No Development in Talks with Northfield EDA

After three months, several interviews, planning sessions by each group, and mediation by a nonprofit consultant, a would-be meeting of resolution between the Northfield City Council and Northfield's Economic Development Authority went in circular discussion for about an hour at Tuesday's council meeting and was then postponed to a later date.

The meeting was intended to give members of the beleaguered EDA a chance to present accomplishments to councilors before they voted whether to disband the group.

President Jenelle Teppen and Community Development Director Jody Gunderson, who serves as city staff for the EDA, portrayed the EDA's activities with the city council's economic goals.

"We have a pretty aggressive work plan," Teppen said. "We run out of time at every meeting."

Councilor Betsey Buckheit, the most vocal critic of the EDA on the council, voiced skepticism about a link between the group's activity and economic growth in Northfield.

Gunderson said that the portfolio of loans the EDA offers to businesses is that link.

"In many cases, [the loans have] contributed to the sustainability of those businesses," he said.

As the discussion went on without clear sight of resolution, a motion to extend the meeting past 10:30 p.m. failed.