Covey resigns from NDDC
The Northfield Downtown Development Corporation will be looking for a new Executive Director again. Scot Covey told the Board last week that he intends on resigning after almost 2 years on the job. Sixteen years ago when the NDDC formed, they asked the City for seed money with the idea the organization would become self sufficient. The amount of dollars they’ve asked from the City, instead, has increased to $35,000 per year. In August, Covey gave a presentation to the City Council asking for the 2nd half of this year’s contract with the City. While Councilors Pownell, Zweifel, Peterson White and Nakasian were
enthusiastic, Ludescher and DeLong were not. Mayor Graham commented on KYMN, “I’m 100{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} for the NDDC….. I’m 100{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} against giving them any money”. He said he doesn’t think they’ve fulfilled their contract. As a member of the EDA, he’s never seen them there but it is the contract that they work with the EDA. As the City comes closer to hiring an Economic Development Coordinator, DeLong believes they should be handling most of the items Covey discussed. The vast majority of the dollars the City has provided have gone to salary. In terms of tangibles that Covey has completed, opinions vary. Part of the Council’s 2017 budget includes contracts with organizations such as the NDDC. Covey has a marketing agency in which he creates political campaigns. He has produced campaign materials for some Northfield Council members in the past including Erica Zweifel, who’s currently running for reelection in Ward 3. In an email this morning she said she’s re-using lawn signs from 2008, which Scot designed. She added that she’s designed her own literature this season and in 2012. As Council votes to approve contracts with organizations such as the NDDC, the question of tranparency with work relationships comes up. In a letter, Board President Dan Bergeson said Covey had done “good and significant work” adding that he wants to resume his career in graphic design. Covey has not returned my email for comment. In the meantime, the City will host a meet and greet with candidates for the Economic development coordinator position this Friday at noon. 3-nddc-consultant-service-contract-2016-final-2
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LINK Center “a tremendous asset for the community”
The LINK Center is a partnership with Growing Up Healthy and the City providing information on resources for mostly low income and Spanish speaking residents in the Northfield area. They provide direction to people for healthcare services, food, housing, education, transportation and more. Representatives gave a presentation at Council’s work session last week. Northfield City Administrator Martig said they’re open 31 hours a week and they have partnerships with the college and students. The paid hours are actually leveraged with private resources as well. Martig said, “it’s really a tremendous asset for the community”. Adding that the School District’s Community Education benefits tremendously, the City and the County system as well are a lot of the beneficiaries to the resource. They are at the end of a 3 year contract this year. Martig said there seemed to be a lot of overall support from the Council and certainly Staff sees the benefit of the LINK Center. The Link Center would like to be included in the 2017 budget.
Division and Woodley intersection will close
A Segment of Division Street and Woodley in Northfield will be closed to thru traffic as part of the 2016 Woodley Street Reconstruction Project beginning Wednesday. Utility crews will be connecting to the existing watermain system and storm sewer system in the Woodley Street/Division Street/ intersection. The closure is expected to last until Friday. During this closure, a detour will be posted utilizing Ninth Street West, Water Street South, and Fremont Street West, detouring traffic around the work area. Click on the following link for a map of the detour. press-release-division-woodley-closure
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