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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Red Wing City Council Regular Meeting - June 22, 2026

City Council — Monday, June 22, 2026

BodyRed Wing, Minnesota

SessionCity Council

DateMonday, June 22, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 3:14:58

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Speaker 1

0:28

Thank you.

0:28

All right, I'll call us to order.

0:30

Thanks everybody for being here.

0:31

If you please rise and join me for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Unassigned speaker

0:35

Hi.

Speaker 2

0:36

Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

0:40

And do the republic for which it stands.

0:43

One nation under God.

0:46

Invisible with liberty and justice crawl.

Speaker 1

0:51

Thank you so much.

0:53

We'll move on to excusable members.

0:55

We do have Councilmember Becky Norton not able to join us this evening, so would I have a motion?

Speaker 3

1:01

Thank you.

1:02

Second.

Unassigned speaker

1:03

All

Speaker 1

1:03

right, I'll give that to Ron.

1:04

So a motion by Vicky and a second by Ron to excuse Becky Norton.

1:08

Any last discussion?

Unassigned speaker

1:10

All

Speaker 1

1:10

those in favor of her excuse, please say aye.

1:12

Aye.

1:13

Aye.

1:13

Any opposed?

1:15

That passes.

1:15

She is excused.

1:17

Number four is our approval of the agenda.

1:19

And I did want to note that 8 Q has been omitted, just so we're aware of

Unassigned speaker

1:24

that.

Unassigned speaker

1:24

Um

Speaker 1

1:25

and would I have a motion for that or look for changes or additions?

Speaker 4

1:28

Move to approve.

Speaker 1

1:29

Second.

1:30

Thanks.

1:32

And a second by Vicky Joe.

1:34

Any last discussion?

Unassigned speaker

1:36

All

Speaker 1

1:37

in favor of tonight's agenda, please say aye.

1:39

Aye.

1:40

Aye.

1:40

Any opposed?

1:41

Motion passes.

1:43

All right, we'll move on to proclamations and recognitions, and the mayor will be presenting our first one on the Red Wing Flower Basket Fundraising Day.

Speaker 5

1:51

Ladies, if you could please join

Unassigned speaker

1:53

me.

Speaker 5

1:54

Michelle Larson from the chamber and Andrea Hansen from downtown Main Street.

1:59

Thank you, ladies, for coming.

2:00

Appreciate it, and thanks for what you do for our city.

2:03

Whereas for more than 35 years, the flower baskets have been a defining feature of Red Wing, creating a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere throughout the downtown and West End district, and contributing to Red Wing's economic vitality by creating an attractive environment for residents and visitors to shop, dine, explore.

2:25

And whereas the flower basket program is spearheaded by the Red Wing New Time Koanis, which raises the necessary funds through donations and community support to plant, maintain water, and care for the baskets each season, and whereas these beautiful baskets are grown and cultivated locally by Sergeant's Nursery, whose team begins the process months in advance to ensuring the stunning displays which have become synonymous with summer in Red Wing.

2:55

And whereas, in support of this beloved tradition, Red Wing Downtown Main Street and the Red Wing Area Chamber of Commerce have organized an effort in which participating businesses throughout the community will donate a portion of their sales on June 27th, 2026 to ensure its continuation.

Speaker 6

3:15

Now

Speaker 5

3:15

therefore, I Gary Yako, mayor of Pretty Red Wing, do hereby proclaim June 27th, 2026 as flower basket fundraising day in Red Wing, Minnesota, and remind residents that every purchase made on this day will help preserve a tradition that has become one of our community's most recognizable and cherished assets.

3:37

Ladies, thank you very much for what you do for our city and for steerheading this.

Unassigned speaker

3:42

Can we

Speaker 5

3:43

give it a quick

Unassigned speaker

3:53

thank you?

Unassigned speaker

3:56

So

Speaker 1

3:56

Mr.

3:56

Gary Yako, you want me to go with our our real mayor now, right?

4:01

Yes, before you do the introduction.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Procedural███████████████████████23%

Engineering And Infrastructure███████████████████████23%

Port Authority███████████11%

Public Engagement██████████10%

Economic Development████████8%

Zoning Regulations████████8%

Public Safety█████5%

Community Engagement████4%

Affordable Housing████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Red Wing City Council Regular Meeting - June 22, 2026

The Red Wing City Council met on Monday, June 22, 2026, at 6:30 PM for a Regular Meeting. Council President Janie Farrar presided. The lengthy meeting, lasting until 9:44 PM, featured significant public testimony and debate primarily centered on a series of rezoning proposals for the Jefferson School, Bay View, and Siewerts Briarwood properties targeting high-density RM-3 zoning. The Council also approved a major TIF Assistance Agreement for the Fleischmann's Malting redevelopment project and voted on street reconstruction bonds. Council Member Becky Norton was excused.

