Attendance: Mayor Zweifel and Councilmembers: Beumer, Dahlen, Holmes, Ness, Peterson White, Sokup
OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT: No open public comments
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
- Sokup- Moved
- Ness- Seconded
- Majority vote- Passed
PRESENTATIONS
26-170 Presentation from Earth Day Steering Committee
- Presenting- Mary Jo Cristofaro
- The presenter thanked council members for their support in Northfield Earth day. Explains that the Steering committee is committed to making connections, sharing projects, and making progress towards positive climate changes.
- The presenter introduces the celebration on April 25th. The event consists of several music, kids events, and family activities. There will be tabling, workshops, and speeches.
- New this year, the committee is partnering with St. Olaf, Carleton, and a farm to provide several service projects on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
- Presenter thanks sponsors- city of Northfield, Clean River Partners, Homebody, Just Food, Carleton College, St. Olaf, to name a few.
CONSENT AGENDA
- 26-171 Consider Approval of March 17, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes
- 26-109 Consider Approving Disbursements totaling $4,463,488.61
- Res. 2026-037 Consider Resolution Proclaiming April 25, 2026 as Earth Day in Northfield
- 26-173 Approve miscellaneous/concessions license for Northfield Youth Baseball Association at Sechler Park.
- 26-174 Consider Approval of a Temporary Liquor License for Imminent Brewing, LLC dba Imminent Brewing for May 16, 2026 at the Heywood Ride.
- 26-175 Consider Approval of a Temporary Liquor License for The Meetinghouse LLC dba Chapel Brewing for June 18, 2026 for the Friends of Downtown Northfield Third Thursday Event.
- 26-176. Consider a motion approving the lower-potency hemp edible retailer renewal application for City of Northfield dba Northfield Liquor Store, 116 5th Street West.
- 26- 177 Consider a motion approving the lower-potency hemp edible retailer renewal application for Tobacco Field Inc. dba Tobacco Field, 1100 Highway 3 South.
- Res. 2026-038 Consider Resolution Approving the Transfer of Funds from the Housing and Redevelopment Authority to the Housing Trust Fund Related to Meet Matching Requirements of the State of Minnesota Local Housing Trust Fund Grant.
- Ord. 1092 Consideration of Second Reading of Ordinance 1092 Amending Northfield City Code, Chapter 74-Taxation (Related to Allowing Lodging Tax Administrative Collection Responsibilities to Be Transferred from the City Finance Department to the Minnesota Department of Revenue).
- 26-178 Consideration of Summary Publication of Ordinance No. 1092 Amending Northfield City Code, Chapter 74-Taxation (Related to Allowing Lodging Tax Administrative Collection Responsibilities to Be Transferred from the City Finance Department to the Minnesota Department of Revenue).
- Res. 2026-039 Consider Resolution to Accept Public Improvements – Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements Project (WSTR2022-J32).
- Res. 2026-040 Consider Resolution to Accept Public Improvements – Kraewood Development.
- Res. 2026-041 Consider Resolution Approving Plans and Specifications and Authorizing Advertisement for Bid for TH 3 Streetlight Replacement Project Phase II.
- Ness-Moved
- Beumer- Second
- Majority Vote- Passed
26-119 Reports From the Mayor and Council Members
- Ness- nothing to report
- Peters- Attended same EDA meeting on 2/23
- Beumer – Attended EDA meeting 2/23, microgrant approved, presentation and discussion of financial assistance program
- Dahlen – nothing to report
- Holmes- Comments on Carleton bus stop move public meeting. The vote has been postponed to April 16th. Council will receive information on May 7th.
