Meeting Called to Order at 6:00 PM

• All council members in attendance except Becky Norton (excused). Agenda approved and the meeting proceeded. 

Proclamations and Recognitions

Mayor Iocco issued several proclamations:

• Public Works Week Proclamation proclaimed to recognize  dedicated service of the Public Works Department and the important contributions they make to maintaining the infrastructure, safety, and quality of life in our community.
• Police Week Proclamation recognizing the week in which National Peace Officers Memorial Day falls (May 15) as Police Week in Red Wing.
• Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week Proclamation honors the lifesaving work and steadfast commitment of Emergency Medical Services personnel who respond in times of emergency and protect the well-being of our residents.

 Presentations

• Commemorative Officer Memorial Presentation. Assistant Chief Metling made a presentation on the commemorative officer memorial wall plaque that is now displayed at Gernentz Auto, in Red Wing. Gernentz Auto is the site of the former Sibley Hotel, where Red Wing Police Chief James Daily and Officer John Peterson were shot and killed while responding to a mental health call on January 15, 1907.  

 Public Comment

Everyone is allowed three minutes to speak on any agenda items or non-agenda items.  

Non Agenda Items

• Mark Esterbrook – Red Wing, Ward 1 – Expressed dissatisfaction with an unexpected ambulance charge of $5100 received for aFebruary transport from Red Wing to Rochester.  Esterbrook asked about the cost prior to transport and was advised it would not be very much.  He has filed an appeal, but asks for greater transparency regarding the process and cost of receiving ambulance services.     
• Amber Dawn Plank   – Commented that some City Council members often appear disinterested or disrespectful toward some citizens who take time to testify, and asked that the court cameras include video coverage of their behavior.  She asked for more transparency, accountability and respect from Council members.  
• Laura XX, Ward 2 – Commented on Red Wing’s poor reputation regarding racism in our community, despite official commitments that have been made.  She said that racism is alive and well in our community, and that the current political environment is making things worse.  She asked that the Council engage with the community on this issue to learn how it is affecting our citizens and families, and take a stronger antiracism stance.  
• Tom Wilder, Ward 2 – Reminded the City Council of their core responsibilities to: provide citizens with police and fire protection, maintain the public infrastructure, encourage and support growth of a solid commercial business to reduce burden on citizens. Shared his opinion that the Council is not doing a good job of reducing the tax base through commercial business development.  Suggested that Council not be concerned with real estate development (Central Research, Bauer Built cited as examples), or overseeing multiple committees and commissions that distract from core duties.  Suggested nearly all enterprises should be sold off to private companies to operate.  Stated that the resolution identifying racism as a public health risk does not promote businesses coming to town.  

Agenda Items

• Todd Avery – Hay Creek Townsnip, President of Goodhue County Historical Society GCHS), outlined the importance of GCHS to the area, and asked the City, which leases the property to GCHS, to consider helping GCHS manage rising insurance costs.  
• Robin Whipperling – Executive Director, Goodhue County Historical Society, added to Mr. Avery’s comments, and asked that the City partner with GCHS to meet its financial obligations so it can continue serving as a valuable resource for the city and county.
• Kenzie Reuter,  Director of Hope and Harbor. Asked  that the Council reconsider its stance on addressing homelessness in our community.  She noted that homelessness is not a choice or a moral defect, and said that most homeless individuals are not criminals.  
• Janet Hansmeier – President of Hope and Harbor.  Spoke on ordinance concerning homelessness.  Said the evidence does not suggest that people will come from other areas to seek shelter and that with support, many individuals and families are able to find safety and get them back on track. Reiterated that Hope and Harbor is working with the City and Council, and asked that decisions be made with compassion, not fear.
• Tom Wilder, Ward 2 – Expressed concern about changing zoning requirements  for Jefferson School to allow development of 140 new housing units on the property.  Said this would reduce available parking in the area, and eliminate the neighborhood’s only park.  Criticized the lack of public input.   

Consent Agenda (Roll Call Required *)  

Consent Agenda consists of routine, non-controversial  items that often don’t require Council discussion. These items can be approved by the Council all at once unless a Council member

acknowledges they would like to comment or have a discussion.  

