A “Sanctuary City” ordinance – Council looks for more information
The Northfield Council passed a statement Resolution affirming the City’s commitment to welcome all citizens. But another item right after that dealt with an ordinance that would put meat on the bone. It’s called a Sanctuary City. Minneapolis and St. Paul both have them. City Administrator Ben Martig says it basically lays out the City’s policy specifically on employee authority over immigration enforcement. He said he’ll be educating himself further on the matter and added that the ordinance clarifies the role of our Police department. However, in other City business they have to legally check for citizenship when they’re doing hiring (like everyone does). Also for anyone to vote, they must produce US citizenship.
Some councilors wanted to move on it more quickly while others felt it needed more thoughtful analysis. The City’s civil and criminal attorneys hadn’t yet vetted the ordinance. Council finally settled on a work session December 13th to give Staff time to gather more information about the Sanctuary City ordinance.
Northfield chooses dollar amount for County Road 1 project
Rice County was looking for community support for trails along County Road 1. While technically not in the Northfield City limits, the County appealed to Northfield. City Administrator Ben Martig said council chose an option that would, “include the City paying about 45{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} of the underpass total from the midpoint of the road to the Northfield and then we would cost share on the remaining portions of the trail at 45{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9}”. The cost share is with Dundas and Bridgewater Township. It was the dollar amount that the County was looking for which is about $103,000. Martig said it also suggests that if the City helps to build the south side of the road they would like a commitment with that contribution to also do the same on the north side of the road down to Timberlane. That would lay a trail segment for future connection to the Middle School and High school. Martig said this will give the County a framework. There will be further discussions. The stretch between Hwys 246 and 3 is set for reconstruction in 2018. More specifics are found at these links: 2-resolution-funding-option-2 6-csah-1-figure-funding-option-2-1
STND gets more than they bargained for
The Save the Northfield Depot group has been relentless in their pursuit of not just saving the 1888 Depot but moving it, renovating it and creating something unique for Northfield. Their efforts have caught the attention of many, not the least of which was Garrison Keillor. But they also caught the eye of Liisa Stark. She is the Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs for Union Pacific Railroad and the STND group had applied for a $3,000 grant. Stark met with Alice Thomas at the site. What really struck her was hearing about the great community partnership and that everything has been done either with the partnership of the City donating the property where the Depot is currently to all the community volunteers that have come in and donated their time and resources free of charge to make this project a reality. Stark was so awed by the project and the vision of the Transit Center that the Foundation chose to give STND the $3,000 grant and an additional $2,000. She said, “we had some opportunity left in our budget for 2016 and it was a really good fit for our community based giving program”. It also also STND to get the money sooner. The rail lines are actually owned by Canadian Pacific but UP has a maintenance responsibility and it’s a mainline for them. Stark said they feel a part of the fabric of our community.
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