- Sokup- Was on the KYN radio discussing housing
- Attended Hospital Joint Governance Meeting- Updates further to come this month
- Mayor Zweifel – Also attended Hospital Joint Governance Meeting- Updates further to come this month
REGULAR AGENDA
Res. 2026-042 Consider Accepting Bids and Awarding Contract- 2026 Park Improvements Project (PARK2025-E18)
- Presenter Bruce comments that much of the equipment is at the lifespan, multiple options were considered, all three parks had significant public participation, projects were begun upon evaluating equipment’s current condition
- Community member Matt Bauer, specializes in preserving and improving equipment
- City Plans- are comprehensive, include a pedestrian and bicycle plan, a trail plan, and more
- Timeline- Currently preparing for construction season
- Park 1. Central Park: Presenter shows pictures of projected new park improvements including equipment for older and younger kids
- Park 2. Hill Park: Presenter shows pictures of projected new park improvements, comments on how ⅔ equipment removed, new improvements focused on accessibility
- Park 3. (No observer notes on this item)
- Projected Budget-
- 3 parks and playgrounds $935,000
- Contractor Initial Bids: $1,095,559
- Projected costs vetted bids: $994,229
- Projected Total Project Cost: $1,095,997
- Shows proposed spring construction images once more
- Opens for Questions:
- Beumer- Asks clarifying question about being over budget
- Presenter- Clarifies that the value could go down, however, it’s a realistic number
- Beumer follow-up- Asks about cuts to site work and landscaping, wondering if it takes away from park
- Presenter- Comments that small changes were made, but they don’t have too much impact on the overall project. Some supplier issues also came up, the presenter reviewed and made cuts as needed.
- Sokup- Asks about extra funding
- Director of Public Works- Explains that some fund balance is being accessed and that some money is coming out of the landscaping/parks budget. Explains that in the future, better budgeting needs to be done to support parks
- Sokup- Asks for clarification that money will not raise property taxes
- Director of Public Works (No observer notes on this response.)
- Beumer- Asks clarifying question about being over budget
- Holmes- Moved
- Peterson-White- Seconded
- Discussion:
- Holmes expressed gratitude for the years-long project and expressed excitement about park updates. Discusses her personal experiences not having updated the park for her children to play. Holmes values parks and says that investing in parks is overdue and well-valued and expands the city’s tax base.
- Peterson-White- echoes excitement and gratitude for the project. Comments on the value and low price tag.
- Beumer- expresses gratitude and appreciation. Agrees that parks are a good investment for communities and that they’re a long-term investment. Beumer comments that parks are pivotal for our tax base and citizens.
- Ness- Thanks presenter Bruce. Comments that this is his first parks project that he’s voting affirmatively on. Ness discusses that the city has the money to support this project.
- Dahlen- Comments on how is family will enjoy the park.
- Sokup- Comments on how each of these parks will be nicely renovated and expresses gratitude for the project.
- Mayor Zweifel- Expresses gratitude for value engineering, sustainability efforts, and engaging park compositions. Comments that the community engagement on this project was great.
- Majority Vote- Passed unanimously
26-180 Discuss Establishing an Ad Hoc City Investment Policy and Cash Management Advisory Committee
- Mayor Zweifel- Comments on previously being involved in liquor store working groups. Zweifel comments on collaboration with administration to craft this recommendation. If approved, it will move forward in April.
- Beumer- Likes the idea of the committee and comments that it addresses transparency and community engagement.
- Holmes- Appreciates Zweifel pulling this together and agrees with Beumer that a committee would be a better use of skill set and community involvement. Asks a question about who in the community would be best fit and how they can help get this group together by April.
- Mayor Zweifel- Addresses comment, says that she’s open to suggestions and has been looking for community members.
- Sokup- Asks about dates and termination section.
- Administrator- Comments that some of this information is more frame-based and depending on follow-up some of these details may be adjusted.
- Ness- Thanks administrator and mayor for their contributions to developing this. Comments on his support.
- Dahlen- Comments on administrators use of the word replica and asks for clarification that this would be considered in a second iteration.
- Mayor Zweifel- Comments on consensus and that the committee will appear on next action agenda.
City Administrator’s Update.
- Upcoming sales tax meeting on Thursday morning
- Bonding bill- active filing. More updates to come on bills
- Some site tours are set up for the council members and the Dundas Board
- Concludes Update
- Motion to Adjourn
- Moved- Ness
- Seconded- Beumer
- Majority Vote- Passed
Meeting adjourned 6:54pm
