Citing budget balance for 2017, the City of Northfield dropped the Summer Ice program this year. The Northfield Hockey Association (NHA) voiced concern, identifying a need for the program to continue. The program originally started with them in 2013, then from 2014 to last year, a private entity took it over and the City, saw declining revenue. Northfield City Engineer Dave Bennett told the NHA that if they could get a committed program together that would offset the operating costs, he would bring it before Council. $27,000 for a budget amendment would cover operating costs. Administrator Martig said this morning that NHA is taking over the
local programming so they’re looking to build it themselves. They’re the heaviest users of the summer program. Martig said the schools indicated they’re going to help support and market it. NHA President Chris Sorenson said they have 169 families involved and signing them up. He says they can fill the 180 hours necessary. Finance Director Melanie Lammers confirmed that would cover the operational costs. The City could sell the open ice time and make money. City Staff recommended Council approve the budget amendment and they would then work on the agreement. What appeared to be a 5 minute discussion turned into nearly an hour after Councilor Zweifel made an amendment to the resolution to have a written agreement with NHA guaranteeing they would pay all costs, that was amended to say 180 hours. Colby suggested postponing for two weeks, which NHA said would not be good for the program. Ultimately Council voted 5 to 2 in favor of the amendments and 7 to 0 to approve the budget resolution. Martig was in this morning with more on the meeting. His interview is online at kymn.net.
Sunday liquor still in question and discussions on dodging regulations
There’s a hitch in the giddy up of Sunday liquor sales. That’s House District 20B representative David Bly said now the Senate is saying they don’t have enough votes to pass it. Elsewhere in the legislature, n Thursday they have some energy bills they’ll discuss. Bly says most of them have to do “with trying to get around the PUC and get around regulations. There’s one that Xcel is wanting to have permission to put up a natural gas plant next to their coal plant”. Bly says the question is whether there’s already enough generation in the system and do we need a plant like this. The electrical co-ops are looking to be exempted from some PUC regulations as well. He said, “I’m not opposed at all to looking at regulations and making sure that they’re working but they often protect businesses and protect us as citizens from really bad things if it happens so we want to be careful about removing them”. He says it’s a way for citizens and others to enter into the conversation too. Later today, Bly will meet with two groups of Middle Schoolers in the Rotunda as they tour the newly renovated building.
Roney named Chamber Intern
President of Northfield’s DECA chapter, Dylan Roney, was selected as Intern for the Northfield Area Chamber of 
Commerce. Roney is a senior at Northfield High School where he serves on the District Youth Council. He plans to attend Kansas State University in the fall pursuing a degree in Entrepreneurship and Leadership Studies. Roney jumped at the opportunity to work with the Chamber. He’ll use this experience to complete his Business Careers Honor Program at NHS.
