Pine Island — Transcript
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Proposed Hyperscale Data Center (Project Skyway)
Local Government Administration and Infrastructure Projects
Votes (10)
Public Input on Proposed Hyperscale Data Center (Project Skyway)
Dissent: Numerous residents voiced strong opposition and concerns.
Several residents presented feedback and concerns regarding the proposed hyperscale data center. Suzanne Blazek shared preliminary results from a community sentiment survey, showing 72.5% opposition. Joe Leduc questioned the lack of environmental impact surveys, wastewater discharge safety, and financial risks to schools. David Dirkson and Rod Landers voiced concerns about infrasound pollution, property value decline, and the prioritization of corporate profit over resident welfare. Theo Aubrey Dirkson highlighted low public comment participation on the AUAR for Project Skyway compared to other environmental reviews. Beth Anthony expressed support, citing Google's environmental proactivity and the opportunity for community partnership. Nicole Mills urged residents to seek diverse information and expressed strong opposition, framing the project as a gamble with community health and future.
Resolution 2638 Accepting the 2025 Audit
Moved by Burnett [00:18:27] · Seconded by Holman [00:18:32]
The City Administrator reported that the 2025 audit was reviewed at a previous work session. The audit was clean with no findings, and the financial statements had been provided to council members for review.
Resolution 2639 Supporting Local License Bureaus
Dissent: Unknown [00:20:01]
Moved by Jolene [00:20:01] · Seconded by Elena [00:20:07]
The resolution aims to support legislation to increase fees for privately owned license bureaus, which include government-operated bureaus not run by the state. These bureaus currently struggle to break even, making less than $10,000 annually after expenses, due to stagnant fees.
Request to Approve Transfer of VHF Frequency Ownership
Moved by Elena [00:21:49] · Seconded by Nally [00:21:55]
The city proposed transferring ownership of a VHF radio frequency and associated equipment, located on the Island Heights water tower, to the school district. The city no longer uses the frequency, having moved to a county system, but the school district utilizes it for busing communication. The school district will be responsible for transfer costs and maintenance, with the city providing space and power.
Request to Approve Grant Agreement for Trailhead Park
Moved by Elena [00:26:30] · Seconded by Bolton [00:26:31]
The city received a draft grant agreement from the DNR after 14 months, which will cover 50% of the cost (up to $238,900) for equipment replacement at Trailhead Park. Approval allows staff to make minor administrative changes and proceed with planning the tear-out of old equipment and installation of new equipment, which was previously ordered.
Request to Approve Colburn Trailhead Park Site Improvements
Moved by Sharon [00:27:57] · Seconded by Nollie [00:27:59]
The council considered a quote from Safety First for specialized concrete border work and excavation at Trailhead Park, necessary for the pour-in-place rubber surfacing of the new playground. Although the quote exceeded $25,000, triggering a need for a second quote, the city attorney deemed it acceptable due to the specialized nature of the work and difficulty finding other qualified contractors. Public works will handle equipment tear-out, with Safety First managing excavation and concrete.
Request to Approve Catch Basin Repair Quote
Moved by Sharon [00:28:13] · Seconded by Nollie [00:28:14]
Two quotes were received for the repair of nine catch basins and one storm structure. Schumacher Excavating submitted the lowest bid at $35,000. Staff recommended contracting with Schumacher, with the work expected to be completed this year.
Request to Approve Quote for 2026 Street Paving (Mill and Overlay)
Moved by Burnett [00:29:48] · Seconded by Holman [00:29:53]
The council reviewed three quotes for the mill and overlay of 3rd Avenue Northeast (from County 11 to 2nd Street) and resurfacing of 2nd Street into the cemetery entrance, including reconstruction of a portion of the entrance. Elcor Construction submitted the lowest bid at $74,569.20. The goal is to complete all the work this year, fitting within the existing budget.
Request to Approve 2026 Street Improvement Project Pay Application #3
Moved by Elena [00:31:43] · Seconded by Nolting [00:31:47]
Pay application number three, for $306,042.63, was presented for work completed through July on the 2026 street improvement project. Updates included plans for curb, gutter, and sidewalk work on Second Street near the school starting soon, with paving scheduled for the following week before school begins. Pipe work in the southwest portion is nearing completion, and utilities on Willow Court are set to commence.
Request to Approve Aquatic Center Slide Pay Application #2
Moved by Unknown [00:33:57] · Seconded by Unknown [00:34:02]
Pay application number two for the aquatic center slide was presented. The city has received all four pay applications from the contractor, but discussions are ongoing regarding retainage due to the project missing its completion deadline. The council approved the second application, with plans to withhold applications three and four until September to finalize payment details with the contractor.
Notable Quotes (16)
Of the 404 verified responses, in order of majority, here are the answers to the question, 'Do you support the proposed hyperscale data center in Pine Island?' 72.5% no, 20.5% yes, 6.2% not sure, 0.7% prefer not to answer.
What are your plans to address wastewater discharge containing PFAS, also known as polyfluoroalkyl substances, and anti-corrosives?
This project stands to harm the health of my family and my property value. Now, my property value is the biggest asset that I have.
This AUAR for Project Skyway got four public comments. The wastewater treatment facility got 132 pages of public comment when I got involved.
Google and Ryan have a choice. They could locate this facility just a few few miles further from residents, or choose a cheaper location and leave Pine Island to bear the consequences.
I am satisfied that Google has been globally proactive in the evolution of environmentally friendly data centers. Are they perfect? Probably not. But I have deserved I have discerned that Google along with Ryan companies that they are opening open to partnering with communities as the world progresses in the development of technology, which isn't going away.
I truly want to understand what exactly has them so convinced our hyperscale data center will be different from all the others.
It was a clean audit um with no findings, non-compliance findings.
Those fees have not increased in a very long time and really with the fees that we get, we we can barely even break even.
We would like to transfer ownership to the school district and so the equipment along with the frequency would go to the school district.
So, after 14 months, we finally have our grant agreement from the DNR. ... this grant would cover 50% of um the cost that was quoted.
So, the quote in the packet, because it is a specialized item, um is from Safety First. They were actually the vendor who installed the Collins Park playground equipment. ... attorney Wallace was comfortable that we could move ahead with the one quote um with Safety First.
Schumacher Excavating was low at $35,000 and uh staff would recommend uh um entering into contract with Schumacher for that work.
Elcor Construction came in low at 74,569.20 and we would recommend entering into contract with them.
The Second Street portion in front of the school is planned to be the curb and gutter and the sidewalk work is to start later this week and then paving is scheduled for next week. So, we're looking to have that all wrapped up before school starts.
We are still having some discussions with them about the retainage for the project, um just because it did come in past the deadline.
Ordinances & Resolutions (11)
Survey on the proposed hyperscale data center, with preliminary results shared.
Area-wide environmental review mentioned in public input regarding public comments.
Resolution accepting donations, approved as part of the consent agenda.
Resolution approving mobile food licenses and licenses, approved as part of the consent agenda.
Resolution accepting the 2025 audit of the city's financials.
Financial audit of the city, reviewed and accepted as clean with no findings.
Resolution supporting local license bureaus by advocating for increased fees and revenue sharing.
Agreement to transfer ownership of a VHF radio frequency and equipment to the school district.
Agreement from the DNR to cover 50% of the cost for Trailhead Park equipment replacement.
Payment application for work completed through July on the street improvement project.
Payment application for the aquatic center slide project, pending discussions on retainage due to missed deadline.