City Council
Regular MeetingNorthfield, MN · October 17, 2023
Minutes
City Hall
City of Northfield 801 Washington Street
Northfield, MN 55057
northfieldmn.gov
Meeting Minutes - Final
City Council
Tuesday, October 17, 2023 6:00 PM Council Chambers
6:00 PM - REGULAR AGENDA
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pownell called the meeting to order at 6:05 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
Also Present: Finance Director Brenda Angelstad, Public Works Director/City Engineer
David Bennett, City Administrator Ben Martig, City Clerk Lynette Peterson and Deputy
Chief of Police Paul Haider.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion was made by Council Member Ness, seconded by Council Member
Peterson White, to approve the 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. 23-1519 Presentation from Representative Kristi Pursell.
Representative Kristi Pursell (District 58A) updated the Council on the previous legislative
session to include Northfield priorities, bills passed into law, and priorities from the 2023
session. Pursell served as the Vice Chair of the Agriculture Finance and Policy
Committee and was a member of the Elections Finance and Policy Committee,
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee, and Education
Finance Committee. Pursell answered questions from the Council.
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
2. 23-1520 Consider Approval of October 3, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes.
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City Council Meeting Minutes - Final October 17, 2023
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:
3. 23-1521 Consider Approval of October 10, 2023 City Council Work Session
Minutes.
4. 23-1522 Consider Approving Disbursements totaling $1,090,494.90
Enactment No: M2023-175
5. 23-1523 Consideration of Updated Joint Powers Agreement Between Dakota
County and the Cities, Townships and School Districts in Dakota
County for the Provision of Absentee Voting Administration Services
Enactment No: M2023-176
6. 23-1524 Consideration of Voting Operations, Technology & Election
Resources (Voter) Account County-Municipality Agreement between
Rice County and the City of Northfield
Enactment No: M2023-177
7. 23-1525 Consider Motion approving a Professional Service Agreement with
I&S Group Inc. for the Final Design of the Mill Towns State Trail from
Woodley Street to the Waterford Bridge.
Enactment No: M2023-178
8. 23-1526 Consideration of Decommissioning Agreement - DivoCSG 17 LLC.
Enactment No: M2023-179
9. 23-1527 Consideration of Decommissioning Agreement - MN CSG 2019-77
LLC.
Enactment No: M2023-180
10. 23-1528 Consideration of Decommissioning Agreement - SV CSG Northfield,
LLC.
Enactment No: M2023-181
OPEN PUBLIC COMMENTS
None.
REGULAR AGENDA
11. 23-1529 Consider approval of option 3B and the removal of the sidewalk on
the north side of Wall Street Road from Spring Creek Road to Fourth
Street for Wall Street Road Improvement Project (STRT2022-A70).
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City Council Meeting Minutes - Final October 17, 2023
Public Works Director/City Engineer David Bennett introduced the item giving
background on the item recommending Option 3B and the removal of the sidewalk on the
north side of Wall Street Road from Spring Creek Road to Fourth Street for Wall Street
Road Improvement (STRT2022-A70). Bennett answered questions from the Council.
Diane Pearsall, 291 Spring Creek Road, addressed the Council to thank them for the
compromise on this project.
Donna Jackson, 1300 Parmeadow Drive, addressed the Council regarding the bike trail
directly affecting her home.
A motion was made by Council Member Holmes, seconded by Council Member
Ness, to approve Option 3B and the removal of the sidewalk on the north side of
Wall Street Road from Spring Creek Road to Fourth Street for Wall Street Road
Improvement (STRT2022-A70). The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: 6- C. Ness, C. Reister, C. Zuccolotto, C. Holmes, C. Sokup, and C. Peterson
White
No: 1- Mayor Pownell
Enactment No: M2023-182
12. 23-1530 Review Recommendations for Lincoln Parkway Pedestrian Walking
and Biking Study by Greenvale Elementary School.
Public Works Director/City Engineer David Bennett introduced Bryan Nemeth with Bolton
and Menk. Nemeth presented on the recommendations for the Lincoln Parkway
pedestrian walking and biking study by Greenvale Elementary School highlighting
comments received at the open house including online map comments and written
comments received. Nemeth and Bennett answered questions from the Council. A open
house will take place in November with final recommendations coming back to Council in
December 2023/January 2024.
Recess
Council recessed at 7:40 p.m. Council meeting resumed at 7:49 p.m.
13. 23-1531 Discussion of 2024-2025 Budget and 2025+ Long Range Financial
Planning Forecast.
City Administrator Ben Martig introduced the item giving an overview of alternative options
for the 2024 levy. Martig also gave an overview of options to evaluate the 2025-2029
CIP/CEP delaying projects to bring down the levy. Public Works Director/City Engineer
David Bennett added additional information regarding delaying projects in the CIP. Martig
and Bennett answered questions from the Council.
Council directed staff to keep projects in the CIP for future discussion. The Council was
supportive of looking into the alternative levy of 9 percent and discussing further.
Extend the Meeting
A motion was made by Council Member Holmes, seconded by Council Member
Reister, to extend the meeting until business is complete. The motion carried by
the following vote:
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City Council Meeting Minutes - Final October 17, 2023
Yes: 7- C. Ness, Mayor Pownell, C. Reister, C. Zuccolotto, C. Holmes, C. Sokup, and
C. Peterson White
13. 23-1531 Discussion of 2024-2025 Budget and 2025+ Long Range Financial
Planning Forecast.
