Red Wing City Council Regular Meeting - July 13, 2026

The Red Wing City Council held a regular meeting on July 13, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers and virtually. The meeting covered a consent agenda with 13 items, a presentation on summer events, public comments on racism and civil rights, and three general business items: a facility use policy, an HRA appointment, and a parking waiver for a housing renovation project. The council also received a Port Authority update and approved an agenda request for future discussion on public comment decorum.

Consent Calendar

• Motion to Approve Bills: Warrants #128594–129031 totaling $3,036,459.21, approved unanimously.
• Motion to Approve Minutes: June 22, 2026 Workshop and Regular Meeting minutes, approved.
• Resolution No. 8194: Authorizing the sale of General Obligation Street Reconstruction Bonds, Series 2026A, adopted.
• Resolution No. 8193: Gambling Premise Permit for Aliveo Learning Center, Inc. at Applebee's, adopted.
• 2026 Food Wagon License: For Emily Knudsen, Pleasant Grove Pizza Farm, approved.
• Private Use of Public Property (PUPP) Application: For River City Days (July 31–August 2, 2026), approved.
• Transfer of FAA Non-Primary Entitlement Funding: Redirected to the City of Morris, MN; agreement signed by Public Works Director and City Attorney, approved.
• 2026 Water Service Line Replacement (WSL) Project: Construction contract with BCM Construction, Inc. for $888,887, project budget set at $1,135,000, council administrator authorized to execute, approved.
• Ordinance 240, Fourth Series: Second reading of zoning text amendments for RM-3 District Standards, adopted along with Summary Resolution No. 8195.
• Ordinance 239, Fourth Series: Rezoning of 1815 Chakya Street from AR to R-1, adopted.
• FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Application: For Main Lift Station Improvements ($5,392,500), authorization to apply approved.
• Solid Waste Delivery Agreement: With Republic Services of the Twin Cities – Inver Grove Heights for disposal rate and long-term commitment, approved.
• Professional Services Contract with Stantec Consulting: For the Mississippi River Waterway Economic Development & Public Investment Analysis (Port Waterway Plan), funded by an Office of Energy Transition Grant, approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Amber Dawn Plank (Ward 4, Red Wing): Stated that someone ripped down humanitarian flags from her fence on June 26, and that she was charged with disorderly conduct for peacefully protesting on a public sidewalk. She questioned why the City Administrator sets the council’s agenda, noting “[there’s] too much power.” She reported an overflowing wheelchair-accessible porta-potty. She apologized for a previous reaction to the council mispronouncing her daughter’s name (“Ama” like “mama”) and asked the council to learn it. She requested a moment of silence for “Carlos,” who was abducted by ICE; Council President Farrar stated it was against policy.
• Mattias Plank (Ward 4, Red Wing): Called the denial of a moment of silence disrespectful and noted that a sheriff candidate “goes against what this city should be working for.” He also said flags were ripped from his property. He insisted on a moment of silence and was eventually asked to sit down when his time expired, leading to a brief exchange.
• Laura Habedank (Ward 2, Red Wing): Thanked Amber Dawn Plank for speaking up against racism. She stated that a previous public comment calling the city’s acknowledgment of racism a “travesty” is wrong, and that “racism is very much happening everywhere.” She urged the council and staff to do anti-racism work, noting that her employer offers diversity training that makes her a better employee.

Discussion Items

• 9.A. Facility Use Policy: City Council Administrator Chris Heineman presented the revised Reserve Park Facility Use Policy and the Fire Station 2 Community Room and Community Development Conference Room Facility Use Policy, following an April 27, 2026 workshop. A motion to approve passed unanimously (6:0).
• 9.B. Housing & Redevelopment Authority (HRA) Appointment: The council discussed appointing Council Member Beth Snyder to the HRA and corresponding policy changes. Key debate centered on term length: Council Member Lambert advocated for a two-year term to avoid excluding council members elected in off-years, while Council Member Kliewer and Mayor Iocco preferred longer terms for continuity. The council ultimately approved a policy change making the term “three years or the expiration of the current term of the council member, whichever occurs first” (6:0). Council Member Snyder was then appointed for a partial term expiring December 31, 2028 (6:0). Council Member Norton noted the need to remove the redundant liaison language from the rules of order.
• 9.C. Private Use of Public Property (PUPP) for Jordan Tower I Renovation Project: The HRA requested 18 parking spaces in the Fourth Street Ramp (September 21, 2026 – March 31, 2027) with a waiver of estimated $6,300 in permit fees. Council Member Snyder proposed a reduced fee of $10 per month per affected resident (instead of full waiver). Public Works Director Blaney suggested the motion be for a reduced parking pass fee of $10/month for the 18 affected residents for the project’s duration. The motion passed unanimously (6:0). A separate motion to approve the PUPP construction application also passed unanimously (6:0).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved (6:0) with all 13 items, including bond sale, grants, contracts, ordinances, and licenses.
• Facility Use Policy for parks, Fire Station 2 community room, and Community Development conference room approved (6:0).
• HRA policy amended to set council member term on HRA at “three years or expiration of council term, whichever occurs first” (6:0).
• Council Member Beth Snyder appointed to HRA for a partial term ending December 31, 2028 (6:0).
• Jordan Tower I parking fee reduced to $10/month for 18 affected residents during construction (6:0); PUPP application for the renovation project approved (6:0).
• Agenda request from Council Member Beise to discuss public comment decorum and personal attack prohibitions was approved for a future meeting (6:0).
• Cancellation of July 27 workshop noted; next meeting is August 3, 2026 at 6:30 PM (council meeting time unchanged).