Jane B McWilliams, Observer
All members were present.
The council scheduled this meeting at 6 in deference to the work staff needed to make in preparation for Tuesday’s election. Jean Meyer, a representative of the MN Department of Transportation, presented a certificate to City Clerk Deb Little in recognition of the work she has done as director of the city’s transit system. Meyer noted that the transit system is regarded as a template for other communities developing a similar program.
The council held a hearing to solicit public input on a request for tax-exempt financing by Prairie Creek, Inc., the owner of the property leased to Prairie Creek Community School.
By law, the city is able to issue bonds on behalf of another organization. By city ordinance, the Economic Development Authority and the Housing Redevelopment Authority may issue bonds under the state law within the city limits. A hearing before the council is required; previously, the HRA approved similar bond issues to the Northfield Retirement Center and for Three Links.
The Northfield School Board chartered Prairie Creek School in 2002. To meet increasing enrollment and program demands, the school needs additional space, according to Caroline Jones, Director of the school. She noted that the benefit to the city is the educational choice provided Northfield students. (Selected by lottery, about 70% of the students come from the Northfield School District.) Additionally, because of its reputation, the school has attracted families to reside in Northfield. Prairie Creek, Inc. board member, Blake Abdella said that the board is full ready to support the expansion. Eureka Township, the location of the school, was not able to provide the loan.
Councilman Dixon Bond raised concerns that the council’s current policy prevents authorizing a bond issue to an organization outside the city limits. Finance Director Kathleen McBride said the city’s bond counsel didn’t think a change would be absolutely necessary, but agreed that a revised policy could be provided for the council’s approval at the November 10 meeting. The applicant agreed that the delay would not prevent their moving ahead on schedule. The council postponed authorizing the bond sale until their next meeting on November 10.
The council approved recommended residential waste collection fees for 2009, necessitated by increased operating fees charged by Waste Management, as well as tipping fees charged by Rice County. These are the first increase in fees since 1997 for residents of the city.
During the short work session, the council discussed the annexation negotiations with Greenvale Township. Interim City Administrator Joel Walinski requested guidance for the next session with the township. In July, the council directed that the township be offered a fair reimbursement for services and a transition to the loss of tax revenue with the loss of land. At the same time, the council indicated that the township shouldn’t receive a windfall. Walinski noted that the parameters of both the reimbursement and what constitutes a windfall are undefined. The council appeared to agree with Councilman Scott Davis “the negotiations are going down the right track.” There will be another meeting with the township on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the EDA continues discussions with landowners in Bridgewater and while these are 4 or 5 months behind the Greenvale conversations, there may be a concept plan within the next few months. In response to Mayor Lee Lansing’s question whether a city can have too much annexed land, Walinski said that is a question for the council to work through. He said the Planning Commission wants to have a conversation about the balance between residential and business development. Economic Development Director Jody Gunderson is preparing a breakdown of the kinds of land available. “Too much land of one type is not good, but a variety of lands could offset ‘too much’ land.”
The council adjourned the meeting at 7:40 p.m. Then began a flurry of activity as citizens, staff and council members began stacking chairs to clear space for voting booths in preparation for the election scheduled to begin less than 12 hours later.
