Red Wing City Council Regular Meeting - September 14, 2026

The Red Wing City Council met on Monday, September 14, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers and virtually via Webex. Mayor Gary Iocco and all council members were present (Council Member Vicki Jo Lambert attended virtually until leaving at 7:55 PM). The meeting covered a recognition, public comments, the consent agenda, and several major motions including a contentious separation agreement discussion with the Finance Director. The council also approved preliminary tax levies and budgets for the city, Port Authority, and HRA, and set a date for the Truth-in-Taxation meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Approved bills (Warrant #129705-129984, totaling $1,461,401.34).
• Approved minutes from August 24, 2026 (workshop and regular meeting).
• Appointed Jessica Ahlbrecht to the Sister Cities Commission (partial term expiring December 31, 2026).
• Approved delinquent sewer bill agreement with Donald Lee (1925 Pioneer Road).
• Approved Resolution No. 8201, Mutual Aid Agreement with Lund Fire District in Wisconsin (pulled for discussion; passed 7-0 after clarification).
• Approved River Bluff Humane Society contract for 2027-2029.
• Approved 2026 tobacco license for Ahmed S. Zghair (Red Wings Tobacco LLC).
• Approved lower potency hemp edible retailer registration for Mallory Anderson (Kelly's Tap House, Inc.).
• Adopted Ordinance No. 241, Fourth Series, rezoning 1808 Chakya Street from AR to R-1.
• Approved solid waste delivery agreement with Harter's Disposal of Minnesota, LLC (five-year initial term with three successive five-year renewals).
• Approved private use of public property for Red Wing Shoe Warehouse Sale (parking a semi-trailer on Potter Street, Oct 5-12).
• Accepted the 10th Street Water Booster Station project as complete.
• Adopted Resolution No. 8202, accepting state law change modifying Port Authority commissioner terms from 3 to 6 years.
• Approved alley reconstruction assessment (2025 Block 8) and set assessment hearing for October 12, 2026.
• Approved application for a $10,000 SEMAC grant to support the 2027 Sculpture Walk.
• Approved Billings-Tomfohr Restoration Agreement with Minnesota Land Trust (18-acre habitat restoration, funded by Outdoor Heritage Fund, no cost to city).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Katie Nolan (Ward 3): Expressed appreciation for city staff, especially Melissa Hill, Michelle Leise, and Dan Brower; excited about Mississippi Dialogues Project.
• Amber Dawn Plank (Ward 4): Criticized the school district's transportation contract with MTN after a mother was criminally charged for trying to locate her child on a lost bus; asked the council whether they agreed with police handling of the situation and sought consistent accountability.
• Carol Overland (Ward 2): Objected to the definition of "personal attack" in public comment procedures; argued that elected officials must listen to uncomfortable comments.
• Sara Grigoleit (Red Wing): As a member of the Red Wing Dog Park Committee, argued that the Pottery Pond and Skate Park site is superior to Bench Street South, meeting all 12 staff-created criteria while Bench Street fails six; requested council consider the Pottery Pond site for permanent dog park relocation.
• Scot Johnson (Ward 2): Also on the dog park committee; echoed that Pottery Pond site is superior; stated the committee has a fundraising plan and looks forward to presenting it.
• Cathy Hooper (Ward 1): Emphasized need for a dog park, listing benefits (safety, community, health); urged council to prioritize funding.
• Carol Overland (Ward 2): Spoke on agenda item 9A (Hallock separation); expressed concern that the council work session had only audio recording; said council lacks sufficient information; urged postponement and a closed meeting.
• Alan Muller (Red Wing): Objected to consent item 8J (Harter's solid waste agreement), claiming it increases garbage flow without due diligence on health and odor impacts; urged council to remove it from consent and not approve until more research is done.
• Leah Midgarden (Ward 4): Spoke on 9A; argued that rejecting the separation agreement would set a precedent that the city does not appreciate employee service; urged council to vote in favor and treat employees better.
• Amber Dawn Plank (Ward 4): Spoke again on 9A; questioned why the city took a month to prepare for Hallock's departure, why some council members were not informed, and what the succession plan is; also asked about the City Administrator's potential departure to Austin.
• Wendy Johnson (Ward 2): Spoke on 8P (Billings-Tomfohr agreement); emphasized the significance of the restoration, noting it is critical habitat for Leonard Skipper butterfly and Bladder Pod plant, and praised volunteer coordinator Jeff Lightfoot.

