Northfield City Council Meeting: February 10, 2026

The Northfield City Council met on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers, with Mayor Erica Zweifel presiding. All seven council members were present (Council Member Jessica Peterson White joined at 6:02 PM). The meeting covered approval of a consent agenda containing eight items, council reports, three regular agenda items, and an administrator's update. The council voted on bond issuance, project plans, and a pedestrian safety resolution. The meeting adjourned at 7:11 PM.

Consent Calendar

The council voted 7-0 to approve the consent agenda, which included:

• 26-066: Approval of January 20, 2026 meeting minutes.
• 26-067: Approval of disbursements totaling $4,945,603.91 (Enactment M2026-023).
• 26-068: Approval of mayoral board and commission appointments (Enactment M2026-024).
• Res. 2026-018: Resolution adopting the Rice County All Hazard Mitigation Plan.
• 26-069: Approval of a Minnesota Employment and Economic Development grant agreement for Phase II of the Northfield Skateboard Park (Enactment M2026-025).
• Res. 2026-020: Resolution supporting further exploration of the Southeast Minnesota Transit Management Organization feasibility study.
• 26-070: Authorization to submit an application for State Transportation Improvement Project (STIP) Fiscal Year 2030 for Jefferson Road and Honeylocust Drive mill and overlay (Enactment M2026-026).
• Ord. 1091: Consideration of a zoning map amendment for 304 2nd St. W. from R1 to C1 — Note: The agenda listed this as a first reading, but the minutes describe it as a second reading; the discrepancy was not discussed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during the open comment period.

Council Reports

Council members provided brief updates on meetings and events they attended, including the Ehlers Public Finance Seminar (Holmes), Beyond the Yellow Ribbon and EDA meetings (Beumer), EDA and Hospital Board meetings (Peterson White), and Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, 911 Joint Powers Board, NAFRS Board, and the Ice Arena 50th anniversary (Ness). Mayor Zweifel shared information about the impact of Operation Impact Metro Surge.

Discussion Items

• Res. 2026-019 – Awarding Bond Sale for Utility Bonds Finance Director Brenda Angelstad introduced Nick Anhut of Ehlers & Associates, who presented the sale of $12,335,000 General Obligation Water Revenue Bonds, Series 2026A. Standard & Poor’s affirmed the city’s “AA” credit rating. The city received eight bids; the low bidder was UMB Bank at 3.5073%. An updated resolution reduced the bond amount to $11,385,000 with a true interest cost of 3.5346%. The council voted 7-0 to approve the resolution.

• Res. 2026-021 – Approving Plans for 2026 Mill and Overlay and Mill Towns State Trail Improvements Engineering Manager Sean Simonson presented the project location, improvements, costs, funding, and timeline. Council members asked questions of Simonson, Public Works Director David Bennett, and City Administrator Ben Martig. The resolution was approved by a 6-1 vote (Council Member Ness voted no).

• Res. 2026-022 – Requesting MnDOT Safety Solutions for Walking and Biking at TH-3 Bridge Replacements Public Works Director David Bennett gave an overview of the Southeast Minnesota Transit Management Organization Study, including area studies, the TH-3 Bridges Scoping Study, the TH-3 Dundas Corridor Study, and TH-19 project updates. The resolution requested MnDOT provide safety solutions for at-grade and below-grade walking and biking facilities during the upcoming 2032 TH-3 bridge replacement over the Cannon River and 2033 TH-3 bridge replacement over the railroad. The council voted 7-0 to approve.

• Administrator’s Update City Administrator Ben Martig and Public Works Director David Bennett updated the council on public works projects, ice arena solar efforts, and current legislative issues.

Key Outcomes

• Approved consent agenda with 8 items, including disbursements, appointments, grant, and zoning amendment (unanimous, 7-0).
• Authorized the sale of $11,385,000 in water revenue bonds (unanimous, 7-0).
• Approved plans and authorized advertisement for bids for the 2026 Mill and Overlay and Mill Towns Trail Improvements project (6-1; Ness opposed).
• Approved resolution requesting MnDOT safety improvements for walking and biking at the future TH-3 bridge replacements (unanimous, 7-0).
• Meeting adjourned at 7:11 PM.