Red Wing City Council Regular Meeting

The Red Wing City Council held its regular meeting on July 27, 2026, at 6:29 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting lasted until 9:17 PM and covered a consent agenda, public comment, and two main business items: the rezoning of the former Bay View Nursing and Rehabilitation site and a discussion of potential changes to the public comment period. Seven council members were present.

Consent Calendar

• Approved bills (Warrant #129032-129274, totaling $1,033,608.80).
• Approved the July 13, 2026 regular meeting minutes.
• Approved the Finance Report.
• Approved a Private Use of Public Property (PUPP) application for the 60th Annual Red Wing Arts Fall Festival (October 10-11, 2026).
• Approved a Solid Waste Delivery Agreement with Lightning Disposal, Incorporated.
• Approved a one-day temporary liquor license for Red Wing Elks Lodge #845 for the Battle of the Badges event (August 22, 2026).
• Accepted the 2026 Walker Parking Ramp Condition Assessment and Asset Management Plan, directing staff to incorporate it into the 10-year Capital Improvement Plan.
• Approved a PUPP application for Night to Unite (August 4, 2026).
• Adopted Resolution No. 8196, approving a minor subdivision/final plat for Burdick Place.
• All consent items were approved unanimously by a vote of 7:0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Alan Muller thanked the mayor for a proclamation and spoke against the Solid Waste Delivery Agreement, citing increased air pollution and health concerns, urging the Council not to approve it.
• Ronnie asked that communication with residents remain open.
• Carmen Bertelson proposed a resolution to reinstate and display the 1983 Minnesota state flag on city property, arguing it preserves state history and noting that the new flag was adopted without legislative approval.
• Pam Noone criticized the Council's handling of a July 13th incident involving a moment of silence, accusing the Council of leaning towards authoritarianism and asking them not to modify public comment.
• Taryn Fuller expressed concern about limiting public comment, stating that minority community members feel singled out, and asked the Council to listen to residents and work towards solutions.
• Mattias Plank described his July 13th experience of being issued a disorderly conduct citation for requesting a moment of silence; he asked the Council not to make silence the answer to speech.
• Amber Plank Warfield spoke about being denied a moment of silence and her son receiving a citation; she urged the Council to seek justice and defend the oppressed.
• Alan Muller (second appearance) praised community members for addressing the Council, opposed proposed changes to public comment, and urged the Council to listen better.
• Carol Overland said her comments in the staff report were mischaracterized; she proposed adding language to the Rules of Order to clarify that non-defamatory, factual feedback is welcome.
• Ronnie (second appearance) praised Amber Plank Warfield and Mattias Plank, noted the proposal does not address accountability, and urged compromise.
• Pam Noone (second appearance) opposed modifying the public comment period, saying taxpaying residents have a right to speak.
• Terri Cook opposed modifying public comment, asking the Council to question if the Recall City Hall movement was an attack and to stop abdicating duties to the Administrator.
• Keil Ploen opposed rezoning the Bay View site to RM-3, arguing it does not fit the neighborhood's character and would remove public input from future decisions.
• Skog Featherstone thanked the Council and encouraged them to continue allowing difficult conversations.
• Wendy Johnson said she has received little email acknowledgment from Council members and asked them not to modify public comment.
• Amber Dawn Plank Warfield (second appearance) said she is not the enemy and would rather be banned than have the public comment period changed; she asked the Council to listen.
• Carmen Bertelson (second appearance) reminded the Council that process is important and residents expect to be listened to.
• Beth Breeden spoke in favor of public comment, stating it helps start conversations and affects how the Council votes.

Discussion Items

• 9A: Rezoning of the former Bay View Nursing and Rehabilitation Site Community Development Director Kyle Klatt presented the item. The site (1.13 acres) is proposed for a comprehensive plan map amendment from public/semi-public to high-density residential and a zoning map amendment from R2 (5-8 units/acre) to RM-3 (24-80 units/acre). The parking lot parcels were excluded per Council direction. Council members debated density, developer interest, neighborhood character, and the ability to achieve similar density through RM-2 with a PUD. Mayor Iocco noted a developer suggested 65-70 units; Klatt said 40-100 units per acre have been discussed. Council Member Norton expressed concerns about spot zoning and the lack of transition from R2 to RM-3. Council Member Snyder supported the rezoning, arguing it aligns with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan and would attract a developer. Council Member Goggin opposed, wanting to protect existing residents. Council Member Beise supported rezoning upfront to attract developers and avoid wasted costs.

• 9B: Options to the Public Comment Period City Administrator Chris Heineman introduced the item. City Attorney Amy Mace provided legal background, noting there is no constitutional right to speak at council meetings; the council may set rules. Discussion focused on the definition of personal attack, moments of silence, and the complaint process. Council members shared perspectives: Council Member Goggin wanted personal attack rules to protect everyone; Council Member Norton emphasized keeping them broad and noted elected officials are held to a higher threshold. Council Member Beise said his intent was never to remove public comment. Council President Farrar summarized consensus: change personal attack language to broader legal language (to be brought back as an ordinance amendment), keep the current meeting decorum and format, clarify that speakers have "up to three minutes" to speak, include Attorney Mace's proposed language prohibiting moments of silence (as not meaningfully furthering the purpose of public comment), and strike the proposed complaint process (Section 9.1(e)) until a full process is developed. Council Member Norton suggested the Human Rights Commission could discuss these topics further.

• Other Discussion: Air Monitors Council Member Lambert requested adding a future agenda item to discuss the city's role in air quality monitoring, potential partnerships with the county and MPCA. After discussion, Council Member Lambert made a motion to add the item, seconded by Council Member Norton. A vote was conducted and the motion failed (2-5).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (7-0).
• Comprehensive Plan Map Amendment for Bay View (Resolution 8197): Motion failed (4-3). Council Members Snyder, Farrar, Kliewer, and Beise voted aye; Council Members Norton, Goggin, and Lambert voted nay. Consequently, the related rezoning ordinance (Ordinance No. 237) was not considered.
• Public Comment Rules: The Council reached consensus on the following changes to the Rules of Order (to be formalized at a subsequent meeting):
  • Broaden the personal attack prohibition to apply to all individuals (staff, elected officials, citizens).
  • Change the language to "speakers have up to three minutes to speak."
  • Prohibit moments of silence during public comment, using language proposed by the City Attorney: "Moments of silence are not allowed during the public comment period, as the purpose of the public comment period is for an individual to communicate information and/or opinions to the Council, and silence does not meaningfully further that purpose. Moments of silence are also not an efficient use of public meeting time."
  • Remove the complaint process language (Section 9.1(e)) until a full process is developed.
  • Maintain current meeting decorum and format, including the comment card process.
• Air Monitor Agenda Item: Motion to add a future agenda item failed (2-5).
• Other: Council Member Kliewer requested an update on the LEC Ad Hoc Committee (approaching four years). Council Member Lambert noted concerns about parking at Bay Point Park Marina. The next budget workshop is scheduled for August 3, 2026.