Wait just a minute – NAFRS Board pauses vote
The NAFRS Joint Powers Board had three recommended items of action by the Facilities Committee on their agenda. But that changed quickly when outgoing Northfield Mayor Dana Graham motioned to amend the agenda to have those items as discussion only. It was seconded by Dundas Mayor Glenn Switzer and they all chose to hold off on approving any of the recommendations which included service contracts with the architect, the contractor and approval of Ex-Officio member Jerry Anderson as NAFRS Project representative. Northfield administrator Ben Martig voiced concern that it would be presumptuous to approve contracts that
haven’t been before Northfield or Dundas Councils, there are also 2 Northfield reps, Bernie Street and Gary Bollinger, whose terms end this year. Graham was most concerned with the contract with Jerry Anderson, saying, “it’s not that I don’t think that he’s qualified, it’s the appearance of paying an ex-officio Board member”. Anderson is also on the Facility Committee. Graham said that if Anderson has the Project Representative position he should either not be paid at all or remove himself from the NAFRS Joint Powers Board. Ex-Officio members are not limited by terms. Street felt that, because Anderson is not a voting member, it shouldn’t matter. The Facilities committee gave many reasons that Anderson would be a good choice, but Graham reiterated his stance on the appearance of it, that it could look like that were “just taking care of their own”. We’ll have more on the meeting and Chair Glen Castore will be in studio Monday morning at 7:20. He wants to put everything to a vote at their January 26th meeting. Rehab and construction on the current facility is set for 2018.
HRA gets CDBG for low to moderate income residents
Because a portion of Northfield is in Dakota County, the City is automatically given Community Development Block Grants aka CDBG. The grants are available for use throughout Northfield. HRA Housing Coordinator Janine Atchison explains they’re used for first time home buyers down payment assistance and a program called Home Matters for rehabilitation projects for single family homeowners. They just started a program for rehabilitation to historic downtown rental units and, new for 2017, will be putting in a sidewalk in the Greenvale area that serves low to moderate income families. In the first time home buyers program, it’s a dollar for dollar match plus they’ll help with closing costs up to $10,000. The rental rehab dollars can be used for just about anything but must be inside the downtown historic district for the 2nd and 3rd floor residential units. Atchison says they’ve helped at least 10 to 15 families in the last 5 or so years with down payment assistance and 16 families have been aided through the Home Matters program. The new rental unit rehab hasn’t assisted anyone yet. The application process for any of the programs are online at the City’s website and you’re also welcome to stop into the Community Development office at City Hall for assistance. You must verify income criteria which must be 80{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} or less than the median income. The downtown program is also an aid to keep rental units affordable. Listen to Atchison’s full interview online at kymn.net.
KYMN Radio is announced 2017 Business of the Year by the Northfield Chamber of Commerce
KYMN would like to congratulate Beth Ayotte Naumann, of Service Master, named Northfield Chamber of Commerce 2017 Business Person of the Year and John Thomas, Mr. JST Technology Consulting as Ambassador of the Year. We are also humbled and grateful as KYMN has been named the 2017 Business of the Year, chosen for our recent FM expansion and continued community programming. The Chamber Annual Meeting and Business Recognition Banquet will be held on Wednesday, January 25th at 5:00 p.m. at The Grand Event Center. Reservations are required and you can do that online at northfieldchamber.com. Listen to Chamber President Todd Bornhauser’s interview here.
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