Red Wing City Council briefs

Police chief approved

Red Wing City Council members unanimously approved the hiring of new police Chief Roger Pohlman. He will start Oct. 15, overlapping with current Chief Tim Sletten for about two weeks before Sletten retires.

“This is sort of a bittersweet moment because this process means we’re saying goodbye to Tim,” Council Administrator Kay Kuhlmann said at Monday’s meeting. “But I’m really excited about introducing you and the community to Roger Pohlman.”

Pohlman has a military and police background and comes from the Grand Forks, N.D., police department.

“Thank you for the opportunity to serve the citizens of Red Wing,” Pohlman said to the council after his approval. “I look forward to meeting and getting to know everyone.”

Council OK’s Port, HRA budgets

The council unanimously approved preliminary levies and budgets for the Port Authority and Housing and Redevelopment Authority.

Both agencies requested the same levy amounts as last year. That puts the port at $307,409 and the HRA at $262,640.

City seeks funds for Memorial Park

The Planning Department is working with local partners to apply for Legacy funds from the state for work at Memorial Park.

Council Administrator Kay Kuhlmann announced Monday that the Red Wing Area Fund board had met and approved some matching funds. Staff’s plan is to apply for $300,000 with about $100,000 matched by the area fund and others. The grant application is due late this month.

Meeting watch

Monday’s City Council meeting lasted about two hours and 10 minutes. All members were present.

--Compiled by Danielle Nordine, staff writer

Tags: red wing, city council, government