City of Dennison
Meeting Minutes
August 14, 2025
The August Dennison City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Jeff Flaten on Thursday, August 14th, 2025 at 7:00 pm. Present were Councilors Caleb Voight, Heidi Cooke, and Diane Ruddle, and clerk Jessica Page.
Councilor Ruddle moved to approve the Meeting Minutes from the July City Council meeting, as well as the special meeting held on July 21st, 2025. Mayor Flaten second. Motion passed 4:0.
Councilor Cooke moved to approve the Treasurer’s report. Councilor Voight second. Motion passed 4:0.
Old Business/Committee Reports/Building Permits: Marathon sign update permit. The convenience store is planning on updating the signage for the gas station. Mayor Flaten move to approve the Marathon building permit for updating the signage. Councilor Ruddle second. Motion passed 4:0.
Administrative Issues:
1. Stephanie Kyllo and family have requested to address the Council regarding the discussion on a possible fine for having the Honor Guard salute for Charles Kyllo at his memorial service.
Mayor Flaten read a statement regarding the Honor Guard salute for Charles Kyllo and expressed condolences to the Kyllo family as well as thanking Mr. Kyllo for his service to the country. He reviewed Ordinance 32 for the City of Dennison. He explained that since there were no complaints called in about guns being fired, there could be no misdemeanor, so no fine could be applicable. The Mayor set some guidelines for public discussion so that everyone could be heard, and that everyone remain respectful throughout the discussion.
Joe Valkasek, Owatonna VFW, explained how his group performs the military honors, and they follow a well established protocol.
Erik Kyllo wanted to express his disappointment at the Council. He noted that the Kyllo’s have a family history that is strong in the area.
Neal Wilson expressed his condolences to the family. He is an army veteran of 29 years with numerous injuries and experiences during those years. He has been active with the VFW and American Legion. He stated there was not a clear cut ordinance when it comes to this within the City. He was adversely affected by the volleys that were fired by the honor guard as he had not been notified. All veterans deserve to be honored and it’s unfortunate that the situation has come to what it has.
Jim Hoffman commander of the honor guard, explained that they do Honor Guard ceremonies at places other than the cemetery.
Stephanie Delzer relayed they were originally told it was okay, then were told no, that it wasn’t okay to do it. Councilor Ruddle did say he was notified that the Council voted to uphold the Ordinance.
Brian Homier from the Kenyon PD was present. He explained that Kenyon has done it in the residential areas where a church would be, as well as on main street at the VFW before.
The gentleman from the independent media productions explained that the City Council is a servant to the residents. He has experience in military service. He talked about how people have served and deserve to be honored and not denigrated.
Mayor Flaten asked if there were any comments from the Council members present.
Councilor Ruddle noted that there has to be an actual misdemeanor ticket in order to be fined. There is no misdemeanor, so there can be no fine.
Councilor Cooke felt there wasn’t time to look at the honor guard and wished that Sean Kyllo had given sufficient time for the Council to consider.
It was noted that the Honor Guard ceremony doesn’t happen often in Dennison. It does happen more in Kenyon as there are several churches plus VFW in Kenyon. Officer Homier noted that the PD doesn’t always get notified, and the people in Kenyon don’t always get notified.
It was stated again that the Kyllo family can’t be fined.
There was a recommendation that if there would be an Honor Guard Ceremony in the City again, that the citizens are notified in advance of the date.
Mike Gillispie feels that folks need to be notified. What if someone got hurt? Can they sue the City?
Councilor Voight noted the he voted to uphold Ordinance 32. He read the firearm section to the room so everyone knew what it said.
Brian Edwards, a city resident, felt it was a firearms issue. He noted that State Statute read that recklessly discharging a firearm in a municipality is the issue. Brian has a berm that he shoots into when he practices so it is a safe activity. One would have to prove reckless intent for it to be illegal.
In summary, the City will work to improve this ordinance so there isn’t this vague situation in the future.
2. The City received a Notice of Violation from the MN Department of Health regarding high levels of Gross Alpha and Combined Radium in our drinking water (measurement of the total radioactivity from alpha emitting particulates, primarily from naturally occurring elements like radium and uranium, found in rocks and soil) on 7/30/25. There is a 30-day window to do a Public Notice which is due by 8/29/2025 and certification is due by 9/8/2025. A detailed plan of action and timetable for how our system plans to return this violation to compliance is due by 10/28/2025. The mayor and city clerk reached out to Bollig Engineering and Travis Reichl for feedback/updates. MN Dept. of Health recommended talking to Travis because the City of Hayward is working through a Gross Alpha Violation, too. Jessica has the letter for the public notice ready to go out. Travis is planning on being here on Thursday. Bollig is planning to come in September.
