City Council Meeting – March 3, 2026

The Northfield City Council met on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:29 PM in the Council Chambers. All six present councilmembers (Ness, Holmes, Peterson White, Beumer, Dahlen, and Mayor Zweifel) voted unanimously on every action item; Councilmember Sokup was absent. The agenda included three major presentations, a consent calendar with numerous routine approvals, two regular agenda resolutions (sustainable building policy amendment and support for a county-wide trail plan), and a discussion on the local option sales tax for Riverfront Park projects.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Donna Jackson (1300 Parmeadow Drive) addressed the Council regarding flooding issues in her backyard.

Presentations

• Item 26-105: Zander Abbott, President & CEO of Northfield Hospital and Clinics, updated the Council on the pending purchase of the Allina Health Clinic at 1400 Jefferson Road. He answered questions from the Council.
• Item 26-106: Meleah Follen (Senior Program Director of Healthy Community Initiative), Emily Culver, and Candace Godfrey (NCCC) presented on Youth First activities, covering history, partnerships, the Youth Substance Prevention Alliance (YSPA), Northfield Community College Collaborative (NCCC), Opportunity Reboot, Youth on Boards, and Youthbank. They answered questions.
• Item 26-107: Public Works Director David Bennett introduced the ice arena project team (Marc Lindvig and Tom Betti from JLG Architects; Tyler Chaika-Gennow and Dan Schultz from RJM Construction). They provided a construction progress update, including site plan, floor plan, construction schedule, LEED Silver ratings, solar update, budget status, and project photos. The team answered questions.

Consent Calendar

All items on the consent agenda were approved unanimously (6-0):

• Approval of February 17, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes.
• Disbursements totaling $2,308,772.07.
• Vehicle for Hire license renewals.
• Refuse license renewals.
• Liquor license renewals.
• New liquor license for El Tequila Northfield Inc. dba El Tequila at 1010 Highway 3 South.
• Lower-potency hemp edible retailer application for Northfield Inc. dba Downtown Tobacco at 429 S. Division Street.
• 2025 Fourth Quarter Investment Update (received).
• Resolution 2026-026 accepting gifts received by the City in 2025.
• Resolution 2026-027 proclaiming April 24, 2026 as Arbor Day in Northfield.
• Contract for NW Area Trunk Sanitary Sewer Preliminary Design and Environmental Review (Bolton and Menk).
• Jefferson Parkway Sandstone Street Utility Extension Project Change Order No. 4 – Cold Patching Winter 2025.

Discussion Items

• Resolution 2026-028 – Sustainable Building Policy Amendments: Sustainability Coordinator Sara Pabich presented a short-term language amendment to Section 8.06 to provide administrative flexibility while maintaining policy intent, with a long-term full review continuing. The Council approved the resolution unanimously.
• Resolution 2026-029 – Support for County-Wide Trail Plan: Rice County Highway Engineer Dennis Luebbe presented the plan. Rice County Commissioner Galen Malecha spoke in favor. The Council approved the resolution supporting development of a county-wide trail plan unanimously.
• Item 26-120 – Local Option Sales Tax / Riverfront Park Projects Scoping: City Administrator Ben Martig provided background. Staff will continue refining project costs and bring back a final proposal. The Council offered feedback on project scope and messaging.

Reports from Mayor and Councilmembers

• Councilmember Ness attended County Transportation Committee, Age-Friendly Meeting, and Chamber Business After Hours.
• Councilmember Peterson White attended Strategic Plan Retreat with EDA and Hospital Board Meeting.
• Councilmember Beumer attended Strategic Plan Retreat with EDA.
• Councilmember Holmes attended Planning Commission, County Transportation Committee, and Carleton College Community Open House for a Conditional Use Permit.
• Mayor Zweifel attended the Mayor's Youth Council All Boards Meeting.
• Councilmember Dahlen had no report.

Administrator's Update

• City Administrator Ben Martig updated the Council on City operations and legislative items.

Key Outcomes

• All votes (consent agenda, Resolution 2026-028, Resolution 2026-029) passed 6-0.
• Resolution 2026-028 (Sustainable Building Policy amendment) adopted.
• Resolution 2026-029 (support for Rice County-Wide Trail Plan) adopted.
• Staff directed to continue refining local option sales tax project costs and messaging for Riverfront Park, with a return to Council for final review.