City Council Meeting Date: February 10, 2026
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Jeff Schroepfer, Police Chief
Title
Consider Resolution Approving the Rice County All Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council is asked to approve the attached Resolution accepting the updated Rice County All Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Summary Report:
The City Council is asked to accept the updated Rice County All Hazard Mitigation Plan. Over the many months, staff from Rice County and all cities and townships in Rice County have submitted updated information related to the All Hazard Mitigation plan. The plan is now assembled and attached. It is also available for viewing at the following link: HMP - Rice County <https://rice-county-hmp-umn.hub.arcgis.com/>
The Mitigation Plan is a very large document. It includes historical emergency/disaster data, information on past and future mitigation efforts, and other related information for Minnesota, Rice County, and specific communities in Northfield.
As stated in the Resolution, the All Hazard Mitigation Plan is an important part of Emergency Management planning, response, and recovery. The Rice County Plan includes a mitigation strategy including goals and objectives and an action plan identifying specific mitigation projects and costs. The Plan has been shared with the Minnesota Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for review and comment.
All jurisdictions in Rice County have been asked to accept the updated Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Rice County All-Hazard Mitigation Plan will make the county and participating jurisdictions eligible to receive FEMA hazard mitigation assistance grants in the future.
Staff recommend approval of the Resolution and the Rice County All Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Chief Schroepfer is exploring FEMA emergency management training for elected officials to host locally. The intent would be to include information on the Rice County All Hazard Mitigation Plan and the City of Northfield Emergency Management Plan (EOP) to be integrated with the Federal training. More details will be shared as they emerge.
Alternative Options:
N/A
Financial Impacts:
The only financial impact would be if the Council does not accept the All Hazard Mitigation Plan; Municipal adoption of the HMP is required for eligibility under FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance programs, including grants for projects that reduce disaster risk. Without adoption, the City of Northfield may not qualify for these funds.
Tentative Timelines:
The plan would be implemented after full adoption.