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 t...
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