City Council

City Hall City of Northfield 801 Washington Street Northfield, MN 55057 northfieldmn.gov Meeting Minutes - Final City Council Tuesday, April 15, 2025 6:00 PM Council Chambers 6:00 PM - CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA CALL TO ORDER Mayor Zweifel called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Present: 7- Council Member Brad Ness, Council Member Kathleen Holmes, Council Member Davin Sokup, Council Member Jessica Peterson White, Council Member Chad Beumer, Council Member Peter Dahlen, and Mayor Erica Zweifel Also present: City Administrator Ben Martig; Public Works Director/City Engineer David Bennett; Engineering Manager Sean Simonson; Associate City Attorney David Assaf; Police Chief Jeff Schroepfer; Library Director Natalie Draper; and City Clerk Lynette Peterson. OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT Patrick Tomczik, 1203 Woodland Trail, addressed the Council regarding opposition on the Ice Arena and the Council not letting the citizens vote on the project. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mayor Zweifel noted items in Supplemental Agenda Background Memo No. 1. A motion was made by Council Member Ness, seconded by Council Member Beumer, to approve the agenda. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- C. Ness, C. Holmes, C. Sokup, C. Peterson White, C. Beumer, C. Dahlen, and Mayor Zweifel PRESENTATIONS 1. 25-207 Presentation of Percent for the Arts Annual Report (2024). Library Director Natalie Draper introduced Paula Granquist, Chair of Arts and Culture Commission. Commissioners Martha Anderson and Leah Rich were also present. Draper reported on projects that were initiated and/or completed in 2024. Draper also highlighted upcoming projects scheduled for 2025. Chair Granquist thanked the Council and invited the Council to the April 28, 2025 Living Treasure Celebration at 7:30 p.m. at The Grand Event Center honoring Bob Gregory-Bjorkland. Draper answered questions from the Council. The 1% for the Arts will be discussed at the May 13 Council Work Session. CONSENT AGENDA City of Northfield Page 1 Printed on 5/7/2025 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 15, 2025 A motion was made by Council Member Beumer, seconded by Council Member Dahlen, to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- C. Ness, C. Holmes, C. Sokup, C. Peterson White, C. Beumer, C. Dahlen, and Mayor Zweifel 2. 25-208 Consider Approval of April 1, 2025 City Council Closed Meeting Minutes. A motion was made by Council Member Beumer, seconded by Council Member Dahlen, to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion carried by the following vote: 3. 25-209 Consider Approval of April 1, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes. A motion was made to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion carried by the following vote: 4. 25-210 Consider Approval of April 5, 2025 City Council Strategic Plan Retreat Minutes. 5. 25-211 Consider Approving Disbursements totaling $1,504,133.25 Enactment No: M2025-043 6. 25-161 Consider Approval of Lease Agreement with Northfield Senior Citizens Inc. d.b.a. FiftyNorth. Enactment No: M2025-044 7. Ord. 1075 Consideration of Second Reading of Ordinance 1075 Designating Central Park (421 4th St. E.) as a Local Heritage Preservation Site. 8. 25-212 Consideration of Summary Publication of Ordinance No. 1075 Designating Central Park a Heritage Preservation Site. Enactment No: M2025-045 9. 25-214 Consider Accepting the Agricultural Land Lease for Hauberg Woods Enactment No: M2025-046 10. 25-215 Consider Motion accepting License Number UWAT014061 for Water Utility to Cross Public Waters. Enactment No: M2025-047 11. 25-216 Consider Motion Approving Permanent and Temporary Easements for the Neighborhood Flooding Issues Improvement Project. Enactment No: M2025-048 City of Northfield Page 2 Printed on 5/7/2025 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 15, 2025 REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS 12. 25-217 Reports From the Mayor and Council Members. Council Member Beumer - Beyond the Yellow Ribbon. Council Member Dahlen - NAFRS Meeting. Council Member Holmes - No Report. Council Member Sokup - HRA Meeting; Strategic Planning Retreat, Earth Day Celebration Saturday, April 26. Council Member Peterson White - Hospital Board Strategic Plan Retreat. Council Member Ness - Age-Friendly Northfield Meeting Canceled; NAFRS Finance Committee Meeting Canceled. Mayor Zweifel - HR Meeting regarding City Administrator Performance Review Process; Hospital and Governance Committee Meeting; VFW Meeting; Regional Council of Mayor's Meeting. REGULAR AGENDA 13. 