Newport City Council — Transcript
Thursday, January 8, 2026
Community Contributions and Business Recognition
Newport Community Garden Operations and Impact
County Road Infrastructure Projects and Detour Planning
Public Safety and Scam Awareness
Zoning Code and Comprehensive Plan Revisions
Environmental Assessment for Bailey Farm Business Park
Votes (15)
Recognition of Business of the Year: Core Fitness and Performance
Mayor Elliott honored Core Fitness and Performance as the 2025 Business of the Year for their community contributions, including sponsoring the Pioneer Day 5K run and attracting visitors to Newport, fostering local business support, and being a family-owned enterprise. McKay Courts, General Manager, was present to accept the plaque.
Newport Community Garden Presentation
Marge Mcconis and Susan Lindu presented on the Newport Community Garden, detailing its 2011 origin, 2017 relocation, and expansion. They described efforts to address 'hard pan' soil using augers, compost, and cover crops. A significant portion of the garden, the 'giving garden,' donates over 3,000 pounds of produce annually to the Friends in Need Food Shelf, assisting a growing number of clients. The garden's role in supplying specific crops for the food shelf and its need for volunteers were emphasized. The garden was also recognized in the League of Minnesota Cities magazine in 2025.
Washington County CSAH 38 Pavement Preservation Project
Moved by Council Member Ingamman [16:03] · Seconded by Council Member Schmidt [16:11]
Aaron Bllock from Washington County Public Works presented plans for the $4 million CSAH 38 pavement preservation project, fully county-funded, spanning four miles and three cities. The project includes roadway and trail resurfacing, pedestrian ramp replacements, and stormwater work. Stage 3, a 3-week full pavement reconstruction on Glen Loop Road, requires a temporary detour of eastbound traffic onto city streets (High Street and 10th Avenue), including truck routes. The council discussed the necessity of the detour and the process for informing residents.
Washington County Sheriff's Office Report
Sergeant Leget provided incident statistics for Newport, including 3,668 incidents in 2025. He introduced several new deputies assigned to Newport. A significant portion of the report focused on a public safety warning about prevalent scams (e.g., warrant, grandparent, cryptocurrency, package tracking scams). Sergeant Leget advised residents to be cautious, verify callers' identities, and contact the Sheriff's Office if suspicious, emphasizing that law enforcement or banks would not request money transfers over the phone.
Fire Chief's Report
Fire Chief Marson introduced new command staff: Assistant Chief of Training and Fire Marshal James Hutchinson and Assistant Chief of Operations and Personnel Pat Joyce. He presented December 2025 statistics, including 19 calls and 174.5 training hours, and announced total 2025 calls at 214. The Chief also promoted the upcoming Winter Family Fun Night at Lovelin Park, featuring a tug-of-war with the fire department.
County Road 74 Improvements Project Agreements
Moved by Council Member Ingamman [30:08] · Seconded by Council Member Schmidt [30:09]
City Engineer John Herdigan presented two agreements for the County Road 74 (65th Street) improvements project: a cost share agreement for the city's $248,570 contribution (paid over 5 years) for eligible trail and ADA improvements, and a standard maintenance agreement outlining city and county responsibilities. The project involves full pavement reconstruction, realignment, stormwater improvements, and a bituminous trail, with construction anticipated for later in 2026. The Mayor emphasized the project's long-term benefits despite the cost.
County Road 74 Improvements: Saturday Work Hours
Moved by Council Member Sumar [32:02] · Seconded by Council Member Ingamman [32:04]
The county requested permission for Saturday work hours beyond the city's standard 7 AM - 7 PM Monday through Friday due to a tight construction schedule for the County Road 74 project. Staff recommended 7 AM - 5 PM. The council discussed extending it to 7 AM - 7 PM, considering the area's limited direct residential impact.
Public Works Report: Ice Rink & Grit Availability
The Superintendent of Public Works reported on the open ice rink, noting it might be soft due to recent weather, and advised caution. He also informed the council that the warming house was temporarily closed due to staff illness and encouraged residents to check the website. Additionally, he highlighted the availability of free 'chicken grit' (granite chips) at Public Works and City Hall for safe traction on icy surfaces, emphasizing its environmental benefits.
