Goodhue City Council Work Meeting Minutes
City Hall ~ April 9, 2025 ~ 5:00 p.m.
Present: Mayor Ernie Valenzuela, Council Members Joe Benda, Michael Brunkhorst, Chris Schmit, Jeannine Nagel, Staff
members Lisa Redepenning, Lori Luhman, Jason Mandelkow
Absent: None
Guests: Jon Huneke GCSO, Mike Ayres GCSO, McCrae Olson
Call to Order
Mayor Valenzuela called the work session to order at 5:00 p.m.
The meeting opened with the discussion session with Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office regarding the Law Enforcement
Services agreement and office and garage space at Goodhue City Hall. Chief Deputy Huneke thoroughly explained the
history of contracts with other cities and the recent history with City of Goodhue. The current agreement does not state
anything about use of office space. The subjects that are of concern for the City are housekeeping of the area,
liability/protection for the city property and staff, and confidentiality of information in City Clerk office area. If an
incident occurred on city property, the City would need an agreement in place that refers to the space and a certificate of
insurance listing the city as an additional insured. There is a door that locks off the Clerk’s area. This would help with
data privacy and a restroom is available in the garage. The City did receive a Certificate of Insurance for bodily injury and
property damage liability for 2025. An agreement is prepared. Council did not state an amount but understood for liability
reasons there should be an agreement, even if no dollar amount is listed. The officers will be getting some new docking
stations that may change how they arrange things in the office. The Sheriff’s Office is willing to be flexible with storage
in garage. The Sheriff’s Office has a command post here for Volksfest and mentioned that a drone will be stored here.
Council member Schmit mentioned that the City gets an abundance of police services over and above what the City is
paying for, and this benefits the City and the surrounding townships. He estimates that the service is exceeding $1500
$2000 in free labor since this office space is available to them.
Approve or amend Agenda
A motion to approve the agenda was made by Schmit, seconded by Brunkhorst, motion carried 5-0-0.
Approval of Minutes
Motion to approve the March 26, 2025, meeting minutes made by Schmit, seconded by Nagel, motion carried 5-0-0.
Motion to approve the March 26, 2025, City & Goodhue Lions Special Meeting Minutes, made by Schmit, seconded by
Benda, motion carried 5-0-0.
New Business
Administrator Redepenning suggested the City open a savings account and transfer $10,000 a year to be deposited for a
cushion. The amount will show up on the cash accounting report. Council agreed this would be a good idea and requested
to place on the consent agenda for the regular meeting.
The City has received three Lifeguard applications and no Public Works Maintenance applications at this point. The ads
are out for the month of April. Ads are placed in the newspaper, the city website, and the pool Facebook page. It was also
mentioned in the City Newsletter.
The council received a copy of the EDA Bylaws that were presented at the last EDA meeting. They need to be passed by
council. They spoke about the length of terms for the EDA board members. The bylaws will go back to the EDA for
review of the term years for the Mayor and Council.
The Council agreed to reassign the dance permit fee of $125, add it to the Fee Schedule, and the permit must state that if
alcohol is served, an officer is required to be onsite. This item can be added to the Consent Agenda for the next regular
meeting.
The water tower spot repair and overcoating proposal was presented and recommended to do the most important inside
spots and consider outside preventative maintenance. It is scheduled to be finished in the fall. If council decides to get it
all refurbished, we need to let contractor know soon so it could all be done at the same time this fall. There is money
available in the water fund to complete this project. Council asked for another quote for the reconditioning. Public Works
Director will work on getting the quote for the next meeting.
Public Works Report
Ag Partners submitted a building permit and plans for adding a new pellet mill. It will be located on the East Side of the
current mill. They will be putting in new two-inch water lines, new gas service and reconnecting to sanitary sewer.
The City received a Notice of Violation and Compliance Evaluation Inspection and letter of warning resulting from an
inspection of the Goodhue Wastewater Treatment Plant on March 25, 2025, by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
(MPCA). Our Wastewater Operator and Public Works Director are working closely with them to take the proper
corrective measures. There were no fines incurred.
Spring quotes will not go out this year as the City Council and Public Works Director are content with the two whom the
City has always worked closely with.
Pickle ball court cracks are too small to repair now. When they are large enough to repair, they will get repaired as they
occur.
The information in the paper that stated the City was installing a culvert by the school was not correct. The school has not
talked to the City’s Engineer and the City is not installing a culvert.
City Clerk updated council on Ordinance Violations that occurred in February and March and their status.
Approval of Bills
A motion was made to approve the bills by Schmit, seconded by Brunkhorst, motion carried 5-0-0.
Adjournment
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made at 7:32 p.m. by Council Member Brunkhorst, seconded by Schmit, motion
carried 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Lori Luhman, Administrative Assistant/City Clerk
