Northfield City Council Meeting - January 20, 2026

The Northfield City Council met on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included an oath of office for a new police officer, approval of the consent agenda, reports, and regular agenda items including playground improvements and a resolution to pursue a local sales tax for capital improvements. All votes were unanimous (7-0). The meeting adjourned at 7:26 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mayor Zweifel addressed community concerns regarding recent federal immigration enforcement actions, reaffirming Northfield’s values as an open, safe, and welcoming community, while noting the City does not control federal enforcement. She emphasized support for constitutional rights, local public safety professionalism, and called for transparency, de-escalation, and respect for due process.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the January 6, 2026 City Council meeting and the January 13, 2026 work session.
• Approved disbursements totaling $4,024,870.88 (Enactment No. M2026-017).
• Adopted Resolution 2026-013 establishing an amended schedule for 2026 City Council meetings.
• Approved mayoral board and commission appointments (Enactment No. M2026-018).
• Approved an amended 2025-2027 annual service contract for the Northfield Historical Society (Enactment No. M2026-019).
• Approved Resolution 2026-014 granting a premises permit for the Waterford Warriors Snowmobile Club at Applebee’s.
• Approved a capital membership agreement with the City of Lakeville for use of the FiRST Center Public Safety Training Facility (Enactment No. M2026-020).

Discussion Items

• Dresden Hill Park Playground Improvements: Streets and Parks Manager Andrew Tussing and Landscape Architect Bruce Jacobson presented plans and specifications. The project implementation plan was highlighted. Council approved the plans and authorized bids (Motion by Holmes, seconded by Dahlen; unanimous 7-0; Enactment No. M2026-021).
• Central Park Playground Improvement Site Improvements: Landscape Architect Bruce Jacobson presented the plans and timeline. Council approved the plans and authorized bids (Motion by Holmes, seconded by Sokup; unanimous 7-0; Enactment No. M2026-022).
• Local Sales Tax Resolution (Res. 2026-015): City Administrator Ben Martig introduced the item, providing background on the local option sales tax, highlighting Riverfront Parks projects, the Northfield Community Recreation Center (NCRC) project, and the Library project, including estimated project costs, estimated revenue, and the timeline and process. Council approved the resolution supporting the authority to impose a local sales tax to fund specific capital improvements providing regional benefit, establishing the duration and revenue, and authorizing the City to issue bonds supported by the tax revenue (Motion by Beumer, seconded by Peterson White; unanimous 7-0).

Key Outcomes

• All regular agenda items and consent agenda items were approved unanimously (7-0).
• The city will proceed with bidding for playground improvements at Dresden Hill Park and Central Park.
• The city will pursue a local sales tax initiative to fund capital improvements, with next steps including legislative approval and public input.