Hermantown moves data center meeting after protests delay resolutions
The Hermantown City Council rescheduled a meeting on six resolutions related to a proposed Google data center after protests disrupted the original session. Opposition remains active, and a judge declined to issue a temporary restraining order halting city action while several lawsuits continue.
The Hermantown City Council moved its meeting on six proposed Google data center resolutions from Oct. 27 to Oct. 30, citing a conflict with early voting. The rescheduled meeting will limit in-person attendance to 85 people while offering a virtual option and accepting written comments.
The original meeting was disrupted by a large protest, which Hermantown police later declared an unlawful assembly. Council member Andy Hjelle said the disruption prevented other residents from being heard, while opponents criticized the meeting’s timing and sought to delay action through legal proceedings.
Judge Theresa Neo declined a temporary restraining order that would have halted consideration of the resolutions. A hearing on the restraining order and other motions in ongoing lawsuits is scheduled for Dec. 8.