Red Wing City Council Meeting Addresses Housing, Historical Society Lease, and Port Authority on May 11, 2026

The Red Wing City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, May 11, 2026, at 6:01 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Presided over by Council President Janie Farrar, the meeting included proclamations, a commemorative officer memorial presentation, public comments, a consent agenda, and discussions on the Goodhue County Historical Society lease, the introduction of Ordinance No. 234 (zoning amendments for emergency housing and small-scale food production), an Xcel Energy facility permit amendment, and the selection of a benefits study consultant. The meeting was adjourned at 8:16 p.m.

Proclamations and Presentations

• Public Works Week: Mayor Gary Iocco proclaimed May 17–23, 2026, as National Public Works Week (66th Annual, theme: Rooted in Service, Powered by Community). Kelsey Prall accepted on behalf of the Public Works Department.
• Police Week: Proclaimed May 10–16, 2026, as Police Week and May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day, honoring Red Wing Police Chief James Daily and Officer John Peterson, among others. Police Chief Nick Sather accepted the proclamation.
• EMS Week: Proclaimed May 17–23, 2026, as EMS Week (52nd anniversary, theme: Improving Outcomes Together).
• Commemorative Officer Memorial: Assistant Police Chief Brian Metling presented on a copper-colored memorial wall plaque installed at Gernentz Auto (328 Bush Street), the former site of the Sibley Hotel where Chief Daily and Officer Peterson were fatally shot on January 15, 1907. A dedication ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, May 14, 2026, at noon.

Public Comments

• Mark Estabrook (Ward 1): Requested council assistance regarding a $5,100 ambulance bill for a February 2026 transport, stating he was not informed of the cost and his appeal was unsuccessful.
• Amber Dawn Plank Warfield (Ward 4): Expressed concern about council members' inattentiveness during public comment and requested filming be expanded to show council members’ reactions to improve transparency and accountability.
• Laura Habedank (Ward 2): Addressed institutional racism in Red Wing, citing city documentation acknowledging the issue and criticizing what she characterized as leadership inaction.
• Tom Wilder (Ward 2): Spoke twice. First, he argued for a limited scope of city government focused on police, fire, and infrastructure. Second, he opposed Port Authority-led zoning changes to properties like the former Jefferson School site, arguing it would increase density, reduce public comment opportunities, and bypass neighborhood input.
• Todd Avery (Hay Creek Township), Robin Wipperling (Ward 2), and Susan Betcher (Wacouta Township): Spoke in support of Item 9A (Historical Society Lease). Avery and Wipperling requested waiving or reducing the insurance requirement. Betcher highlighted the Society’s under $400,000 annual budget and Goodhue County’s $137,000 annual contribution.
• Kenzie Baader (Executive Director, Hope and Harbor) and Janet Hansmeier (Ward 2, President, Hope and Harbor Board): Spoke in support of Ordinance No. 234. Baader described emergency housing as a short-term, staff-supervised shelter for individuals in immediate crisis. Hansmeier stated that research does not support concerns that shelters attract homeless individuals from outside the community.

Consent Calendar

The Council approved the Consent Agenda (Items 8A through 8M) by a 6-0 vote. Item 8N was pulled for separate discussion. Key items included:

• Approval of bills totaling $929,475.15 (Warrant #127748 - 127916).
• Adoption of Ordinance No. 233, Fourth Series (Noise Ordinance) on second reading.
• Liquor License Renewals for 2026–2027.
• Lease Addendums with Goodhue County for water tower telecommunications space.
• Private Use of Public Property (PUPP) applications for the Universal Music Center Summer Music Festival (July 25), Red Wing Bluff Climbing Event (Sept 12-13), Downtown Plaza Car Show (Aug 25), Farmers Market (June-Oct 2026), and Fairy Fest 2026 (June 6).
• $300 expenditure from the Municipal Arts Fund for Red Wing Arts’ “Art in the Park” programming.
• 2026 Food Wagon License for Solem Concessions, Inc.
• Resolution No. 8168 ordering preparation of a report on 2026 Alley Improvements.
• 8N. School Resource Officer Contract: Council Member Snyder pulled the item. Police Chief Sather confirmed it was a three-year renewal with updated POST language for the Goodhue County Education District (River Bluff Education Center), a separate entity from the Red Wing School District. Mayor Iocco noted a 90-day out clause. The motion to approve carried 6-0.