Council continued discussion on the budget.
ADMINISTRATORS UPDATE
14. 23-1532 City Administrator's Update.
Administrator Ben Martig reminded the Council of the Board/Commission Training
Tuesday, October 24, 5-7 p.m. at the Grand Event Center. Martig also gave an update on
the Mills Town Trail Project.
REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS
C. Sokup - No report.
C. Peterson White - EDA/Planning Commission Meeting.
C. Reister - Age-Friendly Northfield Housing Series.
C. Zuccolotto - HRA/Planning Commission Work Session.
C. Holmes - No report.
C. Ness - No report.
Mayor Pownell - No report.
ADJOURN
A motion was made by Council Member Peterson White, seconded by Council
Member Ness, to adjourn the meeting at 9:13 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 4 Printed on 11/9/2023
Agenda
City of Northfield City Hall
801 Washington Street
Northfield, MN 55057
northfieldmn.gov
Meeting Agenda
City Council
Tuesday, October 17, 2023 6:00 PM Council Chambers
6:00 PM - REGULAR AGENDA
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor: Pownell
Councilmembers: Holmes, Ness, Peterson White, Reister, Sokup, Zuccolotto
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
PRESENTATIONS
1. 23-1519 Presentation from Representative Kristi Pursell.
CONSENT AGENDA
Agenda items below are approved by one motion unless a Council member requests separate action. All items approved by
majority vote unless noted.
2. 23-1520 Consider Approval of October 3, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes.
3. 23-1521 Consider Approval of October 10, 2023 City Council Work Session Minutes.
4. 23-1522 Consider Approving Disbursements totaling $1,090,494.90
5. 23-1523 Consideration of Updated Joint Powers Agreement Between Dakota County
and the Cities, Townships and School Districts in Dakota County for the
Provision of Absentee Voting Administration Services
6. 23-1524 Consideration of Voting Operations, Technology & Election Resources (Voter)
Account County-Municipality Agreement between Rice County and the City of
Northfield
7. 23-1525 Consider Motion approving a Professional Service Agreement with I&S Group
Inc. for the Final Design of the Mill Towns State Trail from Woodley Street to
the Waterford Bridge.
8. 23-1526 Consideration of Decommissioning Agreement - DivoCSG 17 LLC.
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City Council Meeting Agenda October 17, 2023
9. 23-1527 Consideration of Decommissioning Agreement - MN CSG 2019-77 LLC.
10. 23-1528 Consideration of Decommissioning Agreement - SV CSG Northfield, LLC.
OPEN PUBLIC COMMENTS
Persons may take one opportunity to address the Council for two (2) minutes (not including interpreter’s time) on any
topic, even if on the agenda, with the condition that they may not speak on the same item later in the meeting. No
notification of the Mayor is required. However, speakers are asked to complete a sign up card. Persons wanting a
response to a question must submit the question in writing to the recording secretary. Questions must include name and
information on how to contact. Comments may also be made electronically until 12:00 noon on the day of the meeting
through the eComment (electronic comment) system. Any eComments received for the meeting can be viewed on the City's
website.
REGULAR AGENDA
Persons that wish to speak on a regular agenda item must provide name and address by completing & submitting a sign
up card. Persons may also use the electronic register to speak option on the City’s website or contact the City Clerk no
later than 12:00 noon on the day of the meeting. Persons may also provide comments through the eComment (electronic
comment) system no later than 12:00 noon on the day of the meeting. The Mayor will call up individuals to speak, based
on preregistration and cards submitted, after the staff report on an item. Please be respectful of the public’s and the
Council’s time. Members of the public wishing to speak must adhere to the following guidelines:
• Speak only once for no more than two minutes (not including interpreter’s time) on the topic unless the speaker is
addressed by the Council;
• Identify your relationship to the topic;
• Have a spokesperson or two for your group to present your comments;
• Persons wanting a response to a question must submit the question in writing to the City Clerk, including name and how
you would like to be contacted.
11. 23-1529 Consider approval of option 3B and the removal of the sidewalk on the north
side of Wall Street Road from Spring Creek Road to Fourth Street for Wall
Street Road Improvement Project (STRT2022-A70).
12. 23-1530 Review Recommendations for Lincoln Parkway Pedestrian Walking and Biking
Study by Greenvale Elementary School.
13. 23-1531 Discussion of 2024-2025 Budget and 2025+ Long Range Financial Planning
Forecast.
ADMINISTRATORS UPDATE
14. 23-1532 City Administrator's Update.
REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS
ADJOURN
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City Council Meeting Agenda October 17, 2023
Note: The City Council may take a five minute break during the meeting. All regular City
Council meetings end at 9:00 pm unless a simple (4/7) majority of the City Council vote to
extend the time.
SPECIAL NEEDS: If you require special services to attend or participate in a public meeting,
please call the City's Administration Office at (507) 645-3001 or e-mail Lynette Peterson, City
Clerk, at lynette.peterson@ci.northfield.mn.us. TDD users can call (507) 645-3030. Please call at
least 24 hours before the meeting, if possible.
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