Jane McWilliams, LWV Observer
Presentations. All members of the council were present for this meeting, which adjourned at 11:30 p.m. (It was preceded by a closed meeting to meet with legal counsel to discuss litigation against the city.) The public seating was full tonight, partly because of several presentations which preceded the business meeting. Joan Janusz and Susan Sanderson reported on the work of the Mayor’s Task Force on Youth Alcohol & Drug Use, which had been created in 2006 by former Mayor Lee Lansing and then Chief of Police Gary Smith. Working with the Rice County Chemical Health Coalition and other partners, through education and programs like the medication disposal program ‘Take it to the Box” the Task Force, maintains an active web site. Janusz said that although a Task Force usually completes its work and then dissolves, “we’ll never be finished.” http://mayorstaskforcenorthfield.org/
Darrell Hoekstra of Waste Management awarded two youth organizations for their work in collecting recycled materials. The Northfield Volley Ball Club collected 42.02 tons and received $630, while the Northfield Girls’ Golf Team collected 39.16 tons and received $587.00.
Graffiti Ordinance. A group from the organization Northfield in Bloom was on hand to support the council’s adoption of an ordinance which would regulate graffiti and provide penalties for violations of requirements for clean up. Chief of Police Mark Taylor said the goal is to have a system for ensuring timely clean up for all public and private properties in the city. Taylor said his department, working with Northfield in Bloom’s Clean Team, had researched, looked at issues, consulted with businesses, and the city attorney drafted the ordinance. Pat Allen, Co–Chair of Northfield in Bloom, noted that graffiti hurts us all and if graffiti is tolerated, there is a perception that more serious crime may be tolerated. Mayor Mary Rossing asked the council whether they wanted to pursue this, is it a good use of staff time, do we want to regulate private property owner? The draft provides for stringent enforcement measures should a property owner not respond to the city’s request to remove graffiti. During public comments, Victor Summa was concerned that sufficient prevention measures are lacking and that the ordinance “is an insult to downtown property owners who are barely making it now.” The council seemed divided on this proposal. Several had concerns about property rights, making the owner responsible to correct a problem over which they have no control on the one side. On the other, the need to have this in place as a preventive and corrective measure was a concern. Ultimately, the council asked the staff to look into the feasibility of this ordinance. (For the ordinance text:
http://www.ci.northfield.mn.us/assets/0/040610-PACKET_ITEMS_1-7.pdf, #6.)
Annexation Policy. There were a number of residents of surrounding townships who were interested in the annexation policy positions the council was considering, following a work session in March in which they talked about ways to address annexation issues. City Development Director Brian O’Connell asked whether the drafted policy positions reflected the March discussion. ( http://www.ci.northfield.mn.us/assets/0/040610-PACKET_ITEMS_9-14.pdf, #9). Mayor Rossing asked City Attorney Chris Hood whether the city needed a policy, and he suggested that having a policy provides a basis for working with the townships, that these came up as a result of current issues, and that the city should reserve discretion in considering annexation. He said that he ordinarily doesn’t find that cities have such policies, but they “may not be as neighborly as Northfield.” O’Connell noted that annexation depends on relationships between the city and townships, and this clarifies the city’s position. Councilor Betsey Buckheit said the city needs a policy to define a shared vision, but acknowledged each request will come with individual problems. Bridgewater Township Supervisor Glen Castore said this is a worthwhile thing to do and suggested a revision to identify the stakeholders. He noted that while the policy provides for annexation to be initiated by the landowners, Bill Gill of Bridgewater was approached by the city to solicit annexation. Bruce Morlan, newly elected Bridgewater Supervisor, urged elected officials to take charge, to set goals, and then let staff make it happen. After making suggestions for amendments, the council referred the document back to staff for changes. The council will meet next week with Waterford Township to discuss annexation matters.
Safety Facilities. The council approved KKE Architects, Inc and authorized staff to negotiate a contract with the firm to provide services in preparation to replace the present police department facilities and to reconstruct the fire department facilities, including assistance in site evaluation and selection. Funds for this service will come from the capital reserve fund, according to City Finance Director Kathleen McBride and will be recouped from the anticipated bond issue, which will fund the project over all. ( http://www.ci.northfield.mn.us/assets/0/040610-PACKET_ITEMS_1-7.pdf #7)
The council discussed the staff’s list of possible police department sites and a drafted timeline for financing options. Thirteen sites were suggested, and Walinski said the staff would reduce them to 3 to 5 final sites for the architects to evaluate. ( http://www.ci.northfield.mn.us/assets/0/040610-PACKET_ITEM_8.pdf )
The council agreed that it would be good to have an advisory group to work with the architects and suggested representatives. Mayor Rossing invited people to let her know if they are interested.
The Crossing. The council approved a proposal from Highland Bank, current owners of The Crossing (buildings and surrounding property) which will include improvements of the landscaping, revision of the TIF Note, releasing the bank from obligations for improvements of Outlot A (along the river), restrictions on the sale of the city’s ownership of Lots 4, 5 and 6, release of the Bank and Mendota Homes from the original redevelopment agreement and commitment to future redevelopment with TIF. The council agreed that the staff had done a good job on this – that it isn’t our problem, but it is in the city’s interest to make the project work, and we should have some control over how it is developed.
Video Streaming and Archiving. Staff will negotiate a contract to expire 12-31-10 with KYMN Radio to live video stream all council meetings and work sessions, certain other city meetings, and archive videos of meetings and index them to the agenda. The city will pay KYMN $495/ month (which will come from the Cable Fund) and provide a technician to operate the city’s AV system. After evaluation, renewal of the contract will be considered as part of the 2011 budget.
Budget Reduction Planning. The council reviewed an analysis showing by department the city services services rendered, and evaluated whether they were: essential/mandated; important financially; important to the community; or desirable; and whether reduction in the service would create a negative community response. No action was taken, but the council agreed that this was informative and a framework for considering the necessary budget actions in response to state funding and property tax reductions. They discussed forming work group to assist in looking a large issues like potential revenue increase and the long-term financial picture.
4th Street Reconstruction. At their March 2, 2010 meeting, the council asked staff to incorporate trees into the design between Division and Washington Streets. They approved (with Councilor Jon Denison voting no) Option 1, which provides for in-ground planters with small or ornamental trees, although City Engineer Katy Gehler warned them that installation may cause damage to abutting buildings. In compliance with state standards, they approved a resolution banning parking along 4th street from Union Street to Prairie Street where a bike lane exists.
After reviewing yet another revision of the Council 2010 Goals (minus goal #4 which had been discussed the night before), the council agreed to send them to the boards and commissions.
At 11:25, rather than give an oral report, Walinski said he would include it in his Friday Memo. Councilor Kris Vohs reminded people that Arbor Day is April 30. Councilor Zweifel thanked Walinski for his presentation at the Northfield Downtown Development Corporation about the city’s work on bike trails. She reported that she will meet Friday in St. Paul with legislators to discuss alternatives to the Dan Patch line. Councilor Pownell noted that the city’s web site reports that the east side of town is doing better on census returns than the west. Mayor Rossing reported that there will be a follow up meeting with events planners on Monday, April 12.
