Northfield City Council Meeting – October 6, 2026

The Northfield City Council met at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, in the Council Chambers at Northfield City Hall, 801 Washington Street. Mayor Erica Zweifel presided, and all seven councilmembers were present: Brad Ness, Kathleen Holmes, Davin Sokup, Jessica Peterson White, Chad Beumer, and Peter Dahlen. Staff present included Police Chief Jeff Schroepfer, Community Development Director Scott Wopata, Associate City Planner Mathias Hughey, Public Works Director/City Engineer David Bennett, City Administrator Ben Martig, and City Clerk Lynette Peterson. The Council approved the consent agenda, conducted a public hearing on a property sale, authorized release of an organics recycling RFP and a related grant application, approved the first reading of a data processing facility ordinance, and directed staff to develop a tiered data center framework. The meeting was extended beyond 9:00 PM and adjourned at 9:47 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the September 22, 2026 City Council meeting minutes (26-506).
• Approved disbursements totaling $2,206,835.99 (26-507; M2026-135).
• Approved Resolution 2026-096 amending the 1.03 Recognition Policy.
• Approved the 2027 employee benefits renewal (26-508; M2026-136).
• Approved the Joint Powers Agreement with the Rice County Dive Team (26-509; M2026-137).
• Approved Resolution 2026-097 approving plans and specifications and ordering advertisement for bids for the Phase II Northfield Skateboard Park Expansion Project (PARK2026-E19).
• Approved the second reading of Ordinance 1097 amending the Land Development Code to remove the 900-foot maximum block length in the I1-B Industrial zoning district, and approved summary publication of the ordinance (Ord. 1097; 26-510; M2026-138).
• All consent items passed on one unanimous 7-0 vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• During open public comment, Wendy Placko and Alan Anderson addressed the Council regarding proposed data center setbacks.
• At the Riverview Lane public hearing, Eric Guth, Chief Financial Officer for Northfield Hospital and Clinics, addressed the Council regarding the property purchase.
• During the organics recycling discussion, Cliff Martin of Curbside Compost Cooperative addressed the Council regarding the RFP.
• During the data center ordinance public comment, the following speakers addressed the Council:
  • Katie Rooks spoke about public opinion and the Planning Commission’s recommendations.
  • Ethan Struby expressed opposition to data centers in Northfield.
  • Julia Menard, speaking on behalf of Northfield Indivisible, expressed opposition to data centers.
  • James Clinton suggested prohibiting data centers for a period of time.
  • Trina Brunk discussed data centers and led the audience in song.
  • Lorraine Rovig urged the Council to proceed cautiously with the proposed ordinance.
  • Holly Kelchner raised concerns about buffers, pollution, and environmental impacts of data centers.
  • Sandy Turbes addressed the proposed setback changes and suggested an alternative setback distance.

Public Hearing and Property Sale

• Mayor Zweifel opened the public hearing at 6:10 PM for the proposed sale of a portion of property at 1600 Riverview Lane to Winston Patches LLC.
• Public Works Director/City Engineer David Bennett explained that the Northfield Hospital Board approved the sale on September 24, 2026, and staff recommended approval.
• The public hearing was closed at 6:13 PM by a 7-0 vote.
• The Council then approved Resolution 2026-098 by a 7-0 vote, approving the sale of the real property by Northfield Hospital and Clinics, approving a driveway easement and maintenance agreement, and dispensing with review by the Northfield Planning Commission.

Regular Agenda: Organics Recycling

• Public Works Director/City Engineer David Bennett presented the Request for Proposals (RFP) for a residential curbside compost/organic recycling program. Proposals are due by November 13, 2026; staff will review proposals and bring a recommendation to the Council on December 1, 2026.
• The Council approved release of the RFP on a 5-2 vote, with Councilmembers Beumer and Dahlen voting no (M2026-139).
• The Council authorized staff to apply for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Organic Management Grant on a 6-1 vote, with Councilmember Beumer voting no (M2026-140).

Data Processing Facility Ordinance (Ord. 1098)

• Community Development Director Scott Wopata introduced the proposed text amendment and outlined the public comment and feedback process. Associate City Planner Mathias Hughey presented the amendment timeline, proposed changes, Planning Commission recommendation, zoning and setbacks, performance standards, setback comparisons, development timelines and process, and staff analysis.
• The Council recessed at 7:41 PM and resumed at 7:49 PM before continuing public comment and discussion.
• After discussion, the Council approved the first reading of Ordinance 1098, which would amend Section 2.9.14 (Data Processing Facility) of the Land Development Code, on a 7-0 vote.
• The Council also voted 7-0 to direct staff to explore and research a tiered framework and performance standards for data centers, consistent with the Planning Commission’s recommendation, considering factors beyond power consumption for the Land Development Code update.
• Note: The agenda labels this item as a First Reading of Ordinance 1098, while the minutes heading calls it a Second Reading; the motion adopted was to approve the first reading.

Reports and Administrative Update

• Councilmember Peterson White reported on Hospital Board and EDA meetings; Councilmember Holmes reported on the Hospital Governance Board and Council Employment Policy Committee; Councilmember Dahlen reported on the Council Employment Policy Committee; Councilmember Beumer reported on the EDA meeting; Mayor Zweifel reported on the Governor’s Pheasant Hunt Opener. Councilmembers Ness and Sokup had no report.
• City Administrator Ben Martig provided an update on the upcoming Council calendar and noted that the October 13, 2026 work session has been canceled.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously.
• Public hearing on 1600 Riverview Lane closed and sale approved unanimously (Resolution 2026-098).
• Residential curbside compost/organics RFP release approved 5-2.
• MPCA Organic Management Grant application authorized 6-1.
• First reading of Ordinance 1098 (data processing facility standards) approved 7-0, with a unanimous 7-0 directive to develop a tiered data center framework.
• The Council unanimously extended the meeting until business was complete and adjourned at 9:47 PM.