HRA says no
Council will be looking for another way to fund the Public Safety Center. The HRA said no. Several people spoke during the public comments period of the HRA meeting last night with a near 50/50 split opinion on issuing Lease Revenue Bonds for the Public Safety Center. There have been numerous issues raised including whether it fits the mission of the HRA, the legality of the the HRA’s authority to issue the bonds 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. Staff had experts answer those questions. HRA Chair Leota Goodney was in favor of issuing the bonds. Zweifel made the motion to approve. Leota Goodney, as Chair is unable to 2nd the motion. After a lengthy silence from the three other members of the HRA the motion died on the floor. The majority of the HRA board did not seem to feel that they had enough time to fully vet the request nor that the project fit their mission. City Council must now decide their next move which could include putting it to the voters. The HRA meeting is archived online at kymnradio.net.
Fire Protection District on the agenda
The Northfield City council will also be discussing a possible Joint Powers agreement for a Fire Service Protection District at their next meeting. They thought they had an agreement as to the makeup of the study group but were sent a letter changing the parameters. Mayor Rossing said they could resend the original request or just table it for the next council. The League of Minnesota cities has recommended that a city doesn’t start this kind of a conversation during an election year.
Down to 3 for Community Planning and Development Director
Three finalists have been selected for the newly named Community Planning and Development Director position vacated last year by Jody Gunderson. Chris Heineman is the City Administrator of Kenyon. Kevin Carroll has worked for the city of Minneapolis for the past 5 years in their business development division and Scott Tempel works in Prior Lake as the Director of Street of Hope Outreach. City Administrator Tim Madigan hoped to fill the job this week but will need council approval. This item will also be on Tuesdays council agenda.
Free cell phones
The Northfield Community Action Center will distribute free cell phones to area residents.
On Thursday, July 19, from noon to 6:30 p.m., staff at the Community Action Center will partner with Life Wireless to distribute free cell phones to Northfield-area residents. The program is offered through Lifeline and provides one free cell phone to all Minnesota families who live at or below 135% of the national poverty guidelines. The phones include 250 free minutes of calling time each month and there are no contract obligations, activation charges or monthly fees. For more information on requirements call 507-664-3550 or visit the Northfield Community Resource Center.
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