Goodhue City Council Work Meeting Minutes
City Hall ~ October 8, 2025 ~ 6:00 p.m.
Members Present: Acting Mayor Chris Schmit, Council Members Michael Brunkhorst and Jeannine Nagel
Members Absent: Joe Benda, Ernie Valenzuela
Others Present: Lisa Redepenning-City Administrator, Lori Luhman-Administrative Assistant/City Clerk, Jason
Mandelkow-Public Works Director, Tiffany Jones-News Record, Phil Hofstad
Call to Order
Acting 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 Nagel, motion carried 2-0-0.
Approval of Minutes
Motion to approve the September 24, 2025, work meeting minutes made by Brunkhorst, seconded by Nagel, motion
carried 2-0-0.
Approval of Bills
A motion was made to approve the bills by Nagel, seconded by Brunkhorst, motion carried 2-0-0.
New Business
Solar Garden Inquiry
A solar farm developer reached out to inquire if there was any interest in leasing the land for a solar farm at the
intersection of CR 6 and 380th (CR 9). Council is interested in getting more information.
Fence Ordinance
Council discussed how they would like some changes to the Fence Ordinance that pertain to wording
interpretation, setbacks, neighboring fence lines, and putting more responsibility back on the owner to find
property lines. The fence permit is an extra layer of protection to ordinance compliance. Council member
Brunkhorst will work on changes and bring it back to council to review.
EDA/Business Survey Results
Council member Nagel reported that all the EDA can do right now is support the businesses we have today.
How we are to do that is still to be determined. The council also discussed the current welcome wagon and
Goodhue Chamber of Commerce involvement. EDA needs to work on coordinating the common goals and
biggest concern now is getting the business list done.
Fire Department Assignments
Currently Joe Benda and Mayor Valenzuela are Fire Department liaisons, and an alternate is needed in case
one is not available to attend a meeting. Motion made by Brunkhorst, Seconded by Nagel to appoint Chris
Schmit as alternate Fire Department liaison.
Farm Lease renewals
Discussed farm leases and agreed to keep the same and move to consent agenda for the next meeting.
November and December meeting dates
To accommodate the holidays, Council Members agreed to eliminate the work meetings for November and
December and have one regular council meeting each month on the second Wednesday of November and
December 2025. Meeting date changes will be on the consent agenda for the next meeting.
City Contribution to Employee HSA
Currently the city contributes $1,000 to a Health Savings Account for each employee that has City insurance to
help compensate for the high-deductible plan. With premiums and deductibles increasing, council agreed to
increase the Health Savings Contribution to $1350 for single plan and $2900 for family plan, which will be
added to the consent agenda for the next meeting.
Application to Conduct Off-site Gambling for Lion’s Christmas Party December 13, 2025
Council agreed to add the Lions Club gambling permit to the consent agenda for the next meeting.
Resolution No. 25-17 approving Application to Conduct Off-site Gambling for Lion’s Christmas Party December
13, 2025
Council agreed to add Resolution No. 25-17, for approving the Lions gambling permit, to the consent agenda
for the next meeting.
Old Business-None
Clerk Report
Clerk Luhman clarified that the township road isn’t “abandoned”, but a very low maintenance field road and still
owned by Goodhue Township. The report included contact names from Goodhue Township in case there were
questions about access to the land along it.
Public Works Report
Public Works Director, Mandelkow stated he is still watching truck auctions for a newer dump truck. Reminders
are nice about not putting yard waste in the road because it clogs the drains. Due to the Ag Partners project,
the trail will be closed from the Country Store to the sign because of the work going on next to the trail. There
will also be traffic redirected along Broadway S when work is being done next to the road.
Administrator Comments-None
Council Comments
Council Member Nagel announced that she will be meeting remotely for the October 22nd meeting. Council
questioned the absence of council members who may be out for three or more consecutive meetings and if
allowed. Administrator Redepenning confirmed that extended periods of being absent is allowed for medical
reasons and in that case, the Council Member can stay in their nominated seat unless they choose not to
come back.
Mayor Comments-None
Adjournment
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made at 7:12 p.m. by Council Member Nagel, seconded by Brunkhorst 2-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Lori Luhman, Administrative Assistant/City Clerk
