Bellechester City Council Meeting Minutes
March 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
Acting Mayor Mark Gerken opened the regular city council meeting at 6:00.
Roll call was taken: The council in attendance: Acting Mayor Mark Gerken, Council member Jake Gilsdorf, Rich Majerus, and Nick Keller as well as City Clerk Lisa Redepenning and Treasurer Kyle McKeown. Absent was Mayor Jody Gordon and City Engineer Matt Mohs. Also present was Jon Hueneke and Jonathan Luhman.
Approve or Amend of Agenda – Motion was made by Rich Majerus with a 2nd by Nick Keller to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Minutes of the February 18, 2026 meeting were reviewed and motion was made by Rich Majerus with a second by Jake Gilsdorf to approve the minutes. Motion carried.
Bills were reviewed with a motion by Nick Keller with a second by Rich Majerus to approve and pay the bills as presented with Arndt bill for snow plowing to be submitted at a later date. Motion carried.
Old Business:
• Update on Consideration of Requested Use of Remaining Grant Funds – 2 bids were received for Bob Cat with snow blowing removal attachment. We have $150,000 of grant funds left. Finish mower - zero turn mower, and GPS system were approved by Rural Development. Ramp, doors and steps with railing needing to be fixed at Community Center bids were received for ADA compliancy. The city can be the general contractor for these updates. Camera system request was rejected. Motion was made by Nick Keller with a 2nd by Rich Majerus to approve the ADA repairs purchases presented to use remaining funds with the possibility of adding the steps repair to the list. Motion carried. Motion was made by Nick Keller with a 2nd by Jake Gilsdorf to approve the locator equipment above. Motion carried. Motion was made by Jake Gilsdorf with a 2nd by Rich Majerus to approve the zero turn mower. Motion carried. Motion was made by Nick Keller with a 2nd by Jake Gilsdorf to approve the L35 Bob Cat with snow blower and bucket. Motion carried with Mark Gerken noted he opposes this purchase.
• Law Enforcement Contract Expectations – Rich spoke to Goodhue County Prosecution on the ordinance violation from last year. The ticket was not done properly and was dismissed. Rich mentioned the possibility of GCSD doing the violation steps as part of their service. More information will come next month.
• Community Center Plans – water heater needs replacing approximately $2700. SE corner of the concrete front steps, north side concrete of front steps are in need of repair. We need more details on the plans for the building as far as repairs needed. Motion was made by Rich Majerus to refund the legion the donated money with a 2nd by Jake Gilsdorf. Motion carried.
• Summer Mowing – Pay. Motion was made by Nick Keller with a 2nd by Jake Gilsdorf to approve returning and starting pay both of $15/hour. Motion carried.
New business:
• Approve Cooperative LSL Agreement Between City of Lake City and City of Bellechester. Motion was made by Nick Keller with a 2nd by Rich Majerus to approve the Cooperative LSL Agreement between City of Lake City and City of Bellechester. Motion carried.
• Approve Resolution # 2026-01 Application to the MN Public Facilities Authority Drinking Water Revolving Funding for a Lead Service Line Replacement Project. Motion was made by Rich Majerus with a 2nd by Nick Keller to approve Resolution #2026-01. Motion carried.
• Jonathan Luhman - Property Inquiry – Wants to purchase the lot across from the community center and place a shed on the property. Nick read the ordinance for residential zoning for this lot. With there being no house currently, a shed cannot be placed on a lot without a dwelling on the same lot.
• Tree Trimming – branches are hanging over roads. If the branches are hanging over city property, we can trim them. Speaking to residents is the best approach. We should consider hiring this out. We will consider contacting a company to come to look and give us information and cost to have done possibility in the fall.
• Extra funds/pay loan or keep in saving accounts. Figures were presented along with comparisons. More discussion will be done.
• Utility billing – billing questions were clarified.
Engineer Report – None
Clerk Report – Motion was made by Rich Majerus with a 2nd by Jake Gilsdorf to move interim savings account to new savings account and close the account. Motion carried.
Treasurer Report – quarterly bills will be sent and curb stops will be painted and flagged.
Water/Wastewater/Facility Report – discussion on a property commercial account and raising the yearly water rate. Leaking water meter at a residence was also discussed. Kyle will contact fire department about burning around the ponds. Storage for new equipment was discussed.
Mayor Concerns: Mark inquired about baling the pond area and getting it lined up again this year.
Council Concerns: None
Adjourn
Motion was made by Nick Keller with a second by Jake Gilsdorf to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 7:51. Motion carried.
Submitted by Lisa Redepenning – City Clerk
