Government

Northfield, MN (March 13, 2020)

Following up on the coronavirus concerns, the City of Northfield is watching the situation closely and we are following guidelines from the Governor’s Office, the Minnesota Department of Health and other state officials. We want to thank community members for continuing to follow the best medical recommendations such as washing your hands for 20 seconds, staying home if you’re ill and maintaining social distancing.

Event is postponed until further notice.

Due to the seriousness of the coronavirus, City officials have decided to postpone the annual State of the City Address scheduled for March 16 until further notice. The mayor’s annual address, held in the magnificent Carleton College Kracum Performance Hall, reflects and informs the community of current and future initiatives effecting the entire Northfield community.

The health and safety of all community members, sponsors, guest speakers, award winners, entertainers, board and commission members and city staff is of the upmost importance. With ever increasing COVID-19 concerns, all are encouraged to hand wash frequently, stay home if ill, practice social distancing, and seek information from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Minnesota Department of Health.

The City of Northfield emergency management officials are working with local, state and federal health officials in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak that has infected people worldwide. There are currently no confirmed outbreaks in Minnesota.

Despite not having any cases in Minnesota, health officials recommend individuals and families make a plan in case someone gets sick. They also suggest following the same steps for avoiding the flu:

Post Consumer Brands will be conducting a routine inspection of the Ames Mill dam and portions of the Malt-O-Meal building foundation. This work is scheduled to begin the week of February 17 and is intended to be completed by March 6 (weather permitting).

Heavy precipitation events throughout the spring, summer, and fall months led to increased water flow in the Cannon River which prevented this work from taking place during more mild weather months.

Sign up for the rain garden workshop on March 19

Rain gardens are a great way to beautify your property and a great way to capture and clean up stormwater before it flows into the Cannon River. Staff from the Cannon River Watershed Partnership (CRWP) and City of Northfield are teaching a workshop on rain gardens on Thursday, March 19, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Community Action Center, 1651 Jefferson Pkwy HS-200.

Residents can give input via app, website or paper

The City of Northfield is asking for the public to participate in the 2020 census survey (closing on February 27) by using Polco, a public engagement platform. Community members can review survey results on the Polco app and through the city website: ci.northfield.mn.us/surveyresults

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.

Employees of Laura Baker Services Association received the 2020 Human Rights award given out by the Northfield Human Rights Commission. The award was presented during the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. community celebration on January 20 at Emmaus Church.

The Northfield Human Rights Commission considered local individuals, groups and organizations that have demonstrated a long-standing commitment to the advancement of human rights in the Northfield area, either through volunteer or professional efforts for the award.

“We like the Human Rights Award to go to organizations and individuals who do not just meet the requirements of their mission statement, or their job description, but who go well beyond that,” said Angelique Dietz, member of the Northfield Human Rights Commission.

The City of Northfield has declared a Snow Emergency effective 1 p.m. January 17 until 9 a.m. January 19.

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.

Apply now via the city’s website

The City of Northfield is seeking interested individuals to serve as election judges for the presidential nomination primary on March 3, 2020, the primary election on August 11, 2020 and the general election on November 3, 2020. Election judges administer election procedures in polling places and ensure that voters' rights are protected and respected on Election Day. Election judges receive pay for required training time and work on Election Day. By law, employers must give election judges time off from work to serve. In addition to serving on Election Day, judges must complete required training prior to serving. Election judges may serve all day (approximately 6 a.m. – close) or choose a half day shift (6 a.m. – 2 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. – close).

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

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.