Discussion Items

• 9A. Goodhue County Historical Society Lease Amendment: Finance Director Marshall Hallock presented no formal staff recommendation, noting that no other city lease bills the lessee for property casualty insurance. Council Member Beise questioned city ownership of the property. Council Member Goggin detailed financial history: since 2017, city revenues totaled approximately $273,000, operating costs were approximately $297,000, and capital expenditures totaled $1.182 million. Robin Wipperling confirmed the Society would pay the 2026 premiums and requested forgiveness only of the $11,045 outstanding balance. Council Member Kliewer moved to forgive the balance and address future considerations during the 2027 budget process. The motion carried 6-0.
• Excusal of Members: Council Member Becky Norton was formally excused (6-0) during the Motions section, deviating from the printed agenda order where it was listed as Item 3.
• 9B. Introduction of Ordinance No. 234 (Zoning Amendments): Community Development Director Kyle Klatt presented the Planning Commission-initiated ordinance. The ordinance clarifies definitions for community services, community centers, emergency sheltering, supportive transitional housing, and small-scale food production. Emergency sheltering would be a conditional use in Downtown, Civic, RM-2, and RM-3 districts. Director Klatt confirmed Hope and Harbor’s rotating shelter model in churches would not require a conditional use permit. Administrator Heineman noted downtown businesses like Sturdiwheat and Knudsen’s Caramels could benefit from the small-scale food production definition. The motion to introduce carried 6-0.
• 9C. Xcel Energy Ash Disposal Facility CUP Amendment (Resolution 8169): Director Klatt presented the request to process municipal solid waste combined combustor ash to remove metals within the existing 31,500 square foot building. No new external construction is proposed. Brian Schmidt (Xcel Energy) confirmed the operation focuses on fresh ash only, the process is similar to an operation at the SKB landfill in Rosemount, and it will reduce landfill volume by approximately ten percent. The motion to adopt carried 6-0.
• 9D. Comprehensive Benefits Study: Administrator Heineman reported three proposals were received. The personnel committee recommended DDA Human Resources, Inc. for $12,500 and selected 11 comparable organizations: Marshall, Faribault, Austin, Albert Lea, Winona, Owatonna, Northfield, Hastings, Goodhue County, Cottage Grove, and Stillwater. Larger cities like Rochester, Mankato, and St. Paul were removed. The motion carried 6-0.

Port Authority Update (Item 10A)

• Port Authority Board: Deferred sign/awning facade grant applications to the finance committee; approved a consultant for branding and marketing strategy.
• Jefferson School Property: An initial environmental assessment identified the need for additional work. Staff is pursuing a National Register historic site designation. Outreach to approximately 16 developers was conducted; zoning clarity is a critical prerequisite for development. Environmental remediation estimates range from $40,000–$50,000 to $600,000–$1,000,000 (primarily asbestos). The Port Authority desires a school or park component in any redevelopment.
• Fleischmann Malting Project: Staff is working with a financial consultant to draft a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) agreement, with a target completion of June 2026.
• Central Research Building: Demolition is complete; concrete processing is ongoing.
• Red Wing Grain Grant: The Port Authority’s application for a port infrastructure development grant was not funded due to limited funds for small port projects; the applicant plans to reapply.

Key Outcomes

• Historical Society Lease: Council unanimously (6-0) forgave the outstanding $11,045 balance. Long-term arrangements will be discussed during the 2027 budget process.
• Ordinance No. 234: Introduced unanimously (6-0). A public hearing and final adoption will occur at a future meeting.
• Xcel Energy CUP Amendment (Resolution 8169): Adopted unanimously (6-0), allowing metal extraction from fresh ash at the Bench Street facility.
• Comprehensive Benefits Study: DDA Human Resources, Inc. selected unanimously (6-0) for $12,500. The list of 11 comparable organizations was approved.
• Legislative and Transportation Updates: Congressional directed funding and Senate appropriation requests moved forward for the wastewater treatment plant. The Sturgeon Lake Road $4 million bonding request depends on the legislative session. MnDOT will close two medians on Highway 61 (at Hedin and west of McDonald’s) in June 2026.
• Upcoming Events: State of the City luncheon scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, 2026.