City Beat: 2 seats in a special election, Spring Creek Rd starts & more

April 27, 2018

Spring Is Here!

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Spring Creek Road Work Starts Monday!

One of RW's most dangerous intersections is about to get fixed. Construction starts this Monday, April 30, on the Spring Creek Rd/Hwy 61 intersection. It's an intense project with all work completed by November. Click here for the full story and schedule. Click here for regular email updates -- it's a great way to stay connected.

2 Seats Open in City Council Special Election

Are you or someone you know the next person on City Council? Two seats are open in a special election so spread the word. File your interest between May 22 and June 5 at City Hall. Election is August 14. If elected, you'll serve from Sept.-Dec. 2018. Click here for details. Also see below to learn about the simultaneous 4-year General Election.

Special Election Filing

May 22 - June 5

City Council General Election

Red Wing will be voting for four City Council seats in the general election on November 6. Open slots are At-Large; Combined Wards 1&2; Ward 3; and Ward 4. Click here to see ward locations.

Filing period for the 4-year general election is the same as the special election. If you want to run in both elections, file for both.

Learn more about the election schedule here. Questions? Call Teri at 651-385-3615.

General Election Filing Also

May 22 - June 5

Where Should Walking Be Easier?

Take a few minutes and tell us where you want to see the next sidewalk ramps starting 2019.

Cities are required to add them--where do we need them most?

Vote here!

Discussing Potential New Housing Project

In the midst of Red Wing's ongoing talks about housing needs, a new proposal is getting reviewed by residents and elected officials. It includes building housing for a range of ages & incomes totaling 230 apartments and 64 town homes over three years in the Mayo-Red Wing area. Keller-Baartman Properties LLC would lead the endeavor, which includes a request to City Council for tax increment financing (TIF). Read about the project here. To learn more about TIF, click here.

Have an Opinion? Participate!

May 15: Review by Planning Commission

May 29 : Public Hearing at City Council to

establish TIF Plan and TIF District

June 12: HRA votes on project

June 25: City Council votes on project

Saving Pottery Pond from Sinking

Pottery Pond, Red Wing's favorite stocked fishing spot, is slowly sinking. Don't worry, Public Works is on the job. See how they're solving the issue this summer and adding improvements like lighting, a new landing, and wheelchair-accessibility. It's all in this week's episode of City 101.

Budgets & Taxes. Who Says We Don't Have Fun?

It's time to start talking priorities for the 2019 budget. It's your money, so we take this seriously, and we know you do, too. This Monday, April 30, at 5:30, Council members will each be sharing what's high on their lists so far to include. In the coming weeks, we'll reach out to hear what you as residents feel is important so the budget reflects the community. See agenda below.

April 30 Budget Workshop 5:30 p.m.

Council Shares Their Priorities:

Agenda Here

May 3 Property Valuation Workshop 6:00 p.m. Agenda Here

May 3 Board of Appeal & Equalization 6:30 p.m. Agenda Here

Property Valuations: Q&A

At 6 p.m. on May 3, our friends at Goodhue County will be at City Hall to explain how property valuations are set each year. At 6:30, they'll explain what that means for the 2019 taxes, and you have the chance to appeal your 2019 valuations if you wish. See schedule for details.

Help the Ash Trees

The Emerald Ash Borer beetles are officially here and they're hungry. To help save RW's ash trees, City staff are treating 200 trees in parks and cemeteries this summer, and many more over the next two years. As a Red Wing resident, you can treat your ash trees, too, for a discount due to the City's contract. Call Rainbow Tree Care at 952-767-6920 to get details. Let's fight this together.

Full Open House for Red Wing 2040

More than 200 people attended the Red Wing 2040 Open House April 26th. Folks voted with stickers to say what Red Wing's top priorities should be in 10 topic areas. They also marked on maps where problems should be addressed. We'll share results on the City's web site and Facebook page next week. COMING UP: Neighborhood meetings to ask what you want for areas that need a little TLC and potential redevelopment. To get on the 2040 email list, send your email address here .

Did You Know?

Drug citations & arrests more than doubled in RW between 2012 and 2016, and numbers continue to rise this year. We're all taking note: Slashing substance abuse is one of the goals residents put high on the list of Red Wing 2040 priorities.

Want to know more facts about where and how we live? Read the full Report Card here .

So Many Ways to Love the Library

Wow. Think you know everything about the library? Think again. Watch and learn all the amazing things the library does for all of us (it hosted 168,000 visits last year). If you haven't been there for awhile, stop by.

To help the library plan its next few years, take the short survey below.

Library 3-Minute Survey

Red Wing's Best Earth Week Yet!

Hundreds of people came out to enjoy the weather, hike He Mni Can/Barn Bluff, kick tires at the Electric Vehicle Car Show, take in the Wild & Scenic Film Festival at the Sheldon, and much more. Want to be a part of planning next year? Contact Paul Drotos of the Sustainability Commission.

Thank you to all the organizers!

Youths Show Us the Art of Diplomacy

We've got wonderfully talented young artists in Red Wing. The work of one artist, Aiden Coyle, is now headed to Washington, D.C. as part of an international competition through the Sister Cities Commission. The theme this year: Art of Diplomacy. Solveig Roth and Tesia Heineman received 2nd & 3rd place. Congratulations to all! Read more here.

Applying for Boards Just Got Better

Four city boards and commissions still have openings. Have you checked out our new online system for applying? See which boards have openings, apply online, review current board member names, and learn about what each board & commission does. The Charter, Sustainability, Sister Cities, and Harbor Commission have vacancies. Apply now.

Welcome to the Board

Welcome to Jeff Marcus, the Charter Commission’s latest board member. The Charter Commission serves the community by reviewing and amending the City's charter (which is somewhat like a local Constitution). Welcome aboard, Jeff, and thank you for serving our community.

Jeff Marcus & Mayor Dowse

Do YOU Want to Work at the City?

We're looking for people just like you. Click City Jobs and read what's available.

Rooting for Our Trees

John Friedrich, City Arborist and Cemetery Superintendent

You may know John Friedrich for his fantastic work maintaining and managing Red Wing's cemeteries. But did you know he's also the City Arborist? With the arrival of the Emerald Ash Borer beetle in town, John has been busy preserving and protecting the trees in our parks and public spaces. His work helps all of Red Wing breathe a little easier. Thanks, John!

Tune In

HOW TO WATCH A COUNCIL, BOARD, OR COMMISSION MEETING:

Click here and scroll down to Archived Videos. Then find your meeting from the list, scroll to the right side of the screen, and click "Video." Two restrictions: Most browsers work except Chrome, and the page is not mobile friendly yet. These issues will be fixed later this year.