Government

Program aims to strengthen, revitalize and sustain downtown

The Economic Development Authority (EDA) approved $20,000 per year for the next three years to pilot a Façade Improvement Program. This program is designed to encourage downtown building owners to reinvest in the exterior of their buildings to extend the life of those important structures.

The Economic Development Authority will match private investment one-to-one up to $10,000. The EDA will be accepting applications between February 1 and March 15.

This program is part of the Economic Development Authority’s strategic plan to revitalize downtown Northfield.

More information can be found on the city’s website: ci.northfeild.mn.us/edagrant

Community-focused clean energy effort will take shape throughout 2020

It is an energizing start to 2020 for City of Northfield who received a $3,000 Seed Grant from the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) today.

“We’re very excited to learn about the grant award,” said Beth Kallestad, City of Northfield program coordinator. “We can’t wait to get started on our project, Solar for Northfield.”

Northfield’s Arts and Culture Commission will mark the start of the 2020 Sidewalk Poetry competition with a kick-off event hosted by Northfield’s Poet Laureate Rob Hardy on Saturday, January 18 at 2 p.m. in the atrium of the Northfield Public Library.

Winners of the 2019 competition will be featured reading their winning entries or favorite poems from their collections. Community members of all ages – poets and non-poets alike - are encouraged to attend and participate. The public isinvited to bring a favorite short poem to the kick-off to share with the audience. A Spanish interpreter is participating in the kick-off event.

This year’s sidewalk poetry competition is entitled “New Voices / Nuevas Voces.” Poetry submissions will again be accepted in Spanish and English. Participating poets do not need to provide translations of their submissions to the contest. This year’s judging panel will include both Spanish and English speakers.

Northfield residents will be receiving a survey from the City of Northfield in the mail. Residents are encouraged to complete and return it in the self-addressed prepaid envelope.

The City of Northfield has retained Fieldstone Research to conduct a survey designed to help city staff and elected officials determine the desires, perceptions and priorities of Northfield residents as they relate to enhancing the parks and recreation opportunities within Northfield.

Carleton College Chief Finance Officer Fred Rogers and St. Olaf College Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Jan Hanson gave $80,000 respectively to Mayor Rhonda Pownell and City Administrator Ben Martig fittingly on Giving Tuesday.

Both colleges traditionally make an annual gift to the City in appreciation for the city’s support of the colleges. The colleges and the City are strong community partners, each working to enhance economic development, education, and cultural opportunities for the entire Northfield community.

The City of Northfield mission is to work for the common good of our residents and businesses and the improvement of our community by providing excellent, innovative municipal services that carry out the city's vision for a high quality of life for all.

What you have to say matters!

Northfield launches local leadership program

Growing local is a popular concept in Northfield and while it routinely applies to food, the City of Northfield and partners are applying it to a pilot leadership training program. The Growing Local: Northfield Emerging Leaders Program is launching in Northfield early next year. This program is a collaboration between the City of Northfield, University of Minnesota Extension, Healthy Community Initiative, Growing Up Healthy, the Northfield School District and Northfield Shares.

The program goals for participants are to:

Be nice by recycling your holiday lights. Don’t be naughty by putting wrapping paper in your recycling.

Don’t know what to do with those old or non-working holiday lights? Are you making the switch to energy efficient LED holiday lights? Recycle your old lights!

Residents can drop-off any unwanted holiday lights at ACE Hardware at 670 Water Street South during the holiday season or at any point during the year at Rice County Solid Waste and Recycling Center at 3800 East 145th Street in Dundas. ACE is collecting old lights through January.

DSI is asking residents to not put wrapping paper in your curbside recycling or in the large collection bins at grocery stores. Most wrapping paper contains foil, tape, bows and other items that contaminate the paper recycling. Instead of traditional wrapping paper, consider other options such as reusable cloth bags, gift baskets, paper bags, or newsprint.

The City of Northfield has declared a Snow Emergency effective 9 p.m. November 26 until 9 a.m. November 28.

During a Snow Emergency there is no parking on any city street until it is plowed curb-to-curb and the weather system has passed. Vehicles parked on the street will be ticketed with the potential of being towed during a snow emergency.

Trash and recycling bins are not allowed on city streets.

Residents can give input via app, website or paper

The City of Northfield is asking for public input on general community and neighborhood questions during its annual community survey (closing on December 15) and other wellness related questions by using Polco, a public engagement platform. Community members can review survey results on Polco.   

Residents can participate on Polco by downloading the Polco app for Android or iOS, or visiting the city’s web page on Polco at polco.us/northfield. QR codes on City information boards allow easy access to the Polco website. Residents’ individual information is never shared and cannot be accessed by the City.

The Northfield Human Rights Commission is seeking nominees for its annual Human Rights Award by December 6, 2019.

To be considered for this award, a nominee should be a local individual, group or organization that has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to the advancement of human rights in the Northfield area, either through volunteer or professional efforts. The Human Rights Commission seeks a balanced and diverse slate of nominees that contribute to the cause of human rights in a variety of ways. All nominations should include a brief biography of the candidate as well as the reasons the nominee should receive consideration for the award.

Energy Action Team recommends Home Energy Squad® visits to identify smart fixes for avoiding trouble and staying comfortable

As winter approaches, Northfield’s Energy Action Team is mobilizing to help residents avoid costly ice dam problems at home. They are encouraging homeowners and landlords to schedule visits from the Home Energy Squad®.

The application deadline for service on City Boards and Commissions has been extended to Friday, November 8, 2019. The City of Northfield is seeking applicants to fill volunteer positions on several City advisory boards and commissions. Please visit the City of Northfield’s website Boards & Commissions page for information and an application: www.ci.northfield.mn.us/98/Boards-Commissions.

The Arts and Culture Commission invites Northfielders to nominate anyone whom they feel is worthy of being considered the 2020 Northfield Living Treasure by November 18, 2019.

The annual award honors an individual who has, over time, made significant contributions to Northfield in, through, or on behalf of the arts and culture to enhance the reputation of the city and the quality of life of its residents. Nominees may be either a practitioner in one or more of the arts, an arts or cultural leader, a supporter, or an advocate.

Nomination forms can be picked up at the Northfield Public Library, the City Hall Administration office, and the Northfield Arts Guild. They can be dropped off at the Northfield Public Library or completed online at https://forms.gle/TXxfJHZ94XdLLmRdA.

The City of Northfield is asking for the public to participate in a community survey by using POLCO, a public engagement platform. Survey results will be tabulated and shared with the City Council and community through the city website.

Residents can participate on Polco by downloading the Polco app for Android or iOS, or visiting the city’s web page on Polco at polco.us/northfield. QR codes on City information boards allow easy access to the Polco website. Residents’ individual information is never shared and cannot be accessed by the City.

Links to Polco can also be found on the city’s website www.ci.northfield.mn.us/polco, and city’s Facebook feed. English and Spanish paper surveys are available at the Northfield Public Library and Motor Vehicle Services at City Hall.