On Tuesday night the Dundas City Council approved a resolution of support that would solidify a partnership with the City of Northfield, the Northfield Area School District and the Northfield Hockey Association to build a new ice arena for the Northfield area.
Dundas City Administrator Jenelle Teppen said all four parties have settled on one basic design option for the new arena.
“There are options, which I’m sure that you’ve heard about. What I could talk about is the middle option. It’s one sheet of ice and maybe some lesser amenities. And I think everybody in this little partnership has determined that that $20.9 million ice arena is where we’re all landing.”
The vote had been expected. Dundas Mayor Glenn Sweitzer had addressed the Northfield City Council at a meeting earlier this month offering the city’s support, and saying he expected the Dundas Council to approve the resolution. Northfield City Administrator Ben Martig said the plan is for Dundas residents to pay the same proportionate costs as Northfield residents would.
Earlier this month, the Northfield School Board approved a letter to the City of Northfield, stating the school district would commit to a 20-year lease on the arena at up to $250,000 each year. Currently the school district pays rent of $50,000 each year, so the $5 million commitment over 20 years is a substantial increase.
The Northfield Hockey Association has committed to raising $2 million in private funds to put toward the construction, and should they raise more than that, the additional funds would go toward enhancements in the design, such as pre-cast concrete bleachers and a dry-land facility.
What remains, then regarding the ice arena question, is for the Northfield City Council to approve the plan. However, there is no guarantee of that.
When the Northfield Council discussed the project earlier this month, as has been the case in previous discussions, several councilors were reluctant to offer full support. Councilor Davin Sokup has concerns about the property tax increases the arena would bring, and the impact that would have on housing. Councilor Jessica Peterson White, whose 4th Ward includes Downtown Northfield, expressed concern over the tax increase that would be levied upon the commercial property owners she represents. Councilor Kathleen Holmes questioned the allocation of extra funds from the Hockey Association, and asked why those dollars could not be put toward the original design and construction, thereby easing some of the tax concerns. Only Councilor Brad Ness has given the project his full-throated support.
Mayor Rhonda Pownell acknowledged the difficulties with building a new arena, but she also said this situation must be put to bed.
“It’s a difficult decision to make, but at some point, the community needs to move forward. This may be our last option. We either need to move this forward or get out of the ice business. It is so important for our community and that building is in such rough shape.”
The Council will once again discuss the matter during their regular meeting next Tuesday. It is possible they could make a decision at that time.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Dundas City Administrator Jenelle Teppen can be heard here
City announces plans to record and livestream new Council listening sessions
Meanwhile, the Northfield City Council has announced an adjustment to the new Listening Session plan set to go into effect on Tuesday night.
Earlier this month, the Council approved changes to the Rules of Business for the way the Council and City Boards & Commissions conduct their meetings. The most pronounced change was the removal of the Open Public Comment section of City Council meetings, and the creation of a twenty-minute “listening session” that will begin at 6pm, prior to each regular meeting.
In a change to the original plan, the City of Northfield issued a statement yesterday that said the listening sessions will be live streamed and recorded.
The Open Public Comment section was established to offer the public time to address the council on any topic they saw fit for no more than two minutes, and it was positioned near the beginning of the meetings for the public’s convenience. However, from time to time, the lack of regulation on what can be discussed, as well as the number of people who are allowed to address the Council, has threatened to derail the meetings. According to city ordinance, council meetings must end at 9pm, unless a vote is taken among the council members to extend the meeting. If a public comment session goes on for an hour, that takes up a full third of the allowed meeting time before a single item on the regular agenda can be addressed.
The new listening sessions are now scheduled to last for twenty minutes in the Council Chambers, with the members of the council seated away from the dais. Members of the public will still be allowed to address the council on any topic they would like, unless that topic is on the meeting agenda for that evening. That particular rule brought some initial opposition from members of the public; however, it does seem that there was some misunderstanding of the rule. Mayor Pownell said if a topic is on the meeting agenda, there will be time for public comment on that specific topic when the agenda item comes up during the Council meeting. The rule is not in place to restrict the conversation, she said, but to allow for appropriate topics at an appropriate time.
“That is one additional change. We just ask if the topic is on the Council’s agenda that evening, then they should wait to address it until the agenda item comes up during the meeting. So, we’re not removing the ability to talk about something on the agenda. We’re just asking people to comment on those agenda items during the actual meeting.”
As with all regular council meetings and work sessions, community members are welcome to attend and observe.
These listening sessions will be implemented on a trial basis beginning Tuesday night and will be reevaluated to determine if adjustments are needed.
A full set of guidelines for Council listening sessions along with more information on how to comment on agenda items has been posted to the city’s website at northfieldmn.gov/ListeningSessions.
KYMN Daily News 5/31/24
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
