CommitteeFaribault

City Council

Track committee activity, current roster, and published meeting coverage for City Council in Faribault.

0 active membersNext meeting Aug 25, 2026Last meeting Aug 18, 202630 summaries in 30d

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Active roster

Latest activity

Aug 22, 2026

Municipality

Faribault

Latest coverage

Council Delays Data Center EIS Decision

Published Aug 22, 2026

Related summaries

Published meeting coverage connected to City Council.

Briefing

Jul 14, 2026

Council Discussed Property in Closed Session

The City Council unanimously authorized a closed session to discuss purchase or sale strategies, potential offers or counteroffers, and confidential appraisal information for a specific property parcel.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Jul 14, 2026

Council Delays Data Center EIS Decision

The Council unanimously postponed deciding whether the Archer Datacenters Faribault Campus project needs an Environmental Impact Statement, directed the project proposer to provide additional information, and authorized development of data-center performance standards. The Council also approved a $479,675 bid to replace approximately 63 lead service lines.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Jun 23, 2026

Council Holds Closed Litigation Session

The City Council unanimously approved a closed session to discuss confidential legal communications and litigation strategy concerning the Archer Datacenters environmental review and related court case. The council reopened the meeting 32 minutes later and recorded no further substantive action.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Jun 23, 2026

Council Approves Hill Block Tax District

The City Council approved the Hill Block redevelopment tax increment financing district and related interfund loans by 5-1 votes, with Councilor Rowan opposed. The council also approved plans for a 37-unit market-rate townhome development at 924 1st St. NE.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Jun 9, 2026

Council approves $7.32 million in bonds

The City Council unanimously approved two 15-year bond sales totaling $7.32 million: $3.71 million for the second phase of Viaduct Park and $3.61 million for sewer-fund capital projects. The sewer bond carries a 3.48% true interest cost, while the Viaduct Park bond carries 4.92%.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

May 26, 2026

Council vacates unused stormwater easement

The City Council approved a 6-0 ordinance vacating an unnecessary portion of a stormwater easement at 105 Riverchase Court. It also unanimously approved a third amendment to the Riverchase II purchase and development agreement and a consent agenda covering water-metering, refuse-hauler licenses, event street closures, and other items.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

May 19, 2026

Council Advances Storm Sewer Easement Vacation

The City Council approved the first reading of Ordinance 2026-8 by a 6-0 vote, advancing the vacation of an unused storm sewer easement at 105 Riverchase Ct. The easement currently limits future redevelopment of the property.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

May 12, 2026

Council Adds Data Center Zoning Limits

The City Council approved a zoning amendment placing data centers in I-2 zoning districts, with a 5-2 vote. The measure defines where future data centers may locate and adds limits, but it does not create a moratorium.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Apr 28, 2026

Council Advances Data Center Zoning and Sewer Projects

The council unanimously authorized approximately $3.61 million in sewer revenue bonds for 2026 projects, including a siphon box carrying wastewater under the river, and approved plans to seek bids for replacing about 63 lead service lines. It also advanced data center zoning rules on a 5-2 vote and authorized approximately $3.71 million in taxable bonds for Phase 2 of Viaduct Park.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Apr 14, 2026

Council Tables Data Center Zoning Rules

The City Council tabled proposed data-center zoning rules in a 4-2 vote, with Councilors Thiele and Mayor Spooner voting against the delay. The council also approved downtown Hill Block condominium plans, childcare zoning in public-institutional areas, several infrastructure contracts, and a $649,900 Viaduct Park ice-shelter contract.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Mar 24, 2026

Council Approves Riverchase II Financing

The council unanimously approved a tax increment financing district for the Riverchase II residential development on city-owned land south of the viaduct, providing up to $725,000 in assistance over nine years or until that amount is reached.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Mar 10, 2026

Council approves short-term rental rules

The City Council approved a new short-term-rental ordinance by a 5-0 vote and set a $200 license fee. It also approved plans for 2026 street, concrete, and parking-lot improvements, plus a competitive bid for the estimated $715,000 Viaduct Park Phase 2 project.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Feb 24, 2026

Council advances street projects and rental rules

The Council unanimously advanced a 2026 street overlay project estimated at $558,700, set bidding for March 18, and scheduled construction from June through August. It also ordered preparation of plans for reconstruction on 2nd Street NW and 1st Avenue NW and approved first readings for short-term-rental licensing and revised late-fee rules.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Feb 10, 2026

Council advances street and bridge projects

The council unanimously approved a 2026 street overlay project and approved plans for a replacement Deer pedestrian bridge, estimated at $604,056, by a 5-1 vote. Street construction is tentatively scheduled for May or June through August 2026.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Jan 27, 2026

City Advances Lead Service Line Work

The council unanimously approved a $236,591.76 engineering proposal to replace approximately 90 lead water services on future street overlay and reconstruction routes, supported by a $1,375,000 Public Facilities Authority grant.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Jan 13, 2026

Council Approves Commercial Rezoning Request

The City Council unanimously approved changing the comprehensive plan designation for 2119 Hwy 60 W from Institutional to Commercial and approved a first reading of the zoning change from Public Institutional to C-3 Community Commercial. The zoning vote passed 6-0.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Jan 6, 2026

Council Approves New Sign and Review Fees

The council approved a 2026 fee schedule change by a 5-1 vote, setting a $50 sign-refacing fee and requiring developer-funded escrows for specialized environmental reviews. It also approved a $50,000 escrow and an August 31, 2026 completion deadline for early occupancy at 3040 Highway 60 West.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Dec 22, 2025

Council Approves Institutional Zoning Changes

The council unanimously approved a zoning text amendment affecting Public Institutional zoning requirements. It also approved most consent-agenda items, including 2026 snow and ice control guidelines and plans to advance 2026 street overlay and reconstruction projects. A disputed account write-off passed 5-1 with the balance attributed to Sara Caron removed from the write-off and staff directed to work with her to collect it.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Dec 16, 2025

Council Approves Refrigerated Ice Sheet Contract

The City Council unanimously approved a not-to-exceed $1,832,940 contract with Modern Mechanical Ice Systems to design and construct the Viaduct Phase 2 refrigerated ice sheet. The Council also unanimously approved a 2026 on-sale and Sunday liquor license for The Signature Bar and Grill LLC.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Dec 9, 2025

Council adopts 2026 budget and tax levy

The City Council unanimously adopted Faribault’s 2026 property tax levy, budget and fund appropriations, along with the 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Plan. It also approved the 2026 fee schedule by a 5-2 vote, with Councilors John Rowan and Chuck Thiele voting against it.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Dec 2, 2025

Council approves employment termination

The City Council unanimously approved Resolution 2025-338 to terminate an employee’s employment after a closed session concerning allegations and performance evaluation involving Jeremy Hauschen.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Nov 25, 2025

Council approves high-density rezoning

The City Council approved a rezoning from medium-density residential to high-density residential by a 7-0 vote. It also approved a final plat and related agreements allowing two lots at 801 4th St. NW to be combined for reuse of the former Lampert’s building and outdoor storage yard.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Nov 18, 2025

Faribault Approves KGP Tax Abatement

The City Council unanimously approved a tax abatement and private development contract for KGP Telecommunications’ planned 15,000-square-foot downtown headquarters, with estimated abatements totaling $431,323 over 10 years.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Nov 12, 2025

Senior care facility expansion approved

The council approved an expansion of the Ivy Hill senior care facility from 16 to up to 32 residents, including rezoning, site plans, a conditional-use permit and related variances.

2 min readMunicipal coverage