By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
The Northfield City Council meets tonight for its monthly work session meeting, and two items are on the agenda. First is a review and discussion of the Comprehensive Plan. The Comp Plan is Northfield’s 20-year plan that lays out the vision, values, and strategies the city will implement until 2045. The plan is currently in its final review phases, with the goal of the council adopting the plan in March.
PREVIOUS STORY (1/6/2025): What Is The Comprehensive Plan?
PREVIOUS STORY (1/10/2025): How the Comprehensive Plan Was Made
PREVIOUS STORY (1/28/2025): The Vision & Values of the Comprehensive Plan
PREVIOUS STORY (2/6/2025): Chapter 3 of the Comp Plan Accessibility; Future Land Use In Northfield
PREVIOUS STORY (1/21/2025): A Summary of the Water Treatment Plant Project; Northfield City Council Set To Approve Construction Bids Tonight
PREVIOUS STORY: (1/23/2025): A Recap of the Northfield City Council Rejection of Construction Contracts for the Water Treatment Plant
Then, the City Council will discuss the future steps of the water treatment plant project. Earlier in January, the council rejected all of the bids for constructing a new water treatment plant because the construction bids came in well over cost. The total cost of the project was $83.2 million, approximately $20 million over budget. The plant was being proposed to address the issue of the high amount of Manganese in the water for infants, among other benefits the plant would provide.
The vote was four against and three in favor, though most of the council did express some interest in seeing if the project could be done at a lower cost, here’s Councilor Brad Ness at the January 21st Council Meeting:
“I don’t think anybody wants to kill this project. I think the price tag is excessive, and I think we need to look at needs and wants. I think a lot of this project could be wants.” – Councilor Brad Ness at the 1/21/2025 City Council meeting
Northfield City Administrator Ben Martig noted that the Reverse Osmosis system, which would have softened the city water, could be one of the main items to cut, here’s Martig on KYMN in January:
“I would say, design issues that can get looked at too. But I would say that’s the biggest piece of probably that. The scoping that you could change and doesn’t mean you could also, I would imagine a little foreshadowing coming up. Might mean you also look at that and say could you be able to design it to be able to add things in the future too?” – Northfield City Administrator Ben Martig on the KYMN Morning Show
In tonight’s meeting documents, city staff noted that any redesign of the project is estimated to take between 6 to 12 months. With project costs increasing on an average of 0.4% to 1% per month, the delay could cost $200,000 to $900,000, they estimate. However, staff estimates that for every $2 million cut from the project, their would be about a $1 per month decrease in the water rates.
Two alternative options will be presented to the council tonight, along with ending the project entirely or rescinding the previous motion to reject the bid. Both project alternatives eliminate the reverse osmosis system, which would mean that the plant would not soften water.
A draft floor design for option 1 and cost breakdown. From the 2/11/2025 City Council Packet
In the first alternative, the garage, meeting room, and entry area would be removed, but space for all the utility staff and equipment would be available. The estimated savings would be between $3 to $5 million or an estimated water rate savings of $1.52 – $2.71 per month.
A draft floor design for option 1 and cost breakdown. From the 2/11/2025 City Council Packet
In the second alternative, the garage and most of the staff space would be removed. The estimated cost savings would be $8.27 million to $11.01 million or an estimated water rate savings of $4.14 – $5.51 per month.
See the full presentation and documents here
Based on the discussion tonight city staff will then bring forward a resolution for either the next meeting on February 18th or on March 4th.
Since tonight’s meeting is a work session, no votes are taken by the council. Furthermore, since the meeting is a work session, no public comments will be taken at the meeting. However, you can contact your councils via email or the Ecomment option. Commenting options will be available on the Water Treatment Plant project when it comes up for a vote on the 18th or the 4th.
Tonight’s meeting starts at 6pm in the Council Chambers of the Northfield City Hall.
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