Time limits considered for “Unlawful Noise” ordinance
Northfield doesn’t currently have a time limit on noise within the downtown district. That’s a problem says Northfield Police Chief Monte Nelson when they get a complaint call at 8 o’clock at night. There’s nothing to back up the assertion that that’s too early for those businesses to shut down the music. Nelson and City Attorney Chris Hood have been looking to other cities and the League of Minnesota Cities on crafting a new “Unlawful Noise” ordinance as it relates to outdoor events such as our music venues, DJJD and College events. Mayor Graham said the ordinance would set time limits at 10pm Sunday through Thursday and 11pm Friday and Saturday. He said our outdoor music is a big draw for out-of-towners and, on a beautiful weekend summer evening, that can seem early but others, like Peterson White, argued that it wakes their children.
Graham asked about differing decibel levels but Nelson said it just doesn’t work. Most councilors, including Peterson White, agreed with the time limits submitted. Only Ludescher said they’ll never solve the issue. He also didn’t care for the exemption of government sponsored events such as DJJD. This will come back to Council for approval. This ordinance is separate from the existing “Noisy parties or assemblies” ordinance that was just recently ruled unconstitutionally vague by a Rice County Judge.
Three projects converge along the Cannon at the Northfield/Dundas border
The Dundas Lift Station project will move ahead. City Administrator John McCarthy said it includes the force main. There are 3 projects taking place at the same time in the same location. Construction on the E. Cannon river trail has begun and it’s about 30 feet away from the force main. Crews are also working to build the shelter and river access for the Legacy grant regional park along the trail. McCarthy says the main will cross the trail at one point and then run parallel the rest of the way. McCarthy says Dundas will begin their project this month but he believes the river access and shelter will probably be done before they get to that point with the force main. The City will bond for the Lift Station.
Single lane on I-35 creates “perfect storm for trouble”
Expect lane closures on I-35 between Northfield and Elko through July 11th as MnDot crews complete a bridge painting project. Work began this week between exits 76 and 69 but they closed the lanes last Friday and upset lots of people including Rice County Sheriff Troy Dunn who dealt with 2 crashes at 35 and 19 at the same time. He said he even called MnDot asking them why they closed those lanes on a Friday afternoon when work wasn’t scheduled to begin until Monday (the 13th). They started on Sunday. Dunn said it still comes down to people paying attention and added, “but still it causes congestion and people are impatient and it’s just a perfect storm for trouble”. A rear end collision on the freeway sent 4 people to local hospitals with non life-threatening injuries. A motorcyclist went down on Hwy 19. He was airlifted to HCMC with a compound fracture of his leg.
Meet Martig
New City Administrator Ben Martig introduces himself to the community via video on the City’s website. Click HERE to view it.
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