City Council

City Hall City of Northfield 801 Washington Street Northfield, MN 55057 northfieldmn.gov Meeting Minutes - Final City Council Tuesday, April 4, 2023 6:00 PM Council Chambers 6:00 PM - REGULAR AGENDA CALL TO ORDER Mayor Pownell called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. Present: 7- Council Member Brad Ness, Mayor Rhonda Pownell, Council Member Jami Reister, Council Member George Zuccolotto, Council Member Kathleen Holmes, Council Member Davin Sokup, and Council Member Jessica Peterson White APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mayor Pownell noted information in Supplemental Agenda Background Memorandum No. 1. A motion was made by Council Member Ness, seconded by Council Member Peterson White, to approve agenda as amended moving Item 18 "Consider Resolution Restricting Parking on the South Side of St. Olaf Avenue from Lincoln Street to St. Olaf Campus" from the Consent Agenda to the Regular Agenda. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- C. Ness, Mayor Pownell, C. Reister, C. Zuccolotto, C. Holmes, C. Sokup, and C. Peterson White PRESENTATIONS 1. 23-1045 Presentation of 1% for the Arts Annual Report (2022). Library Director Natalie Draper presented the 1% for the Arts Annual Report. Draper highlighted current and upcoming art projects. 2. 23-1046 Presentation of proclamation declaring April 20th, 2023 Penchant Day. Rob Hardy, Northfield Poet Laureate, introduced the proclamation giving background information on Northfield proclaiming Thursday, April 20, 2023 as Penchant Day in Northfield. The Council presented the proclamation to the group and a picture was taken with the group. CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Council Member Ness, seconded by Council Member Sokup, to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- C. Ness, Mayor Pownell, C. Reister, C. Zuccolotto, C. Holmes, C. Sokup, and C. Peterson White City of Northfield Page 1 Printed on 5/30/2023 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 4, 2023 3. 23-1047 Consider Approval of March 7, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes. A motion was made by Council Member Ness, seconded by Council Member Sokup, to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion carried by the following vote: 4. 23-1048 Consider Approval of March 14, 2023 City Council Work Session Minutes. 5. 23-1049 Consider Approving Disbursements totaling $2,172,552.10 6. Res. 2023-024 Consider Resolution Proclaiming April 20, 2023 Penchant Day in Northfield. 7. Res. 2023-025 Consider Resolution Proclaiming April 22, 2023 as Earth Day in Northfield. 8. Res. 2023-026 Consider Resolution Proclaiming April 28, 2023 as Arbor Day in Northfield. 9. Res. 2023-027 Consider Resolution Proclaiming No Mow May in the City of Northfield for 2023 10. 23-1050 Consider Community Event In-Kind Grant Support. 11. 23-1011 Consider Amendment to Council Rules of Business and Appendices. 12. 23-1051 Consider Adopting Board and Commission Rules of Business and Appendices. 13. Res. 2023-028 Consider Resolution Accepting Gifts Received by the City of Northfield in 2022. 14. Ord. 1053 Consider Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1053, Amending City Code, Chapter 26-4 Fire Inspection and Fees 15. 23-1052 Consideration of Summary Publication of the Ordinance No. 1053 Amending City Code, Chapter 26-4 Fire Inspection and Fees. 16. Ord. 1054 Consider Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1054 Rezoning Lot 1 Block 1 of Depot Addition from Downtown District (C-1) to Public Institutional District (PI-S). This Ordinance was approved on the Consent Agenda. 17. Res. 2023-029 Consider Approving Plans and Specs for the Babcock Warming House/Pavilion Construction and Field Upgrades. City of Northfield Page 2 Printed on 5/30/2023 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 4, 2023 OPEN PUBLIC COMMENTS Kathy Lunder, 2102 Lincoln Street South, addressed the Council regarding the planned on-street bike path on Lincoln Street and Heritage Drive. Camila Hernandez, Carleton College Student, addressed the Council asking for support regarding an issue with Carleton College. Janet Dale, 2010 Lincoln Street South, addressed the Council regarding engagement with the Lincoln Street project. Bill Lillibridge, 824 Fremont Street, addressed the Council regarding the removal of Manganese from the water, soft water and the cost of the Water Treatment Plant project. REGULAR AGENDA Recess Council recessed at 6:30 p.m. Council meeting resumed at 6:35 p.m. 18. Res. 2023-030 Consider Resolution Restricting Parking on the South Side of St. Olaf Avenue from Lincoln Street to St. Olaf Campus. Engineering Manager Sean Simonson introduced the item giving background information on the project. Jan Hanson, St. Olaf College, added additional information regarding the request for no parking on the South Side of St. Olaf Avenue from Lincoln Street to St. Olaf Campus for the safety of students and residents. Simonson, Police Chief Mark Elliott and Hanson answered questions from the Council. 19. Res. 2023-031 Consider Resolution Approving Plans and Specifications and Authorizing Advertisement for Bid for Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements Project. Utilities Manager Justin Wagner introduced the item giving background information on the Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements Project. A motion was made by Council Member Ness, seconded by Council Member Reister, to approve Resolution No. 2023-031 Approving Plans and Specifications and Authorizing Advertisement for Bids Wastewater Treatment Plan Improvements Project WSTR2022-J32. