City Council Meeting Date: November 9, 2026
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Risi Karim, Assistant City Administrator
Title
Closed Meeting pursuant to Minn. Stat. 13D.05, subd. 3(a) related to the Evaluation of the Performance of Ben Martig, City Administrator.
Body
Action Requested:
The City Council will consider a motion to close the meeting pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 13D.05, subd. 3(a).
Summary Report:
The Northfield City Council will be conducting the annual performance review for City Administrator Martig. Attached is the City Council Policy 1.02 City Administrator Performance Review Policy that outlines the process and scope of review.
The City Council will consider a motion to close the meeting pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 13D.05, subd. 3(a). Accordingly, the public body may close a meeting to evaluate the performance of an individual who is subject to its authority.
The following procedure must be used to close a meeting under this provision:
• The public body must identify the individual to be evaluated prior to closing the meeting. The meeting must be open at the request of the individual who is the subject of the meeting; so some advance notice to the individual is needed to allow the individual to make a decision.
• Before closing the meeting, the council must state on the record the specific grounds permitting the meeting to be closed and describe the subject to be discussed.
• The meeting must be electronically recorded, and the recording must be preserved for at least three years after the meeting.
• At the next open meeting, in this case the November 10th regular meeting, the public body must summarize its conclusions regarding the evaluation. The council should be careful not to release private or confidential data in its summary.
Alternative Options:
Not applicable.
Financial Impacts:
The City Council will be asked to determine any salary adjustment related to the City Administrator’s performance. A resolution approving a step increase (attachment 2) and a resolution approving an amount to be determined by the Council (attachment 3).
Tentative Timelines:
o November 10, 2026 - City Council Regular Meeting (open meeting) Summarizes its conclusions regarding the annual performance review under Minn. Stat. sec. 13D.05, subd. 3(a).