Red Wing City Council Regular Meeting – May 26, 2026

The Red Wing City Council met on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the City Council Chambers and virtually. The agenda included presentations on a new public art installation and proposed Highway 61 median closures, extensive public comment on several matters, approval of a consent agenda, and discussions on the annual financial report, an aggressive panhandling ordinance, a park stairway replacement contract, a Special Olympics torch run request, and the controversial rezoning of three residential properties. After lengthy deliberation, the council voted to table the rezoning ordinance so that it can be re‑presented as three separate site‑specific items.

Consent Calendar

• Approved 15 consent agenda items en bloc, including: warrants totaling $999,326.51; minutes of the May 11 meeting; financial report; resolution calling for a public hearing on street reconstruction and bond issuance; acceptance of work and final payment for the Old West Main Street and Jackson Street reconstruction; one‑day temporary liquor licenses for the Red Wing Arts Plein Air Art Festival (June 19) and the Elks Lodge Father’s Day Car Show (June 21); a food wagon license for Little Bee Ice Cream; a DNR grant agreement; a land‑use authorization for tree removal at the airport; a transfer of FAA entitlement funds to the City of Pine River; a private‑use of public property (PUPP) application for a wedding welcome party; the second reading of Ordinance 234 (code amendments for emergency housing, community services, and food production); an MOU with Red Wing Grain for a port development grant; and a resolution calling for a public hearing on alley improvements.

Public Comments & Testimony

Non‑Agenda Items

• Carol Overland (Ward 2) questioned the status of the city’s lease with Xcel Energy, asked about incinerator ash dumping and MPCA permits, and raised unresolved archaeological issues at the Xcel site.
• Kiel Ploen (West 4th St) pointed out that the zoning code requires buffer yards for RM1 and RM2 districts but omits them for the newly created RM3 district, creating legal vulnerability. He urged the council to send the matter back to the Advisory Planning Commission.
• Peggy Rehder (Ward 4) complimented Council President Farrar’s handling of meetings.
• Amber Dawn Plank Warfield (Ward 4) argued for equal enforcement of the three‑minute speaking rule, defended the city’s declaration of racism as a public health crisis, and announced her candidacy for an at‑large council seat. (Campaign remarks were ruled out of order.)

Agenda Items

• Michelle Larson (Chamber of Commerce) supported the proposed rezonings (Item 9E), stating that housing shortages make it difficult for businesses to recruit and retain employees.
• Nicolle Mechelke (United Way) expressed support, providing ALICE reports and noting high community demand for affordable rentals.
• Carrie Ploen (West 4th St) opposed the rezoning, arguing that the traffic estimates used by the Planning Commission are inadequate and that the 4th Street corridor already experiences speeding and accidents.
• Kiel Ploen (re‑appearing on agenda items) argued that the Bayview rezoning is premature because there is no development plan, the property’s ownership is unresolved, and rezoning would reduce the city’s leverage.
• Rich Fischer (McDonald’s) criticized the Highway 61 median closure decision, saying MnDOT provided only two weeks’ notice and no public forum; he asked for a speed‑limit reduction to 30 mph.
• Jane Drazkowski (Ward 3) opposed the rezoning, questioning the need for high‑density housing and stating that rental housing does not foster community pride.
• Andrea Hanson (Downtown Main Street) supported the rezonings, saying more housing will attract families, students, and customers.
• Paul Burnham (Buchanan St) urged preserving the Jefferson School green space, noting the site is only 1.4 acres and the Planning Commission recommended keeping just 25 % as park. He proposed splitting the property and raising private funds for park improvements.
• Liz Crider (Briarwood Ct) opposed high‑density development in existing neighborhoods and suggested building on Tyler Road or Technology Drive instead.
• Katie Nolan (Wilke St) spoke as a renter who could not afford market‑rate housing and emphasized the need for affordable options.
• Lynn Dulak (Jefferson St) supported separating the three rezoning items, praised Habitat for Humanity’s transparent process, and asked the council to slow down.
• Kayli Rigelman (6th St) opposed rezoning, stressing the daily use of the Jefferson School park by children.
• Laura Aadalen (Pioneer Rd) supported RM3 zoning for Jefferson, noting that apartment dwellers are good community members.
• Kerby Rigelman (West 6th St) opposed, citing population growth data and arguing that housing follows jobs, not the reverse.
• Tom Wilder (Ward 2) opposed, warning of unintended consequences and suggesting large employers build their own workforce housing.
• Suzanne Blue (West 6th St) called for preserving as much of the Jefferson green space as possible.
• Beth Breeden (via Webex) advocated for preserving the entire park and suggested alternative sites such as the Mississippi National Golf Links.

