League of Women Voters

Jane B McWilliams, LWV Observer

All council members were present.

The first order of business was the election of Councilor Kris Vohs Mayor pro tem.

Attorney Fees

There were seven items on the consent agenda, including “Consideration of Request for Payment of Attorney Fees (Roder).” Councilor Betsey Buckheit requested that this item be placed on the regular agenda.

The law firm of Fredrickson & Byron had submitted invoices for services on behalf of former City Administrator Al Roder who is under investigation by Goodhue County as a result of allegations made in summer 2007 by then Chief of Police Gary Smith. At that time, the city council agreed to pay up to $7,500 for Roder’s legal fees and agreed to determine later whether other costs would be approved. Councilors Jim Pokorney and Jon Denison said that council viewed payment of Roder’s legal fees in Denison’s words “as standing by our employee, particularly as no charges had been made.” Councilor Pownell agreed, saying that if we should need to hire a new administrator,  “people will be looking at this.” She also wondered whether there was anything the city can do to get Goodhue County to move more quickly.

The information in tonight’s packet was limited to a history of payments made to the law firm in 2007 and 2008, as well as a report that $854.50, approved as part of the consent agenda on September 14, 2009, had not been processed. No background information or explanation of the purpose of the payments was included in this evening’s or the September meeting packet.  Not having been on the council in 2007, Buckheit and Councilor Erica Zweifel had a number of questions about the matter, including whether there was a ceiling on the payments, and where the original figure of $7,500 had come from.  No ceiling had been placed, according to City Administrator Joel Walinski who also said he didn’t know how the figure had been arrived at. At Zweifel’s request, Walinski said he would provide the council copies of the agreement with Roder.

During public comments, David Delong thanked Buckheit for causing the issue to be discussed and submitted a prepared list of questions, which he distributed to the council. As a citizen, and not on behalf of the LWV,  I too thanked Buckheit for assuring that this issue received deserved consideration. I noted that appropriate use of the consent agenda could expedite meetings.  I cautioned the council to avoid approving matters on the consent agenda which lacked necessary documentation and full discussion, as was the case in the Roder matter.

Zweifel said she needed more information, that a plan needs to be made for this and she reminded her colleagues that according to the Northfield News, Mr. Roder owes the city money for utility bills. She cast the lone negative vote on the motion to approve payment of $2,456 to Fredrickson  & Byron,

Reconstruction of 4th Street

The council approved two motions related to the reconstruction of 4th Street and adjacent blocks. A timeline and a list of the assessments to properties were included in the packet. ( http://www.ci.northfield.mn.us/meetings/council/2010/01/04/city_council_meeting99)

The project has a page on the city’s website at:   http://www.ci.northfield.mn.us/assets/p/projects/FourthStreet_2010/index.html.  Maps and other information will be displayed there as the project progresses.

Presentations

Representatives of Waste Management Northfield presented Green Team awards for the recycling of paper and cardboard to three groups. Special Olympics and Union of Youth each received a check for $594.00, and Rice County 4H received one for $519.

Walinski reported he was seeking a facilitator for the council’s planning session, which they agreed to schedule on Saturday, January 23. Hereafter, the council will meet on Tuesday evenings.

Bill Ostrem, chair of the Non-Motorized Task Force reported on their activities. Asked by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to create a prioritized list of on-street bikeways, the task force provided a list for the council’s consideration. (These were included in the packet.) Their September 2009 report outlines accomplishments of the task force.   http://www.ci.northfield.mn.us/assets/n/nonmotorized-trans-tf-report-2009v3.pdf

Ostrem announced that because he is moving to Phiadelphia, he will not be in town to see the changes, but hopes to hear about the good things which will be happening here. Task force member Neil Lutsky added that the city has benefited from Ostrem’s expertise and dedication and that he will be missed.

The meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m.