Discussion Items

• Recognition of Officer Colin Clennon: Received the DWI All-Star Award from Minnesota Department of Public Safety and a hat-trick hockey stick for two separate shifts making three DWI arrests each. Presented by Assistant Chief Metling and LEL Scott McConkey.
• Mississippi Dialogues Art Donation (9B): Michelle Leise introduced; Stephanie Rogers (Anderson Center) and artist Margaret Pearce presented the project: two oak panels with cartographic artwork and wood carvings by Ben Spears, installed in Colvill Park. Fully funded outside (grants, MacArthur Fellowship). Council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 8205 accepting the donation.
• Marshall Hallock Separation/Resignation (9A): Extensive discussion. City Administrator Heineman stated Hallock proposed the separation; attorney Mace reviewed timeline and options (approve separation agreement with terms or accept Sept 4 resignation with handbook severance). Council Member Lambert proposed a third option: reject both and negotiate with Hallock to stay. After debate, a motion by Lambert (seconded by Norton) to deny both separation options and invite Hallock to remain in employment carried 4-3 (Beise, Lambert, Norton, Snyder yes; Kliewer, Farrar, Goggin no). A subsequent motion by Goggin (seconded by Snyder) to have the Personnel Committee negotiate terms with Hallock carried 4-3 (Snyder, Kliewer, Farrar, Goggin yes; Beise, Lambert, Norton no).
• Miscellaneous Assessments (9C): Assistant Finance Director Schultz presented $83,000 collected in 2022, $103,000 in 2023, $134,000 in 2024, $152,000 in 2025. Council adopted Resolution No. 8206 (declaring costs) and Resolution No. 8213 (setting public hearing Oct 12, 2026) both 6-0.
• City of Red Wing 2027 Proposed Tax Levy and Budget (9D): Schultz presented a 5.53% increase to $29,674,974, with $492,000 flexibility in council contingency. Council Member Goggin voted no, preferring zero increase; others supported the preliminary number to allow flexibility. Resolution No. 8207 (levy) adopted 5-1 (Goggin no). Resolution No. 8208 (budget) adopted 5-1 (Goggin no).
• Port Authority 2027 Levy and Budget (9E): Community Development Director Klatt reported an 8.71% levy increase to the statutory maximum due to economic development activity and uncertain dredging costs. Resolution No. 8209 (levy) adopted 5-1 (Goggin no). Resolution No. 8210 (budget) adopted 5-1 (Goggin no).
• HRA 2027 Levy and Budget (9F): Similar procedure. Resolution No. 8211 (levy) adopted 5-1 (Goggin no). Resolution No. 8212 (budget) adopted 5-1 (Goggin no).
• Truth-in-Taxation Meeting (9G): Council announced the public hearing for Monday, December 7, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers to discuss the 2027 levy and budget.
• Dog Park Discussion: Mayor Iocco requested placing a dog park discussion on a future agenda. After discussion, council voted unanimously to add the item to the September 28, 2026, meeting. Staff will present existing information on the Bench Street site while also providing a high-level summary of the Pottery Pond alternative.
• Port Authority Update: Klatt reported on Jefferson School (four proposals received, subcommittee reviewing), Fleischmann Maltery (mobilization underway), Central Research property (site graded, reimbursement requested), and the port waterway plan study.
• Status Updates: Administrator Heineman noted upcoming trail ribbon cutting (Sept 29), 2026 Street Reconstruction Project (phase two in 2027), railroad quiet zone improvement, and Hope Heights subdivision update (pending Sept 28).

Key Outcomes

• Hallock Separation: Council voted 4-3 to reject the proposed separation agreement and Hallock's resignation, instead inviting him to remain employed; then voted 4-3 to have the Personnel Committee negotiate terms with Hallock.
• Preliminary Tax Levy and Budget (City): Approved 5-1 (Goggin opposed) at a 5.53% increase ($29,674,974), with flexibility to reduce at the December Truth-in-Taxation hearing.
• Port Authority Preliminary Levy and Budget: Approved 5-1 (Goggin opposed) at the statutory maximum (8.71% increase).
• HRA Preliminary Levy and Budget: Approved 5-1 (Goggin opposed).
• Consent Agenda: All items approved except 8E, which was separately passed 7-0.
• Closed Session: Council unanimously (6-0) entered closed session at 9:11 PM to discuss labor negotiations; reconvened and adjourned at 10:10 PM.