By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
The Northfield City Council meets tonight for its regularly planned meeting, which has been moved up a day because of Night To Unite scheduled for tomorrow night. The council meeting will take place in the Council Chamber of City Hall and is set to take place at 6pm.
One of the main items on the agenda is the 2026 road projects and whether bike lanes should be included. Learn more:
Council Weighs Bike Lane Options; Townhall Meeting Scheduled for July 29th
Listen to the News:
Declaring Northfield as an LGBTQIA+ Sanctuary City.
The council will hear a proposal to make Northfield a LGBTQIA+ Sanctuary City. The city’s Human Rights Commission is bringing the proposal forward, and the initiative aims to “formally solidify the City’s commitment to being a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment for all residents and visitors, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.” The proposal is similar to ones already implemented in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Duluth.
Concerns have been raised about the implications of the resolution and backlash at the federal level. Staff noted that the resolution is backed by state law.
Read the full staff report/memo about the resolution here
Ban on Flavored Tobacco Products
Northfield Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention is proposing an amendment to the city’s health code which would:
- End the sale of all flavored and menthol commercial tobacco products
- Restrict coupons and promotions for commercial tobacco products
- Restrict the delivery sale of commercial tobacco products
- Raise the minimum clerk selling age from 18 to 21 years old
In December 2024, the Rice County Board of Commissioners adopted a similar measure that applies to all of the unincorporated areas (the space in the county that is not a city). In 2023, the Minnesota Youth Tobacco Survey found that 75% of Minnesota youth who have ever tried a commercial tobacco/nicotine product started with a flavored product.
Blue Cross Blue Shield, the American Lung Association, Rice County Commissioner Galen Malecha, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matt Hillmann, and Rice County Public Health Director Deb Purfeerst all sent letters to the councilor supporting the ban. Will hear from Pat Garofalo of the Minnesota Grocers Association later this week, who is advocating against the ban.
The measure is up for its first reading tonight, where they can also consider any amendments to the proposal. The second reading and final approval is tentatively scheduled for August 19th.
Learn more about the proposal:
- Staff Report
- Presentation PowerPoint
- Letters in support
Updating the City Boards & Commissions Rules & 1% For The Arts
For the last several months, the City Council has been debating the future of the 1% for the Arts, where with every capital project the city undertakes, 1% of the funds are dedicated to public art. The measure was included as part of a larger overhaul of the rules governing the City’s Boards and Commissions. The current proposal would add a cap of $500,000 to the fund.
The council could ultimately amend the measure to be different at tonights meeting. This is the first reading, the final vote and approval would happen on August 19th.
Learn More
- Previous Story: Northfield City Council Debates Putting A Cap on the Art Allowance; Advocates Note The Important Role of Arts in the Community
- Presentation
- Staff report
Discussion of Multi-Family Water Meter Ordinance
At the request of Councilor Peter Dahlen, the council will begin a discussion regarding a Multi-Family Water Meter Ordinance with the goal that no one who pays for water from a meter should pay more for water and sewer than anyone else in the city. The council won’t be taking any formal action at the meeting tonight. The ordinances’ first reading would be on August 19th. Read the full Staff report here.
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.
Tonight’s meeting takes place at 6pm in the Council Chambers of the Northfield City Hall.
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