Red Wing City Council Regular Meeting - January 26, 2026

On Monday, January 26, 2026, the Red Wing City Council held a regular meeting from 6:31 p.m. to 9:48 p.m. in Council Chambers at 315 West 4th Street, Red Wing, MN, with virtual participation via Webex. President Janie Farrar presided; six council members were present and Donald Kliewer was excused. President Farrar opened by reading a statement acknowledging community fear and stress over recent federal immigration enforcement, noting that city staff and the Red Wing Police Department do not enforce federal immigration policy. The meeting included an accreditation presentation, a long public comment period, a consent calendar, a wastewater facility plan public hearing, and a Council discussion on drafting a statement about ICE activity.

Presentations

• Minnesota Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (MNLEAP): Assistant Chief Brian Metling introduced Program Director Andrew LeFevor and Accreditation Specialist Josh Potts. They said Red Wing is pursuing MNLEAP accreditation, a voluntary program built on 150 state and national best-practice standards; Minnesota was the 42nd state to adopt such a program. The process includes an 18-month self-assessment, an outside audit, and a three-year reaccreditation cycle. Nearly 30 agencies are enrolled, and Red Wing has entered the self-assessment phase. LeFevor said accreditation provides independent validation and continuous accountability without removing a chief's authority. Council Member Vicki Jo Lambert asked about the department's recent policy review and community stakeholders; LeFevor said policies will be compared with standards and community engagement must be documented.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Alan Muller (Ward 2) questioned the value of MNLEAP and said there was little community input into police training; he also criticized the city's waste-management reliance on incineration and asked the Council to pass a resolution telling federal agencies to leave Red Wing. In a second comment, he repeated the call for ICE to get out and stay out.
• Laura Habedank (Ward 2) said many residents, especially immigrant community members, do not feel safe because of federal agents.
• Carrie Maynard-Allen (Ward 4) read a statement asking for an official public stance, 'ICE out of Red Wing'; reported ICE near school bus pickup areas on the east side; and called the targeting racism and domestic terrorism.
• Lisa Hanson (Ward 2), a teacher, said ICE presence disrupted learning and attendance; nearly 100% of Hispanic students were out for two weeks; students are returning and feel safer at school, but more need to return.
• Zoe Malinchoc DeVoe (East) read Rochester Mayor Norton's statement and asked Red Wing to add its voice.
• Terence Glommen (462 11th St) criticized ICE behavior and said Red Wing police's non-interference position was 'anemic'; he described his military and firearms-instructor background.
• Wendy Johnson (Ward 2) proposed a resolution strongly condemning ICE practices and provided a draft statement; she asked for more public conversations.
• Ron Toivanen (596 E 7th St) requested a cost reduction after a pipe burst caused a large water bill; staff was directed to follow up.
• Luch Richardson, Director of Hispanic Outreach, said families are afraid to leave home, called the situation worse than the pandemic, and asked Red Wing to join other cities issuing statements.
• Amber Dawn Plank (Ward 4) cited historical parallels, urged community solidarity, thanked CM Lambert, and said she wants ICE out of Minnesota; in her second comment she played 'The Chant' and urged everyone to do better.
• Pam Noone (Ward 4) said the Pledge's final line is no longer true in Red Wing or Minnesota and asked why the Council had not issued a statement.
• Katie Nolan (Ward 3) said she fears for Hispanic colleagues at Red Wing Shoes, her Girl Scouts, and the broader community; she asked the Council to focus on what actions 'can' be taken.
• Sara Kern (Ward 4), HOPE Coalition Executive Director, said ICE vehicles were stationed near the domestic violence shelter the previous Friday, triggering trauma and PTSD for residents; she asked for a clear public stance.
• Joan Lesner (East Ave) said she no longer trusts the federal government to follow the Constitution and asked local officials to uphold it.
• Joel Hanson (resident) estimated ICE activity in Minnesota costs about $2.57 million per day, $18 million per week, and $936 million per year, and questioned the taxpayer burden. In a second comment, he corrected himself to 'around the sun,' shared family military history, and urged people to watch 'Stephen Colbert join ICE' on YouTube.
• Stephen Silverman (457 W 7th St) demanded humanity, decried daily cruelty, and asked the Council to stand up for residents sought by federal agencies.
• Skog Featherstone (1008 Bush St) said as a brown resident she feels some community members no longer want her, has lost faith in humanity, and needs trust to continue living in Red Wing.
• Terrin Fuller (Ward 4) described fear among children and families avoiding work, grocery stores, and doctors; she said public safety is built on trust, not intimidation.
• Bethany Jason (Red Wing High School) shared her grandmother's story of cheering for the underdog and asked the Council not to forget residents.
• Helen Olsen Reid, in an email read by CM Snyder, said she no longer feels safe, mistook a UPS truck for an ICE vehicle, and is afraid to keep providing rides.
• Jennylynn (Ward 3, virtual) urged the Council and Mayor to act with courage and add their voices to those supporting Minnesota residents.

