Government

After a long delay due to technical difficulties, here are the videos from the two regular Northfield School Board meetings in May 2015. Agendas and other materials from both meetings can be found here. 

Monday, May 11, 2015

“Update on Public Engagement Process for Woodley Street Reconstruction Project” was the first item on the agenda for the Northfield City Council at last night’s Work Session. City Engineer/Public Works Director Dave Bennett took the first twenty minutes to give the Council an overview of the project process and public engagement. Discussion then followed for about an hour.

Powerpoint presentation: 0-20:00
Staff’s Project Scope Recommendation: 20:00-22:15
Council discussion: 22:15-01:16:00

Video link:
https://northfield.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=367673&GUID=258A87B5-9A4E-489E-BC17-B89EAE673892&Search=#

Mayor Dana Graham talks about upcoming projects in his latest Minute with the Mayor video.

http://www.ci.northfield.mn.us/MediaCenter.aspx?CID=Minute-with-the-Mayor-13

The Mayor’s Youth Council is hosting a community garage sale this Friday and Saturday.  There are hundreds of items for sale!  The sale is part of the Northfield Shares “Goods for Good” community garage sale initiative.

WHEN:  

• FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2015 — 3:30-6:00 p.m.
• SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2015 — 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: Northfield Maintenance Facility (1710 Riverview Drive, behind Perkins Restaurant and across from the new police station)

WHY? All proceeds will go to the Northfield YouthBank, which provides grants to youth-run projects. All funds raised at the sale will be matched — dollar-for-dollar — by the Youthprise Foundation.

The regular meeting of the Northfield School Board was held on Monday, April 27, 2015, at 7 pm, in the high school media center. Highlights of the meeting included approval of changes to the Transformational Technology program, including a new school iPad lease. 

I'm managing the online citizen engagement blog for the 2016 Woodley St. Reconstruction Project. There have been two community/neighborhood meetings thus far, with more scheduled in the next few weeks. I've posted meeting photos with the Powerpoint presentations on the blog. The City has created an online questionnaire that's open now through May 13. They're seeking comments from all Northfield residents, in particular regarding:

1. Sidewalks: 1 side or both sides?
2. Bike lanes: 1 side or both sides?
3. Parking: 1 side or both sides?
4. Trees: Tree Removal

The River Walk Gazebo located to the west of the Archer House is scheduled for removal the morning of May 5, 2015.  The City’s Building Official has deemed the structure unsafe for occupancy. 

Reconstruction of the gazebo is tentatively scheduled for 2015, so please excuse any inconvenience during this time.

Further inquiries may be directed to Jasper Kruggel at 507-645-3027 or jasper.kruggel@ci.northfield.mn.us.

Segments of Riverview Drive and Cannon Road will be closed to thru traffic for the 2015 Enterprise Park Reclamation Project.  Parameters for the Enterprise Park Reclamation Project include Riverview Drive from Cannon Road to its south terminus, and Cannon Road from Riverview Drive to the south city limits.  Crews will begin work on Monday April 27, 2015.

During this construction project, motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes around the construction area.

The entire project is expected to be completed by the end of May.      

Crane Creek Asphalt of Faribault, MN is the prime contractor for the $336,000 project.

The City of Northfield urges motorists to always drive with caution, slow down in work zones and never enter a road blocked with barriers or cones.

Segments of Second Street, Poplar Street and Plum Street will be closed to thru traffic as Phase I of the Second Street Reconstruction Project gets underway.  Parameters of the entire Second Street Reconstruction Project include Second Street from Spring Street to Madison Street, and Poplar Street, Plum Street and Orchard Street from Second Street to Third Street.  Crews will begin work on Phase I of the project which includes Second Street from Spring Street to Linden Street, and both Poplar and Plum Streets from Second Street to Third Street on Monday April 27, 2015.

During this construction project, motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes around the construction area.

Phase I of the project is expected to be completed by mid-May.      

Ryan Contracting of Elko, MN is the prime contractor for the $2 million project.

The regular meeting of the Northfield School Board was held on Monday, April 13, at 7:00 pm, in the high school media center. A full packet for the meeting can be found here. Highlights of the meeting included:

On the morning of April 14, 2015, the City Engineer opened bids on the construction of a Skateboard Park in Old Memorial Field.  There were three bids received and the lowest apparent bidder was Wally Hollyday Skateparks with a bid of $153,879.00.  The estimate from Pillar Design Studios, the designer, was $162,816.43.  City Council will be requested to accept the bids and award the contract at the April 21, 2015 Council Meeting.  Anticipated construction start date is yet to be determined; however, it is planned for completion this summer.

For additional information contact Brian Erickson, Assistant City Engineer at 507-645-3037

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The Mayor's Task Force on Youth Alcohol and Drug Use, in partnership with the Rice County Sheriff’s Office, the Rice County Chemical Health Coalition, Northfield Police and Faribault Police, would like to get the word out to Northfield community members about the TIP411 program in Rice County. Often community members don’t want to report illegal or risky activity for fear of getting involved. Through the TIP411 program, law enforcement agencies across Rice County can accept 100% anonymous crime tips via cell phone text messages. Our hope is that this resource will allow community members to reach out for help when they feel that their safety is threatened, or when they are concerned for their family, friends and neighbors.

Streets & Parks Supervisor T.J. Heinricy talks about our upcoming community Earth Day celebration in this short video:

http://www.ci.northfield.mn.us/MediaCenter.aspx?CID=Public-Works-7#player

Mayor Dana Graham talks about Meadows Park and community gardens in this short video.

https://mn-northfield.civicplus.com/MediaCenter.aspx?CID=Minute-with-the-Mayor-13