Representative Kristi Pursell (D-Northfield) is currently in the middle of her first legislative interim, which is the time in between legislative sessions. Just as there is quite a bit to learn while the House of Representatives is in session, she said, there is plenty to learn after the legislature has adjourned, and that is how she is spending her time right now.
She said she recently had the opportunity to tour the state correctional facility in Faribault. Pursell does not serve on any of the committees that oversee the Department of Corrections, but, she said, there are still responsibilities she has to meet, and this was an opportunity for a truly educational experience.
“I do not serve on public safety, but I’m still voting on funding and things, so I just felt like it was my responsibility and what an opportunity. I’m very familiar with our public schools, because I have kids who go there. I am much less familiar with our state corrections facilities and so when that opportunity came up, it was absolutely fascinating.”
The DOC facility in Faribault is the largest in the state, she said, covering 110 acres, and it was eye opening to see how those who are incarcerated there actually keep things running. Her major concern with Corrections is the educational opportunities that are offered there, and she intends to tour the facility for juveniles in Red Wing to learn how the education system works there, as well.
Over the weekend, Pursell participated in a listening session to hear concerns about climate change from a cross section of farmers and urban community members. She also met with students from both St. Olaf and Carleton Colleges to offer a legislative recap.
This weekend, she said, she is going to take the fact finding she has been doing directly to her constituents. She has recruited what she calls an “intergenerational” group of doorknockers, and they will be going door to door, asking people about their concerns with regard to both climate and the state of our democracy.
“So, we’ll meet at 10am on Saturday and then we’re going to fan out. There’ll be some training about how to do this sort of issue-based knock. And basically, we want to just canvass the area and ask people ‘What do you want your representative to know?’ What are the stories, what are the things that she needs to know what’s impacting you, so that she can figure out how to better come up with solutions.”
Later this year, she said there will be events with the House Ag Committee, of which she is Vice-Chair, and she said the DFL itself is ready to begin caucusing again very soon, as they prepare for the next legislative session which is slated to begin on February 12th.
Rich Larson’s full conversation with Representative Kristi Pursell can be heard here
Knox Box program will have limited expansion for Emergency Medical Services
As Northfield Area Fire and Rescue Service Chief Tom Nelson continues his redevelopment and refocusing of the fire prevention and safety aspect of his job, some of that focus has now landed on the section of the population that is aging in place.
Nelson said NAFRS is working with Age Friendly Northfield to develop a Knox Box program that will be more focused on getting help to elderly people in an emergency situation.
Knox Boxes are, as Nelson pointed out, similar to a realtor’s box, that will contain a key to the building where it is attached. Having access to a key that will unlock a door in an emergency situation is both helpful with expedience, and also keeps firefighters from having to destroy a door to enter a building.
The state fire code allows the fire department to require Knox Boxes on all commercial buildings, apartment buildings and independent and assisted living facilities. Indeed, Nelson has spoken often in recent months about problems accessing buildings to reach an older adult in need of help, and how a Knox Box can help those situations immensely. A new facet now being developed for the program will allow Northfield Emergency Medical Services to have a key as well. Up until now, should EMS need entry to a building with a box, someone from the fire department has to unlock it and let them in, which can sometimes cause a delay. EMS does not have their own key, he said, because having access to some buildings is unnecessary for Emergency Services.
“There are probably five-hundred boxes in town. We don’t give EMS the same key that the fire department has, because EMS doesn’t need a key that can get into a commercial building like Merchants Bank. So, this gives us a tighter control where the only place that EMS key will work is a building where people sleep.”
Nelson said the Northfield Rescue Squad Association is funding a separate key for specific buildings to be given to the EMS workers to eliminate the delay.
Chief Nelson said his department will be rolling out a fully developed program in the next few weeks.
Council will discuss 2024 road projects tonight
And the Northfield City Council will meet tonight in the Council Chambers in City Hall.
Among the items on the agenda for this evening the council will vote to award the sale of $7.8 million in General Obligation Street Reconstruction, Abatement and Equipment Bonds for street construction and repair. They will vote to approve the preliminary plat for Cedar Meadows, a housing development set for the northwest corner of Cedar Avenue and North Avenue. And there will be extensive conversation regarding the Wall Street Road project as well as the Jefferson Parkway, College Street and Water Street road projects scheduled for 2024.
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
