By Rich Larson, News Director
With the news that the state is looking at a $640 million dollar budget surplus, and not the $2.4 billion dollar deficit that had been predicted, State Representative Todd Lippert has issued a statement saying it is time for the state to come up with a Covid-19 relief package.
“With Minnesotans continuing to struggle and sacrifice amid a global pandemic, [the new] budget forecast brings the financial justification to act for families and small businesses. We have a choice – we can either do nothing when we have the resources available to us, or we can use these resources to see Minnesotans through this crisis. Now is the time to provide assistance for our families, workers, and small businesses.”
Lippert has been working with his DFL colleagues on a relief package. Their plan includes direct aid to small businesses, an eviction moratorium, a 13-week unemployment extension, and emergency $500 payments to struggling families. It also helps Minnesotans put food on the table with grants to restaurants to provide food for healthcare workers, homeless shelters, and long-term care facilities.
St. Olaf re-zoning request passes first reading
The St. Olaf College “Ole Avenue” housing project passed through the City Council on its first reading Tuesday night. St. Olaf requested the rezoning of nine parcels of land surrounding the far west end of St. Olaf Ave and part of 1st Avenue in order to build student housing in that area.
In a letter to the City Council, St. Olaf Vice President and CFO Jan Hanson explained that the school has been dealing with a housing shortage for nearly 30 years. Although St. Olaf describes itself as an “intensely residential” college, approximately 17% of the student body lives in off-campus housing. The “Ole Avenue” project would seek to partially mitigate that situation by building a 300 bed student dormitory on the south side of St. Olaf Ave, and a 140 bed townhouse style development on the North side of the street. The plan also calls for a new 200 stall parking lot, and the rezoning of the large field behind Old Main, although no development is planned for that area at this time.
The City Charter states that re-zoning must pass two readings before going into effect. And while the plan did pass the first reading, several of the councilors expressed concern with the parking lot and how the development would affect traffic in that area. Councilor Erica Zweifel was the most critical of the plan.
“These are neighborhood streets that would be having this additional traffic flow. Especially at the intersection of St. Olaf and Lincoln. There is so much pedestrian traffic there. We really need to do some, and really need to think about how this project is going to impact those intersections, and the traffic patterns and the biking.”
The second reading of the re-zoning ordinance is scheduled for the January 5th City Council meeting. Thirty days after that is passed, the council can take up the school’s request for a conditional use permit. The Northfield Planning Commission has recommended that the council issue the permit, but only if St. Olaf removes the parking lot, which the planning commission called excessive.
Speaking with Jeff Johnson on the KYMN Morning show yesterday, Mayor Pownell said that, despite the scrutiny, there is quite a bit of support for the project.
“I would just say it’s a great opportunity. I think a lot of people spoke favorably about it. [It received] unanimous approval from the Planning Commission. It’s exciting to be able to see our colleges expand and move forward on some other projects. And working through that with the neighborhood and the city is just part of the process.”
Rice SWCD announces tree sale for spring
And the Rice Soil & Water Conservation District has announced that they are now accepting orders for their annual tree sale. 
This year the SWCD is offering 24 different species of trees and shrubs including – this year – Canaan firs and Paper Birch trees. Most of the stock is bare root, but there are a few potted evergreens available. The district may also be able to special order a species that is not listed on the order form. Many of the species do sell out, so they are recommending that you call if ordering after February 26 to check for availability.
Orders will be taken through March. The trees are generally delivered around the second week of April. Visit riceswcdonlinestore.com to order online or call the SWCD at 507-332-5408.
