The Northfield School Board met on Monday night for their annual organizational meeting, and among other developments, Claudia
Gonzalez-George was elected as the new Board Chair.
Julie Pritchard, who has led the board for the past seven years, announced at the beginning of the meeting that she would be stepping aside as board chair. Gonzalez-George was the lone nominee for the position and was elected unanimously.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matt Hillmann praised Pritchard for her work on several levels, saying she is an exemplary student-focused leader, who is responsive to families and supportive of the district staff. Recounting the district’s accomplishments during her tenure as chair, Hillmann said they had passed an operating levy and a bond referendum that built the new Greenvale Park Elementary School while maintaining what he called an “excellent financial situation.” She has advocated for advisory committees that have amplified the public voice with the board, and championed the District Youth Council, he said, giving voice to the student population. She has also been greatly supportive of the district’s anti-racism work and has helped to revive the Board’s Legislative Action Committee, to enhance the communications with the elected officials in the area.
Hillmann said that Pritchard will stay on the board. Her current term expires at the end of this year.
Gonzalez-George was elected to the board in the 2020 election, with the largest vote total of any of the School Board Candidates. She is a former educator, with two children currently attending Northfield Schools, and is believed to be the first member of the Latinx community to serve on the Board.
Pritchard took time before the vote was taken, to praise Gonzalez-George and her selection as Chair.
“As a former educator and parent of students in our schools, I believe that Claudia is an excellent choice to lead the board. What I know of Claudia is how bright and articulate she is, and how dedicated and passionate she is about our work.”
There were no other changes among board officers. Amy Goerwitz was re-elected Vice-Chair, Noel Stratmoen was re-elected board clerk, and Jeff Quinnell will remain as the board’s treasurer
Martig identifies projects to earmark for federal funding
At the Northfield City Council work session last night, City Administrator Ben Martig presented the Council with a list of projects that could potentially be paid for by federal funds and grants.
Martig said the city did not apply for a Federal Community Funding Grant last year, but this year there are several projects for which the city could seek help, beginning with a new water treatment plant.
Due to high levels of manganese and iron in the city water supply, discussions have been ongoing for nearly two years about the need for a new water treatment facility. Martig called the project a “big ticket item,” indeed some estimates have put the price tag between $33 and $40 million, that could possibly be fully funded by a Federal Community Funding Grant due to the money made available in the American Rescue Plan and other Covid relief programs.
Other items on Martig’s list included funding for the Mill Towns Trail, expansion and remodeling of the NCRC building, expansion in the Northwest area of the city for commercial industrial use, the downtown flood project, restrooms at the Spring Creek Soccer complex, a railroad quiet zone, and more.
Martig asked the council for authorization to begin the application process specifically for the water treatment plant and said he would be coming back to the council asking for prioritization of the other possible projects.
The grant application is due in April.
Dundas will hire new public works assistant, bring on intern
The City of Dundas will soon bring in two new employees to improve the overall performance of the city.
At their meeting on Monday night, the Dundas City Council authorized City Administrator Jenelle Teppen to post a job opening for a new public works assistant.
Teppen said the Council had been discussing the need for another public works employee for several months. The position was worked into the 2022 budget, she said. Now all that remains is finding the person to fill the role.
The Dundas Public Works Department is responsible for street upkeep and lighting, water mains wells and storage tanks, sanitary and storm sewers, and parks and facilities. With two employees in the department, Director Duane Meliza and one assistant, there is more work to do than people to do it. The new assistant will be a regular full-time position with benefits, she said.
Additionally, she said the city has recently received a stipend from the Minnesota City/County management Association that will at least partially pay for an administrative intern. Dundas City Government is growing, and an intern could pick up more of the day-to-day simple business operations, while learning the intricacies of municipal government.
The city will recruit someone who is currently studying for a degree, undergrad or post-graduate, in Public Administration.
Teppen said there is a general timeline to make the new hires, but the city will not try to speed up the process just to have a warm body filling the roles.
“We’ll have a timeline in terms of an application deadline, but you want to find the right person and the right fit. My first effort here is to talk about it on the radio. If there’s anybody out there looking for a great job in a great community, give us a call. Go online, and we’ll have everything posted there.”
The Public Works Assistant position will be posted to the Dundas City Website shortly. The administrative intern position will be made available later this year.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
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