- Home
- Government
- City Council
City Council
Regular City Council meetings
First and third Tuesday of each month
6 p.m.
City Council work sessions
Second Tuesday of each month
6 p.m.
Assistance
-
In the Council Chambers, an induction loop system is provided for hearing device users. To use, turn your hearing device to the "T" setting or request a loop receiver.
Council packets and supplemental material
05-30-23 City Council Special Work Session Agenda Packet
05-30-23 City Council Special Work Session Supplemental Memo no. 1
Public monitoring
Members
Name | Title | Term expiration | Phone number |
---|---|---|---|
Rhonda Pownell | Mayor | December 31, 2024 | 507-663-1932 |
Kathleen Holmes | Council Member First Ward | December 31, 2026 | 507-301-6623 |
Jami Reister | Council Member Second Ward | December 31, 2024 | 507-645-7558 |
Brad Ness | Council Member At Large | December 31, 2024 | 612-232-1190 |
Davin Sokup | Council Member At Large | December 31, 2026 | 507-350-7144 |
Jessica Peterson White | Council Member Fourth Ward | December 31, 2026 | 612-366-8311 |
George Zuccolotto | Council Member Third Ward | December 31, 2024 | 507-301-8542 |
Contacting the City Council
If you have questions or comments, you can email the City Council. Each member will receive your email. When replying to your email, a Council member cannot reply to all members, only to you. This avoids violating the open meeting law.
City staff
Name | Title | Phone Number | |
---|---|---|---|
Ben Martig | City Administrator | 507-645-3009 | Email Ben Martig |
Lynette Peterson | City Clerk | 507-645-3001 | Email Lynette Peterson |
Sara Hoffman | Deputy City Clerk / Executive Administrative Assistant | 507-645-3060 | Email Sara Hoffman |
Questions
If you have an administrative question or concern please submit those online or contact the City at 507-645-8833.
Commenting in person
Members of the public are allowed and encouraged to speak to the city council during the open public comment or during a public hearing of a council meeting.
During the open public comment portion you may take one opportunity to address the Council for two minutes (not including interpreter’s time) on any topic, even if on the agenda, with the condition that you may not speak on the same item later in the meeting.
Signing up to speak
Complete a sign-up with your name and address. Sign up cards are located on the table when entering the Council Chambers. Submit your card to the city clerk.
You may also use the electronic register to speak option on the city’s website.
or
Contact the City Clerk no later than noon on the day of the meeting.
When to speak
During the open public comment or public hearing, the Mayor will call up individuals to speak at the podium, based on preregistration and cards submitted. People who wish to speak who haven’t signed up may do so after all others have spoken. They will be asked to fill out a sign-up card after they have spoken.
Etiquette when speaking
Please be respectful of the public’s and the Council’s time. Members of the public wishing to speak must follow these guidelines:
- Speak only once for no more than two minutes (not including interpreter’s time) on the topic unless the speaker is addressed by the Council
- Identify your relationship to the topic
- Have a spokesperson or two for your group to present your comments
Responses to questions
If you want a response to a question, you must submit the question in writing to the City Clerk. Questions must include your name and information on how to contact you.
Commenting virtually via Zoom
You may join a Council meeting virtually via Zoom. This option is for those who intend to speak during the open public comment or a public hearing. A separate option (and link) is available to watch a meeting only without the option to speak.
Rules of etiquette for hybrid meetings
- Please identify yourself once in the Zoom meeting (type your name in Zoom window).
- Camera must be off and audio must be muted unless speaking.
- Only speak when directed to by the mayor or other meeting chair.
- There is a two-minute limit for addressing the Council.
- Rules of business applies for decorum.
- The City of Northfield reserves the right to mute any meeting participant.
- The City of Northfield reserves the right to remove any meeting participant for not following Rules of Business.
- The City of Northfield reserves the right to turn off any meeting participant’s camera and/or audio if they are on while not addressing the Council.
Joining the meeting virtually via Zoom
Each meeting has a unique web address. To find this information, go to the Calendar to find the specific meeting.
Commenting on agenda items with eComment
The City of Northfield has an electronic comment (eComment) feature for City Council meetings. eComment provides an easy way for residents to add their voices to the process and makes participation in public meetings convenient when it may be difficult to attend the meeting in person.
Once the agenda is published, the eComment link will be active. Residents can review agenda item details, indicate their position on an item and leave feedback by clicking on the eComment tab on the City Council meetings page:
View City Council meeting information and comment
Comments may be submitted until noon on the day of the meeting. Residents may also use the Register to Speak option to sign up in advance to speak at the meeting. For additional information on using eComment and Register to Speak, please see the instructions.
Instructions for eComment and Register to Speak (PDF)
For more information, contact the city clerk.
Lynette Peterson
City Clerk
507-645-3001
Email Lynette Peterson
Commenting on agenda items by email
Send an email no later than 12 Noon on the day of the meeting.
Note the meeting item you’re commenting on in the subject line and type your comment in the body of the email or attach a document if necessary.
These comments will be sent to the entire City Council and posted on the city’s website with other meeting items following the meeting.
Commenting on agenda items by mail
Send a letter containing your input to:
City Clerk Lynette Peterson
City of Northfield
801 Washington Street
Northfield, MN 55057
Commenting on agenda items directly with council members
As always, members of the public can contact council members directly via email to provide input. This input will not be read publicly during the meeting.
Ward / precinct map
To find what ward you live in:
or enter your address:
Secretary of State Poll Place Finder
City Charter / City Code
Rules for meetings
Public Participation Guide (PDF)
City Council Quasi-Judicial Decisions and Ex-Parte Communication Guidance (PDF)
Overview
Northfield is a home rule charter city with a "Mayor-Council" form of government. The City Council is comprised of seven elected officials, including the mayor, who legislate policy and govern the issues related to the City of Northfield.
Of the six council positions, four are ward representatives and two are at-large positions. All terms are four years, with staggered election years.
Mayor’s role
The mayor is:
- The presiding officer of the council
- The chief spokesperson for the council
- Recognized as the official head of the city for all ceremonial functions
- Recognized as the official head of the city for purposes related to emergencies
- Responsible for some specific executive functions such as studying city operations
Mayor and council roles
The mayor and council are responsible for the legislative duties of the city government through policies and ordinances.
City administrator’s role
The Council-appointed city administrator carries out the policies and ordinances set by the Council. The city administrator supervises the administration of all departments and offices of the City.
-
-
On air with KYMN radio: Mayor Pownell, Library Director Draper and Assistant City Planner Needham
Mayor Pownell is joined by Director of Library Services Natalie Draper and Assistant City Planner Revee Needham to talk about opportunities for local artists to create public art in Northfield. Listen to interview... -
Call to artists for Hispanic Heritage Month banners
The Northfield Arts and Culture Commission, in partnership with the Friends of Downtown Northfield, is hosting a competition for artists to design a new downtown banner in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Call to artists...