City Council Observer Notes

City Council Chambers, 315 West 4th Street, Red Wing, MN & Virtually

Monday, April 27, 2026 at 6:30 PM

Proclamations and Recognitions

• The meeting was called to order by council president, Jamie Farrar, at 5:30 pm.  All members were in attendance.  
• Officers Nils DeRemee, and Donna Zimmer were sworn in after passing their one-year probationary periods, and acknowledged with a badge pinning ceremony conducted by Mayor Iocco, with participation by the parents of the newly inducted officers.
• Mayor Iocco read a proclamation declaring the month of April 2026 as Sexual Assault Awareness and Child Abuse Prevention Month in the City of Red Wing.  The mayor reminded community to stand with the victims of sexual violence and child abuse.
• Mayor Iocco introduced and administered an oath of office for the newly appointed board and commission member,  Brian Waters, the Sustainability Commission. 

Presentation of Red Wing Police Annual Report

Police Chief Nick Sather summarized 2025 operations, accomplishments and 2026 goals.  Among the findings presented:

Operations and Accomplishments

• The department is now fully staffed with 32 officers. 22% are women, which is above the national average of 10%.   
• Expenses:  department is operating within its budget of approximately $7.1million
• Most of budget is wages and benefits; a slight deficit was covered with funds from other areas
• Revenue: department was successful in securing grants to support its operations, and in generating new revenue from parking fee increases
• Community Engagement – The police force engages with the community through a variety of activities throughout the year, including Bike Roundup, Skate with a Cop, Shop with a Cop, Ride with a Cop, Mayor for the Day, etc.  There is a community engagement team leading these efforts, most of which are staffed by unpaid police volunteers.  Kudos!
• Investigations Division took 23 illegal handguns off the street in 2026 and launched a computer forensics system to improve data collection and analysis at the local level while removing dependence on county-based systems.
• Crime – No homicides in Red Wing in the past year; local police apprehended 4 individuals wanted for homicide investigation in other areas.
• A new online complaint system is now online and working well.
• Police department is now paperless, increasing efficiency and sustainability 
• A new field training model was adopted

Goals

• Reevaluate/revise police mission  
• Introduce evidence software
• Introduce an analytic dashboard for to measure performance/effectiveness
• Participate in an accreditation program to ensure continuous improvement  
• Search out grants to support operations

Discussion 

• Mayor Iocco acknowledged the Police Chief for apprehending a SWATTING crime.  Chief Sather gave credit to  his staff.
• Council Member Norton asked whether the police force has adequate resources to support their mental health.Chief Sather said the force contracts for confidential mental health assistance specifically designed for police personnel.  The City also has an Employee Assistance Program.
• Council Member Norton asked whether the next mission review will address community engagement. Chief Sather responded that while we have a community engagement team, it would be nice to have a community engagement officer in the future.  Norton asked whether there was  citizen involvement on the community engagement team. Chief Sather responded that they don’t currently, but we would consider it in the future. Norton suggested that the force invite citizen participation  or solicit feedback occasionally to encourage partnership with law enforcement.

Public Comment

NON AGENDA ITEMS 

Amber Dawn Plank – Ward 4:  Noted that there was no applause for the mayor’s proclamation of April 2026 as Prevention of Sexual Violence and Child Abuse Month.  Plank also questioned why the upcoming State of the City luncheon address by Mayor Iocco required a $35 registration fee.  Plank stated that this information should be available to all City residents for free.  Plank also expressed frustration with feeling frequently ignored by Council members when she speaks at City Council meetings.  

Laura Habedank  – Ward 2 -Stated that racism is alive and well in the country and in the city, and  expressed concern that the country fails to acknowledge its role in allowing this to continue.  Statistics demonstrate clear racial inequities and lack of representation.  XXk said that Red Wing is complicit in racism without a more aggressive antiracist stance.  Many people in the room applauded her comments.

Randy McLaughlin, Ward 3 – Voiced complaints about increases in parking fees and difficulty in securing overnight parking under the new system.  

Pam Noon, Ward 2 – Voiced concern about the lack of progress on developing a parcel of land on the East Side. She disapproved of recent remarks suggesting that only property owners have the experience to make decisions about the property and asked that input be solicited from people who live in the neighborhood.

Laurie Bell, Ward 1 – Voiced concern about the approach to homelessness in our community.  Bell’s professional experience in working with unhoused people taught her that many homeless had homes and jobs but developed mental health issues that led to homelessness. Bell suggested the city needs to decriminalize its approach to homelessness and involve homeless people in solving problems and identifying resources. She suggested that the city use some of its surplus funds for this purpose.

Alan Muller – Noted that a common thread running through the Council workshop (an earlier meeting) is a systemic failure to include the people who are being served.  Mueller noted that this is best practice. Mueller also said that decisions regarding use of city resources should not be up to the City Administrator. 

