Goodhue City Council Work Meeting Minutes
City Hall ~ June 11, 2025 ~ 6:00 p.m.
Members Present: Mayor Ernie Valenzuela, Council Members Joe Benda, Michael Brunkhorst, Chris Schmit, Jeannine
Nagel Absent: None
Staff: Lisa Redepenning, Lori Luhman
Guests: McCrae Olson, David Kyllo
Call to Order
Mayor Valenzuela called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Approve or amend Agenda
Council member Nagel motioned to approve the agenda, seconded by Schmit, motion carried 5-0-0.
Approval of Minutes
Motion to approve the May 28, 2025, meeting minutes was made by Nagel, seconded by Schmit, motion carried 5-0-0.
New Business
Mayor Valenzuela addressed the flow of the process of the last meeting, taking responsibility and reminded that it is
necessary to be consistent with the five-minute time limit for public comment and that it is their time to speak. Mayor
thanked the residents for speaking and council can discuss the issues at the next meeting. A timer will be used from now
on to be fair to all those speaking. After much discussion about the Thomforde violation notice and ordinance wording,
Council asked Attorney Vose how to proceed with a violation that they deem was sent in error. Attorney Vose defended
this letter being sent in error could be debatable, but if Council chooses to see that the violation is indeed an error, then
you can choose to have staff stop the process of the violation, and it is legal to handle it in person. It is not recommended
in larger cities, but in small town cases, there is nothing wrong with speaking directly with the property owner and
requesting them to clean up the area. Council agreed to let Council Member Schmit personally ask Mr. Thomforde to
remove garbage and clean up the area.
In previous years an aerobics class was held at the pool by an instructor who charged a fee for the class, yet no
information or money was given to the city. This was all handled by the pool manager. The aerobics instructor was told to
check this year with the Goodhue School Community Ed Dept to see if they were going to handle the schedule. They
responded that the school was not going to coordinate the aerobics classes since they did not own the pool. Thus, there are no aerobics currently being held at the pool this year. Council agreed that the fee for use of the pool for aerobics should be a set rate like pool parties and that the instructor would also need to have a Facility Use Agreement with the City and insurance listing the City as an additional insured.
The EDA presented the Business Facade Improvement Program Application for The Goodhue Depot to receive funds for
signage and banners. There is a $6000 budget for this year for the Façade program. They can request a façade grant once every three years and can get up to $2000 or 50% of the requested amount. Council agreed to accept the application and moved it to the Consent agenda for the next meeting.
It was determined to move forward with the Joint Powers Agreement with the Fire Department. The Fire Department
needs the city to present an expression of interest in joining the Goodhue Community Fire Association and would need to do so by Resolution. Council Member Schmit made a motion to create a Resolution to express interest in being in a Joint
Powers Agreement with the Goodhue Fire Association, seconded by Benda, motion carried 5-0-0.
Council discussed The Corner Bar & Grille liquor license renewal and agreed to move it to the Consent agenda for
approval at the next meeting.
Annually the Goodhue County Cooperative Electric Operation Round-Up program has an application process that
organizations can apply for donations to support the community in various ways. We applied for funds to help pay for
lifeguard seats and chairs at the Goodhue Pool. The council graciously accepted the donation and will place Resolution
No. 25-09 Accepting the donation from Goodhue County Cooperative Electric Operation Round-Up program of $500 on
the consent agenda for approval at the next meeting. Mayor requested a thank you letter be sent to them.
Public Works
Council discussed the sensaphone dialer for the new well-house going to a generic number, so it doesn’t need to be
changed as employees change. Staff will confirm this with the Public Works Director. The stumps will be ground out by
public works staff when the grinder is reserved the week of June 23rd. New Public Works summer employee, Taylor
Thomforde, started working.
Council Comments
Council asked about options for residents to get rid of extra garbage or have an extra can. Staff will look into this with our provider to be sure they will pick up the extra cans and how that will affect our billing both from the provider and to the customer.
Council requested that we confirmed that City Hall hours are posted correctly online from Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. to
4:00 p.m.
Mayor Comments
Mayor thanked everyone in the meeting for adjusting and being patient through this learning process.
Mayor noted that the event porta-potties will not be dumped in Goodhue. They will need to be dumped in Red Wing.
Approval of Bills
A motion was made to approve the bills by Nagel, seconded by Benda, motion carried 5-0-0.
Adjournment
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made at 7:54 pm by Council Member Brunkhorst, seconded by Benda, motion
carried 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Lori Luhman, Administrative Assistant/City Clerk
