Tuesday, February 8, 2022 · 7:00 PM
Agenda
Not posted
What was on the agenda.
One-line summary
Council appointed Adam Schrag as Assistant Fire Chief, approved consent items including claims, a truck/equipment purchase and road repair, adopted an accessory-structures ordinance and local-control housing resolution, discussed unemployment appeals and broadband, directed State Auditor review of office concerns, and extended the interim administrator contract to July 1, 2022.
19 items as recorded in the packet and minutes, each with a plain-English summary of what was at issue.
1Call to Order / Firefighter Badge Presentation / Appointment of Assistant Fire Chief
Call to order, pledge, roll call, agenda approval, firefighter badge presentation, and appointment of assistant fire chief.
The meeting opened with a ceremonial badge presentation for the original Nowthen firefighters. Fire Chief David Schmidt then recommended Adam Schrag for Assistant Fire Chief, describing the role as part of the department’s leadership and succession plan. Council appointed Schrag with a $700 monthly stipend.
Agenda approved with item 2G moved to 8E; Adam Schrag was appointed Assistant Fire Chief.
2aApprove January 11, 2022 Council Minutes
Approval of City Council Minutes of Regular Meeting, January 11, 2022, City Council Meeting.
Council approved the consent agenda after moving item 2G to regular discussion. The consent approvals included the prior meeting minutes, claims, the Nowthen Knights lawn services agreement, a $282.50 James Cotes fee waiver, Resolution 2022-5 for prosecutorial-services access agreements, the Mack truck and snow/ice equipment purchase, and the Variolite Street class 5 subbase correction project.
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
2bApprove Claims January 8, 2022 to February 4, 2022
Approval of Claims January 8, 2022, to February 4, 2022.
Council approved the consent agenda after moving item 2G to regular discussion. The consent approvals included the prior meeting minutes, claims, the Nowthen Knights lawn services agreement, a $282.50 James Cotes fee waiver, Resolution 2022-5 for prosecutorial-services access agreements, the Mack truck and snow/ice equipment purchase, and the Variolite Street class 5 subbase correction project.
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
2cNowthen Knights 2022 Lawn Services Agreement
Approval of Lawn Services Agreement for 2022 with Nowthen Knights Baseball Team.
Council approved the consent agenda after moving item 2G to regular discussion. The consent approvals included the prior meeting minutes, claims, the Nowthen Knights lawn services agreement, a $282.50 James Cotes fee waiver, Resolution 2022-5 for prosecutorial-services access agreements, the Mack truck and snow/ice equipment purchase, and the Variolite Street class 5 subbase correction project.
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
2dJames Cotes Planning and Subdivision Fee Waiver
Approval of Fee Waiver in the Amount of $282.50 for Planning and Subdivision Services for James Cotes.
Council approved the consent agenda after moving item 2G to regular discussion. The consent approvals included the prior meeting minutes, claims, the Nowthen Knights lawn services agreement, a $282.50 James Cotes fee waiver, Resolution 2022-5 for prosecutorial-services access agreements, the Mack truck and snow/ice equipment purchase, and the Variolite Street class 5 subbase correction project.
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
2eResolution 2022-5 Prosecutorial Services Agreements
Approval of Resolution 2022-5 authorizing five-year agreements related to city prosecutorial services.
Council approved the consent agenda after moving item 2G to regular discussion. The consent approvals included the prior meeting minutes, claims, the Nowthen Knights lawn services agreement, a $282.50 James Cotes fee waiver, Resolution 2022-5 for prosecutorial-services access agreements, the Mack truck and snow/ice equipment purchase, and the Variolite Street class 5 subbase correction project.
Prosecutor Kurt Glaser reported that COVID-era court operations increased use of Zoom, reduced failure-to-appear warrants, and changed sentencing and monitoring practices. He thanked the council for approving the BCA-related prosecution access contracts, which carry a $150 quarterly pass-through cost.
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
2f2023 Mack Truck and Snow/Ice Control Equipment Purchase
Approval of request to purchase one 2023 Mack Granite 64FR(T) tandem axle truck and chassis and associated snow and ice control equipment.
Council approved the consent agenda after moving item 2G to regular discussion. The consent approvals included the prior meeting minutes, claims, the Nowthen Knights lawn services agreement, a $282.50 James Cotes fee waiver, Resolution 2022-5 for prosecutorial-services access agreements, the Mack truck and snow/ice equipment purchase, and the Variolite Street class 5 subbase correction project.
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
2g/8eExtension of Interim City Administrator Employment Agreement
Approval of Extension of Employment Agreement for Interim City Administrator.
