By Rich Larson, News Director
During a work session on Tuesday, the Northfield City Council began consideration of ending the Local Emergency Pandemic Order, which would,
among other things, allow for boards and commissions, including the City Council, to conduct in-person meetings at City Hall.
Governor Walz has announced the rollbacks of many of his covid-related executive, including an end to indoor occupancy limits, and as of this morning, the state mask mandate. Governmental and Legislative Meetings have been allowed, but meetings in a virtual format have remained strongly recommended when possible. The city has learned how to conduct quality virtual meetings over the course of the pandemic, but the preference has always been to bring things out of the virtual environment.
The Council was presented with two options to consider. The state indoor occupancy limitations will end on May 28th, while the state mask mandate was set to expire on July 1. The consideration was which of the two dates would be the better time to bring people back.
Questions were asked about which date would be easier on city staff, and City Administrator Ben Martig said there are legal practicalities to consider as well.
“We have public meeting notices that sometimes have to be out to the paper weeks in advance. And at least 72 hours ahead of time we have to do meeting preparation and our board members are making plans whether it be virtual or in person.”
Another consideration is public attendance and participation in meetings. Last week the council approved a series of upgrades to City Hall that will include technology allowing the public to participate remotely in meetings held in the Council Chambers. Martig said many of those details are still being worked out.
Most members of the council did not express a preference to either date, although Mayor Pownell did seem to lean closer to May 28th. The general feeling was to end the emergency order as soon as possible. In light of today’s order to end the mask mandate, the point now seems moot. The council will vote on when to end the order next Tuesday night.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with City Administrator Ben Martig can be heard here
County attorney discusses rise in 2020 felony cases
It would appear that crime is on the increase in Rice County.
Last week a security company called Safewise released a study that said Northfield is the twelfth safest city in the State of Minnesota. However, Rice County Attorney John Fossum said that his office charged more adult felonies in 2020 than they had in fifteen years.
Fossum said that 570 felony charges were brought by his office last year, which eclipsed the 2019 number by more than 200. The last time Rice County was even over 400 felonies was in 2013. This was the largest number seen in Rice County since 2006.
Fossum said he did not have a true breakdown of what kinds of crimes had caused the spike, but he had some ideas.
“Anecdotally, we’ve had a lot of drug charges, we’ve had a lot of drug charges, we’ve had a lot of overdoses, we’ve had a lot of things going on. We’ve had a lot of property crimes that have been charged out that would be felonies.”
He conceded that while the charges were brought in 2020, some of those crimes were probably committed in prior years, as investigations can move slowly. He also said that some of the charges could be a function of the pandemic. With more time available to them, the members of his office were able to go through, as he put it, “old files to make sure nothing was missed.” Regardless, 570 felony cases is a large number, and is something to watch for in 2021.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with County Attorney John Fossum can be heard here
Expanded Home & Garden Show expands scope to Lifestyle, Health & Leisure
And the Northfield Home & Garden Show will be tomorrow, and Northfield Chamber of Commerce President Lisa Peterson and Chamber Program
Director Jane Bartho said this year’s show, despite the lingering effects of the global pandemic, will be bigger and more wide ranging than ever before.
Part of the reason the show will be so much bigger is because of the location. Traditionally the Home & Garden Show has always been held at the Northfield Ice Arena. However, due to Covid necessitated space requirements and past participation, the Chamber decided that the show required a much larger venue, so this year it will be at the Dundas Dome.
Bartho said the extra space has made coping with Covid-19 health protocols much easier.
“For those worried about spacing, our booths are logistically 16 feet wide. So, you can set your regular ten-foot booth up in the middle and you’ll naturally have a six-foot barrier between your neighbors. And between the aisles, our booth guy has 20-30 feet between the aisles.”
The show will feature more than 70 vendors. Bartho said that because the show is being held a full six weeks later in the year than usual, there are fewer landscape vendors this year. However, the show has increased its scope to the point where they have been promoting it as a Lifestyle, Health and Leisure Show, and the expanded roster of vendors reflects that.
The speaker lineup this year, includes representatives of the Healthy Community Initiative, the Northfield Family YMCA, and Professional Pride Realty. Sam Maston of SMTech Solutions will offer advice on protecting your technology, and KYMN alum and the host of Garden Bites, Teri Knight will be on hand to discuss new and better techniques to care for your lawn.
The Northfield Home and Garden Show is tomorrow from 9am until 3pm at the Dundas Dome. Expect Covid-19 health protocols to be in place. Admission is free.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Lisa Peterson, Jane Bartho and Pete Mergens can be heard here
