Northfield City Hall, Council Chambers
Kiffi Summa, LWV Observer
All of the Northfield councilors were present; Dundas Mayor Glenn Switzer and two councilors, Nate Ryan and John Zander, represented Dundas.
Mayor Mary Rossing opened the meeting by saying that there was no published agenda, however it was understood that there was one subject to be discussed: shared services. She felt there were three pieces to that subject: identity, possible efficiencies, and an implementation procedure.
As they began their discussion about shared services, it became immediately apparent that most services are handled very differently by the two cities, with Dundas Mayor Glenn Switzer explaining that they contract out most services so that costs are specific to actual use, rather than using the Northfield model of staffed departments with highly paid department heads.
The general discussion went from what was too specifically different between the two cities to be shared, to what might possibly be shared, with 'identity' being a major factor.
Example: Dundas has three police officers; Northfield has 22 police officers. Dundas Councilperson Nate Ryan felt that sharing police was a "hot button" issue because of the familiarity their residents have with their officers, and the awareness the officers have of the residents and neighborhoods just because of size. He felt that was personal safety factor Dundas would not wish to relinquish.
Discussion of shared planning also raised questions of identity. Mayor Switzer does not favor central planning ; he favors county/township/city planning systems as they support identity in providing choice, i.e., greater self-governance.
Most of the councilors agreed that the more impersonal things such as utilities might be shared, but that would mean the necessity of joint powers boards being created.
The sewer relationship between Dundas and Northfield was discussed. Northfield City Administrator Joel Walinski said 2011-12 would bring a study of NF's wastewater treatment plant which should be scheduled for expansion/replacement in 2020. C. Pokorney noted that sewer drives a lot of economic growth and he and Mayor Switzer agreed it would be important to work together to support the area between Northfield and Dundas where NF's second annexation for business park is planned . (Bridgewater annexation area west of Armstrong Road).
C. Pokorney noted that while Northfield taxpayers must pay their fair share, from Dundas's perspective those sewer costs might be 'more'; that 'subsidies' can't be given.
Mayor Switzer noted that "shared" needed to be defined. Dundas does not 'share' sewer with Northfield; Dundas contracts with Northfield and pays for all its use of the interceptor sewer line.
***NOTE: The sewer issue has long been fertile ground for misunderstanding. It would be wise for the two governmental units to issue a 'white paper' with the relevant facts and statistics.
Mayor Rossing again raised issues of sharing economic development, planning , or community development personnel. Mayor Switzer cited the services offered by the county Economic Development Director, Deanna Kuennen, and the differing needs of the widely differently sized communities, i.e. Northfield has departments/ department heads; Dundas contracts out for these services as well as more ongoing needs relevant to maintenance of parks, etc.
The discussion then moved to fire protection , and Northfield's proposed safety center project. As C. Pokorney detailed the costs of fire protection for Dundas, shared with the Rural Fire Department, he again stated the need to be fair for 'all' and cited NF's 100% responsibility to the firemen's pension plan. He concluded "We carry some responsibility that is not shared".
The discussion of the physical building to house the fire services became somewhat contentious between NF's vision of an appropriate city facility and Dundas's questioning of value.
C. Denison asked Dundas councilor Ryan if they would be willing to "go on their own"; how much they were "willing to bend" , etc.
C. Buckheit then interjected : "if we truly want to partner it means we have to give up some control...".
C. Pownell stated that residents "... have to elect people that are willing to work together".
Discussion continued ranging over several other other subject areas before returning to sewer and fire.
C. Pokorney said he would speak just for himself; it is his last six months on the council... "Northfield is tightening its belt; we can't overpay because we're providing services that are not equitable... fire , sewer, might be those."
Dundas C. Ryan countered, "then we'll be asking you, what are you willing to cut in your budget?"
C. Pokorney replied: "You can criticize us but that's our decision; what we do with our money is our choice".
***NOTE: the above exchange is quoted to show that the actual differences between Northfield and Dundas are significant, and drive very different methods of city operations, which may make it difficult to create shared services because of inherent differences in budget and structural operations.
In conclusion, the two Mayors agreed that the joint government (township) meetings should be focused on more serious interaction and goals. They also agreed that a work group to consider shared services should be created. It should consist of two councilors from each city, along with some staff participation; how much staff and at what point in the deliberations was not clearly agreed upon.
Mayor Rossing then summed up the meeting, emphasizing that identity was very important to both communities and a work group would be formed, as well as putting more effort into the quarterly joint government meetings.
Mayor Rossing thanked the attendees, and they adjourned at approximately 8:20 PM.