Wendy Johnson, Ward 2 -Expressed strong support for the recent Hispanic Outreach celebration event, and disappointment that only one City Council member was in attendance. Johnson noted that there are 283 Hispanic families in our area, and suggested that the City Council would benefit from getting better acquainted with these hardworking people who contribute so much to the economy and culture of our area.

AGENDA ITEMS

Allen Mueller – Mueller noted that Council is showing a tendency to move substantive issues into Council Workshop, where public comment is not allowed, thus discouraging public engagement.  Mueller asked that replacement of lead drainage systems be considered along with lead pipe replacement in a contract being reviewed by the council.

Sara Kern – Ward 4 – Kern offered thanks to mayor for the Proclamation for Prevention of Sexual Violence and Child Abuse.  Kern, executive director of Hope Coalition, a local nonprofit serving victims of sexual abuse, talked about the importance of services for local individuals and families impacted by sexual violence and child abuse.  She noted that Hope Coalition recently added a local exam room that makes it possible for victims of abuse to receive prompt medical attention rather than having to drive to Rochester or the Twin Cities.  

Consent Agenda 

Consent Agenda consists of noncontroversial, routine business items that often don’t require Council discussion. Council members may request discussion on any items on the consent agenda. Consent agenda passed with discussion as follows:

Items Discussed

• Jordan Court Parking/Maintenance Agreement:  Private owners of Jordan Court parking have requested additional reserved parking spaces.  This will result in a loss of parking spaces for city parking in a desirable and much used area.  The city will continue to maintain the lot.  Councilman Lambert questioned why the City would agree to give up the spaces while still providing upkeep and maintenance of the lot.  A city representative , Kyle Klatt,  explained that it was only for overnight parking and that it would be monitored and evaluated over the next year.  Other Council members suggested that negotiations with the owners continue.  
• Council Member Lambert acknowledged the excellent work of the City Council Staff.

General Business  

Motions to Introduce Noise Ordinance.  A new noise ordinance was proposed to address amplified sound from motor vehicles.  Council discussed whether the ordinance should also include noise from motor vehicles, and enforcement of noise ordinance.  Staff will refine language and provide guidance for police enforcement.

Actions Related to Drainage and Utility Easement Vacation Request.  Property owners of Lots 1 and 2, Block 3, Charlson Crest 7th Addition, submitted an application to combine the parcels to build a new home that would be impacted by the center property line dividing the two existing parcels. D&U easements dedicated in the Charlson Crest 7th Addition are located on either side of the center property line. The request includes vacation of these D&U easements. Staff recommended approval.  Motions approved.

10. Communication Items

10.A. Housing and Redevelopment Authority Update.

HRA Director Kurt Keena provided an update on HRA activities. Highlights below; see full report for details.

• HRA received $30M to continue improvements for Jordan Towers.
• HRA launched the state funded “Bring It Home” voucher program; applications are open for 30 days.  The first vouchers will be issued this Friday.
• HRA Small Cities program cash reserves are low; staff will apply to the state for additional funds to cover obligations.
• HRA owned Hill Street property will require additional funds of $657K, bringing total development costs to $832K for a comprehensive rehab, which when finished will be a 3-unit rental property.  Council members questioned whether this was a good investment. HRA will consider selling the property at the end of the 2027 compliance period.

State of the City Luncheon.  The Chamber of Commerce requested participation from the mayor and city administrator for this annual event..  The mayor clarified that this is an ambassador type event, not a policy promise presentation.  Some Council members expressed concern that the title may be misleading and requested that the Chamber find another way to promote the event.  Council members stressed the need for transparency and clarity about who speaks for the Council.  

Upcoming Events:  Habitat for Humanity groundbreaking; Sheldon Theater events; upcoming tours of the waste water treatment plant.

Mississippi River No Wake Zones and Buoy Replacement:  The City has been asked to foot a $10K bill for replacing buoys in the harbor.  This has traditionally been funded through grants.  Council requested information about who (city, county, DNR) sets no-wake zones, and erosion impact from larger wake producing boats.  Council asked that efforts be made to coordinate these issues. Stuff will gather information.

Jordan River Water Sampling at Sheldon – upcoming event will feature water sampling and an exhibit.  An interagency, educational activity.

Council Comments

Council Member Lambert raised concerns about transparency in Council communications, noting that the City Charter vests full authority in the Council, and asking for equitable communication and oversight.  Other Council members suggested clearer communication of public presentations to avoid the perception of overreach.

Motion to go into Closed Session at 9:00 p.m.

Council reconvened to open session at 9:05 p.m.

Motion passed for the President to take action as discussed regarding allegations and report of investigation regarding an individual subject to the council’s authority.

Meeting adjourned at 9:08p.m.

Observer Notes:  

Themes running through the council proceedings included 1) the need for greater citizen engagement in policy design and implementation and 2) concerns over a lack of transparency/poor communication among the council members, mayor and City Administrator.