By Teri Knight, News Director
Out of Northfield’s Economic Development strategic plan came the Riverfront Enhancement Advisory Committee. Over the last 18 months they had significant support from the National Park Service through a Technical Assistance Grant and a consultant team that joined the project. The Northfield Council heard an initial presentation from Community Development Director Mitzi Baker. She broke it down into 5 Districts including wild & scenic and urban. You can view her presentation on the City’s website. Administrator Martig commented that the riverfront is a strategic asset not only for quality of life for residents but attracting visitors. One aim is to, “ultimately pursue a regional designation of our linear parks along the river and trail system that we have. The consultants took a look at that and said you have so much mass here, if you get this
designated as regional park it could open you up to federal and state funds potentially to accomplish some of your goals”. Goals include improving the Riverwalk area including businesses with riverfront and the parks along it such as Ames and Babcock. While this is a draft, C. DeLong asked about preserving Veterans Memorial Park and how the proposed changes would affect the Rodeo site. Baker commented,. “the enhancements in Riverside/Lions are intended to really build off the assets that are already there. And you are correct in your observation of Babcock as that would be a more significant transformation of that space and an activation of it yearound” , adding, “one of the processes is to start working with other users of that space and considering alternate locations for events that happen only a few days of the year so that the rest of the year it can be a more active space”. The city’s Boards and Commissions will review it and provide comments. Residents may also comment. Baker said they’re hoping to bring it back to council in November. Click on the link to see her presentation: City Council Supplemental Agenda Background Memo No. 1 for Septemeber 15 2020
Dundas Councilors interview Police Chief candidate
Dundas City Councilors will be interviewing a candidate for Police Chief tonight. Administrator Teppen explained, “his name is Todd Hanson. He currently part time for the City of Lonsdale. He is a retired full time Police Officer from the city of Faribault and Cannon Falls”. Wade Murray took over as Interim Police Chief in January when Eric Kline left to take a position in Lakeville. In June, Murray decided that the Chief’s position is not what he wants and the search started.
KYMN’s Election Guide
KYMN has launched our 2020 Election Guide with information on over 20 candidates in local elections. Project Leader Logan Wells worked for months putting it together. You’ll find information on the candidates for State Senate, State Representative, Northfield Mayor and City Council, Dundas City Council and District 1 Rice County Commission. The Election Guide button is in the upper left hand corner of the front page. We are working to fill out the guide with all the Northfield School Board candidates. That should be complete before the end of the week.
Nfld HRC invites community to Land Acknowledgement presentation
The City Human Rights Commission invites the community to join in an online presentation by Professor Meredith McCoy from Carleton College regarding the history of, need for, and development of land acknowledgement statements on Wednesday, September 23 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The presentation will be followed by a question and answer period. The City of Northfield is considering the adoption of a Land Acknowledgement Statement. There are two versions, one with an additional line to suggest “ongoing injustices”. The full statement reads: We stand on the homelands of the Wahpekute Band of the Dakota Nation. We honor with gratitude the people who have stewarded the land throughout the generations and their ongoing contributions to this region. We acknowledge the ongoing injustices that we have committed against the Dakota Nation, and we wish to interrupt this legacy, beginning with acts of healing and honest storytelling about this place.
