Pine Island — Transcript
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Project Skyway/Hyperscale Data Center Development
Mayoral Vacancy and Appointment
Fire Relief Association Pension Adjustment
City Licensing for Businesses
Public Infrastructure and Equipment Upgrades
Community Safety and Outreach
Library Programs and Operations
Votes (19)
Public Input on Project Skyway (Data Center)
Dissent: Public speakers expressed strong opinions both for and against the project, highlighting community division.
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
Several community members spoke for and against the proposed hyperscale data center. Supporters emphasized economic benefits (tax revenue, school funding, jobs, infrastructure improvement), controlled growth, and addressed concerns about noise, traffic, water usage (closed-loop system), and energy. They urged MCEA to drop its lawsuit. Opponents highlighted concerns about relentless low-frequency noise (health impacts, need for setbacks), the accuracy of city reporting on a court injunction, and overall transparency. They called for prioritizing resident health and safety over corporate interests.
Resolution 2630: Appointing a Mayor of Pine Island and Declaring a Council Vacancy
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Timestamp 0:23:44] · Seconded by Unknown [Timestamp 0:23:55]
The resolution was to appoint a new mayor to fill the term vacated by David Freeze. Council Member Brandy was appointed. The city attorney clarified that the appointed council member could vote and that the decision to appoint the longest-serving council member was due to the unique timing conflicting with the open filing period for the mayoral office. Any interested parties for the vacant position could file for the election.
Request to Approve Pine Island Fire Relief Association SC26
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Timestamp 0:33:41] · Seconded by Unknown [Timestamp 0:33:51]
The Pine Island Fire Department Relief Association requested to increase its annual benefit level from $9,200 to $10,800. The President, Jordan They, explained the fund is 106% funded and can support the increase, even with a buffer for potential new members. Staff clarified that while the association manages its funds, the city's approval is required because the city is ultimately responsible for pension dollars if the funds become unavailable. It was also noted that competitive pensions are crucial for attracting and retaining firefighters.
Resolution 2631: Approving THC Business License to Island Tobacco
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Timestamp 0:36:23] · Seconded by Unknown [Timestamp 0:36:31]
Island Tobacco, under new ownership, applied for a THC business license. City staff explained that while low-potency hemp products were previously city-governed, the state's Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) now handles the primary licensing, and the city's role is registration. Island Tobacco had completed state requirements and was in line with city ordinances.
Resolution 2632: Approving Intoxicating Liquor License to Mama Sulies
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Timestamp 0:38:09] · Seconded by Unknown [Timestamp 0:38:18]
Mama Sulies, a soon-to-open restaurant, applied for an intoxicating liquor license. All paperwork was submitted except for the certificate of insurance, which would be filed with the city upon approval.
Request to Order Trail Head Park Equipment
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Timestamp 0:43:08] · Seconded by Unknown [Timestamp 0:43:16]
The city was awarded a DNR grant in June 2025 to replace Trail Head Park playground equipment with accessible equipment and rubber surfacing. Due to federal funding delays, the official grant agreement is pending. However, a letter was issued allowing the city to pre-order equipment at its own risk, meaning the city would be 100% responsible if the grant fell through. Staff recommended ordering due to annual cost increases and the availability of unrestricted capital funds from land sales to cover the cost if needed, emphasizing the city's commitment to replacing the equipment regardless of the grant.
Resolution 2633: Approving Tobacco Business License to Gas and Go
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Timestamp 0:45:00] · Seconded by Unknown [Timestamp 0:45:08]
Gas and Go applied for a tobacco license due to a change of ownership. All necessary paperwork was submitted to the city, and the Goodhue County Sheriff's Office conducts compliance checks.
Resolution 2634: Approving Updated Signitories
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Timestamp 0:46:27] · Seconded by Unknown [Timestamp 0:46:36]
Due to the appointment of a new mayor, it was necessary to update the authorized signitories for all city bank accounts. David Freeze was removed, and Mayor Brandy was added.
Request to Approve 2026 Street Improvement Project Pay Application Number Two
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Timestamp 0:50:50] · Seconded by Unknown [Timestamp 0:51:00]
Public Works staff presented Pay Application #2 for the 2026 Street Improvement Project, requesting $134,000, primarily for water and sanitary sewer work. Most services on the west side of First Avenue are complete, and Second Street is expected to open for gravel in the next week or two after storm sewer work. A neighborhood meeting for affected residents was scheduled for Monday, the 27th, at 6 PM.
Request for Additional Stop Signs
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Timestamp 0:53:30] · Seconded by Unknown [Timestamp 0:53:39]
Two new stop signs were requested and approved at the intersection of Third Street and Third Avenue. One would be at the exit of Collins Park due to increased traffic from new playground equipment to enhance safety. The second would be on Third Avenue at its T-intersection with Third Street, necessitated by increased construction traffic from Logic of English, to regulate flow at the previously uncontrolled intersection.
