By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
After a week off the Northfield City Council will again meet tonight and the meeting is set to be a busy one. The two items that will likely generate the most discussion are two resolutions brought forward by Councilors Chad Beumer and Peter Dahlen.
Councilor Dahlen Proposes Creating A 20-Year Financial Model for All City Projects
The first proposed item is to create a 20-Year Financial Model for All City Projects. Dahlen brought forward the resolution, which is supported by Beumer. The resolution calls for calculating the tax and utility costs, factoring in taxes from Rice County and the school district to show the burden on taxpayers of each project. In a memo response, City Administrator Ben Martig expressed concern about the staff time needed to develop a model, noting that it is not currently budgeted for.
The item will be up for discussion amongst the council and then go to a vote or either be amended.
Councilor Beumer Proposes Lowering the Art Allowance From 1% to 0.5% and Implementing A Dollar Cap
The second item being proposed is to lower the Art Allowance for city projects. The item is being proposed by Beumer and supported by Dahlen. The Art Allowance was a policy created in 2021 that requires every city project to have 1% of its funding set aside for art and design. The item came under criticism from Beumer during the Water Treatment Plant Project in January and February:
“We’re shooting ourselves in the foot with it, with expenses by putting policies in that cost us more money. And if we need, you know, 1% for the arts is another one, you know, maybe we need to set a cap on the 1% for the arts on projects.” – Northfield City Councilor Chad Beumer at the 2/11/2025 City Council Meeitng
Since the item is amending a current ordinance, it must first go through a Public Hearing and first reading, which means it is not up for a final vote tonight. Instead, the council will decide from four options what they would like to do. First, they can refer the item to the May work session meeting for further discussion and refinement. Second, they can refer the resolution to one of the city’s boards and commissions, including the Arts & Culture Commission, Planning Commission, and/or the Economic Development Authority for review and recommendation. Third, the council can add additional amendments to the resolution. Or finally, the council could reject the resolution.
Will keep you posted with what the council decides later this week.
Update To Budget Calendar Being Presented; Includes Earlier Meetings & More Public Engagement
Also on the agenda is a proposal by City Staff to update the calendar for how the city creates its budget. The proposal comes in response to many councilors and the public looking for more information and discussion. It includes moving the initial discussion meeting up from August to May and Public engagement meetings in June and September.
Central Park Historic Designation set for Public Hearing
Central Park was the original city block of Northfield and was used to plot out the rest of the city. The Historic Preservation Commission has since recommended that the park be designated a historic site, which would help preserve it in its current purpose and design. During the meeting, a public hearing on designating Central Park as a historic site will be held. For Central Park tonight, the resolution is only the first reading, meaning it is not up for a final vote, but it is the opportunity for the public to provide input at tonight’s meeting.
Listen To More: Mathias Hughey & Baird Jarman Discuss The Historic Preservation of Central Park, 2-19-25
Other Items on The Agenda
Also on the agenda is a presentation from the Earth Day Steering Committee, an approval of the construction bids for this year’s road construction projects and a review of the Comprehensive Plan.
Public Comment & Attending A City Council Meeting
The public is welcome to attend in person or watch online. To watch online, go to northfieldmn.gov and click the “Agenda & Minutes” button in the middle of the home page. From there, find tonight’s meeting date to watch, as well as a copy of the agenda and other meeting documents.
With several of the items on the meeting agenda tonight in their first reading phase, this is a better time to provide comment rather than waiting for the final vote. Here are a few options to comment:
- Video with advice for commenting at a City Council Meeitng
- Find the email contacts for the Mayor and Council here
- Leave an E-comment on the agenda by clicking here.
The meeting starts tonight at 6pm in the Council Chambers of the Northfield City Hall.
Newscasts on KYMN air on weekdays at 6am, 7am, 8:30am, Noon, 3pm, and 5pm. If you miss it live, you can subscribe on your preferred podcast app:
> Click here to listen on Spotify
> Click here to listen on Apple Podcast
Do you have a news tip or press release? Send it to us email: Logan@kymnradio.net
