Red Wing City Council Regular Meeting - January 12, 2026

The Red Wing City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers, concluding at 7:48 PM. The agenda included fire personnel recognitions, public comments on ICE presence and council communication practices, approval of consent items, a transfer of motel voucher program administration from HOPE Coalition to Hope & Harbor, a pedestrian safety improvement for the Plum and Main Street intersection, and scheduling of the annual workshop.

Consent Calendar

• Approved warrants totaling $4,084,395.51 (Warrant #125631 - 126142).
• Approved December 8, 2025, Regular Meeting Minutes with a correction (name correction from “Becky Jo Lambert” to “Vicki Jo Lambert”).
• Reappointed Paul Reding and Wylie Wilson to the Port Authority Board for second terms expiring January 31, 2029.
• Approved an encroachment agreement with Mindy Abello at 777 21st Street for construction of a fence, earthen berm, and decorative rock within the City right-of-way.
• Adopted Resolution No. 8136 authorizing sponsorship of the annual Grant-in-Aid Agreement with the Minnesota DNR for the Minnesota Trail Assistance Program (reimbursement for ski trail grooming).
• Adopted Resolution No. 8148 ordering preparation of a report on improvements for the 2026 Street Reconstruction Project (E 4th St, E 3rd St, Sanderson St, Green St, Arkin St).
• Approved the Private Use of Public Property (PUPP) application for Big Turn Music Fest 2026 (February 21-22, 2026, 3 p.m. to 12 a.m., downtown Red Wing).
• Adopted Resolution No. 8147 supporting the Office of Emergency Medical Service Ground Ambulance Cost Collection Funding Grant application.
• The consent agenda was approved unanimously (6-0) as amended.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Alan Mueller (Ward 2) expressed opposition to the removal of a single email address that previously allowed simultaneous communication with all Council members and the Mayor, arguing it reduces public input. He also expressed concern about ICE agents in the area and urged the Council to act to protect residents.
• Carol Overland (Ward 2) expressed concern about ICE presence in Red Wing, stating agents are breaking the law and ignoring the Constitution, and demanded Council discuss and take action to protect community safety and welfare.
• Amber Dawn Plank Warfield (Ward 4) played a video clip of ICE interventions and asked the Council to use its position to help remove ICE’s presence from Red Wing. In her second comment, she spoke about a march honoring Renee Good and criticized the Council for not taking a stance on community issues.
• Kim Hudson (Ward 4) spoke about being informed she would not be reappointed to the Human Rights Commission due to attendance, expressing her opinion that the decision was personal rather than professional, and noted she was the only woman of color on the commission.
• Carol Overland (second comment) reiterated concern about the email change, stating it reduces participation and leads to council members receiving different information.

Discussion Items

• Proclamations and Recognitions: Fire Chief Mike Warner introduced three paid-on-call firefighters who passed their one-year probation and received firefighter certifications: Austin Williams (assigned to Hook and Ladder Company), Chad Edel (assigned to Hook and Ladder Company), and John Steinhauer (assigned to Engine Company #1). Badges were pinned by family members.
• Transfer of Motel Voucher Program Funds: Sara Kern (Executive Director, HOPE Coalition) and Kenzie Reuter (Executive Director, Hope & Harbor) presented the proposed transfer of $10,000 in budgeted funds from HOPE Coalition to Hope & Harbor’s day program, The Next Step, effective February 2026. They stated the transfer is intended to improve access and efficiency (expanding service hours from 6 to 38 per week), reduce duplication, and strengthen coordination. Mayor and Council discussed overnight church services, funder support (all funders supported the move), and usage data (approximately 200 vouchers to 46 unduplicated Red Wing households in 2024-2025). The motion to transfer funds carried unanimously (6-0).
• Plum Street and Main Street Intersection Update: City Engineer Zach Regnier reported on pedestrian safety concerns at the intersection (TH 61/58). After reviewing options with MnDOT, the recommended solution is installation of a Leading Pedestrian Interval (LPI) button, which will provide pedestrians a 3-4 second head start when crossing Main Street, at no cost to the city and minimal traffic impact. A motion to direct staff to have MnDOT implement the LPI carried unanimously (6-0).
• Annual Workshop Date: Council debated preferences between weekday and Saturday workshops. Council Administrator Chris Heineman presented survey results showing limited date availability. Council discussed impacts on professional careers, family time, and staff time. A motion to approve the workshop on Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 4:15 PM to 8:00 PM (amended from 4:00 PM) carried unanimously (6-0). Council requested that future date selection begin earlier in the year.

Council Communications

• Council Liaison Reports: Council Member Lambert reported that the Sister Cities Commission selected a chaperone and six students (three girls, three boys) for the 2026 exchange to Akita, Japan (most applicants since 2020). Fundraising begins January 24-25 at Family Fare. She also announced the Young Artist and Author Showcase with theme “Voices of Today Visions of Tomorrow” (submissions due March 1, 2026) and noted openings on the Commission.
• Mayor’s Comments: Mayor Iocco announced proclamations for Red Wing Ace Hardware (40 years in business) and Mike Doyle (deceased, longtime volunteer at Prairie Island Ice Arena). He encouraged applicants for board and commission vacancies.
• Public Comments on ICE: Council Member Norton asked Police Chief Nick Sather to address public comments. Chief Sather stated the Red Wing Police Department’s role is to enforce state laws and city ordinances, not federal immigration law. He advised the public to exercise First Amendment rights safely but warned against interfering with federal agents, as arrests have occurred. He directed residents to the department’s online statement.
• Joint Council Email: Discussion followed public comments on the removal of the single council email. Council Administrator Heineman explained the change was due to staff time inefficiencies and open meeting law concerns; a general administration email on the website can be used to contact the full Council. City Clerk Hill noted usage of that inbox is low. Council decided to discuss communication protocols further during the rules of order discussion in February.
• EMS Meetings: Council Member Lambert expressed frustration at not being notified of initial meetings with townships regarding emergency medical services. Administrator Heineman noted scheduling difficulties and that council involvement will be considered later. Council members offered to assist.
• Street Reconstruction Project: Engineer Regnier outlined design changes for the 2026 reconstruction: on 4th Street, one-sided sidewalk to accommodate parking; on Sanderson Street between 4th and 5th, a one-way street with one-sided sidewalk due to narrow right-of-way. A neighborhood meeting is tentatively scheduled for February 11, 2026, and a public hearing date will be set at the January 26 Council meeting.
• Police Department Events: Chief Sather reported on the Tip-a-Cop event (November 20) raising funds for Special Olympics, and the Shop-with-a-Cop event serving 25 children (each received approximately $180 for family gifts, plus a turkey dinner and a personal gift). Multiple law enforcement agencies participated.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved as amended (6-0).
• Motion to transfer $10,000 in motel voucher funds from HOPE Coalition to Hope & Harbor approved (6-0).
• Motion to direct staff to have MnDOT implement a Leading Pedestrian Interval at Main Street and Plum Street approved (6-0).
• Motion to approve the Annual Workshop on Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 4:15 PM to 8:00 PM approved (6-0).
• Next steps: Council will discuss rules of order and communication protocols at the February meeting; a neighborhood meeting on the street reconstruction project is tentatively set for February 11, 2026; a public hearing date will be set at the January 26, 2026 Council meeting.