Discussion was held regarding the three choices that were most often made. Travis felt that well would be the best option, than getting water from another city. The radio activity in the water is in the solids in the water, and it gets caught in the filter materials. Councilor Ruddle noted it can be labeled as radioactive and as a whole, it can lead to a difficult disposal of the filtering materials. Travis brought a compliance agreement from Hayward to look at for a sample.
Another town, Twin Lakes, had a compliance agreement in 2020, but they actually had lowered readings, so no longer need to do anything.
Haywards system is over $4 million for the filter system.
Councilor Ruddle explained that certain media is better than others as far as absorbing the radium. Some City’s want the filter system because it will also lower the iron and manganese.
Some engineering consultants are pushing RO plants as a treatment option, but that means the Operator would need to go up to a B license.
A shallower well might work, but then you might have other contaminants such as nitrates or PFAS.
If you have a clean well, then you can blend it with the other well to bring down.
Nate gave a quick utilities update so he and Travis could go out to look at the lightning damages in the phosphorus shed.
Travis recommended the City make note of who those homes or business’ who have softeners, because you can’t use them for the lead and copper samples.
Nate said that Q water samples done in July. Meters were read last month. Ponds may need to have an emergency discharge if we get a lot of rain. Mixer breaker was damaged due to a possible lightning strike. Will work with insurance company to get that fixed.
3. Low hanging branch removal/stump estimates. The mayor received an estimate from John Miner to remove low hanging branches, and a proposal to remove tree stumps.
-Work to remove tree branches include two options: 1.) Removing tree branches in town over streets in the fall (about 18 trees) 4hrs @ $150/hr. = $600. 2.) Removing Black Walnut tree branches on the North side of town (going up the hill towards Prairie View) a blind spot at that location, and branches/shrubs on the East side of town (5th Way Avenue/West ditch) 2hrs @ $150/hr. = $300.
-Stump removal proposal. To get a better feel for real time costs involved, John would like to remove the 2 existing stumps on the corner of 377th and 2nd Avenue on a trial basis. He would cap the proposed work to be performed below 4hrs @ 150/hr. Labor and materials not to exceed $650 for the 2 stump removal. His work would include: Reaching out to Gopher State One and schedule a location of any underground utilities in the vicinity of the stumps, Grind the stumps, Remove debris, Back-fill with topsoil, Place sod over affected area and Initial soaking/watering of sod.
John Miner and the mayor saw 5 ash trees remaining in the city boulevards. 3 around the Beebe property; 1 on 377th street, across from the city well house; 1 on 376th street. The trees are in various stages of decline. At least in the short-term, taking down a couple a year seems reasonable/prudent.
Lions Club may be making a donation to paint the pump house and some stump grinding. Stumps in the park can be done with the park fund money.
Councilor Ruddle move to do the tree trimming both the first and second options: 1.) Removing tree branches in town over streets in the fall (about 18 trees) 4hrs @ $150/hr. = $600. 2.) Removing Black Walnut tree branches on the North side of town (going up the hill towards Prairie View) a blind spot at that location, and branches/shrubs on the East side of town (5th Way Avenue/West ditch) 2hrs @ $150/hr. = $300. Cost for the trees on the park property can be taken out of the park fund. Mayor Flaten second. Motion passed 4:0.
Councilor Cooke move to have John Minor do the stump grinding. Councilor Voight second. Motion passed 4:0. City will continue to work on removing additional Ash trees next year.
4. Discussion regarding the new Cannabis Ordinance. Councilor Ruddle emailed the council with the proposed ordinance to review. Cannabis event application form that Councilor Ruddle found was used as an example. She found fees ranging from $300, to up to $1000-1500. The higher fees included completing notifications as required. Duluth fee is $300, other towns may be $1000-1500 which include notifications, etc.
Highlighted areas are ones that she filled in on the digital copy.
Recommendations for fees: For temporary events $375 for the City. These would need to be added to the fee schedule. It was suggested to name the City as an additional insured.
City can use the sample event application as a base for an event application for City of Dennison.
Zoning areas as follows: Wholesale Industrial B-2, Transportation Industrial B-2, Delivery Industrial B-2.
Forward Ordinance to Clerk on Monday to send to Bethany to review.
5. Discussion on new Zoning Ordinance: Formatting has been difficult to work with for the Ordinance. Clerk will need to consult with someone who has better formatting skills before bringing it back to Council.
6. Update regarding audit requirements for the City. The mayor was informed by state officials that starting in 2025, cities with a population below 2500, combined clerk/treasurer and with an annual threshold below $1 Million will be required to have an Agreed Upon Procedure Engagement (AUP) once every five years. If the City is above 1 Million in annual revenues, a cash or regulatory basis audit is required annually. For the years an AUP or Audit is not required, cities must still submit unaudited financial statements and complete the Annual Financial Reporting Form and submit the information to the Auditor's office by the required due date to be eligible for local government aid and small cities assistance. Links provided for the clerk regarding the audit requirements and the AUP.
