Pine Island — Transcript
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Project Skyway (Data Center) Controversy
2027 Preliminary Levy and Budget Approval
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Implementation
Minor Subdivision for Logic of English
Final Plat for Walther Edition
Water Service Line Replacement Program
Trailhead Park Parking Lot Improvements
2026 Street Improvement Project Update and Assessments
Lincoln Industries Closure and Economic Impact
North Zumbro Sanitary District Development
Votes (11)
Resolution 2640: Certifying Proposed 2027 Preliminary Levy
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Delina [0:25:27] · Seconded by Unknown [0:25:31]
Staff presented the recommended 7.92% levy increase, clarifying that due to increased tax capacity, property owners could see a slight tax decrease. Details of budget increases for staff wages, emergency services contracts, and insurance premiums were provided. The strategy to set a higher preliminary levy that can only be lowered later in the year was reiterated.
Resolution 2641: Approving Proposed 2027 Preliminary Budget
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [0:26:01] · Seconded by Unknown [0:26:09]
This item followed directly from Resolution 2640, approving the preliminary budget based on the levy discussions. No additional discussion beyond the previous item.
Request to Approve Employee Assistance Program Agreement
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [0:28:34] · Seconded by Unknown [0:28:43]
The City Administrator presented the opportunity to join an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through the Southeast Service Cooperative (SSC) at a significantly reduced cost. The EAP provides short-term counseling and other support services, aligning with the council's priority of staff retention and attraction.
Resolution 2642: Approving Minor Subdivision
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [0:32:27] · Seconded by Unknown [0:32:31]
The City Planner detailed a minor subdivision application from Logic of English, which involved transferring a parcel of land from an adjacent property to gain frontage on Highway 52. The process was described as a simple land split, not creating new parcels or changing zoning. Legal review confirmed the land was free and clear for transfer, and revised legal descriptions were included in the resolution.
Resolution 2643: Approving Final Plat for the Walther Edition
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [0:39:53] · Seconded by Unknown [0:39:57]
The City Planner presented the final plat for 22 acres to create eight commercial lots and one outlot in the Walther Edition, located on County Road 11. The plat had received unanimous recommendation from the planning commission. Discussions included Goodhue County's comments on ensuring all access points go through an extension of Second Street and the city's responsibility for stormwater pond improvements, with the plat to be recorded prior to these improvements.
Request to Approve Aquatic Center Slide Pay Application Number Three
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Delina [0:41:40] · Seconded by Unknown [0:41:45]
Pay Application Number Three for the aquatic center slide project was presented for approval after being withheld due to cleanup and timeline issues. Staff confirmed that the contractor had agreed to address cosmetic and additional work. This payment covers the majority of the project, with a final retainage payment to be held until remaining work details are in writing.
Resolution 2644: Accepting Bid for the Water Service Replacement Program
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [0:45:34] · Seconded by Unknown [0:45:38]
The City Engineer sought approval to award a bid for replacing 47 lead and galvanized water service lines, a project supported by a $1 million grant. BCM Construction submitted the lowest bid at $619,936, significantly under budget. The project is scheduled for next spring, pending a project-specific grant agreement from the Public Facilities Authority.
Request to Approve the Parking Lot Improvement at Trailhead Park
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Delina [0:48:42] · Seconded by Unknown [0:48:47]
Staff presented three quotes for the removal of deteriorating concrete and replacement with asphalt at Trailhead Park. The lowest bid from SL Contracting was recommended due to significant cost savings from existing work in town. The project addresses tripping hazards and aims for completion this fall, with plans for the park board to add landscaping using large planters.
Request to Approve the 2026 Street Improvement Project Pay Application Number Four
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [0:51:56] · Seconded by Unknown [0:52:00]
The City Engineer requested approval for Pay Application Number Four for the 2026 Street Improvement Project, covering surfacing and utility work through August. The project is nearing its substantial completion date by month's end, with final pavement lift scheduled for next year. Council members noted satisfaction with the school area's timely completion.
Resolution 2645: Ordering the Assessments
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [0:54:15] · Seconded by Unknown [0:54:19]
The City Engineer presented Resolution 2645 to declare the costs to be assessed for the 2026 Street Improvement Project. The total project cost is estimated at $2.64 million, with $561,730.74 slated for assessment based on policy. This action initiates the process of notifying property owners and precedes a public hearing.
Resolution 2646: Ordering the Public Hearing on Assessments
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [0:55:09] · Seconded by Unknown [0:55:18]
Following the approval to order assessments, the council set a public hearing date for October 6th at 6 p.m. to inform residents about the proposed assessments for the 2026 Street Improvement Project. This fulfills state statutory requirements for public notification and input.
Notable Quotes (10)
However, just because we are looking at a levy increase, that does not mean that we are looking at property tax increases. Due to our tax capacity increase, uh we are actually looking at a slight decrease. So, per $100,000 residential valuation, we're actually looking at a decrease of $487.
For instance, when we get quotes for, um, some of the smaller projects, those quotes are only built for 90 days. And so, uh, we kind of choose the higher quotes and then closer to December, we'll get the, um, we'll get more definitive quotes that then can carry over in 2027 that we can utilize.
Um, with our membership with SSC, it's only $18 an employee. Um, so it shakes out to about $280 a year. Um, so there's quite the cost savings um through our membership with them.
One of the allowable uses for minor subdivisions is to um, subdivide a portion of one property and add it to the next. So, no new parcels are being created. It's just the simple transfer of land from one to the next.
And just to kind of note here at the planning and zoning, it was stated to that it's not reszoning any of the land. It's just transfer of land.
So what we have here is plat of approximately 22 acres to create eight um new commercial lots and one outlot. This is of course the Walter property on the north um side of town along County Road 11.
The intention would be that we would be able to record the plot plat without those improvements and those improvements would come at the time of the other public improvements like we got out.
We received, uh, seven bids and the low bid was BCM Construction. uh they're out of farbo in the amount of $619,936. Um so it's well under the million dollars that was um that was included in the funding.
I believe the work could be done yet this fall. Um, and so then we can get that smoothed out. They could read you uh the portion. Um, so I I think a reason why there's such a big discrepancy between their quote and the other two quotes is they are already doing work in town on other projects.
Um, and that's estimated because we are estimating some of the costs for next year for the final lift of of pavement and then some of the items uh that they need to wrap up with here uh towards the end of the month as well. Um, of that 2.64 uh the uh assessment amount based on your assessment policy is $561,730.74.
Ordinances & Resolutions (13)
A proposed hyperscale Google data center in Pine Island, facing strong community opposition.
A local survey conducted by Dr. Susanna Blasic showing majority opposition to Project Skyway.
Certifying the proposed 2027 preliminary levy.
Approving the proposed 2027 preliminary budget.
Agreement to provide EAP benefits to city employees through the Southeast Service Cooperative.
Approving a minor subdivision for Logic of English properties to consolidate land ownership.
Approving the final plat for the Walther Edition, creating new commercial lots.
Accepting the bid for the water service replacement program.
Payment request for work completed on the 2026 Street Improvement Project.
Ordering the assessments for the 2026 Street Improvement Project.
Ordering the public hearing on assessments for the 2026 Street Improvement Project.
A proposed change order for the Hillcrest water tower rehabilitation project to address insulation replacement.
A state-funded program to replace lead and galvanized water service lines.