After moving item 2G from consent to regular business, council extended Interim City Administrator Frank Boyles’s contract until July 1, 2022, with the stated purpose of allowing time to complete delayed work and provide overlap with a newly hired administrator.
Moved from consent agenda to 8E and approved with an extension until July 1, 2022.
2hVariolite Street and 228th Class 5 Road Subbase Correction Project
Approval of Class 5 Road Subbase Correction Project at Variolite Street at 228th.
Council approved the consent agenda after moving item 2G to regular discussion. The consent approvals included the prior meeting minutes, claims, the Nowthen Knights lawn services agreement, a $282.50 James Cotes fee waiver, Resolution 2022-5 for prosecutorial-services access agreements, the Mack truck and snow/ice equipment purchase, and the Variolite Street class 5 subbase correction project.
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
3Floor Items
Floor items.
No floor items were presented.
4Sheriff's Report
Sheriff's report.
Commander Heath gave his final report as Nowthen’s sheriff liaison, noted that Lieutenant Jacobson would take over, and discussed recent calls including suspicious-vehicle calls and Bar None incidents involving runaways and a resident with frostbite. Council members thanked Heath for eight years of service to the city.
Commander Heath gave his final liaison report and introduced the transition to Lieutenant Jacobson.
5Prosecutor's Report
Prosecutor's report.
Prosecutor Kurt Glaser reported that COVID-era court operations increased use of Zoom, reduced failure-to-appear warrants, and changed sentencing and monitoring practices. He thanked the council for approving the BCA-related prosecution access contracts, which carry a $150 quarterly pass-through cost.
The prosecutor reported on COVID-era court changes, fines, and the approved BCA access contracts.
6Fire Department
Fire Department.
The meeting opened with a ceremonial badge presentation for the original Nowthen firefighters. Fire Chief David Schmidt then recommended Adam Schrag for Assistant Fire Chief, describing the role as part of the department’s leadership and succession plan. Council appointed Schrag with a $700 monthly stipend.
Fire Department items were handled under item 1.
7aOrdinance 2022-01 Accessory Structures
Consider Ordinance 2022-01 relating to accessory structures and summary ordinance for publication.
Planner Stockman explained that Ordinance 2022-01 updated the accessory-structure rules to address narrow parcels, especially lake lots, where a front-yard accessory building might otherwise require a variance. Council discussed whether to require variances or reduce regulation and adopted Ordinance 2022-01.
Ordinance 2022-01 was adopted.
7bDevelopment Review Matrix
Consider Approval of Development Review Matrix.
Planner Stockman presented the draft Development Review Process and Responsibility Matrix. Council directed that it be sent for feedback to residents and developers who had recently used the development process, with the item to return later for final consideration.
The draft matrix was to be sent to residents and developers for comment, then returned for final consideration.
8aInternet Update
Internet update.
Mayor Pilon reported on meetings with Anoka County and Arvig. The discussion covered county matching funds, a county feasibility study to map unserved and underserved areas, possible use of HRA or ARPA funds, Arvig grant work, Comcast outreach, and the continuing search for a workable broadband funding package.
The mayor reported on Anoka County, Arvig, matching funds, a feasibility study, and grant preparation; no motion was recorded.
8bRepresentative Elkins / Housing First Minnesota Proposed Legislation
Representative Elkins / Housing First Minnesota Proposed Legislation.
Council discussed proposed state housing legislation that the mayor and interim administrator said would reduce local land-use authority and could repeal Nowthen’s special Metropolitan Council land-use exception. Council adopted Resolution 2022-06 supporting housing policy that preserves local decision-making authority.
Resolution 2022-06 supporting housing and local decision-making authority was adopted.
8cUnemployment Compensation Requests
Unemployment Compensation Requests.
Council discussed unemployment claims by former employees Lori Streich and Ellen Lendt, including the cost risk to the city, pending hearings, attorney involvement, and whether the interim administrator had authority to appeal without prior council authorization. Boyles apologized, and council members emphasized the need for greater transparency in similar matters.
Council discussed authority and transparency around appeals; no motion was recorded.
8dState of the Office January 24, 2022
State of the Office January 24, 2022.
The interim administrator’s memo listed multiple financial, payroll, personnel, filing, and recordkeeping problems discovered after the prior staff departures. Council directed Boyles to send the memo to the State Auditor to learn which issues the Auditor would review, whether other reviewers would be needed, the approximate cost, and the timeline, while allowing no-cost items to proceed.
Council directed Boyles to refer the memo to the State Auditor for review scope, timing, and cost, with no-cost items allowed to proceed.