Consent Agenda Discussion

•  Motion to Approve School Resource Officer Contract with the Goodhue County Education District, River Bluff Education Center.  Some questions about the effectiveness of the contract and whether it should be renewed for three years, or just for one year.  Questions answered to Council’s satisfaction and motion to renew contract for three years approved.  

• Consider Motion to Introduce Ordinance No. 234, Fourth Series, An Ordinance Amending Chapter 11 of the City Code, Approving Definition Revisions and District Allowances Related to Emergency Housing, Supportive Transitional Housing, Community Center, Community Services, and Small-Scale Food Production.  The Council asked for clarification on zoning impacts and small scale food production definitions. The Planning Commission responded that changing some zoning requirements to commercial will provide more flexibility in creating needed emergency housing.  This is a stop gap measure intended to address current needs.  Longer term solutions are still being considered and will require public input. Suggested zoning changes for small scale food production will accommodate small scale commercial food producers, such as Sturdiwheat.  It is not intended to accommodate food producers working out of their homes.  Motion carried.
• Consider Motion to Adopt * Resolution No. 8169, Conditional Use Permit Amendment Request by Northern States Power/Xcel Energy for its Ash Disposal Facility Operation Adjacent to Bench Street.   Northern States Power  is proposing to expand the use of the existing facility to process solid waste combined with combustor ash to remove metals prior to permanent deposit in the ash landfill. Neighborhood input was invited.  This is a recycling effort to recover metals from ash.  This ordinance would allow it, pending approval of a conditional use permit from the MPCA.  Motion carried.
• Consider Motion to Select DDA Human Resources, Inc. to Perform a Comprehensive Benefits Study for the Amount of $12,500 and Select the Comparable Organizations to be Used for the Study.  The city is planning a comparative analysis of salary benefits offered by Red Wing and similar cities.  Proposals were solicited and approval of DDA Consultants is recommended, with a request that the consultant include other, more comparable cities in their analysis.  The study will be completed in July.  Motion carried to approve DDA Consultants.   

Port Authority Update  

Community Development Director Kyle Klatt provided an update on Port activities. Highlights from the meeting (see Council website for complete report):  

• Port Authority is looking at a branding strategy to attract businesses to the community.
• Continuing to work in redevelopment of  Jefferson school.  Due diligence and an Environmental Assessment are under way.  The property is also being reviewed to establish eligibility for national register of history places, which would open some new opportunities for property funding.  The Port Authority  met with 16 developers to get preliminary feedback on what they thought of this project.  The Port Authority is seeking a zoning change to proceed with redevelopment. 
• Central Research -Building is down, concrete is being removed.  There has been a request for the boulder!  We’re researching it – there may be a history there.  For now, we’re going to leave it on the property.  Is it moveable?  Maybe…
• Red Wing Grain did  not receive a PDIP grant to fund redevelopment of Red Wing Grain.  Will reapply next year We’ll support them in the application process.   

Council Comments

Mayor’s Report

• Attended groundbreaking for the new housing project and ribbon cutting for Man on Water men’s specialty shop
• Funding has been approved for waste water treatment plant
• Shirley Perkins died recently.  She’s been a wonderful member of our community.  

City administrator  

• The State of the City Luncheon is still planned for next Tuesday (Mayor plus two council members). The Mayor checked with the Chamber about the State of the City lunch – they’ve been doing this since COVID.
• $4M nonbonding request.  It’s the last week of the state legislative session and we’re waiting to see if a bonding bill passes.  If we have a request, we need to make it known to our legislators.  Contact information with legislators will be shared with the Council.
• Medians on Hwy 61.  MNDOT is planning to close those HWY 61 medians in June.  There have been many crashes there, so a public outreach campaign is planned.   

Adjournment.  8:14 PM

Observer Notes:  The City Council continues to hear community concerns around racism in Red Wing and the city’s approach to our homeless population.  A lot of information was contained in the Council meeting  documents that I did not attempt to summarize in the notes.  Visit the City Council website for complete information and a video recording of the meeting.