Jane McWilliams, LWV Observer
All councilors were present.
Following action on the six consent agenda items, the council approved changes in the water, wastewater and storm water rates for 2010. Residents and businesses pay user fees which must cover all operating costs, debt service and capital needs of each operation. Water and sewer fee increases from 2005-2009 [...]
Jane McWilliams, LWV Observer
Councilor Erica Zweifel was absent.
Once again, the council took up the 2010-2014 Capital Improvement Plan, with the focus being on the safety center and the library. The stated goal was to “clarify a direction on the facility projects and expenditures that can be incorporated into the 2010-2014 CIP” and to “provide direction [...]
Jane McWilliams, LWV Observer
All councilors were present.
CITY LEGAL SERVICES
There was a larger than usual crowd in the chamber at this meeting. Many came to speak about the issue which took up most of the evening: authorization to negotiate contracts with the two law firms recommended by a search committee to provide civil and prosecutorial services [...]
Kiffi Summa , Observer
All Councilors present.
AGENDA ITEM #1: Discuss policy issues, relating to the draft Land Development Code, with the Planning Commission.
Six members of the Planning Commission joined the Council to discuss a list of policy questions which had arisen out of working on the new land development regulations. Alice Thomas, of the PC, has [...]
Jane McWilliams, LWV Observer
Councilor Jim Pokorney was absent.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
The council’s anticipated decision to appoint two new city attorneys whose firms are not located in Northfield came up for comments from members of the public. (See October 12, 2009 report for that discussion.) Erica Staab, Executive Director of Hope Center, spoke in reference to the Consent [...]
Jane McWilliams, LWV Observer
All councilors were present.
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIAL PARK MASTER PLAN
Economic Development Director Jody Gunderson reported on the work of the Economic Development Authority and the Business Park Master Planning Steering/Technical Committee in setting up a schedule for creating a master plan for both the land annexed in the northwest part of the city, [...]
Jane McWilliams, LWV Observer – with the assistance of her sister, Helen Spiegelman
The council held a closed meeting at 6:30 pm to consider “offers or counter offers for the purchase or sale of real or personal property – MNDOT property located at the corner of Highway #3 and Second Street.” When the mayor later called [...]
Jane McWilliams, LWV Observer
All council members were present for these meetings as well as for the closed meeting which preceded them.
During the closed session, the council undertook the 6th month review of the city administrator’s performance. Afterward, Mayor Mary Rossing reported that the council agreed that Joel Walinski has “done a fine job and exerted [...]
Jane B McWilliams, LWV Observer
Prior to the regular meeting, the council met in closed session to discuss with League of Minnesota Cities Legal Counsel Patricia Beety, litigation against the City of Northfield. All council members, along with Human Resources Director Elizabeth Wheeler and City Administrator Joel Walinski were present at that meeting.
All council members were [...]
Kiffi Summa, LWV Observer
An agenda of 5 complex items for discussion prompted Mayor Rossing to note that although it was a “packed” agenda, there was “no reason we can’t move through it with brevity and focus”. The Mayor asked that comments be kept to “how to move ahead”.
SHARPENING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:
Joel Walinski, [...]