25-213 Consider Motion Approving Permanent and Temporary Construction Easements for Spring Creek Road - Mill Towns State Trail Project. Council Member Kathleen Holmes recused herself from the item discussion disclosing she serves on the Northfield Golf Course Board. A motion was made by Council Member Sokup, seconded by Council Member Beumer, to approve the Permanent and Temporary Construction Easements for Spring Creek Road - Mill Towns State Trail Project. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- C. Ness, C. Sokup, C. Peterson White, C. Beumer, C. Dahlen, and Mayor Zweifel Recused: 1- C. Holmes Enactment No: M2025-049 14. Res. 2025-041 Consider Rules of Business Amendment Request Recommended by the Mayors Youth Council. Elizabeth McCormick, Sophomore at Northfield High School and Mayor's Youth Council Member, addressed the Council issuing an official statement against residents being required to state their address when speaking. City Clerk Lynette Peterson and City Administrator Ben Martig answered questions from the Council. McCormick also answered questions from the Council. A motion was made by Council Member Peterson White, seconded by Council Member Dahlen, to approve Resolution No. 2025-041 Approving Updated Council Rules of Business Policy. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- C. Ness, C. Holmes, C. Sokup, C. Peterson White, C. Beumer, C. Dahlen, and Mayor Zweifel 15. 25-219 Consider Approving Professional Service Agreement for the 2026 Spring Street and Fremouw Avenue Railroad Crossing Improvements Project. City of Northfield Page 3 Printed on 5/7/2025 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 15, 2025 Engineering Manager Sean Simonson introduced the item giving background information on the project to include the project location, project scope, proposed improvements, timeline and Northfield Quiet Zone background information. Public Works Director/City Engineer David Bennett and Simonson answered questions from the Council. A motion was made by Council Member Holmes, seconded by Council Member Sokup, to approve the Professional Service Agreement for the 2026 Spring Street and Fremouw Avenue Railroad Crossing Improvements Project. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- C. Ness, C. Holmes, C. Sokup, C. Peterson White, C. Beumer, C. Dahlen, and Mayor Zweifel Enactment No: M2025-050 16. Ord. 1076 Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1076 Amending Chapter 30 - Health and Sanitation of the City Code Regarding Regulation of Cannabis Businesses, Lower-Potency Hemp Edible Retailers, and Events. Associate City Attorney David Assaf introduced the ordinance giving background on Ordinance No. 1076 stating this ordinance would repeal and replace the City's current edible cannabinoid product ordinance. This ordinance is being updated due to state law changes. Assaf detailed aspects of the ordinance. Assaf answered questions from the Council. City Administrator Ben Martig added additional information and answered questions from the Council. Community Development Director Jake Reilly added additional information. A motion was made by Council Member Ness, seconded by Council Member Dahlen, to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 1076 Amending Chapter 30 - Health and Sanitation of the City Code Regarding Regulation of Cannabis Businesses, Lower-Potency Hemp Edible Retailers, and Events. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- C. Ness, C. Holmes, C. Sokup, C. Peterson White, C. Beumer, C. Dahlen, and Mayor Zweifel 17. 25-220 Discussion of Potential State of Minnesota Local Project Capital Bond Requests for 2026. City Administrator Ben Martig presented on potential State of Minnesota Local Project Capital Bond Requests for 2026. Martig detailed requirements and the timeline for submitting a request. Martig answered questions from the Council. ADMINISTRATORS UPDATE 18. 25-221 City Administrator's Update. City Administrator Ben Martig updated the Council on upcoming City events and operations. Administrator Martig answered questions from the Council. ADJOURN A motion was made by Council Member Ness, seconded by Council Member Holmes, to adjourn the meeting at 7:54 p.m. The motion carried by the following vote: City of Northfield Page 4 Printed on 5/7/2025 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 15, 2025 Yes: 7- C. Ness, C. Holmes, C. Sokup, C. Peterson White, C. Beumer, C. Dahlen, and Mayor Zweifel City of Northfield Page 5 Printed on 5/7/2025