Discussion Items

Art Installation at Levee Park Circle

• Michelle Leise presented the “Welcome Home” sculpture by Darrell Campbell, a steel piece funded by a Mellon Foundation grant. The project is a collaboration among Red Wing Arts, the Honoring Dakota Project, and the Prairie Island Indian Community. The Arts and Culture Commission approved it unanimously.
• The sculpture will be permanently installed; no city maintenance is expected for over 20 years. A formal donation vote is planned for June or early July.
• Council members expressed support, and representatives confirmed full Prairie Island Tribal Council backing.

MnDOT Highway 61 Median Closures

• Chad Hanson reported that intersections at Hedin Avenue and Red Wing Avenue have high crash rates: 43 crashes (16 injuries) in 10 years at the Hedin Avenue crossing. Traffic volumes exceed 26,000 vehicles per day.
• MnDOT will close both medians between Bench Street and Tyler Road in June 2026, retaining right‑in/right‑out movements. Signal timing at Bench Street will be adjusted.
• Councilmember Norton raised the need for a sidewalk on the north service drive; the city plans a reconstruction project in 2027 and may seek Safe Routes to School funding.
• Mayor Iocco requested removal of state signs that block the new “Welcome to Red Wing” sign on the Eisenhower Bridge.

Annual Comprehensive Financial Report

• Chad Guse (Abdo) presented a clean audit. The city’s general fund reserves reached 89.7 % of expenditures, exceeding the 60 % policy target.
• Council discussed the difficulty of comparing per‑capita tax rates given Xcel Energy’s large share of the tax base.
• The report was accepted unanimously (6‑0).

Ordinance No. 235 – Aggressive Panhandling

• Police Chief Sather introduced an ordinance that prohibits aggressive solicitation while protecting First‑Amendment‑protected passive panhandling. The first reading was approved 6‑0; a second reading will follow.

LaGrange Park Concrete Stairway Replacement

• The low bid of $126,000 from Maertens‑Brenny Construction was accepted; the total project budget is $160,151. The contract was awarded 6‑0.

2026 Special Olympics Torch Run

• The Special Olympics requested a waiver of the $80 bandshell rental fee. Councilmember Snyder declined to set a precedent, so Mayor Iocco and Snyder offered to pay the fee personally. The PUPP application was approved 6‑0.

Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Amendments (Item 9E)

• Community Development Director Klatt presented the Planning Commission’s recommendation to rezone three sites to RM3 (high‑density residential): the former Bay View Nursing Home, the former Jefferson School, and Outlot F of the Briarwood subdivision. The proposal also included a change in the comprehensive plan’s density range (8‑24 to 8‑80 units per acre) and a PUD amendment for Briarwood to shift density from Outlot B to Outlot F.
• Council debate centered on:
  • Jefferson School: Many members wanted to preserve green space. Councilmember Lambert proposed a minimum of 40 % parkland, but others preferred not to set a fixed number before a developer comes forward. The Planning Commission had recommended up to 25 %.
  • Bay View: Discussion focused on the site’s potential for redevelopment and the fact that it already generated significant traffic when the nursing home and hospital operated.
  • Briarwood: Members noted the PUD’s 20‑year inactivity and the logic of moving higher density to the north end of the subdivision.
• Councilmember Norton stated she would recuse herself from voting on the Jefferson School item because it involves her employer. Councilmember Lambert moved to table the single ordinance and bring back three separate ordinances; the motion carried 4‑2 (Farrar and Kliewer dissenting). The associated PUD resolution was also tabled unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved en bloc.
• 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report accepted (6‑0).
• Ordinance 235 (Aggressive Panhandling) introduced (6‑0).
• LaGrange Park Stairway contract awarded to Maertens‑Brenny Construction, $126,000 (6‑0).
• Special Olympics Torch Run PUPP application approved; $80 fee covered by personal donations from Mayor Iocco and Councilmember Snyder (6‑0).
• Zoning and PUD amendments (Item 9E): Introduction of Ordinance 236 was tabled, with direction to staff to return with three separate ordinances (4‑2). Resolution 8174 (Briarwood PUD amendment) was tabled until the next council meeting (6‑0).