City Council Meeting Date: October 6, 2026
To: Mayor and City Council
From: David Bennett, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Title
Public Hearing on Sale of a portion of Property at 1600 Riverview Lane (Northfield Hospital + Clinics Emergency Medical Services Property)
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council will hold a public hearing on the sale of property at 1600 Riverview Lane, Northfield MN 55057 for Northfield Hospital + Clinics.
Summary Report:
Northfield Hospital + Clinics is owned by the City, but its Hospital Board is responsible for its operations and administration. The City Council retains the specific powers identified in Section 14.4 of the City Charter, including authority over the sale of City property.
The Emergency Medical Services property at 1600 Riverview Lane was purchased by Northfield Hospital + Clinic in 2012 as the location for dispatching ambulance service for Northfield. Northfield Hospital + Clinics purchased the southern lot from Northfield Construction Company (NCC) and the northern lot remained NCC property (owner now Wiston Patches LLC).
On the north side of the property, there is shared access with 1610 Riverview Lane. Northfield Hospital Clinics 1600 Riverview Lane is proposed to sell 21 feet of their property to Winston Patches LLC. and establish a new access easement.
Northfield Hospital + Clinics board approved recommending to the City Council the sale of property at the September 24, 2026, Hospital Board Meeting. The property sale amount is $12,403.00. Northfield Hospital & Clinic staff who negotiated the agreement used a blended price per sq ft based on the county assessed value for the land to determine fair market value.
The Northfield City Council called for the public hearing to consider the sale of property this evening. The public hearing notice (attachment 1) was published in the Northfield News on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. The public hearing will be followed by a proposed action item approving the sale.
Per Northfield City Charter Section 15.5 a public hearing is required prior to the sale of real property.
City Charter Section 15.5. - Sales of Real Property.
The council may by resolution approved of by at least five (5) members sell or otherwise dispose of any real property of the city. A sale or other disposition of the city's real property may be made only after a public hearing has been held and published notice of the hearing has been given at least ten (10) but not more than thirty (30) days prior to the hearing. The net cash proceeds of the sale of the property shall be used to retire any outstanding indebtedness incurred by the city in the acquisition or improvement of the property. Any remaining net cash proceeds shall be used to finance other improvements in the capital improvement budget or to retire any other bonded indebtedness.
The public hearing notice was published in the Northfield News on Wednesday, August 5, 2026.
The following is the procedure of the public hearing per the City Council’s adopted Rules of Business:
Public Hearing Procedure:
A Public Hearing is used by the City Council to solicit the public's comments on various projects or City operation procedures.
A. The Mayor (Chair) will open the hearing by identifying the subject.
B. Staff Presentation - Public Works Director David Bennett will give a brief overview and recommendation at the meeting.
C. Applicant's Presentation - not applicable. Eric Guth, Northfield Hospital + Clinics Vice President and Chief Financial Officer will be available should there be any questions by the City Council.
D. Public Input - The public will have the opportunity to speak for or against the issue. The public may ask questions, make comments, voice support, agree or disagree with the issue.
1. The Mayor will recognize a speaker and comments/conversation will be between the Mayor and speaker; and between the Mayor and Councilors.
2. The speaker must give their name, address, and if representing a business, must give the name of the business or corporation. If an Attorney or consultant is representing a client, the client must be identified for the record.
3. Speakers will be allowed to speak a maximum of two (2) minutes per item (not including interpreter’s time).
E. Questions or Clarifications from the City Council - After the public input of the public hearing is completed, the City Council may request questions or clarifications prior to closing the public hearing. This section will be used when there are questions related to the topic on which the public hearing is being held. Questions should be succinct and avoid being rhetorical or leading in nature. Subsequent actions of the City Council provide for opportunities for further questions or clarifications from the City Council.
G. Motion to Close Hearing - The Mayor will state if there is an extension of time for public input into the hearing. If not, the City Council will make a motion, second, and vote on closing the public hearing.
Alternative Options:
None recommended.
Financial Impacts:
The property sale amount is $12,403.00 with proceeds going into Northfield Hospital & Clinic funds.
Tentative Timelines:
• October 6, 2026 Public Hearing on property sale
• October 6, 2026 City Council votes on property sale
• October 30, 2026 Closing date, if approved