Pine Island council approves liquor license, façade loan and street project adjustments; declares mayoral vacancy

At its June 16 meeting the Pine Island City Council approved a series of administrative items and declared a vacancy in the mayor’s office after receiving a resignation.

Licenses and loans: Staff asked the council to approve Resolution 26‑27 to reissue an on‑sale intoxicating liquor license to Los Reyes Kitchen & Bar after the business’ prior license expired on Dec. 31, 2025 and the business continued sales after warnings; staff recommended approval with follow‑up to ensure correct application. The motion passed.

Mitch, representing the Economic Development Authority, presented a façade‑improvement loan request from John Mangoras of Mamasuli’s. "He is requesting the amount of $5,000 to help pay for the $16,545 total for that project," Mitch said; council approved the loan per the EDA recommendation.

Public works: Adam Plushkorn of Woodseth Engineering asked the council to approve Change Order No. 1 on the 2026 Street Improvement Project after crews encountered an unexpectedly shallow utility duct. To maintain design capacity, the team switched a stretch of circular 36‑inch storm pipe to a short arch pipe and added a manhole, producing an estimated additional cost of about $12,700 for the change order. Staff also presented the first contractor pay application for the project; the payment amount is recorded in the meeting packet but the spoken transcript of the amount is unclear, and staff directed council members to the packet for the exact figure. Council approved both the change order and the payment application.

Mayoral vacancy: Staff presented Resolution 26‑28 accepting the resignation of Mayor David Friess and declaring the office vacant. Staff and the city attorney explained that the council may appoint someone to serve until the next election and recommended addressing the appointment process at a subsequent meeting; the resolution declaring the vacancy was approved. Staff said they would allow residents to express interest and discuss procedures for appointment at the next meeting.

Why it matters: These votes move along routine governance items — business licensing, downtown improvements and street infrastructure — while the accepted mayoral resignation triggers a short‑term succession process subject to state statute and council direction.

What’s next: Staff will follow up on licensing paperwork, process the façade‑loan paperwork and post the pay application and change‑order details in project records. The council will consider how to fill the mayoral vacancy at an upcoming meeting and said the process will be open to public input.