The Northfield council approved a small utility rate hike. Mayor Pownell said for low water users, which is about 50{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} of residents, it will cost an extra 87 cents a month. The change will begin January 1st. They also authorized staff Initiation of the Northfield Strategic Plan Summary (2018-2020) Action Plan Implementation for 2018 to 2020. Administrator Martig said this is the kickstart of the plan adding that it’s a balancing act as they find their way through all the
details. Strategic Plan action Plan implementation In terms of engagement, he said, they expect to continue work with the Boards and Commissions. The first follow-up implementation presentation and update is planned for a work session in January.
Assistance for buffer zone compliance
November 1st is the deadline for farmers to have a buffer zone plan. Local farmer Dave Legvold is just inside Dakota County where they passed their own buffer zone ordinance in 2011. They examined aerial photos of landscapes to determine who needed to bring their buffers into compliance. Legvold said the County notified farmers who were out of compliance, offered them education, technical assistance and cost sharing. One of the arguments, says Legvold, is that some feel that this is a taking of their land. So Governor Dayton put hundreds of millions of dollars into the buffer zone/clean water effort, most recently with the Conservation Reserve Enhancement program. CREP is an offshoot of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), the country’s largest private-land conservation program. Administered by the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), CREP targets state-identified, high-priority conservation issues. Five Minnesota state agencies have come together to support MN CREP, including Board of Water and Soil Resources. Dakota County has nearly 100{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} buffer law compliance. Legvold said Rice County lagged behind until they received pressure from the Governor and legislature, adding that they’re are “good people” in the Rice County Soil and Water and RCF offices and they have offered a “great deal” of technical and financial assistance to landowners who want to put buffers in. He says there’s been good progress.
NH&C Dr. Fulco named a Top Doctor in MN Monthly
Northfield Hospital and Clinics, Dr. Jose Fulco, was honored in Mn Monthly’s annual Top Doctors issue. I spoke with him yesterday. He said, with such a small community, it’s rare to get enough votes from people to actually make the list and so it was a bit surprising that anyone got enough votes to make that list. His immediate response was, we must be doing something right to get Northfield Hospital on the map. He talked about starting the Surgery Center and the Breast Care Center along with much more. Listen to his full interview on kymn.net.
KYMN Best radio station in Southern MN for the 5th year!
KYMN has been voted the “Best Radio Station in Southern MN” for the 5th year in a row. Voting took place through southernminnscene.com. The Best Of issue hits stands today! Thanks for your support Southern Minnesota!
Professional Dr. detour
Beginning Monday, Professional Drive will be detoured for four days as crews complete pavement replacement from Woodley Street to TH 3 Frontage Road. According to a press release from the City… This work will be completed under traffic, but motorists can expect delays throughout the construction process.