Public Hearing: Revisions to Newport Zoning Code
City Planner Nathan First presented the culmination of over a year's work on revisions to Chapters 28 (Subdivisions) and 36 (Zoning) of the City Code, along with corresponding map amendments. The changes aim to improve code structure, streamline procedures (e.g., concept plan review, site plan review), and update design standards. Key amendments included unifying definitions, revising the land use table (removing unlikely uses, clarifying daycares, expanding B2 district uses, adding motor vehicle sales as conditional use in B2), and clarifying industrial uses near lakes. Public comments raised concerns about mixed-use zoning, potential tax increases, and the need to preserve residential character on 7th Avenue while granting the city authority to guide future development. The Planning Commission had unanimously recommended these changes. The Mayor acknowledged the extensive work and commitment to future, more frequent updates.
Adoption of Resolution 2020 through 2020 Amending 2040 Comprehensive Plan's Future Land Use Map
Moved by Council member Sumar [49:57] · Seconded by Council member Schmidt [50:00]
This motion formally adopted the resolution to amend the city's 2040 Comprehensive Plan, specifically updating the Future Land Use Map to reflect the new planning vision discussed during the zoning code revision process.
Adoption of Ordinance 2026-01 Amending the Newport Zoning Map
Moved by Council member Schmidt [50:23] · Seconded by Council member Sumar [50:26]
This motion formally adopted Ordinance 2026-01, which amends the official Newport zoning map. This change aligns the zoning districts with the revised Comprehensive Plan's Future Land Use Map, implementing the new land use policies and designations.
Adoption of Ordinance 2026-02 Repealing and Replacing Chapters 28 Subdivisions and 36 Zoning of the Newport City Code
Moved by Council member Taylor [50:49] · Seconded by Council member Ingamman [50:52]
This motion formally adopted Ordinance 2026-02, which repeals the outdated Chapters 28 (Subdivisions) and 36 (Zoning) of the Newport City Code and replaces them with the comprehensive, revised versions. This action finalizes the extensive work on updating the city's land use regulations.
Adoption of Resolution 26-09 Authorizing Summary Publication for Ordinances 2026-01 and 2026-02
Moved by Council member Ingamman [51:09] · Seconded by Council member Sumar [51:25]
This motion formally adopted Resolution 26-09, which authorizes the city to publish a summary of the newly adopted Ordinances 2026-01 and 2026-02 rather than the full, voluminous text in the Pioneer Press. This is a standard procedure for large legislative documents to ensure public notification while managing publication costs.
Bailey Farms Business Park Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) Review
Moved by Council Member Taylor [1:04:19] · Seconded by Council Member Sumner [1:04:24]
City Planner Nathan First presented the Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for the Bailey Farm Business Park, a mandatory review for the 36-acre, multi-jurisdictional development (Newport, Woodbury, Maplewood) including industrial, multifamily, and commercial buildings. The EAW received comments from various agencies (e.g., Woodbury, Met Council, SHPO, MDH, MDNR, MNDOT, MPCA, Washington County), with a key recommendation for a Phase 1A literature review for historic sites. Staff recommended a negative declaration on the need for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), concluding sufficient information exists for environmental review.
Mayor and Council Reports
Mayor Elliott promoted the upcoming Winter Family Fun Night. Council Member Taylor thanked Tony Mimmude for 16 years of service on the Planning Commission and welcomed Bridget, his replacement. Council Member Sumar highlighted the Newport Library's diverse events, classes, and volunteer opportunities, stressing their importance for community engagement and small-town life.
Notable Quotes (16)
And another thing that I really liked about Core Fitness is a lot of their members come and train and then they if they're there in the morning they go have lunch down at the North Pole and if they like to work out in the evenings they >> they clover leaf. >> They head down to the clover leaf. That's right. And so this kind of cross business that supports other businesses is really valuable to communities like Newport.
Fully half of the beginning of our community garden at the new site was um given we call it the giving garden and that is directly farmed for the friends in need food shelf. So, we've done this ever since 2011, but now we're really into the business of it.
And this this is a chart from the food shelf showing the the number of clients per two-week period. Um, and I if you can tell way over on the left side um in 2023, this was right after the pandemic and we were getting back to our normal number of clients. Beginning of 2023, we were getting about 300 clients per two weeks... By 20 the beginning of 2025, we were up to about 550 clients every two weeks.
So for that third stage, we're planning for a complete reconstruction of the Glen Roadway pavement from Hastings to where Glen Road turns to go west over 61 as is shown in the Yep. in the orange crate. Um we expect this portion of work to take approximately 3 weeks to be completed. It's actually only about 700 linear feet is what that length is in the orange.