8 motions on the record. Split votes are highlighted.
M01MOTION BY ALDERS SECOND BY BLAKE TO APPROVE THE AGENDA RELOCATING ITEM 2 G TO 8E.
MOTION BY ALDERS SECOND BY BLAKE TO APPROVE THE AGENDA RELOCATING ITEM 2 G TO 8E.
moved by Alders, seconded by Blake
M02MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE SECOND BY MAYOR PILON TO APPOINT ADAM SCHRAG AS ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF WITH A MONTHLY STIPEND OF $700.
MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE SECOND BY MAYOR PILON TO APPOINT ADAM SCHRAG AS ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF WITH A MONTHLY STIPEND OF $700.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Pilon
M03MOTION MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER RAINVILLE SECOND BY BLAKE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA WITH THE EXCEPTION OF 2G WHICH IS MOVED TO 8E.
MOTION MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER RAINVILLE SECOND BY BLAKE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA WITH THE EXCEPTION OF 2G WHICH IS MOVED TO 8E.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Blake
M04MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ALDERS SECOND BY BLAKE TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 2022-01.
MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ALDERS SECOND BY BLAKE TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 2022-01.
moved by Alders, seconded by Blake
M05MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER GREENBERG SECOND BY RAINVILLE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2022-06 A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING HOUSING AND LOCAL DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY.
moved by Greenberg, seconded by Rainville
M06MOTION BY GREENBERG SECOND BY RAINVILLE TO DIRECT BOYLES TO REFER THE MEMO TO THE STATE AUDITOR TO DETERMINE WHICH ISSUES THEY WOULD REVIEW WHETHER THERE ARE ISSUES OTHERS WOULD REVIEW, WHAT IS THE APPROXIAMATE COST, AND HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT NO COST ITEMS MAY PROCEED.
MOTION BY GREENBERG SECOND BY RAINVILLE TO DIRECT BOYLES TO REFER THE MEMO TO THE STATE AUDITOR TO DETERMINE WHICH ISSUES THEY WOULD REVIEW WHETHER THERE ARE ISSUES OTHERS WOULD REVIEW, WHAT IS THE APPROXIAMATE COST, AND HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT NO COST ITEMS MAY PROCEED.
moved by Greenberg, seconded by Rainville
M07MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE SECOND BY BLAKE TO EXTEND THE INTERIM ADMINISTRATOR CONTRACT UNTIL JULY 1, 2022, WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT ONE OF THE PURPOSES OF THE EXTENSION IS TO PROVIDE SOME OVERLAP TIME BETWEEN THE INTERIM ADMINISTRATOR AND THE NEWLY HIRED ADMINISTRATOR.
MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE SECOND BY BLAKE TO EXTEND THE INTERIM ADMINISTRATOR CONTRACT UNTIL JULY 1, 2022, WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT ONE OF THE PURPOSES OF THE EXTENSION IS TO PROVIDE SOME OVERLAP TIME BETWEEN THE INTERIM ADMINISTRATOR AND THE NEWLY HIRED ADMINISTRATOR.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Blake
M08Motion by Blake second by Pilon to adjourn.
moved by Blake, seconded by Pilon
The amounts the council actually voted to approve, each with the vote that approved it. Drawn from the official minutes.
Assistant Fire Chief monthly stipend
$700
Approved claims total
$119,854
Pre-written checks
$20,486
Computer-generated checks
$99,368
St. Francis fire services claim
$38,661
Couri & Ruppe December billing claim
$6,833
MNSPECT January billing
$9,372
Bond principal payment
$20,000
Bond interest payment
$486
James Cotes fee waiver
$283
BCA access quarterly cost
$150
2023 Mack Granite cab and chassis
$142,665
Towmaster accessory equipment quote
$139,222
Total snowplow truck and equipment cost
$281,887
Variolite Street soil correction contractor bid
$19,947
Variolite Street class 5 material estimate
$4,935
Interim administrator hourly rate
$100
Interim administrator round-trip mileage reimbursement
$52
When someone referred back to earlier business, we found the matching prior discussion and tied it in here.
we talked about this in the meeting when liz wasn't here that it probably wasn't going to affect many homes in the city
— Mayor Pilon
What this is about
The mayor recalled the prior council discussion about accessory structures when Planner Stockman was absent, to frame the choice between adopting Ordinance 2022-01 or relying on variances.