Request to Approve PFA Grant Agreement (Lead Water Service Lines)
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Timestamp 0:59:04] · Seconded by Unknown [Timestamp 0:59:13]
The city applied for and received state funding through the PFA (Public Facilities Authority) to replace 47 identified lead or galvanized water service lines at no cost to homeowners. This grant agreement covers the funding, which allows the city to seek 100% reimbursement after contracting for the work. The city will continue efforts to identify an additional 180 unknown service line materials, with future state funding rounds. The agreement covers through 2033, and the current project order is valid for two years, likely leading to spring construction.
Resolution 2635: Approving Plans and Ordering Advertisement for Bids (PFA Project)
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Timestamp 0:59:28] · Seconded by Unknown [Timestamp 0:59:36]
This resolution formally approves the plans for the lead water service line replacement project and authorizes the city to advertise for bids from contractors. It follows the approval of the PFA grant agreement, ensuring the project can move forward to the contractor selection phase.
Request to Approve a Garage Door Replacement Quote (Wastewater Treatment Plant)
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Timestamp 1:02:00] · Seconded by Unknown [Timestamp 1:02:08]
Two quotes were received for replacing the original, problematic garage doors at the wastewater treatment plant garage. The low bid of $10,810 from Quality Overhead Door was recommended and approved, to be funded from wastewater capital funds.
Request to Approve a Quote for 2026 Street Maintenance (Mill and Overlay)
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Timestamp 1:04:47] · Seconded by Unknown [Timestamp 1:04:55]
Three bids were received for the 2026 Mill and Overlay street maintenance project. Elcor Construction submitted the lowest bid at $158,511.98, which was recommended for approval. This project keeps the city under its $175,000 threshold for requiring a formal bid process (quotes were sufficient). It was noted this is the first of two phases for mill and overlay projects.
Litigation Update (MCEA Lawsuit)
Dissent: N/A
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
Legal counsel provided a brief update on the ongoing litigation related to the data center project (MCEA lawsuit). The next hearing, scheduled for August 23rd, will address determining the official record for the case. No specific reconvene date for major court proceedings was stated beyond this hearing.
Claims Approval
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [Timestamp 1:06:50] · Seconded by Unknown [Timestamp 1:06:55]
Routine approval of financial claims.
Department Reports - Library
Dissent: N/A
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
The library reported strong participation in summer reading programs (330+ participants) and announced upcoming fall programming focused on American history (flag, Civil War, beer) and caregiver financial literacy through Elder Network. A recurring HVAC mini-split issue was noted, requiring capital funds for a new repair.
Department Reports - EDA (Economic Development Authority)
Dissent: N/A
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
The EDA recognized Casey Serther of the Fire Department for securing a $5,325 grant from Compare Financial for a new turbo draft and ice strainer, which will help with drawing water in rural fire fighting situations. They also reminded the council about the upcoming car show on Sunday, July 26th.
Department Reports - County Sheriff's Office
Dissent: N/A
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
The Sheriff's Office reported an increase in juvenile criminal activity and vandalism in Pine Island, urging citizens to report incidents to prevent further issues. They also promoted National Night Out as an opportunity for community engagement and addressed concerns about juvenile activities in parks and e-bike regulations, promising more information soon. They clarified that the community National Night Out would be on August 2nd.
Notable Quotes (19)
Project Skyhole will support local businesses and prepare Tine Island for controlled growth. That growth matters especially for our schools. With reduced state funding, our school district is facing real financial pressures. Without new revenue, we could be looking at an operating levy just to maintain basic services and opportunities for our greatest assets, our kids.
Can you imagine the number of truck traffics that come the truck traffic that comes into the farmer's elevator? Land of lakes, they process what? Milk. They make a lot of good products. There's butter, cheese, all kinds of things like that. all the semis that bring the milk in there, the traffic and the noise. That's one of the the criticisms, the power usage, the noise, you know, and the traffic. It it's just a incredible to think how many businesses would be not be allowed to be today if they were condemned for these three items.
I'm here tonight to let you know that during the month of August, I'll be conducting an independent community sentiment survey of Pine Island and the township residents on the topic of the proposed hypers scale data center. ...My goal is to give all of us a fair and structured way to put their views on record and to give this council a verified, credible snapshot of where your constituents stand so that your deliberations are as well informed as possible.
On May 22nd, 2026, just weeks before construction was expected to begin, the court ruled in MCA's favor. The order required the developer to stop all construction and pre-construction activities until the lawsuit was resolved found that MCEA has a likelihood of succeeding on the merits and denied the city and developers request dismiss the lawsuit.
One of the most serious concerns is the relentless lowfrequency noise produced by industrial cooling systems operating 24 hours a day. This is not ordinary noise. It can travel for miles, penetrate homes. It cannot be effectively mitigated once these facilities are built. Research has linked chronic exposure to sleep disruption, stress, headaches, anxiety, fatigue, dizziness, increased cardiovascular risk, and adverse effects on children's cognitive development. Some sound experts recommend setbacks of at least 2 and a half miles because distance is the only consistently effective protection.
Google will fund 100% of the cost of its new energy service and infrastructure. This is not PA taxpayers money, but it will strengthen our energy resources, not deplete them. Google has already pledged 24 million educational dollars to the Pine Island schools. Google will bring jobs, more industry, more opportunities, and a projected $1.1 billion worth of Excel Energy's benefits to its customers over the next 15 years. Google will help provide an opportunity for $130 million worth of new city property tax revenue.