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- C. Ness, Mayor Pownell, C. Reister, C. Zuccolotto, C. Holmes, C. Sokup, and C. Peterson White 20. Res. 2023-033 Scoping Environmental Assessment Worksheet Comments and Responses and Order of the Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) for the Northwest Development Area. Community Development Director Jake Reilly introduced the item stating this item has been changed to a resolution as provided in Supplemental Agenda Background Memo No. 1. Reilly presented background information on the process. A motion was made by Council Member Peterson White, seconded by Council City of Northfield Page 3 Printed on 5/30/2023 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 4, 2023 Member Ness, to approve Resolution 2023-033 Ordering Preparation of Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) for the Northwest Development Area. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- C. Ness, Mayor Pownell, C. Reister, C. Zuccolotto, C. Holmes, C. Sokup, and C. Peterson White 21. 23-1054 Consider Approving Consultant Team for the 2045-horizon City of Northfield Comprehensive Plan process Community Development Director Jake Reilly introduced the item stating eight responses were received for the Request for Qualifications. After review, four teams were selected to go through an in-person interview process. Teams were interviewed by city staff, members of the City Council, Economic Development Authority, Housing and Redevelopment Authority and Planning Commission. Stantec and NEOO Partners, Inc. were chosen and the final scope, schedule and budget will come back for approval at a later date. A motion was made by Council Member Peterson White, seconded by Council Member Ness, to direct staff to prepare a proposed professional service agreement with Stantec and NEOO Partners, Inc. to develop a 2045-horizon Comprehensive Plan for future consideration of approval by the Council. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- C. Ness, Mayor Pownell, C. Reister, C. Zuccolotto, C. Holmes, C. Sokup, and C. Peterson White 22. Res. 2023-032 Consider Approving Plans and Specifications and Order Advertisement for Bids for the 2023 Reclamation and Overlay Project. Engineering Manager Sean Simonson introduced the item giving background information on the project. Gary Freking, 1900 Lincoln Street South, addressed the Council regarding bike lanes and safety associated with the project. Todd Zehnder, 2008 Lincoln Street South, addressed the Council regarding the Heritage/Lincoln off-street bikeway. Laura Hakala, 1210 Maple Street, addressed the Council with a petition signed by 29 neighbors opposing the bike lane noting concerns and asking for an amendment to the bike lane without a barrier or consideration of alternate routes. Bill Lillibridge, 824 Fremont Street, addressed the Council regarding the condition of the streets in Northfield wondering why the failing streets are not being addressed first. Council Members commented on the project. A motion was made by Council Member Peterson White, seconded by Council Member Reister, to approve Resolution No. 2023-032 Approving Plans and Specifications and Authorizing Advertisement for Bids 2023 Reclamation and Overlay Project, Project STRT2023-A69. A motion was made by Council Member Ness, seconded by Council Member Zuccolotto, to amend the motion proposing that the 2-way off-street bikeway be put on hold. The area to be included is on Lincoln Street South continuing on City of Northfield Page 4 Printed on 5/30/2023 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 4, 2023 Heritage Drive to the southerly path into Hidden Valley Park. This will allow for a separate project to complete the bike path that would be determined by future measured bike traffic volume. The sidewalk included in the current plan must remain. The engineer drawings regarding the width of Lincoln Street can remain the same. The sidewalk should be placed adjacent to the 8’ boulevard which is included in the drawings. Recess Council recessed at 7:43 p.m. Council meeting resumed at 7:51 p.m. 22. Res. 2023-032 Consider Approving Plans and Specifications and Order Advertisement for Bids for the 2023 Reclamation and Overlay Project. Simonson answered questions from the Council. City Administrator Ben Martig added additional information and answered questions from the Council. The motion failed by the following vote: Yes - C. Ness and C. Zuccolotto No - Mayor Pownell, C. Reister, C. Holmes, C. Sokup and C. Peterson White A motion was made by Council Member Sokup, seconded by Council Member Ness, to approve as amended Resolution No. 2023-032 removing from project street/improvements "Roosevelt Drive protected 2-way bikeway" and "Roosevelt Drive and Woodridge Apartments - Pedestrian Crossing Improvement" gathering additional data on Maple Street including traffic counts and speed, existing walking and biking counts and post project data collection. After discussion by the Council, Council Member Sokup withdrew the motion. Extend the Meeting A motion was made by Council Member Reister, seconded by Council Member Peterson White, to extend the meeting until all items are complete. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Mayor Pownell, C. Reister, C. Zuccolotto, C. Holmes, C. Sokup, and C. Peterson White No: 1- C. Ness 22. Res. 2023-032 Consider Approving Plans and Specifications and Order Advertisement for Bids for the 2023 Reclamation and Overlay Project. The original Motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5 - Mayor Pownell, C. Reister, C. Holmes, . Sokup and C. Peterson White No: 2 - C. Ness and C. Zuccolotto ADMINISTRATORS UPDATE 23. 23-1055 City Administrator's Update. City of Northfield Page 5 Printed on 5/30/2023 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 4, 2023 Due to time constraints, no report was given. REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS Due to time constraints, no reports were given. ADJOURN A motion was made by Council Member Ness, seconded by Council Member Holmes, to adjourn the meeting at 9:07 p.m. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- C. Ness, Mayor Pownell, C. Reister, C. Zuccolotto, C. Holmes, C. Sokup, and C. Peterson White City of Northfield Page 6 Printed on 5/30/2023