By Rich Larson, News Director
After another work session devoted to the city’s new strategic plan, City Administrator Ben Martig said the process is now in the final stages of coming together.
Tuesday Night, Martig, Mayor Rhonda Pownell, the city council and members of the city staff met to look over a rough draft of the plan to develop the initiatives that will be the key components of the plan and the desired outcomes they would like to see at the end of the plan’s three-year period.
For example, under the heading of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the discussion touched on making the membership of boards and commissions more reflective of the make-up of the community by actively recruiting more people of color, and by making the ability to speak Spanish a desirable quality for city employees and volunteers. The Quality Infrastructure conversation touched on making necessary and impactful decisions about expansion and remodeling projects with the ice arena, Fifty North and the Municipal Liquor Store.
Martig said another key component to the process is to include language in the plan that requires action.
“There was a really strong emphasis, with clear consensus support of the council, to make sure that we have action goals and initiatives coming out of each one of these steps. They want to see things happen. Planning is important, but they also definitely want to see action steps happening.”
One more work session is planned for May, after which the City Council will vote to approve the plan. Martig said the new strategic plan will be ready by the beginning of June, just in time for the annual budget discussions.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Northfield City Administrator Ben Martig can be heard here
Hillmann says online learning option will be in place for 21-22 school district
There has not been a lot of good news during the Covid-19 pandemic, but among the Covid-19 success stories over the last year has been the Northfield School District’s ability to create an effective online learning environment. So now, beginning next fall, the district plans to offer online learning as a permanent option to all students.
Northfield Schools Superintendent Dr. Matt Hillmann said that, for all its detractors, distance learning is something that has worked for some students. The district’s Portage Program currently has a few hundred students who have remained in distance learning even as schools have re-opened, and some families of students have found that their kids do better in an alternative learning environment.
Hillmann said the new program will be available to all students, and as an option on many different levels.
“There will be some people who will want to do mostly in person but a small amount online, and then some who want to do a small amount in person and then mostly online. And so, we anticipate there being multiple ways that this can roll out. But we do plan to offer it, based on interest, for the next school year.”
The district submitted the application to be certified as an official online learning center to the Minnesota Department of Education Tuesday morning after it was approved by the school board on Monday night.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Superintendent Matt Hillmann can be heard here
Dundas opens Memorial Park Pavilion for rental
And the Dundas City Council approved a process on Monday night that will allow the city to offer the Memorial Park Pavilion for rental beginning May
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City administrator Jenelle Teppen said that the council approved a series of cleaning and sanitizing protocols as well as a Covid preparedness plan for the pavilion, and that the city can take reservations beginning immediately.
Teppen said the pavilion will only be available for rent on Saturdays and Sundays. There will be capacity limitations, and renters will have to follow the rules established by the city. Renters will also have to sign a waiver of liability.
The cost to rent the pavilion is $167 dollars. This includes the rental of the building itself and the cleaning and sanitizing fee. A $150 deposit is required when reservations are made.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions reservations cannot be made online. Those interested can call 507-645-2853, or email cityhall@dunda.us for assistance.
For all information regarding the Memorial Park Pavilion rentals, visit the Dundas city website at cityofdundas.org.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Dundas City Administrator Jennelle Teppen can be heard here
