By Teri Knight, News Director
Northfield has been fortunate over the last dozen or so years to have a well-respected police force, in large part due to the leadership, from Mark Taylor to Monte Nelson. And the community has let them know. Nelson said, “since the last time I was on, I can’t even count the number of letters, emails, boxes of treats that have been delivered to the Police Department. The number of times Officers walk in and say I was downtown and I had five different people thank me for being a cop”. Right now, it’s even more important to hear and feel that response. Nelson added that he’s heard from some members of the community asking questions on how they police and he’s answering them. Nelson said he’s always open to having a conversation with those with differing opinions. He added that the vast majority here, “if they don’t say anything else, they say we need you
here, want you here and appreciate the work you’re doing and appreciate the way our Officers do their work”. Northfield Police Officers have been participating in multiple types of training including de-escalation, implicit bias, use of force and more for years.
Nfld Council will vote on requiring masks in City-owned buildings, ponder a mandate
The big three remain, wash your hands, stay 6 ft. apart and wear a mask to help slow the spread of Covid-19. As more stores implement a requirement to wear one, the City of Northfield will vote tomorrow night on whether to “require” masks rather than “request” that folks wear them in public buildings, such as, Chief Nelson said, “the Police department, City Hall, the Liquor store, the ones that are public facing and have public space”. Nelson added that masks will be available. He said, “no secret, Council also asked to have a mask ordinance for all places of public accomodation in Northfield”. City staff are working on a draft. Ten cities across the State have voted to mandate masks. Most recently Rochester and Mankato. St. Olaf and Carleton have mandated masks within their buildings as they plan to bring students back at a safe capacity. Nelson’s full interview is on kymnradio.net. He will be in studio tomorrow morning for his exit interview as he retires July 31st.
Council holding hearings on TIF and Charter oath
The Northfield Council will hold two public hearings tomorrow evening. One regards Tax Increment Financing for the Spring Creek II addition to develop 32 affordable townhomes. The other hearing involves the Charter Commission. As the Charter has been referred to as Northfield’s Constitution, the Commission felt that the oath elected officials take at the beginning of their term should include the duty to support the Charter of the city of Northfield. All seven members of the council must approve it to pass. On the Regular agenda is the 2nd reading of a salary increase for elected officials. You can comment online on the city’s website under their eComment section from the City Council meeting page.
