By Rich Larson
The Northfield City Council will take up neighborhood parking, Highway 3 safety and the city’s 2027 budget during a regular meeting and special work session Tuesday night.
One of the primary items on the regular agenda is a discussion of parking concerns in the St. Olaf College neighborhood. Councilors will review public input gathered by the city and discuss possible short-term strategies to address parking issues in the area.
The council will also review a study of uncontrolled intersections along Highway 3, with an emphasis on safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and other users. Earlier this year, the council approved a resolution asking the Minnesota Department of Transportation to consider safety improvements along the highway.
Several items are scheduled for the consent agenda, including acceptance of a federal Safe Streets and Roads for All planning grant and a resolution declaring September 10 through September 19 as Welcoming Week in Northfield.
Councilors will also consider accepting existing ice arena rink boards donated by the Northfield Hockey Association for outdoor use near the new ice arena and a temporary liquor license for Chapel Brewing during the Governor’s Pheasant Opener Rooster Roundup on October 9.
The council will conduct a first reading of an ordinance changing industrial block-length requirements in the city’s Land Development Code.
After the regular meeting adjourns, councilors will convene a special work session focused entirely on the city’s finances.
The council will continue its discussion of the proposed 2027 city budget along with Northfield’s five-year Capital Improvement Plan and Capital Equipment Plan. Tuesday’s discussion is intended to prepare councilors for another budget work session scheduled for September 15.
The council is expected to adopt a preliminary 2027 budget and property tax levy on September 22. Once the preliminary levy is established, it can be reduced before final adoption later this year, but cannot be increased.
Prior to the regular meeting, the City Council will meet in closed session to discuss pending threatened litigation over the Wall Street Road Bridge project. The regular Northfield City Council meeting begins Tuesday, September 8, at 6 p.m. at Northfield City Hall. The budget work session will immediately follow the regular meeting.
Rich Larson is the owner and General Manager of KYMN Radio. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
