By Rich Larson, News Director
In a split decision last night, the Northfield City Council voted to deny a liquor license to the owner of Alibi at Froggy Bottoms, Lisa Monet Zarza.
Zarza is a controversial figure. As the owner of Alibi Drinkery in Lakeville, she has received widespread attention for opening her establishment last December in violation of Governor Tim Walz’s shutdown order, and her subsequent legal battles with Dakota County and the State of Minnesota.
Zarza has owned and operated Froggy Bottoms since 2019 with her husband Ricardo Baldazo. However, after an altercation with Burnsville police, Baldazo is currently charged with two counts of first-degree attempted murder and two counts of first-degree assault, making him ineligible to own a liquor license in the state of Minnesota. After reorganizing and reforming as Braveheart LLC, with Zarza as the sole owner, there was a requirement to apply for a new license.
Northfield Chief of Police Mark Elliott conducted the required background check on Zarza and issued a report to the council last week recommending that the council deny Zarza’s request, listing the injunctions she has faced, including a likely revocation of Alibi Drinkery’s liquor license for a period of five years. Such a revocation would disqualify her from holding a license for the same period of time in any part of the state. Elliott’s report, using criteria stipulated in the licensing process, found Zarza to be ineligible to hold a liquor license and that she is not a person of good moral repute.
Councilors Suzie Nakasian and George Zuccolotto were uncomfortable with the idea of the city council standing in moral judgement of someone, while Mayor Pownell did not like the idea of not issuing a liquor license to someone who has until now held a license and has not directly broken any laws in the City of Northfield.
Councilor Jami Reister however, said that her vote to deny was not about judging moral character so much as it was about Zarza meeting the qualifications to hold a liquor license as laid out in city and state statutes.
“For me, I’m just boiling it back down to what does a liquor license require; what are the violations that have happened. It’s a responsibility to own a liquor license in our community. It’s a public health issue in the best of times. And Chief Elliott’s report was very thorough.”
The motion to deny the license passed 4-3.
DOC may revoke Rice County extension
In a work session yesterday morning, the Rice County Board of Commissioners heard testimony from Sheriff Troy Dunn, Northfield Police Chief Mark Elliott, two inspectors from the Minnesota Department of Corrections and several members of the Rice County Jail Study Task Force.
At issue is the question of what to do about the Rice County Jail situation.
In 2019 the Department of Corrections informed Rice County that the current jail, built in 1975, is no longer adequate and that the county was going to have to add a new facility or make massive changes to the jail or it would be downgraded to a 90-day lockup facility. The Jail Committee was put together to do a study and late last year recommended to the Board of Commissioners that a new jail and law enforcement center be built.
Since then, the board, led by Commissioner Galen Malecha has asked the committee to explore a joint powers agreement with Steele County that would create a shared space in the Steele County Jail.
However, the Steele County facility has many of the same challenges that the Rice County Jail has, particularly with regards to inmate classification. Both the Rice County Jail and the Steele County Jail lack enough space for Maximum Security and Special Housing Inmates, and DOC Inspector Sarah Johnson let the Board of Commissioners know, in her opinion, that the Steele County partnership is not a valid option. Moreover, DOC Inspector Jen Pfeifer testified that the Department of Corrections has given Rice County two extensions to sort the situation out, but they are running out of patience.
“The only reason that Rice County has been given an extension, was with the assumption that Rice County was going to build a new facility. This may all change on Monday depending on decisions made here. After our inspection, the Assistant Commissioner is due to make a decision on whether or not you will be moved to a 90-day facility.”
Despite the testimony of the inspectors, as well as the objections to a Steele County partnership by Sheriff Dunn and Chief Elliott, Commissioner Malecha, unhappy with the price tag for a new facility, stated that he believes the Steele County option is still the most viable and called for public hearings on the matter. Two were scheduled for April 20, one during the Board of Commissioners work session at 8:30am, and one at 6:30 pm that night.
The Board is expected to take a final vote on the matter April 27.
Shade trees for sale
The City of Northfield is now accepting orders for shade trees. 
The annual shade tree sale is happening now through April 30th. The city has 103 trees available in 13 species. Most trees will be between 3 to 10 feet tall and one-half to one inch in trunk diameter. Prices range from $79 to $109 per tree. Orders will be taken on a first-come-first-served basis.
Planting will take place on May 22nd. Each tree buyer will be given a stake to show where on their property they would like the tree planted. A group of volunteers will then deliver and help to plant the tree. Buyer will be given tree care instructions for how to best care for it.
The city is also accepting donations of trees that are unwanted or take up too much space on someone’s property . For ordering, donation or volunteering information, visit the City of Northfield Website.
