The City of Northfield has received a Silver designation from the national SolSmart program, illustrating the city’s commitment to solar energy within its Climate Action Plan. 
The program, funded by a division of the US Department of Energy, recognizes Counties, cities, and smaller towns for encouragement of and the removal of obstacles toward solar use.
“Northfield has a goal of 100% carbon-free electricity for our community by 2030,” said City Program Coordinator Beth Kallestad, who has been instrumental in driving the progress of the Climate Action Plan. “To achieve that goal there will need to be an increase in locally generated energy such as on-site solar. Working through the SolSmart designation process helped us to see where some improvements that are within the city’s control could be made.”
To receive designation, cities and counties must shape their local processes to reduce the time and money it takes to install a solar energy system. This includes evaluating local permitting processes, as well as planning and zoning procedures. All SolSmart designees must also develop innovations in areas such as market development and finance.
Kallestad announced last week that she will be leaving for a job in the private sector. No word yet on how the city intends to fill her position. Her last day is December 27th.
Lippert talks legal cannabis, sports gambling
The Minnesota State Legislature will convene in about six weeks to begin the 2022 Regular Legislative Session. The issues with the highest priority will be what to do with a $7.7 billion dollar surplus in the state budget, the crafting of a bonding bill that could easily top $2 billion, and the resolution to the debate that has gone on since the last session ended in June as to how to divide the $250 million pool to pay bonuses to Covid-19 front line workers.
Three other issues are floating beneath the surface but are becoming more visible. The legalization of marijuana in the state, the legalization of sports gambling, and reforms on the sale of alcohol are all beginning to receive increased attention.
Alcohol sale reforms are being driven by the craft brewing and distilling industry, which has grown exponentially in Minnesota over the last ten years. Breweries like Castle Danger Brewing in Two-Harbors are hoping for a relaxation of growler sales restrictions, while others are looking for more opportunity to sell their product both on-and-off site.
The issue of sports gambling has been one making its way across the country since the United States Supreme Court struck down the law that banned it in 2018. Twenty-eight states now allow some form of legal sports betting, including South Dakota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. In October Zach Stephenson, the Chair of the state House Commerce Committee has said he will sponsor legislation during the 2022 session to legalize sports gambling. The various Native American casinos in the state have signaled that they would be interested in seeing legalization as well.
However, sports gambling does have its detractors. While Governor Walz has said he would consider signing such a bill if the Native American tribes are indeed on board, he has also shown some annoyance at addressing the topic before the deal on front-line Covid bonuses is agreed to. Representative Todd Lippert said there are those within his party that are not overly supportive of the idea either.
“A colleague of mine joked that it was probably his 174th priority. I think it would be my 175th priority. It’s not something that I am that interested in focusing on. I’ll be watching to see where that conversation goes. I’m not real wild about it.”
Lippert did signal, however, that he would have interest in a legalized marijuana bill, because legalization brings a certain amount of racial equity along with it. According to the ACLU, despite equal use among races, African Americans are nearly four times more likely to be arrested for use and possession of marijuana than whites. Last year, then House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler sponsored a bill that would both legalize cannabis and expunge the records of those with marijuana violations on their records. The Republican controlled Senate never took the bill up. But newly expanded rules for legal medicinal use have given supporters reason to believe that full out legalization is gaining support at the Capital. Governor Walz has said he supports the idea as well.
The 2022 legislative session is set to begin January 31.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Representative Todd Lippert can be heard here
City Council to meet tonight at NCRC Building
And the Northfield City Council will meet tonight for the final time in 2021. 
With the budget for 2022 passed, there is little work left for the council this year. They will approve a new base pay schedule for city workers and a new collective bargaining agreement with the Sergeants Division of the Northfield Police Department on the Consent Agenda.
The only item on the regular agenda is a discussion about the improvements the city intends to make to Bridge Square next summer. After taking public input on the design, the council will now look to refine those improvements in the context of the Riverfront Enhancement Plan.
The Council has received input from the Parks & Rec Board, the Planning Commission, the Heritage & Preservation Commission, the Chamber of Commerce, and organizations like the Defeat of Jesse James Days and the Vintage Band Festival, who see Bridge Square as a vital component of their events.
As always both the city and the council are always asking to hear from the public. Those who would like to talk about Bridge Square or any other topic they see fit will be invited to address the council during the meeting. Those not wishing to speak directly to the council can email their councilor directly or leave a statement through the eComment function found on the “Agendas” section of the city website.
Due to remodeling being done in the Council Chambers, tonight’s meeting will be at the NCRC building. meeting It will begin at 6pm.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. He can be contacted at rich@kymnradio.net
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