On Tuesday night, the Northfield City Council approved the city’s 2023 Reclamation and Overlay project. Within the larger project, the 
plans call for the construction of two-lane protected bicycle lanes on Maple Street and Roosevelt Drive, as well as an off-street two-lane bikeway adjacent to the sidewalk on Heritage Drive, Lincoln Street South and Adams Street.
The bicycle paths have proven to be quite controversial. Members of the Valley Pond Townhomes Association, which is located in the Heritage Drive/South Lincoln Street Area have protested furiously about the path cutting across lawns and driveways, and the protected bike lanes have been questioned for their safety and their cost.
During the meeting on Tuesday night, Councilor Brad Ness offered an amendment to the plans that would have tabled the protected bikeways until more data can be collected on their effectiveness. The amendment was strongly opposed by several members of the council, most notably Councilors Jami Reister and Jessica Peterson White who both questioned the data that would be required to satisfy Ness’ amendment, and the methods by which the data could be collected.
Councilor Davin Sokup offered an amendment as well, suggesting that the protected bike lanes be installed on Maple Street, but not on Roosevelt Drive, in order for more study to be done on the lanes and how they work, but also, Sokup said, to give the community an opportunity to see the lanes, experience them, and as he put it, “allow people to get used to them.” He suggested that the Roosevelt Drive bike lanes could be installed as soon as 2024, but more likely in 2025.
Mayor Rhonda Pownell, who has led the movement to have the bike paths installed, said she would consider voting in favor of the amendment, because she had a larger concern about the vote to fund the project at the next regular Council meeting. Approval of the plans call for a simple majority vote by the council, but approval for the funding requires a super majority. With Councilor Ness and Councilor George Zuccolotto standing as possible no votes, one more vote against would mean there would be no street reconstruction projects in Northfield this year. The mayor said she was ready to agree to a compromise in order to assure that the overall project would move forward.
After nearly an hour of debate, which again included strong objections to the compromise by Councilors Reister and Peterson White, Councilor Sokup withdrew his amendment. The vote on the plans as they were originally drawn passed by a 5-2 vote with Councilor Sokup voting in favor.
Mayor Pownell said, despite the discord on the bike paths, there is still quite a bit of unity on the City Council.
“There were twenty-two items on the agenda last night. Twenty-one of those were voted on unanimously. This was the only one that the Council really got into and had to figure out a way forward. There was one small detail that really is major, but also small [in the greater scope.] And the same standpoint – that was the only time the Council really needed to figure out how to move forward.”
The funding vote is scheduled for the council’s next regular meeting on April 18th.
County taxes are up nearly 9% in 2023
Rice County is reminding all property owners that the first half property tax payment deadline is approaching 
A statement issued by the county on Tuesday said property tax payments for real or personal property are due Monday, May 15th.
The property tax levy for 2023 stands at $33.8 million, which is an amount 8.89% higher than it was in 2022. Most of the increase will go to repay bonds used to finance construction of a new Public Safety Center and to cover higher personnel costs, which the County Commissioners all agreed is necessary to recruit, train and retain talented employees. The board had hoped to avoid repaying the bonds with a property tax increase, and in fact had proposed a referendum for a county-wide sales tax be put on the ballot last November to repay the bonds. However, a sales tax is not allowed on a ballot without approval from the State Legislature. When the legislature adjourned its 2022 session without passing a bill allowing the county to offer voters an alternative, commissioners were left with no other option.
Payments can be made in person via cash, check or money order at the Property Tax & Elections Office in the Rice County Government Services Building or mailed to the Rice County Property Tax & Elections Office at the Rice County Government Services Building at 320 Third St. NW, Faribault MN 55021.
The statement said payments can also be made online or by phone. Paying by check or from a savings account carries no additional fee. Credit card payments carry a third-party convenience fee of 2.4% of the tax amount, with a minimum $2 charge. Visa debit card payments carry a flat fee of $4.
To pay property taxes by phone call 877-690-3729 and use 3321 for the jurisdiction code. To pay online, click on the “Pay Property Taxes” page of the Rice County website at ricecountymn.gov.
Reception honoring Hillmann will feature dignitaries, district staff
The Minnesota Association of School Administrators is sponsoring an open house community celebration to honor 
Minnesota Commissioner of Education Willie Jett, members of the school board, district staff and faculty and others will be in attendance to honor Superintendent Hillmann, who was selected as the state’s 2023 Superintendent of the year in November and in February was honored as one of four finalists for National Superintendent of the year.
The program is set for April 13th, one week from today, from 4-6:30pm at Northfield Middle School. A short program will be held at 5:00. Light snacks and desserts will be served.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
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