3 options for Noise ordinance will be heard at Nfld Council meeting tonight
The Northfield City Council will hear options surrounding a Disorderly Conduct and Loud Parties/Assemblies, and a proposed new Unlawful Noise ordinance to the City Code tonight. Staff will bring back their original proposed ordinance that encompasses the whole City and would have any noise/loud music shutdown at 10pm Sunday through Thursday and 11:30pm on Friday and Saturday. The 2nd option would parcel out Downtown C1 and C2 and Industrial zones to allow outdoor music till 11pm on Thursdays and midnight on the weekends. The 3rd option that staff is putting forth would be the same as the 2nd except shutdown would remain at 10pm on Thursday as well. All the options include a residential
loud noise/party ordinance that requires a shutdown of 10pm Sun – Thur and 11pm on Fri and Sat. Council will also discuss and ordinance that would prohibit fishing on the west Riverwalk for near the 4th St. Bridge. This would alleviate issues from patrons at Froggy Bottoms and Lily Padio who report being hit with lures, hooks and weights. Mayor Graham will be in studio at 7:20 tomorrow morning with a full recap. It’s a very full agenda tonight.
NAFRS Board continues to talk Taxing Authority – public meeting to be held
The NAFRS Board will hold a work session September 22nd to further discuss and learn more about becoming a Taxing Authority. It’s not a slam dunk. All entities must approve the move and then they must write a piece of legislation which will be carried into the next legislative session, “hopefully”, said Chair Glen Castore, and, if approved, they’d become a taxing district. Castore said one advantage to the fire and rescue service is that it simplifies their world. Right now when a purchase is made such as their new fire truck the Board decides to do it, they then must present it to the partners (Northfield, Dundas and Rural townships) and then those Councils/Supervisors must approve it. That can stretch the process out. Right now residents pay, city or township taxes, county taxes and school district taxes. Castore said if this passes, “then you and me see on our property taxes another line that says Northfield Area Fire and Rescue Service”. They would have the same responsibilities as any taxing authority and be held accountable to the public. Cloquet has been a taxing district for the last 6 years. It includes the towns of Scanlon and Perch Lake as well as surrounding townships. NAFRS is NOT required to get a vote of approval from the citizens. However, you do have a voice. A very important question is how this affects our taxes. You can contact Board members with questions. Go to the NAFRS website at nafrs.org. Northfield Mayor Dana Graham has indicated that the dollars to fund our portion of the Fire Department would be taken off City taxes, however, the town of Scanlon didn’t do that and the residents were charged additionally. The work session on September 22nd will run from 9am to noon at the Police Station meeting room and is open to the public. KYMN will remind you as the time nears.
Filing begins today for 4 opening Board seats in the Northfield School District
Residents interesting in being on the Northfield School Board can start filing today. Four seats are up at the end of this year. Filing is open through 5pm August 16th. You must file with the School District Clerk at the District office at 1400 Division St. south. There is a $2 fee. Those seats opening are currently occupied by Noel Stratmoen, Rob Hardy, Ellen Iverson and Fritz Bogott. I’ll have more from the candidates as the filing continues. As of this writing, Stratmoen is the only one to confirm to KYMN that he will run again. His platform is Experience, Knowledge and Fiscal Responsibility. For more information on how to file go the the District’s website. I will link you from kymn.net this afternoon. The three other members terms expire in 2018.
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