Northfield EDA Takeover Vote Fails

A majority of four members was needed to pass a motion to disband Northfield's Economic Development Authority at Tuesday's City Council meeting.

The vote ended in a 3-3 stalemate, as Councilor Suzie Nakasian was absent.

"I think our EDA could continue on," Councilor Kris Vohs said before casting his vote to reject the motion. He was joined by Pownell, also an EDA member, and Mayor Mary Rossing.

Councilor Erica Zweifel told opponents of the measure that the EDA, as an independent body with taxing authority, should have the initiative to conduct business without direction from the city council.

Members and supporters of the EDA frequently cited a lack of direction from city councilors as a reason the two groups failed to get along.

"[The EDA] shouldn't have to be urged to do what it is supposed to do," she said.

Post office update

Councilors also passed a resolution stating its agreement with principles of the Save Our Post Office task force, presented by resident and member Keith Covey.

Among the resolutions—worded vaguely and in question form to give legal breadth to the group when working with the USPS—are an affirmation of support for keeping a post office in , its support to help the group resolve related legal issues (councilors set a $3,000 cap on legal fees) and an openness to support a deal involving acquisition.

The council will also request the USPS to not move ahead until receiving an alternative from the city before moving ahead with its original plan to close the downtown post office and shift all mail carrying to an annex in the town’s southwest.