Red Wing City Council Regular Meeting – August 10, 2026

The Red Wing City Council met on August 10, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers and virtually. The meeting included public comments on several topics, approval of most consent agenda items, discussion of two pulled consent items (Public Works reorganization and solar panel repairs), consideration of a bond sale, charter commission appointments, amendments to the Rules of Order and Procedures, and an update on the Law Enforcement Center lease study. Key decisions included approving the bond sale at favorable terms, tabling the solar repair item for further bid information, appointing neither candidate to the Charter Commission, adopting the amended Rules of Order, and authorizing up to $5,000 for a law enforcement center lease study.

Consent Calendar

• Approved (7-0): Bills (Warrant #129277–129482, $1,229,329.02), July 27, 2026 meeting minutes, appointment of Kelly Marrs to Sister Cities Commission, Private Use of Public Property application for Battle of the Badges (softball game on August 22, 2026), Public Works Department reorganization and succession plan (Item 8E, pulled and discussed separately), Grandview Manufactured Home Park master meter conversion plan (construction delayed to 2028, subject to future CIP funding), and use of Municipal Arts Fund dollars for sculpture restoration.
• Item 8H (Green Fund solar repairs) was pulled by Council Member Kliewer and later discussed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kyle Aure (Red Wing): Expressed strong opposition to automated license plate readers, explaining how they upload data to private companies outside the city with no regulations on data sharing. Urged the Council to restrict installation and remove existing readers.
• Amber Plank (Ward 4): Voiced concerns about license plate readers, stating community members have reached out with similar concerns. Also criticized the new comment card process, alleging it was implemented because a council member would not learn a resident's name.
• Alan Muller (Ward 2): Spoke against a solid waste delivery agreement that would bring additional waste into the city, citing negative implications for air quality and quality of life.
• Natasha Yates (Ward 2): Recommended Wendy Johnson for the Charter Commission, praising her dedication, listening skills, professionalism, and environmental commitment.
• Carol Overland (Ward 2): Opposed Mike Wilson's appointment to the Charter Commission, citing an ex parte letter he wrote to the judge as mayor. Also questioned how a simple agenda request from Council Member Beise resulted in multiple options that could restrict public comment.

Discussion Items

• Item 8E – Public Works Department Reorganization (Pulled): Council Member Norton requested clarification on efficiencies. Public Works Director Blaney explained the reorganization reallocates responsibilities to align with succession planning and operational needs, with no increase in management staffing levels. Motion to approve passed 7-0.
• Item 8H – Green Fund Solar Repairs (Pulled): Council Member Kliewer asked about the number of solar systems (six) and panel life expectancy. Discussion revealed that panels were from a now-defunct Minnesota manufacturer, and 43 panels at the Solid Waste Campus had failed. Estimated 40-year savings of $578,000 were referenced. Council President Farrar asked for a cost-benefit analysis. Council Member Kliewer moved to table the item to obtain additional bids; Council Member Lambert withdrew her second, and Council Member Snyder seconded the amended motion to table. Motion to table passed 5-2, with Kliewer, Goggin, Kliewer (name noted), Farrar, and Snyder voting aye; Lambert and Norton voting nay.
• Item 9A – Resolution 8198 (Bond Sale): Finance Director Hallock introduced Lauren Volz from Baker Tilly. She presented the sale results: $6,135,000 in General Obligation Street Reconstruction Bonds were issued with a true interest cost of 3.69%, down from an estimated 4%. The winning bid from Raymond James included a premium, allowing a reduced par amount of $5,865,000 while still funding all project costs. There were eight bidders. Motion to adopt the resolution for $5,865,000 passed 7-0.
• Item 9B – Charter Commission Appointment: City Clerk Hill explained there are 15 seats; seven are Council-recommended. Two applications were received (Wendy Johnson and Mike Wilson). Council Member Norton moved to recommend Wendy Johnson; motion failed 2-5 (Lambert and Norton aye). Council Member Kliewer moved to recommend Mike Wilson. Council Member Norton disclosed that former Mayor Wilson had made inappropriate comments to her when she was Council President, and another council member experienced harassment. She asked the Council to reject the nomination. Council President Farrar expressed discomfort but noted Wilson's familiarity with the charter. Council Member Kliewer argued the impact would be limited. Motion to recommend Mike Wilson failed 3-3-1 (Goggin, Kliewer, Farrar aye; Beise, Lambert, Norton nay; Snyder present). The seat remains vacant.
• Item 9C – Resolution 8199 (Rules of Order Amendments): Council Administrator Heineman reviewed amendments, including clarifying three-minute allotments and language on personal attacks. Council Member Norton proposed adding a definition of "attack" and removing the sentence about moments of silence not being an efficient use of time. Council Member Lambert supported the definition. City Attorney Mace suggested the definition may not be necessary. Council President Farrar preferred no definition. After discussion, Council Member Snyder kept her original motion without changes. Motion to adopt Resolution 8199 as presented passed 5-2 (Beise, Goggin, Kliewer, Farrar, Snyder aye; Lambert, Norton nay).
• Item 9D – LEC Lease Model RFP Update: Council Administrator Heineman reported that the County agreed to consider the city's questions but recommended a third-party consultant to develop lease rate frameworks, space-type differentiation, and treatment of city-funded improvements. Council Members Lambert, Norton, Beise, and Mayor Iocco expressed frustration with the county's responsiveness and reluctance to pay for the study. Council Members Kliewer, Snyder, and Goggin supported proceeding with the study (estimated cost $5,000–$10,000, split with county). After extended debate, a motion was made by Council Member Goggin, seconded by Kliewer, to approve up to $5,000 for the consultant fee. Motion passed 5-2 (Beise, Goggin, Kliewer, Farrar, Snyder aye; Lambert, Norton nay). The Council also discussed scheduling a workshop on the LEC options.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Consent Agenda (minus pulled items) by 7-0.
• Approved Public Works Reorganization (Item 8E) by 7-0.
• Tabled Green Fund Solar Repairs (Item 8H) by 5-2 pending additional bids.
• Adopted Resolution 8198 awarding $5,865,000 in street reconstruction bonds at 3.69% interest (7-0).
• Failed to recommend either applicant for the Charter Commission vacancy (Johnson failed 2-5, Wilson failed 3-3-1).
• Adopted Resolution 8199 amending the Rules of Order and Procedures (5-2).
• Authorized up to $5,000 for a law enforcement center lease rate study (5-2).
• The Council will schedule a workshop to discuss LEC options further.
• Council Member Norton requested a future presentation on license plate reader policies and community input on public safety policies.
• Staff will bring back a development agreement for the Hope Heights project in September.