Consent Calendar

The Council approved the Consent Agenda (Items 8A-K, 8M-R) unanimously (6-0). Item 8Q (Yacht Club Utility Agreement) was listed on the agenda but was removed prior to the meeting per the minutes and transcript. A discrepancy was noted regarding the June 1, 2026 minutes, described as "Workshop Minutes" in the agenda but approved as "Regular Meeting Minutes" in the official minutes.
Item 8L (Embedded Social Worker Grant): Pulled by Council Member Goggin, who expressed concern over creating a future ongoing position cost. Assistant Police Chief Metling highlighted the increasing need for mental health resources. The motion to authorize applying for the $250,000 Byrne State Crisis Intervention Grant carried (5-1), with Goggin dissenting.

Public Comments & Testimony

Non-Agenda Items:

America's 250th Celebration: Emily Foos (Red Wing Arts), Michelle Larson (Chamber of Commerce), and Andrea Hanson (Downtown Main Street) promoted the July 4th event, detailing fireworks, live music, food trucks, a Venetian boat parade, and a pie-eating contest.
Governance & Representation: Amber Dawn Plank Warfield (Ward 4) criticized the lack of visible elected leadership at Juneteenth and Pride events, stating, "Representation is more than resolutions... it's showing up." She also challenged the Council President's rule on comments directed at identifiable individuals, arguing it chilled free speech and was not part of adopted procedures. Mattias Plank (Ward 4) expressed offense at the mispronunciation of his family’s name. Ammasiah Plank (Ward 4) reported flags on her property being torn down.
Neighborhood Concerns: Jim Stahl (Red Wing) requested a crosswalk at 4th and Minnesota, praised police for speeding enforcement but said it was insufficient, and criticized past city financial decisions.

Agenda Items (primarily 9H RM-3 Rezonings):

A majority of speakers opposed the proposed RM-3 rezonings. Carrie Ploen argued buffer yard requirements were insufficient to protect lower-density neighborhoods. Kiel Ploen called the process "premature" and "backwards," asserting that approving RM-3 before a specific plan removes public oversight. Deb Schultz stated RM-3 guidelines are non-existent and would bypass Planning Commission/Council review. Lori and Jim Stahl characterized the proposals as "spot zoning" and expressed concern over property values and crime. Paul Burnham (Ward 2) expressed conditional support for Jefferson School if the playground space was retained. Daryl Duden urged the Council to "keep that playground."
Kelly Gadient (Ward 1) explained the three-lot subdivision request for the Hallstrom Sunrise Valley PUD (Item 9F). Apurva Patel (developer) clarified he is not developing the 9H sites but stated that RM-3 zoning comes with staff-level guardrails.