With a resolution 2630, we are appointing Brandy as the mayor to finish out the term that was vacated by David Freeze for this year.
because the filing period is open for mayor. That process would conclude after the filing period has ended and so council had decided to appoint the um longest serving council member to mayor to fulfill the rest of the term and any interested parties then um who would normally submit a letter of interest for the office for the vacancy can just file for um that. So filing is open through next Tuesday the 28th at 5:00 PM.
We are currently sitting at 9,200. We're looking to increase that annual benefit level to 10,800. ... it then shows that we are still 106% funded with the annual benefit level increasing to 10,800. On the last page that was uh given to you guys shows that on uh line R shows zero contribution required from the city uh with that amount.
The reason it is uh before you is the city does need to approve any pension increases because if anything were to happen to those dollars, the city is on the hook for those pension dollars. And so our relief association has been um very responsible with their uh investments and funds, but that is the reason that is before you. And so there is a slight risk to the city just in the fact that if those funds were not available, we would still have to pay out those pensions.
low potency hemp products were originally governed at the city level. Um, through legislation, the state has now taken that over. Um, so there is a specific low potency hemp edibles license through the office of cannabis management at the state level. Um, Island Tobacco has filed all the paperwork with OCM with the state. um and it has been approved, we get notification of that. Then the business comes to us for registration of that license.
they have issued a letter which is in the packet that says uh if we want to pre-order the equipment for Trail Head Park, we may do so. However, that is at the city's o own risk that if we did not get the grant agreement and if something were to happen, we would not be reimbursed for 50% of those funds uh which the grant is for.
If council is in the position to replace the equipment, no matter what, whether or not we got the grant, uh it would be my recommendation to order the equipment. That way we have the equipment on hand. ... we do have enough funds in that unrestricted account that we could if the grant did not come through that we could pay for the total replacement of the playground equipment either way.
This one's upwards of 134,000. Um majority of that is water and sanitary sewer on the street project here. Um and then all but a few of the services on the west side of First Avenue are done at this phase. Um they'll be opening up Second Street hopefully here in the next week or two.
The one on the northwest side is just a stop sign at a coming out of Collins Parking Lot. Uh typically when we put a stop sign coming out of a parking lot. However, due to the increased traffic at Collins Park with the new playground equipment, uh there's already one stop sign. And so we just thought to make that uh intersection because the parking lot kind of comes into the intersection a little bit safer just to make it clear that um people coming out of the parking lot should be stopping before they turn into the street. The other request is with the construction traffic at Logic of English and just with that intersection becoming a little bit more busy, there hasn't been any stop signs and um there's a T road there and so we're requesting a stop sign on the avenue and so the street would be through but then on Third Avenue turning onto Third Street because that is a um a T.
So this grant agreement is during the last year the city has been working uh it's a statewide program. Actually the state is working on programs to replace all lead uh water service lines in the state of Minnesota. The city partook in that and we did an inventory of everyone's water lines in the entire city. It uh we found 47 um water service lines that should be updated. And so the city applied for state funding for that which we are going to receive. And so at no cost to the homeowner, we can replace those lead service lines.
the yes, we did notify the property owners that have lead or galvanized lines and we'll be getting consent from them, but yeah, it doesn't specifically spell that out in the agreement. So, before any work on their property is completed, we'll we'll make sure to get that uh that authorization from them.
Elcor Construction come in at 158,511.98. uh roster sand gravel was 169 725 and SNL came in at 187 06 730 so I'm recommending to go with Elcore and we have some other streets we'll be doing but it keeps us under our threshold 175,000
We have seen an influx in juvenile criminal activity in Pine Island recently. We are trying to combat that, but for the citizens and you guys, if you see something, please say something. Get a hold of us. Helps us out a lot. helps keep your guys' town beautiful like it always is.
Ordinances & Resolutions (21)
Minutes from the previous regular council meeting, approved on consent agenda.
Approved on consent agenda.
Approved on consent agenda.
Approved on consent agenda.
Accepting donations, approved on consent agenda.
Approved on consent agenda.
Approved on consent agenda.
Approved on consent agenda.
Approved on consent agenda.
Appointing a mayor of Pine Island and declaring a council vacancy.
Pine Island Fire Relief Association's annual benefit level report and funding status.
Approving a THC business license to Island Tobacco.
Approving an intoxicating liquor license to Mama Sulies.
Awaiting federal funds, but a letter was issued to allow pre-ordering of equipment for Trail Head Park.
Approving a tobacco business license to Gas and Go.
Approving updated signitories for city bank accounts.
Payment request for ongoing street improvement work, totaling $134,000.
State funding agreement for the lead and galvanized water service line replacement program.
Approving plans and ordering advertisement for bids for the PFA-funded lead water service line replacement project.
Quotes for replacing garage doors at the wastewater treatment plant garage; Quality Overhead Door's quote was approved.
Quotes for mill and overlay street maintenance; Elcor Construction's bid was approved.