Last week, the Minnesota Nurses Association carried out a three-day strike that affected 15 hospitals in 
the Twin Cities and Duluth. Despite the walkout, the union has not been able to come to an agreement with those health care systems, and another strike, or perhaps a lockout, looms over the situation.
While the strike did not affect Northfield Hospital + Clinics, NH+C President and CEO Steve Underdahl said there are ripple effects that did have some impact on the hospital.
Underdahl said the top concern was figuring out what to do with patients that would under normal circumstances be transferred to a bigger hospital in the Twin Cities. Most of the facilities hit by the strike were not able to accept transfer patients, so the hospital staff had to come up with a plan.
“We actually used the same mechanism that we had during the last big Covid wave,” he said. “We really went through a planning process.”
Underdahl said the hospital put a team together that walked through every possible scenario, so there would be a plan for whatever came their way.
“It’s a scary process, as you can imagine,” he said. “But [the community] needs to know that we took proactive steps in this situation.”
The hospital was busy last week, he said. Despite the number of patients, things went well.
With that said, Underdahl indicated that the unsettled contract situation could affect Northfield Hospital + Clinics, even if there isn’t another strike.
He said despite the fact that the nurses at NH+C are not unionized, these situations do tend to establish a market for wages and benefits.
“I think those things have an impact elsewhere, even if it’s not a unionized environment. It isn’t always an exact mirror, but it it almost always has some impact. So certainly everybody, whether you’re a union shop or not, watches this with some interest.”
Negotiations between the nurses and the fifteen hospitals are scheduled to resume this week.
Viking Terrace Association hosts a neighborhood potluck
On Sunday, the new Viking Terrace Residents’ Association held its first ever event for the community.
The gathering cemented the legitimacy of the association, which was formed to protect the interests and rights of the residents from the manufactured home park’s new owner Lakeshore Management. Residents have been in conflict with management over a 15% lot rent hike.
Almost 100 residents and supporters gathered to enjoy a potluck, hit piñatas, learn about forming a neighborhood watch program from Northfield Police Officer Thad Monroe, and register to vote through the League of Women Voters of Northfield and Cannon Falls.
For the Residents’ Association board, it was important to show the practical benefits of the association, but also to let Lakeshore know the residents aren’t giving up. Board Vice President Dawn Delacruz said the point of the event was:
“To unite our community and to get people with a good understanding of what we want to do with this association and to let people know that they have rights and that we need to be our best advocate and speak for ourselves.”
Not only does the association aim to improve communication and build community, but it is also an organization that can be represented in court if the residents decide to bring a case against Lakeshore.
Also present were the President, Vice President, and a third board member of the Resident Association of The Meadows, a manufactured housing park in Monticello that was bought by Lakeshore last year. Their association has faced significant backlash from Lakeshore, including cease and desist letters and a statement made by their Lakeshore Community Manager warning residents not to support the association and accusing them of spreading “conspiracy theories.”
But at the end of August, Lakeshore also rescinded its lease and rules in The Meadows after intervention from the Office of Attorney General.
The board members of The Meadows said they were inspired to persevere because of the Viking Terrace Residents’ Association. Board members of both associations said they’d like to band together and help the residents of the other four Minnesota parks owned by Lakeshore organize residents’ associations as well.
As has been their practice, Lakeshore management declined to comment.
Council will set preliminary tax levy tonight
And the Northfield City Council will meet tonight in the Council Chambers in City Hall.
Among the items on the agenda this evening, the Council will consider an amendment to the City Charter proposed by the Charter Commission. They will then consider a series of resolutions related to the 2023 city budget, including one that will set the preliminary tax levy. Last week during a work session, the council came to consensus to set the preliminary levy at 18.5%. They will then vote on the second reading of the ordinance allowing for the sale of consumable cannabinoid products, and another to set the fees for violation of the ordinance.
As always, the city and the council are asking to hear opinions and comments from the public. Anyone who wishes to do so is invited to come to the meeting and address the council on any topic they see fit. Those wishing to voice their opinions without addressing the council should email their councilors directly or post a comment through the eComment button on the “Agendas” section of the City Council website.
Tonight’s meeting will begin at 6:00.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
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