By Rich Larson, News Director
During the city council meeting on Tuesday night, City Administrator Ben Martig gave a presentation on the federal money Northfield will be
receiving from the American Rescue Plan, which is the $1.9 trillion aid package passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden last week.
The plan has allocated just over $100 per person in Northfield, so the most recent estimate shows the city will receive approximately $2.3 million directly from the federal government. That is a change from money received through the 2020 CARES Act, which funneled money through state governments. Administrator Martig said that will allow for extra leeway in what the city is allowed to do with the funds.
The ARP allows for money to be given directly to households, nonprofits and small businesses. Martig pointed out that the tourism, travel and hospitality sectors were specifically named in the bill, perhaps offering a little extra guidance on fund allocation. The city may also use the money for revenue replacement for the provision of government services, suggesting infrastructure needs like water, sewer and broadband internet. The money may not be used to rebate taxes and may not be transferred into a pension fund.
Mayor Rhonda Pownell said that she hopes to form a small committee within the council to look at where the money should go, just as was done with the money received from the Cares Act. Councilor Suzie Nakasian suggested that attention be paid to what other cities are doing with the money in order to “replicate and duplicate good ideas.” Finally, Councilor Brad Ness pointed out that the Treasury Department has yet to issue official guidelines on how the money should be used, so any conversation on how to spend it is premature.
Northfield will receive the money in two distributions. The first will come in early June, and the second will be paid out in May of 2022.
1% for the Arts already showing results
Another presentation given during the city council meeting on Tuesday night was an annual report on the city’s 1% for the Arts ordinance. What began as an initiative in 2019, was formally codified by the city council at their March 2nd meeting. The ordinance states that all capital improvement projects must have an amount equal to 1% of its projected construction cost to be used for public art.
The presentation was given by the city’s new Director of Library Services, Natalie Draper. Among her responsibilities is to act as the city’s staff liaison with the Arts & Culture Committee, which is the main governing body of the program.
With the project having begun in 2019, Draper gave an overview of the projects that have already been completed. The Art Information Kiosk at the corner of 6th and Division Streets was the first major project to be funded by the program, that was followed by the Threshold sculpture created by Kris Swanson on the West bank of the Cannon River, and Brett Whitacre’s Love mural on the North side of the Domino’s Pizza building, both of which were partially funded by 1% for the Arts. Upcoming projects include four large scale murals that will be installed on the tunnels under the roundabout at Highway 246 and Jefferson Parkway, and an American Eagle sculpture created by Lakota artist John Sterner which will be located at the Northeast corner of Highway 3 and 3rd Street. That project will include a plaque containing the city’s land acknowledgement statement.
Draper said that, even though she has only been in town a short time, she can plainly see the benefit of a project like this one.
“One percent of these projects is usually $30,000 – $40,000 dollars, and that’s going into a fund for public art. But it can have a tremendous income. It’s a fairly small investment when we think about how much a city invests in itself, that putting a small amount of money into some aesthetic and cultural infrastructure can really pay off.”
Draper called the project a small investment with a big payoff, observing that public art enhances tourism and equity, diversity and inclusion efforts, raises awareness about climate change, and can spur economic development.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Library Director Natalie Draper can be heard here
Clean Up Day in Dundas
The City of Dundas has scheduled its annual clean-up day for Saturday, May 8. Representatives from Dick’s Sanitation will be collecting items from
Dundas residents at the Mill Towns Trailhead parking area from 7-11 am.
Items accepted at no charge include Household garbage, and construction waste including windows, doors, lumber, shingles, sheetrock and scrap metal. Items accepted for a fee include mattresses and box springs at $35 each, and appliances, electronics, computers and monitors for $25 each. Tires will also be accepted for a fee. Tires themselves are $5, tires with a rim are $10, and tractor tires are $40.
Items not accepted include paint, sludge, tar, liquids, thinners, fertilizer, pesticides, batteries, yard waste and brush.
Anyone dropping items off will be required to provide proof of residence in Dundas. Those with questions can call DSI at 952-469-2239.
