Goodhue City Council Meeting Minutes
City Hall ~ May 27, 2026 ~ 6:00 p.m.
Members Present: Mayor Chris Schmit, Council Members Michael Brunkhorst, Katie Kurtti, Jeannine Nagel, Eric Brandt
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Lisa Redepenning, City Administrator, Lori Luhman, Administrative Assistant/City Clerk, Roger Ballstadt, Lynn Nardinger, Trevor
Sullivan-GCSO
Remote: None
Call to Order
Mayor Schmit called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Approve or amend Agenda
Motion to approve agenda made by Brunkhorst, seconded by Brandt, motion carried 5-0-0.
Approval of Consent Agenda
• Motion to approve the May 13, 2026, City Council Work Meeting Minutes
• Motion to approve the bills (Check #040723-040730 totaling $9,102.20)
Motion to approve the consent agenda made by Brandt, seconded by Brunkhorst, motion carried 5-0-0.
Old Business
Joint Powers Truck Association Agreement
Ongoing review of the agreement and its attachment clarification over “Appendix A” vs. “Exhibit A”. Document aligns with described formula: 50% based on population, 50% on buildings not land. Awaiting review and official communication from legal representatives. No final action until the lawyers have reviewed the document. Approval targeted for June 10 work session.
Goodhue County Posse Coverage for Volksfest/Cleanup
In lieu of hiring an additional Posse member to clean up after Volksfest Friday and Saturday events, it was proposed to hire a local 9th grader or two for a fund raiser for the school DC trip. City can coordinate with Dawn Klindworth for logistics. A motion was made by Kurtti to offer $100 per session for four sessions totaling $400, seconded by Nagel, motion carried 5-0-0.
Recodification
Discussed significant update and consolidation of city ordinances since 1976. Interested in choosing basic codification package (~$7,900) with legal review at the end. Concerns were raised about the unexpected legal fees and page overage charges. Funding would come from the general fund or savings from overbudgeted plow truck purchase. Council suggested that a committee be formed with two council members and the City Administrator to review questions before engaging the city attorney to minimize costs.
Council requested that staff see what nearby cities, like Pine Island, may have needed for legal fees and page count costs incurred from their codification process and ongoing maintenance expenses. Council decided to proceed with codification and review again at the June work meeting.
New Business
Development Agreement – City of Goodhue & Goodhue County Habitat for Humanity
This agreement is for the city to be a pass-through for the $55,000 grant to Habitat for Humanity for building a new home on their vacant lot. Council expressed concern that construction was allowable under current MPCA regulations. Tabled the agreement until June work session to confirm compliance with city engineer, Jason, and Habitat representative, Bob Hawley.
Liquor License Renewal – 2nd Street Pub
Motion to approve liquor license renewal for 2nd Street Pub, made by Nagel, seconded by Brunkhorst, motion carried 5-0-0.
Liquor License Renewal – The Corner Bar & Grille
Motion to approve liquor license renewal for The Corner Bar & Grille, made by Nagel, seconded by Brandt, motion carried 5-0-0.
Resolution 26-06 LG230 application to conduct off-site Gambling – Goodhue Lions Club request for approval of raffle at the Chicken BBQ August 16, 2026
Motion to approve resolution 26-06 LG230 application to conduct off-site gambling for the Goodhue Lions Club raffle at Chicken BBQ on August 16, 2026, made by Brandt, seconded by Brunkhorst, motion carried 5-0-0.
Resolution 26-07 Approving list of Election Judges for the Primary and General Elections of 2026
Motion to approve Resolution 26-07 List of Election Judges for the Primary and General Elections of 2026 made by Brunkhorst, seconded by Kurtti, motion carried 5-0-0.
Committee Updates - The Flower Committee is working on getting flowers planted Saturday behind city shed and community is invited to help.
Public Works Comments – Ongoing pool preparations
Administrator Comments - None
Council Comments
Council member Nagel received feedback from a resident about swimming lesson sign up being not very efficient, lines were long, cold outside and some confused by payment method this year and others wondered why they could not sign up online. Suggestions include making forms available online, separate days for pool pass vs. lessons, improve payment communication, and work with wildcat care to streamline block registration again in future. City staff was given short notice that Wildcat Care had staff turnover and chose not to include swimming lesson sign-up at their registration, thus there were a lot more at the sign-up day at City Hall. The city nor the pool has ever accepted a card payment method and the sign up is first-come first-serve to get the time/day slot they need.
Council asked that staff communicate with Wildcat Care to continue participation in lesson registration and potentially revise registration process for next season.
Mayor Schmit asked if anyone knew why an excavator was sitting on the road to the pool. Administrator Redepenning informed that there was a demolition permit approved to remove the trailer house and garage on the corner. Mayor reminded staff to check the zoning ordinance to confirm that nothing can be built on the lot.
Mayor Schmit talked to John Ramboldt about power to the pole for lighting the Memorial. John Ramboldt is funding and coordinating the lighting installation. City’s only involvement is possible minimal utility fee increase.
Council member Nagel asked if we had received any sample invoices that were requested from the garbage disposal companies. The only one that has returned the request is LRS.
Mayor Comments - None
Public Comments - None
Adjournment
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made at 6:35 p.m. by Council Member Brandt, seconded by Brunkhorst, motion carried 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Lori Luhman, Administrative Assistant/City Clerk