7. Updates from Jessica on OPUS. Has progress been made in resolving billing errors/mistakes? Progress has been made, but need to continue to monitor.
8. Street construction progress/update. Seykora Asphalt finished their work on August 6th. Cost over runs occurred because the amount of asphalt needed to make the transition from the cement spillway next to K. Nygaard's house (374th street and 2nd Ave.) increased on the north side of the street (10 feet by 50 feet additional asphalt) resulted in about a $4,000 invoice increase. There was about a 5 inch drop on the north side of the road between the asphalt and cement, and also a crown in the road, which required a longer transition between the new cement and asphalt. Two gate valve boxes were adjusted with risers, one at Goodhue Avenue and 2nd Avenue, the other at 374th street and 2nd Ave. Dan Storlie and the mayor exercised both gate valve boxes on July 8th and removed 3 to 4 feet of gravel/dirt/sand in each one. Jeff has been backfilling the curb areas in the yards.
9. Lenny Dohmen finished his concrete work on August 8th. The work went according to the plans.
10. Chip rocking of the streets is scheduled for August 28th, as long as the weather cooperates. The company will put up no parking signs the day before, and sweep the streets in the morning before they begin with the oil and chip rock.
11. Update on complaints filed last month. 3 new complaints submitted to City Hall on 8-12-25 and 8-13-2025. Mayor met with the Vititoes on 8-6-25. Vehicles/Pontoon in front yard are registered and licensed. Roger explained they share a driveway with the next door neighbor and space is limited to park vehicles/boats. Some weed whipping/mowing done. Roger is asking for more time to move items into his garage/remove stuff from his property. The mayor will meet with Roger after the November meeting to discuss his progress.
Heidi Cooke submitted two letters to the City addressing the two complaints for both her and Mike Gillispie’s properties. Letters forwarded to Council members. Mayor Flaten responded to her letters: Mikes’ house vehicle in the right of way. Other people have them in the right of way. Pohl’s move them around. Heidi noted that it has been moved but it goes right back. Needs to be clearer in the Ordinance. Jeff sees it as City property, should people be able to leave things on “city property” for a long time. Needs to clarify. Need to have Nichole here to review as Jeff and Heidi should probably recuse themselves for the vote.
Heidi’s house: Complaint form was incomplete. Jeff says he could have been more complete in listing. He states he didn’t go on the personal property. States he was on the street to see the items. Part of the property is ag land that is all within the City limits. Heidi feels that these complaints were cherry picked. There are 15 other cars that are unlicensed, etc.
More updates regarding complaints? Kevin Pohl has been working to clean up the backyard with the intent to organize and move vehicles out of the way. Update on 8-13-2025.
The mayor is asking Nate Sparrow to remove his snow thrower and trailer from the west side of the city shop/fire station. If he needs help removing the items, maybe Dan Storlie or Bill Deutsch can assist with it. The tall grass/weeds need to be weed whipped around those items/area.
Send a letter to Neal Wilson about the weeds growing in the alley next to his house on 376th Street and his second home on Farm Road if they aren’t cut down by the 25th of August.
1st Ave Court and request for signs to slow people down, maybe something like “Watch for Children.”
12. Does the city council want to keep the wood chairs donated by Joe Amy? Council felt they can be better used elsewhere.
13. The preliminary levy is due on September 30th. What do we want to do? Options would include 1) setting the levy at the same amount as last year. 2)The preliminary Levy could be set slightly higher and it would stay the same or could be adjusted lower in December for the final levy as it cannot be raised, but it can be lowered. 3) Council can do a work session to come up with a 2026 budget to come up with a number. The Preliminary Levy must be finalized at the September 4th meeting, unless they want to schedule a special meeting after the 4th, but prior to the 30th.
14. Work session on the 27th to work on the budget.
15. Snow plow bids need to go out soon.
16. Ask sheriff to park on 1st Ave. Court. Are the violators known? Does the complaintant know who they are? Clerk will try to find out more about any patterns, specific times of days, etc.
Citizens Issues:
Mayors Issues:
Utilities:
1. Update from Nate:
2. J Hasse water quality issues. Any progress.
3. Update on DO meter. Received the different probe? Is it working?
4. Thompson water meter and reader. Delivered meter to plumber. Had times lined up and twice it didn’t work. Schedule another time.
The fire hydrant flushing for the spring/summer wasn't conducted by Nate. When is the City going to flush hydrants this fall?
Citizens Issues: No additional ones that have not already been addressed earlier in the meeting.
Mayors Issues: None.
Councilor Voight move to pay the bills. Councilor Cooke second. Motion passed 4:0.
Mayor Flaten moved to adjourn the meeting. Councilor Ruddle second. Motion was adjourned at 9:34pm.
Next meeting: Regular meeting on Thursday, September 4th at 7:00.
