Red Wing City Council briefs

Paving OK’d, questions remain

The City Council decided Monday that paving projects in the Charlson Crest Fifth Addition and Highlands of Red Wing

developments needed to move forward, but questions remain about who will pay for it.

Both areas need to have the streets paved and finished. The work was supposed to be done by the developer, but the firm went bankrupt before the development was complete. However, when the homeowners bought the property, they were told by the developer that the work was included in the price.

The city was not involved in that agreement, so now that Red Wing is taking on the responsibility of the roads, the question is whether the homeowners should pay assessments on the improvements.

Council members agreed the project needs to move forward, but the assessments would be determined later in the process.

Council member Peggy Rehder gave a hint to the discussion to come, saying she could not vote to assess the people that bought the houses for the city’s street work. “We can look at the legal argument later,” she said, “but from a principal standpoint it’s just wrong.”

But the bank that owns the other properties has expressed concerns about being the only one charged for the project, Engineering Director Ron Rosenthal said.

A public hearing on the project is scheduled for the Aug. 13 City Council meeting.

Fire Department planning 'Fill the Boot'

The Red Wing Fire Department is planning a “Fill the Boot” fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and the City Council on Monday approved the initial request to host the event.

The fundraiser is typically one of the biggest for the MDA, Jack Pipkin, director of the association, told the City Council. “It’s amazing to see how supportive people are of this,” he said of other communities that have done the fundraiser.

The funds go toward providing services such as health care, equipment, summer camps, support groups and research to families affected by muscular dystrophy. There are 30 such people in the area, nine in Red Wing, Pipkin said.

The fundraiser likely would be in mid-August in Red Wing. Red Wing firefighter/paramedic Matt Lenz suggested bringing the campaign to the area, Fire Chief Tom Schneider said. Lenz had worked on the fundraiser in the past at a different fire department.

Historical Society asks city to forgive rent

The Goodhue County Historical Society is asking the City Council to forgive its rent for the next four to six years.

“We need time … to get back on our feet,” Roseanne Grosso said, noting that financially times are difficult for the organization.

No vote was taken Monday on the proposal. More information about the history of the building ownership and potential ideas to offset other city costs at the site will be discussed at the next council meeting.

Red Wing app uses approved

The Red Wing City Council agreed to let the Red Wing app group utilize some of the city’s information and to help organize it.

The group, which won funding from Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation after January’s Idea Slam, is putting together a smart phone application that will help users locate outdoor and cultural activities as well as retail in Red Wing.

The council approved use of the Red Wing wing symbol, public information of trail and park locations and help from GIS specialist Leanne Knott to organize the information and put it in the proper format for the app.

Solar moving forward

Three of the city’s five solar panel projects have moved to the next step after approval and funding from a state rebate program, Council Administrator Kay Kuhlmann said.

The fire station, community development and public works buildings projects are moving on. Work on the solid waste facility and public works maintenance shop solar panels is continuing. The council approved the projects in April, and the city is working with All Energy Solar.

Meeting watch

Monday’s City Council meeting lasted about two and a half hours. All members were present.

— Compiled by Danielle Nordine, staff writer

Tags: red wing, city council, government