So, we're here tonight to request utilizing the city's High Street and 10th Avenue as the posted detour route for eastbound traffic only during this third project stage. So, for the 3-week duration, please note that this is a county highway detour and so therefore, you know, county highways are dedicated truck routes and that would mean that trucks would utilize the posted detour route as well.
something I just did want to bring up for the community, we are certainly getting a lot of uh, spam calls and unfortunately some people are being tricked out of a lot of money... a bank is not going to call you and ask for your personal information or to say transfer this to that. That is just not going to happen.
And I the story I saw in the national news, the woman was feeding money in in a it was basically like a a gas station type store. and somebody saw them doing this and they alerted the store manager who told them to stop and they wouldn't and they called the police and the police told them to stop. They were on the phone. The police got on the phone with the scammers and even then it was very difficult for this elderly person to believe that they were safe.
Yes, this is uh come at some workshop meetings and you know the overall project cost is over $5 million. So, you know, our cost share portion is pretty small um when you look at the overall of what's being done there and it's it's pretty eroded on the sides of the existing road. There's storm water issues up there. I know the watershed has been pushing the county to go and fix this and finally it has um come to the top of the list.
I would move to allow them to go 7 to 7 if they they think it's necessary because there's so very few residents in the neighborhood.
So, I just want to kind of uh say a reminder for folks that do have questions or concerns about this and just say what this process is not. It's not a requirement for people to change their physical property right now. Uh it's not a requirement to change their their land use, particularly if they have an existing legal land use, and it's not a restriction from selling land with uh legal non-conforming use.
Our goal has always been to preserve the corridor's residential character while promoting the safety and well-being of its residents. We also want to ensure that future developments do not lead to situations in which the city is compelled to allow businesses on 7th Avenue that conflict with the interests and safety of current residents... We believe the city should have the legal authority to control and direct its future.
And and you know, really my answer to that is that 20 years ago, you did the very best you could with what you knew and how people were doing planning at that time. We are now 20 years later. hindsight is uh you know much better than than foresight. But I do think we're going to keep a closer eye on how this is working and we're going to try to make updates on a on a more regular basis.
The Minnesota EQB... says that in addition to the legal purpose of the EAW uh in determining the need for an EIS, the EAW also provides permit information, informs the public about a project, and helps identify ways to protect the environment. An EAW is not meant to approve or deny a project, but instead act as a source of information to guide other approvals and permitting decisions.
Shippo is the state historic preservation office. Uh their letter uh I think is one that pointed out one area that um more review will be needed and that is for a phase 1A literature review... staff uh completely understand this this recommendation and recommend that as we move forward the project proposer get this phase 1A literature review done before work starts on the site. So that will be moved forward as a condition for approval as we as we go go along.
over the last 3 months or so, we're doing um monthly that have turned to bi-weekly meetings with the Bailey development team, which includes everybody associated with this, including the city of Woodbury. And then in the off weeks, we're doing bi-weekly meetings with the city of Woodbury. Uh there's a master plan document that Newport is commenting on and and going to have comments on, and that's a Woodbury document that's not finalized yet.
Coming to you from downtown Newport. As a member of the library advisory board, I just want to remind people that there are a wide number and type of events that go on at our library. The the librarian/manager has a great imagination and puts together programs that can draw in kids and adults. They have classes, they have coffee, they have reasons for many people in Newport to get together and participate. And there's also important volunteer activities.
Ordinances & Resolutions (16)
Agreement outlining rental fees and rules for community garden plots.
Grant used to obtain compost for the community garden.
Resolution providing support for the detour of eastbound County State Aid Highway 38 traffic onto local streets.
Agreement outlining the city's financial contribution to the County Road 74 project.
Standard agreement defining city and county responsibilities for maintenance of County Road 74 infrastructure.
Study from 2023 that identified zoning code updates as a key priority.
Guiding document for future land use and zoning.
Sections of the Newport City Code being repealed and replaced.
Resolution amending the 2040 Comprehensive Plan's future land use map.
Ordinance amending the Newport zoning map.
Ordinance repealing and replacing Chapters 28 (Subdivisions) and 36 (Zoning) of the Newport City Code.
Resolution authorizing summary publication for Ordinance 2026-01 and Ordinance 2026-02.
Document evaluating potential environmental impacts of the Bailey Farm Business Park.
More extensive environmental review, determined not needed for Bailey Farm Business Park.
Resolution approving a negative declaration on the need for an Environmental Impact Study for the Bailey Farm Business Park Development Project.
Washington County's plan, noted for adding County State Aid Highway 18 (Bailey Road) projects.