Northfield City Council Meeting - January 6, 2026

The Northfield City Council met on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting was called to order at 6:01 PM by Mayor Erica Zweifel and adjourned at 9:25 PM after extending the meeting past the regular 9:00 PM end time. All seven council members were present. Key actions included approval of a new liquor license, adoption of the 2026-2030 Street Reconstruction and Overlay Plan (SROP), approval of grant applications for the Lincoln Parkway walking and biking improvements, authorization for Spring Creek Road reconstruction bids, and discussion on a potential local option sales tax.

Presentations

• Stormwater Pollution Prevention Poster Contest Winners: Engineering Manager Sean Simonson and partners from Clean River Partners presented the results of the annual poster contest. A record 170 posters were submitted from five local elementary schools (Prairie Creek Community School, Greenvale Park Elementary, Spring Creek Elementary, St. Dominic Elementary, and Bridgewater Elementary) on the theme "Stormwater Heroes." Winners were announced for grades 2-3 and 4-5, with first-place honors going to Wagner Whitney (3rd grade, Prairie Creek) and Ingrid Jorgenson (4th grade, Prairie Creek), respectively. A group photo was taken.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of December 2, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes (Item 26-002)
• Approval of Disbursements totaling $10,507,348.43 (Item 26-003)
• Designation of Official Newspaper (Item 26-004)
• Designation of Official Depositories for the City of Northfield (Item 26-005)
• Resolution 2026-001: Amendments to Council Rules of Business and Appendices
• Resolution 2026-002: Amendments to Board and Commission Rules of Business and Appendices
• Resolution 2026-003: Amended 1.09 Council Representation on Boards and Commissions Policy
• Resolution 2026-004: Amended 2.03 Meeting Room Policy
• Resolution 2026-005: Approval of cannabis retail registration application for Maverick Greens L.L.C. to operate a cannabis microbusiness at 2010 Jefferson Rd. Suite C
• Tobacco License Renewal (Item 26-006)
• Lease Agreement with Northfield Senior Citizens Inc. d.b.a. FiftyNorth (Item 26-007)
• Resolution 2026-006: Setting bond sale and authorizing application for MN Credit Enhancement for Utility Bonds for Jefferson Parkway/Sandstone Street Utility Extension Project
• Resolution 2026-007: Amending 2026 Carted Yard Waste Rate
• Contract Approval to Hire Houseal Lavigne to Update & Redesign the City’s Zoning Code (Item 26-008)
• Resolution 2026-008: Community Development Block Grant – Resolution in Support of Fiscal Year 2026 Allotment of Program Funds

All consent agenda items were approved unanimously by a 7-0 vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during the Open Public Comment period.

Public Hearings

• Liquor License for Northfield Ballroom Inc. (DBA Northfield Ballroom) at 450 Montessori Court: The public hearing was opened at 6:12 PM and closed at 6:15 PM. Rick Tonjum, Realtor for the Northfield Ballroom, addressed the Council regarding the licensees and their plans. Subsequently, the Council unanimously approved the On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor and Sunday Liquor licenses for Northfield Ballroom Inc. (Motion 2026-008).

• Street Reconstruction and Overlay Plan (SROP) and Issuance of Bonds: The public hearing was opened at 6:16 PM and closed at 6:25 PM. Nick Anhut with Ehlers Financial Advisors presented background on the street reconstruction and overlay bonds, with plans to issue up to $4,750,000 for street reconstruction projects. The Council then unanimously approved Resolution 2026-009 adopting the SROP and giving preliminary approval to the issuance of bonds.

Discussion Items

• Election of President Pro Tem: Mayor Zweifel explained the duties. Council Member Chad Beumer was elected President Pro Tem for 2026 by a unanimous vote.

• Lincoln Parkway Walking and Biking Improvement Project – Transportation Alternatives Grant Application: Engineering Manager Sean Simonson and Public Works Director David Bennett presented the project. The Council approved Resolution 2026-010 (sponsorship of the MnDOT grant application) with a revision to include a rapid flashing beacon at the intersection of Linden Street and Lincoln Parkway. Resolution 2026-011 (maintenance responsibility) was also approved. Both votes were unanimous.

• Spring Creek Road Reconstruction & Mill Towns State Trail Project (STRT2026-A84): Engineering Manager Sean Simonson presented the project, including intersection improvements at Woodley Street and Spring Creek Road, estimated costs, funding, and schedule. Council discussed the possibility of a four-way stop and speed limit reduction. Ryan Johnson addressed the Council regarding the four-way stop option. The Council approved Resolution 2026-012 with additional direction to consult with the Rice County Engineer to bring to the Rice County Board of Commissioners for further exploration of safety improvements, including a four-way stop, a red flashing beacon, and speed control measures. The vote was unanimous.

• Council Member Roles on Boards and Commissions for 2026-2027: City Administrator Ben Martig presented four options. After a motion and amendment, the Council approved Option 4 amended to include: one voting member appointed to NAFRS and the Hospital Board, one non-voting member appointed to the Planning Commission, and regular updates on the Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) from the Sustainability Coordinator instead of a non-voting member. The final amended motion carried unanimously.

• Discussion on Local Option Sales Tax: City Administrator Ben Martig presented options for a potential resolution supporting a local sales tax to fund capital improvements providing regional benefit. Library Director Natalie Draper presented details on the Library Project. Council members expressed interest in pursuing a local option sales tax during the 2026 legislative session, with interest in projects including the library project, NCRC renovations, and possibly Riverfront parks projects and/or a 3rd Street parking structure. They also noted the need for additional public restrooms downtown. Education and citizen engagement were highlighted as high priorities.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous votes on all actions: All motions and resolutions passed with a 7-0 vote.
• Elected Council Member Chad Beumer as President Pro Tem for 2026.
• Approved Lincoln Parkway project grant application with a modification to include a rapid flashing beacon.
• Authorized Spring Creek Road project plans and bid advertisement with direction to explore further safety improvements at the Woodley Street intersection.
• Adopted Board and Commission liaison assignments under Option 4 with an amendment removing the non-voting EQC member in favor of staff updates.
• Directed staff to continue exploring a local option sales tax for the 2026 legislative session, with a focus on specific capital projects and public engagement.
• City Administrator's Update: The City has hired a Sustainability Coordinator who will start the week of January 19, 2026.
• Meeting extended beyond 9:00 PM to allow completion of the agenda.