Pine Island — Transcript
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Project Skyway / Data Center Controversy
Public Comment Policy Reform
Municipal Infrastructure Projects
Local Business Support
Civic Honors and Proclamations
Government Operations and Governance
Library Funding and Programs
Legal Updates and Court Cases
Votes (8)
Public Comment Policy and Rules of Decorum Revision
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:00:00] · Seconded by Council Member [00:00:00]
The council discussed the need for stricter rules in public input sessions due to past disruptions, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated allegations against officials. The city attorney reiterated that public input is not a state requirement and stressed the importance of decorum for the continuation of public forums. Speakers both supported and opposed the changes, debating the balance between efficient governance and robust dialogue. The changes aim to prevent disruptions and maintain a focus on agenda items rather than broader political issues.
Resolution 2627: Approving Liquor License to Los Reyes Kitchen and Bar
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:00:00] · Seconded by Council Member [00:00:00]
The city acknowledged that Los Reyes Kitchen and Bar had continued selling liquor after their 2025 license expired, despite warnings. While city code allowed for suspension or denial, the recommendation was to approve the new license application, attributing the lapse to a misunderstanding and recognizing the significant negative impact on the business if denied.
Request to Approve Facade Loan Application for Mama Soulies
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:00:00] · Seconded by Council Member [00:00:00]
John Mangoris, owner of Mama Soulies, applied for a facade improvement loan to install awnings, new lighting, and perform window trim work. The project totals $16,545, with the request being for $5,000. The EDA had already approved the application, and the council's approval was required for finalization. Council members noted the positive visual impact of the proposed improvements.
Ordinance 183: Revising Council Meeting Order of Business
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:00:00] · Seconded by Council Member [00:00:00]
The ordinance change was proposed to allow the current City Council to determine the order of business at its meetings without needing to revise the ordinance every few years. The amendment ensures that all standard agenda items would still be considered, but their sequence could be adjusted to fit the council's needs more efficiently.
Resolution 2628: Declaring a Vacancy for Mayor
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:00:00] · Seconded by Council Member [00:00:00]
The city received a resignation notice from Mayor David Fes. The council considered Resolution 2628 to formally declare the vacancy. Discussion focused on the process of appointing a temporary mayor until the next election, with the Acting Mayor stating that the council would carefully deliberate and announce a decision at a future meeting, emphasizing transparency.
Change Order #1 for 2026 Street Improvement Project
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:00:00] · Seconded by Council Member [00:00:00]
A change order was requested for the 2026 street project due to an unforeseen utility duct (Bevcon) being shallower than expected, requiring a switch from standard cylindrical storm pipe to a more expensive arch pipe. To mitigate costs, an additional manhole was added, reducing the length of arch pipe needed and resulting in overall savings of over $25,000 despite an additional project cost of $12,700.
Payment Application #1 for 2026 Street Improvement Project
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:00:00] · Seconded by Council Member [00:00:00]
The council approved the first payment application for the 2026 Street Improvement Project, totaling $195,291. This payment primarily covered mobilization, pavement and curb removals, minor pipe installation, and tree clearing. The project is expected to wrap up in the fall, with specific components near the school scheduled for completion during the summer months to minimize disruption.
Claims Approval
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:00:00] · Seconded by Council Member [00:00:00]
The council moved to approve the city's financial claims. No specific details regarding the claims were discussed during this agenda item, indicating a routine administrative action.
Notable Quotes (12)
Minnesota cities are not required to take input from the public. Folks don't like to hear that, but that's true.
If you're going to come in and you're going to call people out individually by name and accuse them of criminal activity with no evidence, we're just not going to have it anymore.
Our government is based on robust dialogue. That's our freedom under the Constitution. Let's have robust dialogue.
We want to maintain the public input from the residents of this town so we can hear what they have to say about the projects and the agenda items that we have on before us every night.
They did continue um selling liquor into 2026 um after a few warnings... we are recommending approval of the liquor license um and then we will work with them to make sure that they apply for a liquor license again for aware of the change.
He's working on installing some awnings, some new lighting, and doing some window trim work around his building there to improve the facade.
The order of business can be left up to the current council. So the same agenda items would be on the agenda. They would just be um appearing in whatever order the city council would wish.
The city received a resignation notice from Mayor David Fes... my recommendation to approve the resolution declaring the vacancy, but then uh filling that position at a future council meeting.
We are going to take into consideration what we need for the city and we will come to you with a decision next meeting. It is going to be something that we will not take lightly and we will be having deep discussions about it.
That duct was the first thing we dug up because we didn't verify the depth... we had to switch our pipe from a regular cylindrical 36-inch pipe to an arch pipe... to avoid 117 foot long run of that arch pipe, we added a manhole.
The majority of the items on the street project for this portion are uh it's the first one. So mobilization charge is um a large portion of it and then the rest are removals...
All told, it wraps up in the fall... Second Street's got to do a little extra language there. It might be paved during school, but it'll be um open. All the underground utility work and stuff has to occur during summer.
Ordinances & Resolutions (9)
Declaring a vacancy for the mayor position due to resignation.
Revised policy to manage public input during council meetings.
Approving election judges for primary and general elections (on consent agenda, not detailed).
Revising the council meeting order of business to allow current council flexibility.
Approving a liquor license for Los Reyes Kitchen and Bar.
Cited by a public speaker regarding Project Skyway's wastewater generation.
Referenced for procedures regarding mayoral vacancies.
Declaring Pine Island as a Purple Heart City.
Ongoing municipal infrastructure project.