City Beat: Sweeping Streets, Patching Potholes, and Championing Sustainability

May 9, 2023

The annual Red Wing Police Department Bike Rodeo is less than two weeks away, and we're all geared up for it. It's happening on Saturday, May 20, at the Law Enforcement Center parking lot (430 West Sixth St.), and we hope you've marked this spokes-tacular event on your calendar. Kids can complete a bike safety course, win prizes, get minor bike/helmet adjustments, and meet Red Wing Police Department officers. It's fun for all and free to participate. Wheel see you there!

Bike Rodeo

Saturday, May 20, 9-11 a.m.

Law Enforcement Center

Parking Lot

A Time to Recognize

We're thankful for our Red Wing Police Department every day, but as National Police Week, May 14-20, and National Peace Officers' Memorial Day, May 15, approach, we especially want to take the time now to express our gratitude to our officers, past and present. Their service to our community is invaluable, and we appreciate the dedication they show each day. Watch Mayor Wilson's proclamation (item 6.B.) of National Police Week in Red Wing, or read the proclamation here.

Championing Sustainability

David Anderson Receives 2023 Jay McCleary Sustainability Award

From Red Wing Earth Week to Friends of the Bluffs events, the recipient of the third annual Jay McCleary Sustainability Award is likely a familiar face to anyone who's participated in sustainability activities around Red Wing. Over the last 18 years, David Anderson has committed himself to various sustainability endeavors in our community, including Live Healthy Red Wing, Live Well Goodhue County, Friends of the Bluffs, Red Wing Earth Week, and Resilient Red Wing. The Jay McCleary Sustainability Award is designed to recognize and honor those who advance sustainability and environmental stewardship, and David more than meets those criteria. Thank you, David, for all of your contributions. If you know someone who makes a difference, keep them in mind and nominate them for the Jay McCleary Sustainability Award next year.

Assessing Community Health Needs

What are the top major health concerns in our area? The 2022 Goodhue County Health Needs Assessme nt (CHNA) identified the top 10 health issues locally, with mental health and mental disorders; housing and homes; and drug and alcohol use as the top three. Other important issues were identified too, but the top 10 list will be the focus of efforts and partnerships as the post-assessment action phase gets underway. The Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) is the action plan created based on the CHNA. The top priorities for the 2023 to 2025 plan are to support mental wellbeing through mental health care and social connection, advocate for more housing, and address chemical heath in youth and reduce overdose deaths. Watch the complete CHNA and CHIP presentation given by Goodhue County Health and Human Services staff at last night's City Council meeting here (item 7.A.), or read the complete document CHNA document here.

Staying on Top of Street Maintenance

Street Sweeping

There are so many details about city life that most of us never think about that would have big consequences if we didn't do them – like street sweeping. In Red Wing, every single street is swept three times a year at least, keeping literal tons of debris out of the Mississippi River. How do we do it, and where do we put everything that gets swept up? Watch this video to get all the answers.

Patching Potholes

Spring is pothole season, but fortunately for us, Public Works' pothole patching program is both thorough and ambitious. Each year a few thousand potholes pop up around town with the freeze/thaw cycle, and crews try to hit every street, every year to fill them. Learn more about all the work that goes into ensuring smooth rides throughout Red Wing in this episode of City 101.

All in a Day's Work

For Kyley Lindholm, being part of the Red Wing Police Department is all about community. Interacting with the community is her favorite part of the job, and as someone who calls Red Wing home, she truly values the community support and encouragement she and her fellow officers receive. Kyley was a student at Red Wing High School when she decided she wanted to work in law enforcement. Her School Resource Officer Tom Rikli – who's now an Investigator with the department – inspired her to become a police officer, and twelve years later, Kyley says she can't imagine herself doing any other profession. Kyley describes herself as a wife, a mother to three wonderful boys, a local business owner, and a police officer who is thankful to be protecting and serving the citizens of Red Wing. Kyley's grateful for the Red Wing community, and we're equally grateful that's she part of it.