City of Northfield MN
File #: 25-426    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Motion Status: Passed
File created: 7/24/2025 In control: City Council
On agenda: 8/4/2025 Final action:
Title: Consider Motion Authorizing Submittal of Application for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Flood Hazard Mitigation Grant Assistance Program.
Attachments: 1. 1 - DNR Flood Hazard Mitigation Grant Application, 2. 2 - Cost Spreadsheet, 3. 3 - Figure 1. Existing Conditions Downtown Floodmap, 4. 4 - Figure 2. Alt 1-2 Floodwall Extension Floodmap, 5. 5 - Figure 4. C-4 Area CC2 AltCC2-4, 6. 6 - Figure 5. C-5 Area CC3 Alt3-2
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City Council Meeting Date:  August 4, 2025

 

To:                                          Mayor and City Council

                                          City Administrator

 

From:                                          James McDermott, Water Quality Technician

                                          Sean Simonson, Engineering Manager

                                          David Bennett, City Engineer/Public Works Director

 

Title

Consider Motion Authorizing Submittal of Application for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Flood Hazard Mitigation Grant Assistance Program.

 

Body

Action Requested:                     

The Northfield City Council authorizes the submittal of application for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Flood Hazard Mitigation Grant.

 

Summary Report:

On July 11, 2023 the City Council accepted the Downtown Flood Study report (Attachment 2) and authorized staff to pursue grant funding. There is currently a grant program, the Minnesota DNR Flood Hazard Mitigation Grant, that the staff has prepared an application for submittal (Attachment 1).

 

The proposed grant provides for a 50% State and 50% Local Match. 

 

The proposed project locations and costs:

 

Area 1 - Floodwall Extension West side North of 4th Street Bridge (301 Water St., 207 Water St.,
                     205 Water St.)

                                          Project Cost - $5.2 Million

                                          Grant Share - $2.6 Million

                                          City Share Local Cost - $2.6 Million                     

 

Carleton College - Stadium floodwall, and West Gym Closure

                                          Project Cost - $3.9 Million

                                          Grant Share - $1,950,000

                                          Carleton College Share - $1,950,000

 

Staff have spoken to Carleton College, and they are reviewing their cost match.  If they are supportive we will include them in the application for the work on Carleton College property.

 

Area 2 - from the Downtown Flood Study on the east side North of 4th Street Bridge (11 Bridge Square, 13 Bridge Square) was another area to consider including in the grant. Staff spoke with the owner at 11 Bridge Square related to the dry flood proofing/window gates recommendation and the cost to potentially do that work versus at actual cost of the building. The owner declined at the time due to concerns over the cost-benefit of the improvement.

 

Alternative Options:

Not submitted, however, staff believe in leveraging available funding.

 

Financial Impacts:                     

Shared above, the City’s local match would be from the Storm Water Fund.

 

Tentative Timelines:                     

•                     Grant submittal due August 11, 2025

•                     Notice of grant award Fall of 2025