Red Wing City Council Regular Meeting - March 9, 2026

The Red Wing City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, March 9, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers and via Webex. Council President Janie Farrar presided. Members present were Farrar, Vicki Jo Lambert, Kim Beise, Ron Goggin, Becky Norton (arrived at 6:08 p.m.), and Donald Kliewer. Council Member Beth Snyder was excused. The agenda was approved 6-0. There were no proclamations, recognitions, or presentations. The meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Approved bills (Warrant #126768-126954) totaling $756,590.92.
• Approved the February 23, 2026 regular meeting minutes.
• Appointed Hannah Paul to the Library Board of Trustees for a first term expiring December 31, 2028.
• Approved the Hangar Lot Lease with Sky Hook Incorporated at the Red Wing Regional Airport.
• Adopted Resolution No. 8155 approving plans and specifications and ordering advertisement for bids for the 2026 Street Reconstruction Project (E 4th St, E 3rd St, Sanderson St, Green St, Arkin St).
• Approved a one-day temporary liquor license for the Anderson Center for a Saltydog concert on March 27, 2026.
• Approved reallocating $24,417 in capital improvement funds from Library interior painting to replacement of the Library's access control system.
• Approved reallocating $400,000 in the 2026 CIP from Charlson Crest Water Reservoir maintenance to rehabilitation of Booster Station 8.
• Approved a work order with Bolton & Menk for preliminary engineering for Wastewater Treatment Facility improvements.
• Approved a Memorandum of Agreement regarding Minnesota Paid Family Medical Leave with the AFSCME Public Works Union.
• Adopted Resolution No. 8156 approving the purchase of a Pierce Enforcer 100-foot Ascendant Tower, Bid No. 1284, for $2,415,625.
• Approved a Private Use of Public Property application for Riseup Community Weekend (Juneteenth and Pride) at Central Park.
• Approved a Private Use of Public Property application for the Red Wing Walk to End Alzheimer's - River Cities at Colvill Park, September 18-19, 2026, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Adopted Resolution No. 8157 accepting the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority $1,325,000 grant from the Drinking Water Revolving Fund for the 2026 Lead Service Line Replacement Project.

Three consent agenda items were pulled for separate discussion and are summarized below under Discussion Items.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Alan Muller (Sturtevant Street) asked about the 4th Street reconstruction project and questioned who pays for the $1,325,000 lead pipe replacement grant, including whether the state funding would reduce the burden on property owners or whether the city would double-dip.
• Terri Cook (Ward 3) expressed disappointment about the Council's decision to eliminate most Council liaisons and asked that the current liaison list be published so the public could see which liaisons were eliminated. She also recognized the Library's staff and board for receiving a $10,000 gift from the Carnegie Foundation.
• Amber Dawn Plank Warfield (Ward 4) read a statement expressing concern about detentions and U.S. funding of wars, asked the room to observe silence in recognition of those affected, and used the remainder of her time in silent observation.
• Alan Muller, speaking on agenda item 8G, requested a tour of the wastewater treatment plant. He then attempted to comment on the elimination of Council liaisons but was ruled out of order because he had already used his non-agenda public comment time.
• Anthony Bianchi (Ward 2), a Pepin Woods resident who owns his home and rents his lot, said his water bill went down after individual meters were installed and asked that individual water use still be monitored so residents pay for their own water under the proposed master meter ordinance.
• Skog (Bush Street) asked whether Council members and staff had talked with Pepin Woods residents about the water meter change and whether residents were fully educated on the proposal.