Public comment closed around 7:56 p.m.; the Council took a recess until about 8:05 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda minus 8F on a 6-0 roll call. Approved items included bills totaling $1,538,596.17 (agenda cites warrants #125143-126369; minutes cite #125142-126369); minutes of January 12, 2026; the finance report; acceptance of the MPCA-funded Organics Collection and Composting Feasibility Study and approval to work with local businesses and the Sustainability Commission on a pilot remote drop-off site; a hangar lot lease amendment with David W. Francis III Living Trust at Red Wing Regional Airport; temporary liquor licenses for Red Wing Elks Lodge #845 (Big Turn Music Festival) and Church of St. Joseph (Valentine's Day); authorization to sell surplus equipment through GovDeals; Resolution No. 8149 accepting a $3,000 Minnesota Department of Health fluoridation equipment grant; a five-year signage lease renewal with Big Dog Daddy's Roadhouse; a $157,233 contract with Traut Companies for Charlson Crest Well 8-2 rehabilitation; and Resolution No. 8150 receiving the feasibility report and calling for a hearing on the 2026 Street Reconstruction Project (E 4th St, E 3rd St, Sanderson St, Green St, Arkin St).
• Board and commission appointments were pulled from the consent agenda and approved separately, each 6-0: Addyson Carpenter to the Human Rights Commission for a partial term expiring December 31, 2026; Tricia Perau to the Sister Cities Commission for a first term expiring December 31, 2027; and Alexandra Klitzke to the Sister Cities Commission for a first term expiring December 31, 2028.

Discussion Items

• Wastewater Facility Plan (9A): Kelsey Prall introduced Jake Pichelmann of Bolton & Menk. The plan is a 20-year planning document. The facility is about 65 years old and the city must make major capital improvements. Population is projected to grow from just under 17,000 in 2020 to just over 18,000 by 2045, with an ultimate potential above 25,000. Alternatives considered included rehabilitation, new technologies at the existing site, relocation, and regionalization. The recommended alternative is a biological aerated filter facility at the existing site, estimated at $142 million. Average residential sewer bills would be just over $48 per month; the state affordability threshold is about $76 per month; and the worst-case cost without grants would be about $108 per month. Funding opportunities include low-interest state loans, up to $12 million in point source implementation grants, up to $10 million in Water Infrastructure Fund grants, and state special appropriations. The public hearing was open from 9:11 to 9:18 p.m.; Alan Muller urged the Council not to sign off, citing river impacts, likely utility bill increases, and the expired permit. Staff said a third-party review had been done, anti-backsliding rules prevent less stringent limits, and the city continues operating under its expired permit until a new one is issued. Resolution No. 8151 adopting the plan passed 6-0. The plan does not itself authorize expenditures; future projects will return to the Council.
• 2027 Collector Society Event (9B): John Key, a former council member, asked for a general letter of support for a July 2027 Red Wing Collectors Society 50th anniversary event, possibly with Brimfield, the nation's largest event planner. He said no city resources were being requested that evening. Council members were supportive of the concept but wanted to see a draft letter; staff was directed to prepare one for a future consent agenda.
• Deed of Gift with Goodhue County Historical Society (9C): Curator Liz Schmidt described the proposed donation of the Sister Cities collection - 113 objects, including 18 works of art in 14 boxes - received over 33 years from Ikata, Japan, and Quzhou, China. She said ownership would allow professional care, conservation, rotation, and public access; deaccession would be limited and the city would have right of first refusal. The deed of gift was approved 6-0.

Communication Items

• Housing and Redevelopment Authority Update: HRA Executive Director Kurt Keena reported that the HRA will receive just under $2.5 million from the state for capital improvements to the Bluff View property (minutes refer to Bluff Hill), and that a congressional earmark of just under $1 million for the Haven property has not yet been signed into law. He said the HRA will spend the next two to two and a half years deploying awarded funds and supported exploring a housing coordinator position after the housing summit.
• Council Liaison Reports: Council members noted Planning Commission training videos; an artist laureate program being planned by the Arts and Culture Commission; Sheldon Theatre strategic planning, a theater director position funded by a two-year grant, ticket sales up to 20,000 in 2025 from 12,000 in 2024, and a $35,000 Minnesota State Arts Board grant; and two vacancies on the Library Board.

Key Outcomes

• All roll-call votes were 6-0 unless noted: excusal of Kliewer, agenda approval, consent agenda minus 8F, the three appointments, Resolution No. 8151, and the Deed of Gift.
• The Council discussed drafting a statement about ICE activity. Council Members Lambert, Norton, Snyder, Beise, and Mayor Iocco expressed support for a well-crafted statement; Council Member Goggin said he had not witnessed ICE activity and was not on social media; Assistant Chief Metling confirmed federal authorities are not contacting local law enforcement. President Farrar said she needed time to digest the comments. The Council agreed that members would submit thoughts by the February 2, 2026 workshop, and Lambert, Norton, Snyder, and Mayor Iocco would draft a statement, with law enforcement input included.
• Next steps include: a January 29, 2026 workshop; a February 2, 2026 workshop; a February 11, 2026 neighborhood meeting on the street reconstruction project from 6 to 7 p.m.; and returning a draft Collector Society letter for approval. The meeting adjourned at 9:48 p.m.