League of Women Voters

Jane McWilliams, LWV Observer

Jon Denison was absent.

A half-inch thick packet  (http://www.ci.northfield.mn.us/assets/p/Packet162.pdf) accompanied the agenda containing 4 items for this evening’s discussion, which lasted a little over three hours.  In addition to the council, the city administrator and other staff  - which came and went, depending on the agenda item  -  City Attorney Chris Hood was at the table with the council throughout the meeting.

Work sessions provide an opportunity for the council to receive reports from the staff and to conduct discussions in preparation for taking up issues at regular meetings.  City staff keeps no minutes. However, the meetings are recorded for later broadcast on NTV.  Recordings are available to borrow for 48 hours from the City Administrator Office on 24 hours notice. Presently, radio station KYMN streams the meetings live ( http://kymnradio.net/) and one can view archived versions of meetings.  It is uncertain whether this service will continue, as the city has yet to decide whether to fund it.

It is in the nature of a work session for the discussion to be informal. Usually, staff is asking for direction on issues so that they can bring a draft resolution at a subsequent meeting.  For example, the first item at this meeting was a discussion of Community Gardens.

Last spring the Northfield Community Gardeners had sought support from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the Environmental Quality Commission for creating additional community gardens in Northfield. In March 2009, the council discussed the matter and directed the PRAB to create a process for establishing new gardens.  Tonight, they had before them a process for their consideration and to give direction to the staff.  In the packet was an outline of steps in applying for a community garden and a draft of the application form.  During the rather brief discussion, Councilor Rhonda Pownell, referring to the section which "strongly recommended that all cultivating practices be organic,” asked whether it is possible to have a non-organic garden. Public Works Operations Engineer Brian Erickson noted that the city has an organic pest management policy for city property.  Councilor Jim Pokorney said this has the potential to redefine our parks and there may need to be some boundaries. He said perhaps there should be a small fee.  Erickson noted that this will be on the council agenda next week, and that he expects to begin receiving applications the next day, suggesting that the policy will be in place for the coming gardening season.

Community Event In-Kind Program:  In the 2010 Budget, there is a line item of $31,000 to cover staff time used to the cost to the city in supporting community events.  The staff has proposed setting up an “in-kind” policy for making decisions on funding the city’s cost during community events. (Staff said this would be similar to the Grace Whittier Fund, established in 1988 with a gift from her estate to support the recreational opportunities for Northfield Youth.)  Organizations would need to apply for city support (for renting the show mobile, traffic control, clean-up, etc.) by a certain deadline.  Staff would review the applications, using criteria established by council. A small work group would make recommendations which would be submitted to the council.  There would be a fee, possibly $100.00, to help cover costs which the city might waive.

Councilor Betsey Buckheit said that there are competing values in the matter:  community building and managing finances.  She was skeptical about using the Defeat of Jesse James Days as a model, because this wouldn’t apply to small events. Councilor Erica Zwifel agreed that we should encourage community events, that the Northfield Downtown Development Corporation should be consulted.  Walinski reminded the council that the city needs to cut over $700,000 from the budget, and we need to review all costs. Councilor Pownell and others said it would be important to consult organizations about this.  Walinski will invite organizations to a workshop to review the draft which will be revised and brought back later.  April 30 is the deadline they hope to meet for receiving applications for this year.

Fire Department – Finances and Operations:  Finance Director Kathleen McBride and Fire Chief Gary Franek came to the table to talk about the pay and benefit structure the city has with the members of the Fire Department. A significant issue is the increase of the city’s contribution to the Fire Relief Association from $49,665 in 2009 to $98,000 in 2010. This is necessary to keep the fund sufficient for anticipated retirements.  State law governs firefighter pensions and relief associations.  Pension funds come from the city’s annual contribution, State Fire Aid, a Rural Fire Association contribution and investment earnings.  The city’s contribution is calculated each year according to regulations filed with the State Auditor.  Benefit level is set by the city annually (currently it is $7,500/year of service, paid in a lump sum at retirement.)  The very comprehensive report provided by the Fire Department will serve as background for future discussions about the department, including annual costs, equipment replacement and conversations about cost sharing with the Rural Fire Department.

Annexation: Community Development Director Brian O’Connell led the discussion which focused on:  General and overarching policies related to annexation and infrastructure extension;  Annexation expectations with Waterford Township; Annexation agreement strategies in Bridgewater Township relative to the Prawer/Gill request.  O’Connell said the city needs a policy on infill development.  Councilors Zweifel and Buckheit agreed, saying they’d be happier if this were in place before the city discusses further annexation.  On the topic of the financial arrangements in annexation agreements, the consensus was that there should be recognition not only of tax replacement, but other fixed costs as had been done in the recent agreement with Greenvale Township.

Later this month, the council will meet with the Waterford Township Board.  While no one envisions annexation happening in the short term, it possible that businesses and landowners in the area along Highway 3 may desire to come into the city to connect with city services on a case by case basis.  O’Connell suggested at the meeting that the conversation start with asking Waterford what is on their mind and discussing what things the two bodies can agree to.  Pokorney noted that we don’t have an offensive position, rather what we wonder is why we’re still paying the tax replacement after 25 years. The meeting is scheduled for the April 13 work session.

The protection of Rice Creek is important to both the city and Bridgewater Township.  Just how this can be achieved will be a matter for discussion during annexation negotiations.  In addition, road maintenance issues need to be considered as well as the matter of tax compensation.

For this observer, recording concrete responses to the questions raised in the preparatory material O’Connell provided the council was impossible.  I recommend viewing the meeting on either of our local media as suggested above to learn more about the council’s views.

The meeting adjourned at 10:40 p.m.