The records I searched do not contain a prior discussion or decision matching this recollection about accessory structures, Planner Stockman’s absence, or Ordinance 2022-01. The search results mainly relate to later fee-schedule ordinances, cannabis/THC regulations, and lot-line adjustment procedures, not the accessory-structure ordinance or a discussion about how many homes would be affected. Based on these results, I cannot confirm the date, discussion, or any vote outcome for the meeting the mayor was recalling.
the second thing you'll see in your package is something that we actually sent out two years ago sent to the council two years ago when this first started making waves over at the capitol
— Mayor Pilon
What this is about
The mayor recalled sending council information two years earlier about state housing legislation, relevant to Resolution 2022-06 and opposition to the Elkins bill.
The records I searched do not contain a prior decision or packet item matching Mayor Pilon’s recollection of information sent to council two years earlier about state housing legislation, Resolution 2022-06, or opposition to the Elkins bill. The search results returned unrelated 2026 agenda and packet items, including consent agenda resolutions, budget amendments, development items, and other routine city business, but nothing tied to the 2022 housing-legislation discussion described.
last month we talked about arvik proposal and a meeting that you were going to have on january 24th so what was the agenda and outcome of that
— Alders
What this is about
Councilmember Alders recalled the prior month’s internet discussion about an Arvig proposal and a January 24 meeting.
The records I searched do not contain a prior agenda item, discussion, or decision matching Councilmember Alders’ recollection of an Arvig internet proposal or a January 24 meeting. The closest date-related record is the January 13, 2026 packet, which listed proposed 2026 Council and Planning and Zoning meeting dates, but it does not mention Arvig, an internet proposal, or a January 24 meeting outcome.
my very first report to the city council was on february 14th of 2014. so now we're standing here on february 8th of 2022 um it'll be my final report
— Commander Heath
What this is about
Commander Heath recalled that his first report to Nowthen was on February 14, 2014, making this his final report after eight years as liaison.
The records I searched do not contain a prior meeting record confirming Commander Heath’s first report to the Nowthen City Council on February 14, 2014, or documenting the February 8, 2022 report as his final liaison report after eight years. The search results returned later 2026 public-safety report materials and unrelated 2026 resolutions, but nothing directly tied to Commander Heath’s 2014 start date or his 2022 farewell report.
so a few months ago we approved a team to come in and do some book work standard work implementation would that not be covered in this
— Alders
What this is about
Councilmember Alders recalled that the council had previously approved help to write standard work and procedures, during the discussion of whether State Auditor review was also needed.
The records I searched do not contain a prior council decision matching the recollection that the council “approved a team” to come in and do bookkeeping/standard-work or procedure-writing implementation. The closest related items are not that: at the March 23, 2026 meeting and again in the April 14, 2026 packet, council materials discussed participating in the State Council on Local Results and Innovation performance-measurement program, which would submit survey/performance data to the Office of the State Auditor for a reimbursement of $0.14 per capita. Those records do not describe the State Auditor reviewing the City’s books or writing procedures. The May 12, 2026 packet also contains audit-related material, including the City’s 2025 independent audit report from BerganKDV and standard audit/access language in a BCA joint powers agreement. Those are related to auditing and records access, but they do not show an approval of outside help to create standard work or accounting procedures, and the search results provided do not include a recorded vote for such a contract.
# CITY OF NOWTHEN ANOKA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA # ORDINANCE NO. 2026-XX # AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SCHEDULE OF FEES FOR THE CITY OF NOWTHEN, MINNESOTA WHEREAS, the City Code, Chapter 1
# CITY OF NOWTHEN ANOKA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA ## ORDINANCE NO. 2026-01 # AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SCHEDULE OF FEES FOR THE CITY OF NOWTHEN, MINNESOTA WHEREAS, the City Code, Chapter
# PUBLIC NOTICE # CITY OF NOWTHEN ANOKA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA ## Adoption of Ordinance No. 2023-02 # ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING CHAPTER 3, SECTION 6 OF THE NOWTHEN CITY CODE REGULATING TE
not limited to the security requirements set forth in Minnesota Rule 9810.1500, as the same may be amended from time to time. Minnesota Administrative Rules, Chapter 9810, including Rule 9810.1
not limited to the security requirements set forth in Minnesota Rule 9810.1500, as the same may be amended from time to time. Minnesota Administrative Rules, Chapter 9810, including Rule 9810.15
Documents and recordings archived for this meeting, when available.
Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2022-02-08)
Minutes · Tuesday, February 8, 2022
4 pages
Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2022-02-08)
Packet · Tuesday, February 8, 2022
168 pages
Meeting recording
YouTube
Transcript · 1177 segments · 3:03:57
The structured brief on this page is auto-generated and may need correction. The PDFs and the meeting recording remain the official record. What do the trust labels mean?