Concrete crews will be on-site during the early morning hours of Friday, June 5 to complete concrete sawing and sealing on Seventh Street concrete parking bays between Water Street and Washington Street. This work will require the parking bays to be closed between midnight and 6 a.m. on Friday, June 5, 2020. 

Swenke Ims Contracting LLC of Kasson, Minnesota is the prime contractor for the $3.72 million project.

The intersection of Trunk Highway 246 and Jefferson Parkway will close to all traffic beginning on Monday, June 8, 2020 to begin construction on the main road project. Access to Bridgewater Elementary School, Northfield Middle School, and Northfield High School will be maintained throughout construction.

Eastbound and westbound traffic on Jefferson Parkway will be detoured to Woodley Street via Highway 3 and Maple Street while northbound and southbound traffic on Trunk Highway 246 will be detoured to Highway 3 via Woodley Street and County Highway 1. The detours are anticipated to stay in place throughout the summer and into October.

On Sunday, May 31, Northfield Mayor Rhonda Pownell signed a proclamation declaring a local emergency and curfew starting 8:00 p.m. Sunday, May 31. The proclamation included the possibility of the curfew being extended to Monday, June 1 and/or Tuesday, June 2 if deemed necessary. City Administrator Ben Martig and Chief of Police Monte Nelson have reviewed information and decided not to extend the curfew at this time.

Other cities and counties, including Dakota County, are also cancelling their curfews as the possibility of violence and/or property damage has decreased. Northfield Police staff will continue to monitor events and potential threats in the region and locally. If threats or concerns of potential violence or damaging activity resurface, the curfew could be used again. 

For the safety and protection of life and property

Northfield Mayor Rhonda Pownell signed a proclamation declaring a local emergency and curfew starting 8:00 p.m. Sunday, May 31.

“I applaud all those that want to safely and peacefully protest the tragic death of George Floyd; however, we cannot control those who may take advantage of the situation and damage property or endanger the safety of our community as has happened in neighboring cities. It is out of an abundance of caution and for the safety of all of our community members that this curfew declaration is put in place,” said Mayor Pownell.

Dakota County and other greater Twin City areas have experienced continuous nights of civil disobedience, including damaged and burglarized property, since George Floyd died while in custody of the Minneapolis Police Department on May 25. 

The Northfield Economic Development Authority (EDA) approved a $15,000 grant program for restaurants, eateries and retail shops in Northfield to help them build their online commerce presence.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant stress on Northfield businesses. With fewer sit-down and in-store customers, the need for online commerce platforms has become vitally important for businesses to compete in the current economic environment.

“E-commerce platforms are cost prohibitive for some of our businesses. This grant can help alleviate costs associated with building a commerce website,” said Nate Carlson, Northfield’s economic development coordinator.

Businesses with 20 or fewer full-time equivalent employees are eligible to receive a grant for 50% of costs associated with e-commerce investment up to $1,500.

The business must have been operational since January 1, 2020 and their business address must be within the Northfield city limits.

City staff has been working behind the scenes to provide services and now city offices will gradually reopen to the public.

The DMV is open to the public and providing full services. The Police Department lobby is also open to the public.

On May 26, the Northfield Public Library and the Engineering Department within City Hall will open to the public. Building Inspections staff located in the Community Development Department will provide building and permitting services between 8 and 10 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Saturday, June 6, 9 a.m. to noon

Residents can get rid of old documents and clutter in an environmentally friendly way during the free Shred It Right event on Saturday, June 6 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Maintenance Facility, 1710 Riverview Drive.

The event will maintain physical distancing practices with a no contact drop-off. Residents should bring old bank documents, contracts, or any other paper that need shredding in paper bags or boxes that can be removed from the car by event staff. Residents dropping off paper will stay in their vehicles.

Shredded paper is not recyclable in curbside pickup, but residents can bring paper to be shredded to this event where it will be recycled.

This event is for residents only, documents from businesses will not be accepted.

This event is part of the City of Northfield’s strategic goal to reduce climate change impact and to make the community more resilient and sustainable.

City departments are working together and identifying opportunities under the executive orders and state guidelines to support restaurants and bars and their outdoor service areas where possible.

The City recognizes some restaurants and bars have outdoor space on their properties that may be used for take-out drive-up lanes or customer seating and some are located in areas where that is not a viable option.

Northfield residents can help the City achieve the goals of its Climate Action Plan.

On Earth Day, the City of Northfield and Northfield’s Energy Action Team launched a Renewable Energy Challenge. The City is challenging Northfield households to support clean energy by covering 100% of their electricity use with wind or solar. Households can do this through a local community solar garden, through Xcel Energy’s Windsource® program, or by starting the process of installing on-site solar. By entering the challenge, Northfield residents will be supporting renewable energy sources like wind and solar, which can reduce carbon emissions.

The City set a goal of adding 100 new households subscribing 100% of their electricity use to renewable sources by June 15. Everyone who joins the Renewable Energy Challenge will be recognized on the city’s website as a Northfield Clean Energy Supporter.

The filing period for City offices begins at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19 and ends at 5 p.m., Tuesday, June 2, 2020. City offices on the ballot for 2020 include: Mayor, Council Member At-Large, Council Member Second Ward, and Council Member Third Ward.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to present unprecedented and evolving challenges not only to our State, but to our City operations. To meet the current requirements in the Governor’s Executive Orders and to provide for the safety and welfare of our staff and for candidates, the following changes are being made to the filing process:

The filing period for City offices begins at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19 and ends at 5 p.m., Tuesday, June 2, 2020. City offices on the ballot for 2020 include: Mayor, Council Member At-Large, Council Member Second Ward, and Council Member Third Ward.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to present unprecedented and evolving challenges not only to our State, but to our City operations. To meet the current requirements in the Governor’s Executive Orders and to provide for the safety and welfare of our staff and for candidates, the following changes are being made to the filing process:

Follow this link to the Census Challenge video!  

https://youtu.be/j9m8S5mc1NE

The Northfield Public Library is participating in One Book One Minnesota, a new statewide book club inviting Minnesotans of all ages to read a common title and come together to enjoy, reflect and discuss.

The featured book selection is award winning Because of Winn-Dixie by Minnesota author Kate DiCamillo, celebrating the book's 20th anniversary.

The Northfield Public Library will hold virtual discussions on:

Monday, May 18, 2:00 - 3:00 pm

Tuesday, May 19, 2:00 - 3:00 pm

Thursday, May 21, 7:00 - 8:00 pm

There are three discussion slots, to accommodate schedules.  Families are encourage to join a discussion as a group.

You can register for any of the discussion times at mynpl.org

Because of Winn Dixie is available on multiple platforms.  Readers can access the digital book for free on EbooksMinnesota for eight weeks.

Jefferson Parkway between the east Bridgewater School entrance and TH 246 will be closed Tuesday, May 12 through Thursday, May 14, 2020 due to small utility relocations related to the TH 246 and Jefferson Parkway Roundabout Project. This will be a temporary closure as crews expect to have the work completed and Jefferson Parkway back open for traffic by late Thursday, May 14, 2020. 

A detour will be posted utilizing Jefferson Road, Woodley Street, and Division Street (Th 246) detouring traffic around the work area.

Watch the COVID-19 question and answer session