects.  It was the consensus of the council to proceed with the hiring of Gavin Sweeney.

Property Adjustment Application-Holdeman/Soltau:

  • Council reviewed the information provided by Mower County pertaining to this proposed property adjustment. Motion by Apenhorst, second by Sweeney to approve the property adjustment.  Motion carried 5-0.

L-O Community Education Advisory Council Volunteer:

  • Council reviewed the email received from Ian Thomason, the new L-O Community Education Director. Apenhorst volunteered to serve on the Advisory Board.

Land Use Permits:

  • There were no land use permits for council review.

Communications File:

  • Apenhorst had met with Southland Schools Superintendent Scott Hall and Business Manager Mel Welsh. He questioned them about the CNA program.  Hall reported Southland will take over the program; Riverland Community College will host the class.  This class will be offered to all Consortium Schools students.  Any student taking the CNA class will receive high school credit plus PSEO credit.

2025 Street Project:

  • Council reviewed the quote from Heartland Asphalt for patching areas caused by water main breaks; core out cracks and install patches on Penny Lane & Abbey Road; crackfilling, rout, clean and seal on Miller Court and Freund Boulevard; and core out and install patches, install asphalt overlay, paint and striping at the Clinic for a total price of $61,186. Motion by Huntley, second by Sweeney to approve this proposal from Heartland Asphalt.  Motion carried 5-0.

West Street-West County Road:

  • White had contacted the city engineer as directed by the council to request a rough estimate of what it could cost to upgrade West Street and West County Road with new infrastructure, curb and gutter, and blacktop. The rough estimate for this project was $1,018,207.99.

Public Hearing-Housing Tax Abatement:

  • 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, May 5, 2025, 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 applicant, 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. The subject property is legally described as Lot 13, Block 2, Olson Addition, City of LeRoy, Mower County (PIN 26.500.0300).  The total estimated abatement amount is on a $250,000 of estimated property value,” and opened the hearing at 7:00 PM.  No one in attendance had any comments about the requested tax abatement for the new home construction at 175 Penny Lane.
  • Motion by Sweeney, second by Shipman to pass Resolution 2025-05, 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 7:01 PM.

 

North Park Improvements:

  • Brent Dohlman and Huntley have worked on plans and improvements for both city parks. Dohlman reported he had worked with Scheel’s for quotes for equipment.  Scheel’s would give a 5% discount plus a $1,500 gift card to Scheel’s for other items.  Dohlman had also talked to Tim Lewison to get direction on electrical specs.  He provided this information to Wheeler Electric and TNT Electric.  The project would include updated electrical and lighting, a 40’x64’ pavilion, four adjustable basketball hoops, two sand volleyball courts, horseshoe court, and tetherball in North Park; a nine-hole disc golf course, one adjustable basketball hoop, and tetherball in South Park.  The total cost of all these items was $71,738 using the lowest bids that were provided.  Dohlman noted there would be some additional incidental expenses.
  • Dohlman questioned what council was thinking on these proposed projects. Shipman questioned what time frame is being looked at.  Dohlman reported all contractors were asked to have this completed by Summer Fest, 2025.  Council reviewed the amounts in city capital outlay funds.  Koppen noted council needs to be aware of the capital outlay funds but also how to replenish these funds when projects are completed.  Shipman suggested the city providing half the funds and request the other half of the funds from the LeRoy Community Foundation.  Motion by Shipman to allow up to 50% of the cost of the total project from capital outlay funds.  Second by Apenhorst.  Motion carried 5-0.  Dohlman will take the application to the LeRoy Community Foundation.
  • Cindy Stansfield questioned why there are no garbage cans in the parks. Sweeney reported people had misused the garbage cans by placing their personal garbage bags in them; the cans will be put out in the near future.

Service Award Recognition:

  • Koppen recognized the Public Works department for the 2024 Drinking Water Report. Sweeney reviewed the report with council.  Koppen also recognized the L-O Forever fundraiser; he thanked those who organized this event and those that attended.  Koppen recognized the L-O FFA program for their participation in the Region 8 contests, the annual FFA Banquet, and participation in the SDSU Little International Judging competition.  Koppen also recognized the L-O third grade class for the circus performance.  He also expressed kudos to all that helped in any way with the LSS Easter Egg Hunt from the employees and clients of LSS that filled over 7,000 eggs, to the LeRoy Commercial Club for donating the candy for the eggs, and for all those that attended.  He also recognized the LeRoy Commercial Club for all they do by organizing many events.

Vacant & Nuisance Properties:

  • White reported she made contact with the inspection firm the City of Spring Valley uses. She will arrange an inspection of the house located at 210 East Frederick Street.  This will allow the city to continue to work towards condemnation and removal of this house.

EDA & WWG Report:

  • The new management company continues to get more involved in the operations of WWG. Shipman reported the Wheels-to-Go bike liquidation sale went very well.

Being no further business to come before the council, the meeting was adjourned on a motion by Shipman, second by Huntley at 7:37 PM.

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