Goodhue City Council Work Meeting Minutes
City Hall ~ October 14, 2026 ~ 6:00 p.m.
Members Present: Mayor Chris Schmit, Council Members Michael Brunkhorst, Katie Kurtti, Jeannine Nagel,
and Eric Brandt
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Lisa Redepenning, City Administrator, Lori Luhman, Administrative Assistant/City Clerk,
Jason Mandelkow, Public Works Director,
Remote: None
Call to Order
Mayor Schmit called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Approve or amend Agenda
No additions to the Agenda. Mayor asked to change order of items by switching GCSO Use of City Hall with
the Water Bill Refund. Motion to approve amended agenda, made by Brunkhorst, seconded by Kurtti, motion
carried 5-0-0.
Approval of Minutes
Motion to approve the September 23, 2026, council meeting minutes made by Brandt seconded by Brunkhorst,
motion carried 5-0-0.
Approval of Bills
A motion was made to approve the bills by Nagel, seconded by Brunkhorst, motion carried 5-0-0.
Old Business
2027 Preliminary Budget
Council continues to review the preliminary 2027 budget. Mayor announced that the Gas Commission
approved that they would pay 50% of the gas for the pool heat next year. Council member Brandt asked for the
Gas Commission quarterly budget report. He also stated that the commission’s quarterly report needs to be
filed with the City Clerk as stated in the Commission’s bylaws. Kurtti asked that the bylaws for the Gas
Commission be available for them to review at the next meeting. Mayor Schmit will get the bylaws for the
members to review.
Council member Nagel asked why the payroll amount was so much less this year than last year. Administrator
Redepenning explained that the original coding for PERA, FICA, and Federal and State withholding that was
deducted for employee and employer, was all going under employer expense inflating the salary totals. The
amounts have now been separated correctly.
Health insurance and PFML figures were updated using confirmed rates. Safety training expenses were placed
in the operating technology/training account because the expenditure was not originally budgeted.
Council considered whether snow-removal funding should increase because fuel and contractor bids may rise.
Staff believed the $15,000 allocation was reasonable, with some material potentially purchased this year and
carried into the next budget remaining open for revisions before final adoption in December.
The levy increase of 10% would be estimated excess of $53,038. Alternatives include $26,265 for a 5% levy
increase and $15,956 with a 3% increase and about $493 with no levy increase. Members noted that existing
debt makes a zero-percent increase impractical.
Update on Manor Emergency Shelter/Plan
No follow up was received.
New Business
GCSO Use of City Hall
Mayor Schmit met with the Sheriff’s office since the last meeting. He gave a recap of past events to new
members. The Council discussed restoring Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office workspace in City Hall, including
access to an office, restroom, and garage space as needed. Past concerns involved cleanliness and use of
shared space. Council supported moving forward with clear expectations, protecting confidential city records,
and allowing winter vehicle access to the garage. Staff will redesign the copy-room/counter area to create an
office space with a target of January 1, 2027. Item will be placed on consent agenda for approval at the next
meeting.
2027 Fee Schedule
The 2027 fee schedule was deferred until next month, with a possible commercial sewer rate to be considered.
Outdoor Warning Siren Maintenance
The city will investigate maintenance or inspection options for its outdoor warning siren, including costs and
legal responsibilities.
Farm Lease Renewals
Farm leases were approved to renew at existing terms. The staff clarified that the farmland is not certified as
organic and is subject to best nitrogen-management practices. Lease renewals will be on consent agenda for
the next meeting.
Water Bill Refund
A $799.06 water bill refund was approved, for a malfunctioning meter/reading equipment, and will be on the
consent agenda for the next meeting.
Committee Updates
Public Works Update
Snow removal bids will be advertised. Street patching is expected to continue as weather permits. Funding
came through for replacement of galvanized service lines at 19 homes and there will be exploratory potholing
at approximately 40 locations.
Council supported seeking a used replacement pickup using remaining plow-truck funds and sale proceeds
from the auctioned dump truck. Item to be added to consent agenda for the next meeting. The MDH is working
on the next round of funding for galvanized or copper line replacement.
At 7:02 Member Nagel left the meeting.
At 7:03 Member Nagel returned to the meeting.
Gas Commission Update
Currently there is no interest in the open position.
Administrator Update
The city received a request from a fourth-grade teacher in Goodhue, asking to get a tour of City Hall and
someone to speak about roles and responsibilities of elected and appointed leaders. At this time the teacher
has arranged for Pam Altendorf to speak at Goodhue school, and Eric Brandt will meet them to tour City Hall
and answer questions.
The League of Minnesota Cities let us know that we did not have and do not qualify now for “No Fault Sewer
Backup Insurance”. This is an insurance that pays even if it is not our fault. The city has never had it and does
not need to have this. The consent was to leave as is and do not get the insurance.
City Clerk Update
The $35 NSF charge caused by an incorrect bank account number on the autopay request form, rather than
insufficient funds, will be adjusted from customer’s account. No fees were incurred to the city for this. Clerk
Luhman suggests the NSF fee structure details be addressed in future fee-schedule language. This adjustment
will also be on the consent agenda for the next meeting.
Council Comments
None
Mayor Comments
None
Adjournment
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made at 7:24 p.m. by Council Member Brunkhorst, seconded by Kurtti,
motion carried 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Lori Luhman, Administrative Assistant/City Clerk
