Newport City Council — Transcript
Thursday, June 19, 2025
Community Media Services and Funding
Infrastructure Project Updates
Housing Development Extension (Red Rock Villas)
City Administrator Performance Review
Votes (3)
Presentation from True Lens Community Media
True Lens Community Media, formerly SWCTC, presented their 2024 annual report, detailing a rebranding process, significant video production and views, and national awards. They outlined funding through cable franchise and PEG fees, noting a significant increase from a PEG fee change but a decrease in franchise revenue. Future plans include a facility relocation to Woodbury Central Park and the launch of new low-power FM radio stations (WWBY and WGRO) in 2026. Concerns were raised about declining franchise revenue and the failure of legislative bills (Equal Access to Broadband Act, Cultural Heritage Fund request) to pass in the 2025 session, which aimed to secure additional funding. Council members praised their work and the importance of publicizing meetings for residents.
Red Rock Villas Project Extension Request
Dissent: None recorded for the final vote, despite initial voicing of previous concerns by Council member Sumar, who ultimately supported the motion.
Moved by Council member Sumar [Timestamp] · Seconded by Council member Ingamman [Timestamp]
The council discussed a request for an extension to the land use approvals for the Red Rock Villas project, including its preliminary and final plat and Planned Unit Development. Staff noted the current difficult market for market-rate apartment projects and challenges in securing financing as the primary reasons for the delay. The proposed extension included specific deadlines: replenishing escrow (completed), removing site debris (completed), recording the final plat and fully executing the development agreement by September, and paying significant fees before a building permit by April of the following year. Council members acknowledged the brutal market conditions for multi-family housing but recognized the project's potential to bring a unique, energy-efficient housing type to Newport, ultimately supporting the extension.
Closed Session for City Administrator Performance Review
Moved by Council member Schmidt [Timestamp] · Seconded by Council member Ingamman [Timestamp]
The Mayor announced the need for a closed session to evaluate the performance of City Administrator Joseph Hatch, citing Minnesota statute 13D.05 subdivision 3A. A motion was made and seconded to close the meeting for this purpose.
Notable Quotes (6)
After rebranding process in 2024, we are excited to have a new name and brand identity. Our board of directors will remain as the South Washington County Telecommunications Commission.
It's been an important addition to Newport to have these meetings publicized and televised for the residents. I get a lot of comments from people that say that they've seen them, not only just in Newport, but also through the community. So, keep up the excellent work and congratulations on your promotion to the management.
We continue to see declining franchise revenue and have concerns with broadband companies using the city rights away. During the 2025 legislative session, we have been supporting two bills to help community media funding. The Equal Access to Broadband Act and a one-time request for funding from the Cultural Heritage Fund.
The city initially approved the Platin PUD in September of 2023. In June of 24, the city approved a tiff and development agreement for the project. And then, in September of 24 and December of 24, the city granted a couple of extensions to the approvals to allow additional time. One of the things that city administrators noted before is that the environment at this point in time is pretty tough for market rate apartment projects.
I mean the market right now is brutal. I mean for multifamily especially brutal for market I mean I think there is just no denying every bit of data I see. I mean even I'm looking at data from May 2025 and this includes all multif family 22 units permitted in the Twin Cities in May you know and that's a that's a that's you know and so and a lot of what's being built is a you know affordable housing right multif family. So it is I recognize that yes there's I mean if this was a normal market I would not be supporting this but I think given the extreme market conditions I think it's it's the right thing to do to to extend it.
I think I find the project fairly exciting because it's a different type of housing than what we currently have in Newport. You know, we have lots of, you know, straight up apartment buildings. Um, we have some supported housing. We have some HUD housing. We have, you know, some much older apartment buildings and and this coming in with its its energy efficiency makes it kind of a unique um type of construction. And I I think it's pretty exciting for the community.
Ordinances & Resolutions (9)
Report presented by True Lens Community Media detailing their activities, finances, and accomplishments for the year 2024.
Agreement renewed by True Lens Community Media in February 2024, a primary funding source.
Legislative bill supported by True Lens Community Media during the 2025 legislative session to help community media funding.
Funding request supported by True Lens Community Media during the 2025 legislative session.
Resolution approving an extension to the expiration of Red Rock Villas preliminary and final plat and PUB approvals.
Document for the Red Rock Villas project that needs to be recorded at Washington County by September.
Planned Unit Development approvals for the Red Rock Villas project, subject to extension.
Financial and development agreements approved for the Red Rock Villas project, which need to be fully executed and recorded.
Statute cited for closing the meeting for a city administrator's performance review.