Goodhue City Council Meeting Minutes
City Hall ~ May 28, 2025 ~ 6:00 p.m.
Present: Mayor Ernie Valenzuela, Council Members Joe Benda, Michael Brunkhorst, Chris Schmit, Jeannine Nagel
Absent: None
Guests: Lisa Redepenning, Lori Luhman, Melissa Thomforde
Call to Order
Mayor Valenzuela called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Approve or amend Agenda
Motion to approve the agenda was made by Benda, seconded by Nagel, motion carried 5-0-0.
Approval of Minutes
Motion to approve the May 14, 2025, work meeting minutes made by Nagel, seconded by Schmit, motion carried 5-0-0.
Approval of Consent Agenda
Motion to approve Consent Agenda made by Schmit, seconded by Nagel motion carried 5-0-0.
Old Business
None
New Business
Resident, Heather Evenson, addressed her concerns about the letter of violation they received about their vehicles parked
in the yard. She wondered why the city could not just talk to them. She admitted that they parked on the yard during the
winter. Mrs. Evenson had 18 other pictures of residents around town that are parking in their yards and not getting
violation letters. She calls this bullying and harassment. Council and staff reminded that the process does not target
individuals but is based on complaints. Mayor thanked resident for sharing and complaint will be reviewed.
Jeremy and Melissa Thomforde spoke about their violation notice and stated that none of their items were listed on the
ordinance and didn’t feel that it pertained to them. They have equipment located there that is being used not stored. Also,
the screen would not work for their property because of the setbacks from the road for the screen, which would not allow enough room for them to move equipment around. Complainant also did not agree with the timing of the letter and 14-day notice to correct violation when it fell the day before a council meeting. Staff reminded that all violations are treated the same and given the same amount of time for correction as advised by council. Council commented this violation may have been a mistake on our part and will be reviewed.
Council discussed the annual license renewal for 2nd Street Pub. A motion was made to approve the liquor license renewal by Schmit, seconded by Nagel, motion carried 5-0-0.
Secondly, for the 2nd Street Pub, Council discussed the request for a special liquor license for a Whiskey & Wine Summer
kick off social on June 5, 2025, and the Summer Farmers Market Series weekly permit request. Council commented that it looks like they did their homework and noticed the Farmer’s Market series will be on City property in the Lions Club
parking lot. Council member Schmit made a motion to approve the Specialty Liquor License request for 2nd Street Pub
Whiskey & Wine Summer kick off social on Thursday, June 5 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. as well as the Summer Farmers
Market Series weekly permit request every Wednesday evening from July through September, seconded by Nagel, motion
carried 5-0-0.
A request came in for a donation of $250 to the Farmer’s Market. Council member Schmit made a motion to donate $250 to the Goodhue Farmer’s Market, seconded by Benda, motion carried 5-0-0.
Council asked why there is still the hold up for the Lions Club to sign the agreement. Council asked administration to
send an email with some questions and a deadline to keep things moving along.
Council and staff discussed certain ordinance violations and had some suggestions on how to handle the complaint
process.
Council Member Brunkhorst gave a brief update on the Fire Board and how it will affect the levee.
Mayor Valenzuela reminded the council to keep communication of council items at the meetings and not in the public.
The two swimming pool issues that we were working on have both removed their pools.
Council Member Schmit spoke with Mr. Kennedy regarding the Volksfest event services held by the Jaycees regarding
underage drinking. It was strongly suggested they keep a closer eye on the servers doing their job responsibly. The
Jaycees member’s minimum age changed. It was 16 but now members must be 18 or graduated from High School.
There will be a request for lifeguard recertification amount of under $2000 that will be coming through and will not be on this claims list. Staff is requesting a pre-approval of this along with paying the bills.
Approval of Bills and annual recertification for lifeguards
A motion was made to approve the bills by Schmit, seconded by Nagel, motion carried 5-0-0.
Adjournment
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made at 7:09 p.m. by Council Member Benda seconded by Schmit 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Lori Luhman, Administrative Assistant/City Clerk