Discussion Items

• City Council Administrator Review Process (8E): The Council discussed using Olson HR Consulting and whether department head feedback would be included. Council Member Lambert raised transparency concerns, noting she had not seen how the vendor was selected or that the next lowest quote was over $12,000. Council Member Goggin said he was not in favor of a three-way evaluation but supported upward comments. Mayor Gary Iocco said he had worked with the consultant and was impressed. The approved motion included department head feedback and, time permitting, sharing the questionnaire with Council members.
• ADA Notice and Grievance Procedures (8F): Council Member Norton recommended replacing confusing pronouns and designee references with role titles and clearer complainant designee language. City Attorney's Office representative Zach Cronin noted the document is a federal DOJ template and could research whether changes are permissible. The motion passed with the clarifying language if legally allowed.
• East End Community Garden MOU (8I): Council Member Lambert highlighted the item and said she was thrilled to see community gardening return to the East End. Council Member Norton seconded and said it was exciting to see the project move forward.
• Ordinance No. 232 - Master Water Meters in Manufactured Home Parks (9A): Public Works Director Shawn Blaney explained the first reading would require manufactured home parks to be served by a single master water meter. He said Pepin Woods is already in compliance and only Grandview would be affected, with no immediate enforcement and an implementation plan to return to the Council. Council Member Goggin stressed the need to keep the property owner informed, and Council Member Norton asked that fee structure changes be followed.
• Ordinance No. 228 - Parking Regulations (9B): The Council removed the ordinance from the table and heard Community Development Director Kyle Klatt explain changes, including downtown enforcement ending at 5 p.m. instead of 8 p.m., removal of the without-an-approved-permit language, and clarification of the 300-foot rule. Council Member Norton encouraged staff to consider a longer parking time limit than 20 hours.
• Mooring Clusters Lease (9C): Port Authority Manager Shari Chorney recommended that the City retain ownership of the mooring clusters adjacent to the Red Wing Grain Dock and lease them to the Port Authority for at least 50 years to satisfy state grant requirements. Mayor Iocco asked whether leasing is preferable to Port Authority ownership; Chorney said it is the best recommendation because the City owns the shoreline property. The environmental assessment is still in progress.

Communication Items

• Port Authority Update: Director Kyle Klatt reviewed the Port Authority's 2025-2029 work plan, including due diligence and an RFP process for the former Jefferson School site, work with MnDOT on Highway 19 realignment and the Central Research property, a marketing and branding initiative, possible expansion of the technical assistance program, and work on a port waterway plan under an Office of Energy Transition grant. The Port Authority also extended the sign/awning/facade grant program and the West End Business Assistance Program. The sign grant amount has increased to $5,000.
• Council Comments: Members clarified that Council liaisons would continue only for boards of authority or where required, and that liaisons to Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, Hiawathaland Transit, and the Nuclear Waste Strategy Coalition would be removed. Council Member Norton raised concerns about the personnel committee's use of an outside entity for an employee matter, stating the full Council had not been informed and that ad hoc committees lack decision-making authority. Council President Farrar said the discussion should occur later and asked members to trust the committee process.
• Council Administrator's Status Report: Administrator Chris Heineman said there would be no participation in the League of Minnesota Cities Day on the Hill because no Council members expressed interest. The Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities Legislative Action Day is scheduled for March 25. The League of Minnesota Cities Summer Conference is June 24-26 in Rochester, and Michelle Leise will be a panelist. Wastewater treatment plant public tours were announced for 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 11, and 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 29. About 20 people attended the water service line replacement project community meeting, and an update will be provided at the next meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the consent agenda minus items 8E, 8F, and 8I by a 6-0 vote, then approved each pulled item separately by a 6-0 vote.
• Approved the City Council Administrator Review Process, including department head feedback and a questionnaire shared with Council members if the timeline permits, 6-0.
• Approved the ADA Notice and Grievance Procedures with clarifying pronoun changes if legally permissible, 6-0.
• Approved the East End Community Garden MOU and road right-of-way use, 6-0.
• Introduced Ordinance No. 232 on first reading requiring a single master water meter for manufactured home parks, 6-0.
• Removed Ordinance No. 228 from the table 6-0 and introduced it on first reading as the Fourth Series repealing and replacing Chapter 9 of the City Code, parking regulations, 6-0.
• Approved maintaining City ownership of the mooring clusters and entering into a minimum 50-year lease with the Port Authority, 6-0.
• In Council comments, members agreed that Council liaisons to Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, Hiawathaland Transit, and the Nuclear Waste Strategy Coalition would not continue.