League of Women Voters of Northfield

Jane B McWilliams, LWV Observer

All councilors were present.

Mayor Mary Rossing and Waste Management’s Curt Saffle recognized Green Team members, the Gymnastic Club and Cub Scout Pack 344, for their success during the last 3 months. Each group collected 45.6 tons of cardboard and mixed paper.  She also congratulated eight graduating high school seniors who have served two years on the Mayor’s Youth Council. The 15-member council was formed by Mayor Lee Lansing to assure youth input into civic affairs and to undertake initiatives for positive impact on local youth.

The council’s decision for locating the skate board park received the most discussion of the evening.  Although in 2008, the previous council had approved constructing the skateboard plaza in Ames Park (contingent on addressing the addition of a safety plan on the 5th Street Bridge and a drop off lane), the current council had similar concerns. They directed staff in February 2009, to address access through the Malt-O-Meal property, drop off lanes, parking and bridge safety. At a meeting in April, the Park and Recreation Board stood by its Ames Park recommendation, Tonight the staff suggested three options for the council’s consideration: do nothing; approve Ames Park; don’t approve Ames Park, but give the staff and Park and Recreation Board direction on how to proceed.

Three members of the public commented on the matter. Noel Stratmoen prefers the Memorial Park location. He asked the council to look at all possible sites again and evaluate them according to agreed upon criteria. If a park is excluded, let the people know why. Don McGee said the whole process was embarrassing and disrespectful of young people. . “Why can’t we answer this after 3 years?” He warned that although constructing a temporary park may have merit, it will be substandard and must be temporary.  Bruce Roberts, resident for 41 years in Northfield, said he has been an interested observer of the process. He appreciates how much time the new councilors have spent on this issue. “If we support kids, it says a lot about what kind of town we are.”

The council approved a 4th option:  Councilor Jon Denison (with Councilor Kris Vohs’ seconding) moved to disapprove Ames Park as the preferred location. Mayor Rossing asked each councilor to give his or her reasoning for their vote. Councilor Betsey Buckheit cast the sole vote against the motion.

Councilor Jim Pokorney said the council is better suited to make a “not in my back yard” decision than the Parks and Recreation Board. The council then agreed to take over the discussion and decision on the location of a skateboard plaza.. Mayor Rossing suggested that councilors suggest criteria prior to taking up the matter at the next work session. Councilor Pokorney said the sooner a decision is made the better, and that the council would need financing parameters and a time line. There was no decision about whether or where to build a temporary plaza.

The council approved the first phase of construction of a transit hub (located in Laurel Court, behind Walgreen’s), which had been approved  in December 2007 as a single-phase project.  Preparation of the land, including an environmental site assessment and engineering, preparation of plans and specifications for construction would be included in Phase I. Phase II would be for letting bids and construction. The council had many questions about the design and location of the hub. Suzie Nakasian, a member of a grass roots transit group formed under the wing of the Environmental Quality Commission, described their work. She announced that Northfield Lines intends to launch a daily express service to the Twin Cities. She applauded the city for moving forward on a hub and said the group would like to help advise the very best location not only for the users, but for the service providers as well. (There is some question whether the design under consideration and location are practical for large buses.)  Councilor Pokorney said that although the former council approved the Laurel Court location, there is new information, which might require rethinking the location. City Administrator Joel Walinski noted that tonight’s decision authorizes the use of federal funds with city match, totaling $346,00 for the cleanup of the site.  The council approved Phase I with  Councilor Pokorney casting the lone negative vote.

The council approved a process for review by boards and commissions of the pending land development code. These will be policies intended to implement the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. They also approved the Planning Commission’s recommendation for the over all Land Development Code review process. These documents are available at:   http://www.ci.northfield.mn.us/assets/l/LDC-ATTACH-1-to-3-RECOMMENDATIONS.pdf and    http://www.ci.northfield.mn.us/assets/l/LDC–ATTACH-4-PC-RECOMMENDATION.pdf

Staff announced their intent to provide budget information in small doses during the coming months in order for the council to be ready to make decisions next fall. While the process is in motion, until the governor’s decisions are made, no recommendations are being reported. The packet included a budget calendar for all funds.

City Attorney Maren Swanson reported that the City Charter authorizes the council to enact a “general administrative penalties ordinance allowing civil citations and civil penalties as an alternative to criminal prosecutions for violation of local ordinances which are not duplicative of state statutes.” Administrator Walinski said the staff will begin drafting an ordinance providing for administrative enforcement with a narrow scope which could later be amended as necessary.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:36.