The City of Northfield is finally addressing the massive log jam on the Cannon River at the Ames Mill Dam.
Since the spring thaw began, large trees, limbs, and other items, including a couch, have collected near the dam creating an unsafe area. The unsightly mess has caused many in the community to question the situation, wondering who is responsible for its removal, and last Friday, the City of Northfield issued a statement warning residents about the dangers the log jam can present.
According to the statement, the general public should stay out of the Cannon River and off of heavy debris in the area of the dam, which is owned and maintained by Post Consumer Brands. However, according to the city, as the dam is not operational and serves no functional purpose, the debris does not pose any immediate risk to the city infrastructure.
The statement said that city authorities are working on options to remove the debris to improve “the aesthetics of the river.” Post Consumer Brands, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and private contractors have all been contacted to coordinate the removal.
Charlie Fredericks, Northfield’s streets and parks manager said getting rid of the log jam will take planning and some heavy equipment.
“The removal will require large cranes, crews in the river, and various other equipment; so, careful planning to ensure the safety of those involved and the general public is vital. As a reminder, it is not safe to be on the dam or in the water near the dam.”
The statement went on to ask the public to use the police non-emergency phone number, 507-645-4477, to report any unsafe activity near the log jam, the dam, or the river.
NHA offers design for new ice arena
The Northfield Hockey Association is making its case for a new Northfield Ice Arena, and the conversation is not a new one.
For nearly four decades the current arena has been seen as an inadequate facility. The building is a converted pole barn that was not constructed to house ice in the first place. It does not meet standards set by the Minnesota State High School League, despite being the home of the Northfield Raiders hockey teams, because there are no shower facilities in the locker rooms. It is not up to the code stipulated by the American Disability Act, which was passed in 1990, because there are no accessible entrances, nor are their handrails on the stairways. There are holes in the ceiling, the building is in need of a new roof, and the ice-making equipment will soon have to be replaced. The Northfield Park and Recreation budget includes $2 million dollars for next year to be spent on maintenance of the building.
Chris Kennelly of the Northfield Hockey Association said the money would not be a wise use of taxpayer dollars.
“I think a lot of that was for the refrigeration or the roof or other items that simply are going to need repair for the arena to keep operating. Anyone who has set foot in there knows that putting additional money into the facility is putting good money after bad. We really would not get a good long-term investment from that current facility.”
The Northfield Hockey Association has introduced a design for a new ice arena that would be built on land donated to the NHA on the southern edge of Northfield. It would not be as large or grandiose as the building that was defeated in a referendum in 2018. This building would house one sheet of ice, with suitable locker room facilities and would of course meet all the codes and standards the current facility does not. Kennelly said there would be expansion options for the building as well in order to meet future needs.
“It would be a single sheet, hopefully with the ability to be expanded into the future. It certainly could include multiple uses, whether it’s a walking track at the top or other access to trails along the river. The location of our land makes a great connection to the riverfront down there, potentially even having those showers open year-round for people using the trail or anything to really make it truly a multi-use facility.”
Kennelly said the plan is for a private developer to build the building. The City of Northfield would purchase the facility to own and operate it, while the Northfield School District would sign a 20-year lease at $300,000 a year.
The plan faces significant obstacles, with very little support from the City Council as it stands. The Hockey Association is currently looking for private donations to help bring costs to the city down and is asking the city to establish a threshold at which there would be the proper support.
School Board will meet for the only time in July tonight
The Northfield School Board will meet tonight for the only time in July in the Northfield School District Office Boardroom, at the District Office building.
Among the items on tonight’s agenda will be presentations by Finance Director Val Mertesdorf of the annual fundraising report, and the terms of the contract extension between the district and the Benjamin Bus Company. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matt Hillmann will present an update on staffing, which will include an increase to the district’s contingency full-time equivalency budget in order to, according to the agenda, “address the most pressing class size issues in the district.”
There will be a discussion about creating a Grant Writer position within the district, the board will vote on the hiring of a new full-time school nurse, and board chair Claudia Gonzalez-George will give a summary of Hillmann’s annual performance review.
The School Board will always invite public comment from those who live in the Northfield School District. Public comments for the regular school board meetings may be made in person at the beginning of the meeting. Those wishing to speak must sign up in person prior to the beginning of the meeting. The boardroom opens at 5:30 p.m.
Tonight’s meeting will begin at 6:00
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
