Public meeting on MNGL is Tuesday

Questions still fog the future of Mississippi National Golf Links, but citizens will have a chance to share their ideas for the land Tuesday.

A public meeting to discuss MNGL is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Nov. 20 in the Red Wing Public Library Foot Room.

There will be an open house with maps and documents such as the current lease available starting at 5:30 p.m. and discussion starting at 6 p.m.

No decisions will be made at the meeting. It will be a chance for people to gather more information about the course and land, get an update on litigation and ask questions and provide comments on the future of MNGL, city staff said.

Council member Peggy Rehder said the meeting is also an opportunity for those with ideas about the course to hear from each other.

“I think maybe there’s more commonality out there than we realize,” she said at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

Council Administrator Kay Kuhlmann said those who want to comment can do so at the meeting or submit them in writing or via email. Contact information will be available at the meeting.

MNGL operator Wendell Pittenger announced in a September newsletter to members that he would close the course at the end of last month. Equipment is now being auctioned off, council members said. The city tried to stop that from happening, but the court did not grant the injunction request.

The course was winterized, but there won’t be equipment left and no one will be running the course.

“Realistically it doesn’t look like there will be a (golf) season next year,” Council member Dan Bender said Tuesday.

There are some funds in the city’s draft budget for MNGL, Kuhlmann said, and those could be used to help preserve the course while its future is in question.

The city filed a complaint in October accusing Pittenger of a breach of contract and asking for a number of decisions on issues including financial restitution.

Council members met in a closed session Tuesday night to discuss next steps in the lawsuit. City attorney Amy Mace said part of that discussion included talking about settlements.

Until the litigation and other matters such as a bond payment due on the course are worked out, “the council really can’t resolve the issue,” Kuhlmann said. But long-term ideas still can be discussed.

Mayor Dennis Egan noted the golf course committee has been meeting and will continue to do so.

“We will continue to raise those questions … (of) how do we move forward to preserve that asset for whatever it’s going to be?” he said.

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