Northfield City Council Work Session - June 9, 2026

The Northfield City Council held a work session on June 9, 2026, beginning at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 801 Washington Street. Mayor Erica Zweifel presided. Present were Council Members Brad Ness, Kathleen Holmes, Davin Sokup, Jessica Peterson White, and Peter Dahlen; Council Member Chad Beumer was absent. Council Member Peterson White arrived at 6:02 PM. Staff present included City Administrator Ben Martig, Public Works Director/City Engineer David Bennett, Utilities Manager Justin Wagner, Police Chief Jeff Schroepfer, Library Director Natalie Draper, and Deputy City Clerk Sara Hoffman. No formal policy votes were taken; the meeting served as a review and discussion session.

26-299 - Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for Year Ended December 31, 2025

• Tom Olinger, Governmental Service Partner from Abdo, presented the City's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the year ended December 31, 2025, summarizing audit results, findings, expenses, revenues, fund balances, and debt service.
• Olinger congratulated the City on again receiving the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association.
• City Administrator Ben Martig provided additional information, and Olinger answered Council questions.

26-300 - Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for 2027-2031

• Public Works Director/City Engineer David Bennett introduced the draft 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Plan, outlining utility rates, upcoming utility projects, and proposed street projects from 2027 to 2031.
• Bennett, City Administrator Ben Martig, and Utilities Manager Justin Wagner answered Council questions; Council provided feedback on specific areas as requested by staff.
• After a recess from 7:22 PM to 7:31 PM, the Council resumed the CIP discussion with park improvements and facility improvements.
• Library Director Natalie Draper discussed library projects, including work related to a recent grant the library received.
• Bennett detailed the facilities fund and discussed $3 million in state bonding funding received for the Northfield Community Resource Center (NCRC) building.
• Bennett, Martig, and Finance Director Brenda Angelstad answered additional Council questions.

26-301 - Five-Year Capital Equipment Plan (CEP)

• Public Works Director/City Engineer David Bennett reviewed the draft Capital Equipment Plan, focusing on fleet vehicle replacements.
• Police Chief Jeff Schroepfer noted that the Police Department is exploring leasing squad cars.
• Bennett and Schroepfer answered Council questions.

Key Outcomes

• The Council took no formal action on the audit, CIP, or CEP during this work session; the items were for review, discussion, and staff feedback.
• A motion by Council Member Ness, seconded by Council Member Sokup, to adjourn the meeting carried 6-0, with Council Member Beumer absent. The meeting adjourned at 8:17 PM.