Bellechester City Council Meeting Minutes
February 18, 2026 @ 6:00 PM
Call the meeting to order at 6:00. Meeting is recorded, and the recordings belong to the City of Bellechester.
Pledge to the flag
Mayor Jody Gordon opened the regular city council meeting at 6:00.
Roll call was taken: The council in attendance: Mayor Jody Gordon, Council member Mark Gerken, Jake Gilsdorf, Rich Majerus, and Nick Keller as well as City Clerk Lisa Redepenning and Treasurer Kyle McKeown. Absent was City Engineer Matt Mohs. Also present was Eugene Betcher and Deputy Sullivan from GCSO.
Approve or Amend of Agenda – Motion was made by Mark Gerken with a 2nd by Nick Keller to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Minutes of the January 21, 2026 meeting were reviewed and motion was made by Mark Gerken with a second by Nick Keller to approve the minutes. Motion carried.
Bills were reviewed with a motion by Rich Majerus with a second by Nick Keller to approve and pay the bills as presented along with the additional invoice from Lake City Disposal. Motion carried.
Old Business:
• Snow Removal Management – BC Court – discussion on snow removal. Mark took a look and had an idea of possibly removing the chain link part to affect the snow drifting. Maybe leaving a few rows of plantings in the field was also suggested.
• Update on Consideration of Requested Use of Remaining Grant Funds – lawn mower and GPS were approved by RD. Bids on the ramp and steps are still coming in. We will need a definite plan with quotes. More work will be done on this.
• Use of Reserves – Mazeppa bank will offer the same CD rate as was done for the ambulance. Motion was made by Rich Majerus with a 2nd by Nick Keller to transfer $350,000 to savings account. Motion carried.
• Law Enforcement Contract Expectations - Tabled
• Community Center Plans - Tabled
• City Attorney – St. Charles attorney information was presented - Mark Mickow. Motion was made by Rich Majerus with a 2nd by Jake Gilsdorf to approve the appointing of Mark Mickow as city attorney. Motion carried.
New business:
• Contribution to Messenger – Motion was made by Mark Gerken with a 2nd by Jake Gilsdorf to approve a donation of $275 to the Messenger. Motion carried.
• Building Permit – McGovern – Motion was made by Mark with a 2nd by Nick Keller to approve the building permit as presented. Motion carried.
• Eugene Betcher – Raffle Request – trap shooting raffle request for drawing at Tavern on 5/16. Motion was made by Rich Majerus with a 2nd by Nick Keller to approve the request. Motion carried.
• Goodhue High School Software Raffle Request by Jaycees – Motion was made by Nick Keller with a 2nd by Mark Gerken to approve the Jaycees raffle at the Tavern.
• Summer Mowing – Morgan can continue but we will need a back up - Lexy Majerus. Motion was made by Nick Keller with a 2nd by Jake Gilsdorf.
• Motion was made by Jake Gilsdorf with a 2nd by Rich Majerus to renew insurance as is checking on meters and lining if it needs to be added. Motion carried.
Engineer Report – None
Clerk Report – None
Treasurer Report – Kyle inquired on billing software setup to enable off site setup. Motion was made by Nick Keller with a 2nd by Jake Gilsdorf to approve this charge. Motion carried.
Water/Wastewater/Facility Report – there was 1 frozen water meter town. An extra 1.5”meter will be ordered to have as a spare. Swapped out a valve and connection at the well house. South well will be shut down briefly for a leak in the pipe. Flow meter at ponds were calibrated. We are good until August and September.
Mayor Concerns: Tree trimming over road concern was discussed.
Council Concerns: Filling of fire trucks concern was discussed.
Adjourn
Motion was made by Mark Gerken with a second by Rick Majerus to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 6:53. Motion carried.
Closed Meeting Request – Personnel – *no motions, open/close time or summary provided*
Submitted by Lisa Redepenning – City Clerk
