Red Wing City Council briefs

Rental code adjusted

Red Wing City Council unanimously approved a set of adjustments to its rental housing inspection code Monday.

The ordinance extends the terms of temporary permits while the lawsuit proceeds, and also makes changes such as limiting the extent to which inspectors can look in cabinets and who can have information gathered during inspections.

The changes are meant to address some concerns that have been raised by the courts, said attorney Kate Hibbard, who works with the firm representing the city on the issue. Changes specifically stem from issues brought up when the city submitted a warrant application. The city’s code states that if a landlord refuses to have his or her rental properties inspected, the city can seek an administrative warrant to force the inspection.

A second vote on the ordinance is required.

The rental housing inspection case, which has been tied up in litigation for years, will be before the Minnesota Supreme Court for arguments on Feb. 5 at the state Capitol.

Legislative priorities outlined

The City Council on Monday agreed to some top priorities to share with the 2013 Minnesota Legislature, including bonding, solid waste issues, local government aid and reducing unfunded mandates.

The City Council unanimously approved a resolution supporting its request for state bonding funds for work at the Sheldon Theatre, constructing the Red Wing west fire station and Levee Road improvements.

Members also moved forward a resolution asking the state to enforce a statute that would require metro area waste to be brought to facilities such as Red Wing’s incinerator before going to landfills, among other solid waste issues.

The council approved a proposal from Hill Capitol Solutions to lobby in St. Paul for Red Wing on solid waste issues. The proposal lists a $15,000 retainer, but services can be terminated if the matters are resolved. A final contract with the company will be approved later.

In other news…

• The City Council unanimously approved shifting city legal services to a new firm opened by current city attorneys Amy Mace and Jay Squires, among others. The rate will be the same as it has been in the past for the next three years.

• The City Council unanimously approved a number of appointments at Monday’s meeting:

• Kathy Boos was reappointed to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board for a second term expiring on Dec. 31, 2017.

• Thomas Calhoun was reappointed to a second term ending Dec. 31, 2015, on the Sustainability Commission.

• Barbara vonHaaren was reappointed to the Human Rights Commission for a second term ending Dec. 31, 2015.

• Jerett Reuter was appointed to the Human Rights Commission for a term ending in 2015.

• Dorothy Eckblad was appointed to a first term on the Human Rights Commission. Her term will end December 2015.

• Evan Brown was appointed to a first term ending Dec. 31, 2015, to the Sustainability Commission.

• Nancy Dimunation was reappointed to a second term on the Sheldon Auditorium Board ending Dec. 31, 2017.

• Chuck Richardson was reappointed to a third term ending Dec. 31, 2017, on the Sheldon Auditorium Board.

• Mike Melstad was reappointed to the Sheldon Auditorium Board for a second term ending Dec. 31, 2017. Marilyn Meinke, who is married to Melstad, abstained from voting on this appointment.

• The City Council unanimously approved a study that would qualify Red Wing for additional funding to maintain, repair and renovate buildings downtown and on Old West Main Street.

Meeting watch

Monday’s City Council meeting lasted about three hours and 15 minutes before going into a closed session to discuss labor negotiations, strategies and developments. Council members Dean Hove and Ralph Rauterkus were absent.

— Compiled by Danielle Killey, staff writer

Tags: red wing, city council, government