The HRA discusses Lease Revenue Bonds tonight
The HRA meets tonight at 5 o’clock. On their agenda will be the possible approval of issuing Lease Revenue Bonds for the new Public Safety Center as City Council has requested. There have been numerous issues raised including the legality of the the HRA’s authority to issue the bond as well as whether it’s a conflict of interest for Council member Erica Zweifel to also be a voting board member of the HRA. According to statute, the 2 entities have similar goals which would not constitute a conflict. Bond Counsel, Jenny Boulton says the HRA has the authority to issue lease revenue bonds in the amount requested and for the stated purpose of an essential public facility. The city legally has to have the option to just quit paying on the lease after one year, however, should that happen, the HRA would then attempt to re-lease the property to another entity. This meeting will be streamed live online at kymnradio.net.
Rossing says City’s in good financial shape
The Northfield City Council work session was all about the financial audit report. That’s usually when people’s eyes glaze over and in fact, Mayor Rossing says that’s when all the citizens left the Chamber. She adds that it’s likely the most important thing they do.
The council uses this report to guide their decisions on spending, to strike a balance between providing services and keeping taxes at a reasonable level. Rossing mentioned cities around the country who’ve recently gone bankrupt and wants Northfielders to know how well the city is doing and credits staff. She says Northfield has been held up as an example for other cities around Minnesota for it’s way of dealing with the loss of state aid. According to the audit, they’ve come in consistently below budget. The full audit report is available on the city’s website and also at the Public Library. Click here to go directly to the Audit Report.
Watch your water usage, please
In spite of record rainfalls about 3 weeks ago, it’s been dry since then and Northfield is now experiencing increasing water demand. Public Works Director, Joe Stapf says folks are watering their lawns and gardens and farmers are irrigating. Stapf says the levels lower during the day and then fill up overnight. He says as long as the tanks can recover to an acceptable level, it’s not critical yet. That level would be about 40 feet in a 50 foot tank. If the tanks remain at less than 40 feet for 4 days, they’ll restrict watering. While we are not in a critical situation, the City wants the word out to be aware of your water usage and consider cutting back.
Parmeadow Pond being drained
Public Works has been busy. They’re in the process of draining the middle of the three Parmeadow Ponds north of Woodley Street. The purpose is to more accurately assess the erosion damage done to abutting properties during the storms of mid-June,This will aid them in repair work and how they might prevent future damage.
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