Discussion Items

9A. Street Reconstruction Plan & Bonds: Following a public hearing with no speakers, the Council adopted Resolution 8191 (5-1, Goggin dissenting), approving a five-year street reconstruction plan and giving preliminary approval for bond issuance. Council Member Goggin voiced opposition to taking on new debt.
9B. 2026 Alley Improvement: The Council held a public hearing and unanimously (6-0) approved Resolutions 8184 and 8185 to order the alley improvement project and perform the work by day labor.
9C. TIF Assistance Agreement (Fleischmann's Malting): Director Klatt presented a $6.1 million TIF request over 26 years to redevelop the blighted 110 Broad Street site into 130 apartment units, 14,000 sq ft of retail, and a parking ramp. Bond Counsel Jenny Bolton stated Red Wing's TIF usage is "well within the mix of what other cities are doing." Council Member Lambert, expressing strong support, queried the difference in density if the site was RM-3. The motion carried unanimously (6-0).
9D. America's 250th PUPP: The Council unanimously approved an in-kind donation of $1,610 from the Contingency Fund to cover portable restroom costs and approved the Private Use of Public Property application (6-0).
9E & 9F. Subdivisions: The Council unanimously (6-0) approved the Western Boy Addition (1815 Chakya Street) and the Gadient Sunrise Valley PUD/Subdivision (785 Hallstrom Drive).
9G. RM-3 Zoning Text Amendments: The Council debated buffer yard standards for RM-3 zones. Following public concern and discussion, a motion carried unanimously (6-0) to introduce the ordinance strengthening the buffer to "C" standards (25-foot buffer, 6-foot architectural screen) compared to the Planning Commission's recommended "B" standards (15-foot buffer).
9H. Rezonings (Jefferson School, Bay View, Siewerts Briarwood):
- Comprehensive Plan Text Amendment (Res. 8173): Approved (5-1, Goggin dissenting), revising the high-density residential range from 8-24 to 8-80 units per acre.
- Jefferson School: Council Member Lambert proposed subdividing the property to preserve green space and issuing a 30-day RFP, but Superintendent Jaszczak indicated the process could not be indefinite. The Comp Plan Map Amendment (Res. 8188) and rezoning to RM-3 (Ord. 236) were both approved (5-1, Goggin dissenting).
- Bay View: A motion to approve the Comp Plan Map Amendment (Res. 8189) while excluding adjacent parking lot parcels failed (4-2, Beise and Goggin dissenting). Consequently, the Council voted (5-1) to refer Ordinance 237 (rezoning the Bay View site) back to the Advisory Planning Commission for further review.
- Siewerts Briarwood: The Comp Plan Map Amendment (Res. 8190) and rezoning to RM-3 (Ord. 238) for Outlot F were both approved (5-1, Goggin dissenting).

Key Outcomes

TIF Agreement Approved: Resolution 8192 authorized a $6.1 million TIF assistance agreement for the Fleischmann's Malting redevelopment (6-0).
Street Reconstruction Bonds Approved: Resolution 8191 gave preliminary approval for bonds (5-1).
RM-3 Buffer Enhanced: The Council strengthened proposed buffer yard standards for RM-3 zones from 15 feet to 25 feet (6-0).
Jefferson School Rezoned: The former Jefferson School property was rezoned to RM-3, with the council maintaining density limits of 52 units and a 3-story height maximum (5-1).
Bay View Rezoning Sent Back: The Council voted to return the Bay View rezoning item to the Planning Commission for further consideration regarding the inclusion of adjacent parking lots (5-1).
Siewerts Briarwood Rezoned: Outlot F of the subdivision was rezoned to RM-3 (5-1).
Council Member Goggin was the sole nay vote on the street reconstruction bonds, the comprehensive plan text/map amendments, and the Jefferson School and Siewerts Briarwood rezonings.

Meeting Transcript

Thank you. All right, I'll call us to order. Thanks everybody for being here. If you please rise and join me for the Pledge of Allegiance. Hi. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And do the republic for which it stands. One nation under God. Invisible with liberty and justice crawl. Thank you so much. We'll move on to excusable members. We do have Councilmember Becky Norton not able to join us this evening, so would I have a motion? Thank you. Second. All right, I'll give that to Ron. So a motion by Vicky and a second by Ron to excuse Becky Norton. Any last discussion? All those in favor of her excuse, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? That passes. She is excused. Number four is our approval of the agenda. And I did want to note that 8 Q has been omitted, just so we're aware of that. Um and would I have a motion for that or look for changes or additions? Move to approve. Second. Thanks. And a second by Vicky Joe. Any last discussion? All in favor of tonight's agenda, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion passes. All right, we'll move on to proclamations and recognitions, and the mayor will be presenting our first one on the Red Wing Flower Basket Fundraising Day. Ladies, if you could please join me. Michelle Larson from the chamber and Andrea Hansen from downtown Main Street. Thank you, ladies, for coming. Appreciate it, and thanks for what you do for our city. Whereas for more than 35 years, the flower baskets have been a defining feature of Red Wing, creating a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere throughout the downtown and West End district, and contributing to Red Wing's economic vitality by creating an attractive environment for residents and visitors to shop, dine, explore. And whereas the flower basket program is spearheaded by the Red Wing New Time Koanis, which raises the necessary funds through donations and community support to plant, maintain water, and care for the baskets each season, and whereas these beautiful baskets are grown and cultivated locally by Sergeant's Nursery, whose team begins the process months in advance to ensuring the stunning displays which have become synonymous with summer in Red Wing. And whereas, in support of this beloved tradition, Red Wing Downtown Main Street and the Red Wing Area Chamber of Commerce have organized an effort in which participating businesses throughout the community will donate a portion of their sales on June 27th, 2026 to ensure its continuation.

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