By Rich Larson, News Director
The Northfield City Council met last night with a number of items on the agenda, including a public hearing on the acquisition and use of body
cameras for the Northfield Police Department. As expected, the conversation was thorough, and the questions were many. But the discussion was not without surprise.
Perhaps the biggest surprise was the position taken by Councilor Suzie Nakasian. Councilor Nakasian had said in previous meetings and work sessions that she was skeptical about the need for body cameras in Northfield, and felt the cost of $100-$125,000 dollars made the program unwarranted. However, Nakasian stated during the meeting that she had listened to the views of Police Chief Mark Elliott and the testimony of members of the Police Policy Review Board and had been persuaded to vote in favor of the program.
On the other hand, Councilor George Zuccolotto was quite critical of the way the program had been presented to the council. He said that to offer a body cam program as a foregone conclusion was a mistake as there was not enough conversation about policy, and on a larger spectrum, the council did not need to just consider policy, but also consider the standard to which the police department is held. His concerns were not so much specifically about the things body cameras would clarify, but more about the things he did not feel cameras would affect at all.
“Last summer, we saw a man murdered by police. With a video camera. With crowds around him, saying ‘Stop, stop this man can’t breathe.’ A camera does very little to stop a member of the police that already has bad intentions in them.”
Despite Councilor Zuccolotto’s concerns, the measure received the endorsement of several councilors, and an attempt was made to create a motion on the fly to authorize the police department to acquire cameras and implement the program. However, questions about the exact budget number were too much to be overcome, and the motion was withdrawn. A motion will be expected at an upcoming meeting.
NDDC makes support funds available
The Northfield Downtown Development Corporation announced yesterday that is offering another round of Business Support Grants, thanks to a donation made by Wings Financial Credit Union.
An announcement posted to the NDDC website said that Wings Financial has donated $7000 to the NDDC business support fund. Downtown businesses are now able to apply for grants of up to $1000 for “projects and investments that will enhance their operations” during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Projects that are eligible to receive a grant include such things as operational upgrades, physical space updates and marketing campaigns. Rent, mortgage payments utility expenses and inventory costs do not qualify for funding.
Wings Financial Credit Union is currently building a new full-service branch on the west side of the parking lot that services both Target and CUB Foods. It is the Credit Union’s first such branch in Rice County.
The NDDC said that funds are limited, and the deadline to apply is at noon on Monday, March 15th. Questions may be addressed to NDDC Executive Director Greg Siems at gre@nddc.org. The application page can be found by clicking here.
City works with energy auditors
And as rising energy bills become more of a concern, the City of Northfield is offering a solution to help people make their homes more energy
efficient.
City Program Director Beth Kallestad said that Northfield has been working with the Center for Energy and Environment to offer in-home energy audits. Danielle Hauck, the Customer Engagement Manager with CEE said the Home Energy Squad will make a visit to your home and evaluate all the ways it is consuming energy. They will make some initial suggestions and do things like change out lightbulbs to offer some immediate savings on your energy bill, and then they will issue a report with larger, more long-term suggestions. After the report is issued, Hauck said the CEE will advise on the best ways to accomplish those things, by recommending contractors, ensuring new equipment is high efficiency, and even helping with financing.
Hauck said the most common recommendations they tend to make are about wall and attic insulating.
“I like to compare insulating your attic to going out into a winter storm without your jacket on. If your home doesn’t have attic insulation, your home is most likely uncomfortable and drafty, and it leaves you wanting for a cozier space.”
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Home Energy Squad is first doing a virtual audit, which is then followed up by an in-home visit. Hauck said the audits can be done at two different levels, and while the program is heavily subsidized by Xcel Energy, the cost to the consumer will range from $70-$100. Kallestad said a link to the program can be found on the City Services page of the Northfield city website, by clicking on Sustainability. A link to the Home Energy Squad can be found by clicking here.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Beth Kallestad and Danielle Hauck can be heard here
