City Council

City Hall City of Northfield 801 Washington Street Northfield, MN 55057 ci.northfield.mn.us Meeting Minutes - Final City Council Tuesday, October 13, 2020 6:00 AM GoToMeeting Work Session 6:00 PM - REGULAR AGENDA CALL TO ORDER Mayor Pownell called the meeting to order at 6:00PM. Present: 7- Council Member David DeLong, Council Member Clarice Grabau, Council Member Suzie Nakasian, Council Member Brad Ness, Council Member Jessica Peterson White, Council Member Erica Zweifel, and Mayor Rhonda Pownell APPROVAL OF AGENDA 1. 20-514 Information on How to Provide Public Input and Watch the Meeting During the Pandemic. REGULAR AGENDA 2. 20-515 Carbon Reduction Fund Discussion. Program Coordinator Kallestad presented carbon reduction fund discussion. Kallestad noted staff are proposing the creation of a Carbon Reduction Fund through the City Finance Department. Residents, businesses, and any other interested parties, including the City, could make contributions into this fund. Kallestad mentioned City submitted a grant this year that was not funded. Mentioned the Resolution was shared with the Environmental Quality Commission and they support recommending Council approval. Kallestad and City Administrator Martig answered questions posed by Council. 3. 20-516 Review of Franchise Fee Ordinance City Administrator Martig presented a review of franchise fee Ordinance. Martig noted the goals and outcomes for the work session. Discussed legal opinion on franchise fee implantation. Noted that the City had broad authority to impose franchise fee based on an implementation method of its choosing, i.e. flat monthly fee. City obtained a legal opinion from Flaherty and Hood. Martig presented an updated scenario: flat fee by broad customer classes. Discussed current trends and advantages and disadvantages for franchise fees. Discussed options and policy direction. Time was dedicated for Councilor questions and discussion. Martig answered questions posed by Council. 4. 20-517 Meeting break. Council took a short recess at 7:23 for five minutes. Meeting resumed at 7:28PM. City of Northfield Page 1 Printed on 12/4/2020 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final October 13, 2020 5. 20-518 Discussion of 2021-2022 Budget and including potential Grants in Accordance with City Council Grants Policy. City Administrator presented the discussion of 2021-2022 budget and including potential Grants in Accordance with City Council Grants Policy. Council had discussions regarding policy questions on body cameras. Noted funds from insurance reserves, no impact to general fund. Noted the estimated cost, fund balance, added position and annual license fee. Seeking Council's direction on supporting cameras or not. Chief of Police Elliott answered questions posed by Council. Policy Question no 2. Allocate CARES Act Funding to accounting system upgrade. Noted will significantly improve ability to respond to business continuity in disruptive environment (pandemic) Asking Councilors whether they support or not and brief discussion for their reasoning. Martig also answered questions posed by Council. Policy question no 3. remaining uses options. Councilors listed their top 5 choices. ADJOURN Meeting ended at 8:56PM City of Northfield Page 2 Printed on 12/4/2020