By Rich Larson
The Northfield City Council will meet tonight at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, with residential organics recycling, data processing facility regulations and a hospital property sale among the items scheduled for consideration.
Council members will consider releasing a request for proposals for residential curbside compost and organics recycling services. A separate agenda item will ask the council to authorize city staff to apply for a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Organic Management Grant. Together, the items will bring organics collection and potential state funding before the council for action.
The council will also hold the first reading of an ordinance amending the Land Development Code’s use-specific standards for data processing facilities. The proposal follows a discussion at the council’s September 15 work session. Tonight’s agenda calls for an initial reading of the proposed ordinance.
A public hearing will address the proposed sale of a portion of the property at 1600 Riverview Lane, identified as Northfield Hospital + Clinics’ Emergency Medical Services property. Following the hearing, council members will consider a resolution approving the sale. Supporting documents include a purchase agreement and a driveway easement and maintenance agreement.
The consent agenda will include approval of plans and specifications and authorization to advertise for bids for the second phase of the Northfield Skateboard Park expansion.
Other consent items will include a joint powers agreement with the Rice County Dive Team, renewal of employee benefits for 2027 and approximately $2.2 million in disbursements.
Council members will also consider the second reading of an ordinance removing the 900-foot maximum block length in the I1-B industrial zoning district.
The meeting will begin with open public comment, which will conclude by 6:20 p.m. Preregistered speakers will have up to two minutes to address the council. Additional opportunities for comment will accompany public hearings and regular agenda items.
Rich Larson is the owner and General manager of KYMN Radio. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
