City Council Meeting Date: May 19, 2026
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Risi Karim, Assistant City Administrator
Title
Consider Approving Application for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Climate Action Planning Grant Program
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council approves the application submittal for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Climate Action Planning Grant Program
Summary Report:
Staff submitted a grant application to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in December 2025 requesting the maximum award amount of $50,000. This report is being provided for Council information and post-approval acknowledgement in accordance with the City's grants policy. It also provides additional background regarding the grant submission and award outcome. Staff will continue to keep the Council informed of future opportunities related to this initiative.
Earlier this month, the City was notified that its project proposal was selected for funding.
The City pursued funding through this program to support a comprehensive feasibility study and planning process for a geothermal heating and cooling system at the Northfield Community Resource Center (NCRC). This initiative aligns with the City's ongoing commitment to sustainability, carbon reduction, and energy efficiency within City facilities.
The potential use of geothermal systems at City-owned facilities has been discussed for several years and was formally identified in Northfield's Climate Action Plan (CAP), adopted in 2019. The CAP identifies geothermal energy as a strategic opportunity to:
* Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
* Lower long-term energy costs
* Increase energy system resilience for City operations
The feasibility study funded through this grant will help the City better understand the technical, financial, and operational considerations associated with implementing geothermal technology at the NCRC and inform future energy infrastructure planning...
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