Nowthen City Council Work Session meeting, August 6, 2020

Council Work Session

Thursday, August 6, 2020 · 6:00 PM

This meeting on the city's website ↗

Agenda

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What was on the agenda.

Packet

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The supporting materials the board reviewed.

Minutes

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The official record of what happened.

One-line summary

The Council held a workshop on roads, planning and zoning items, recycling, communications, elections, staffing, and the Clerk/Treasurer review; no formal motions or votes were recorded in the minutes.

What was on the agenda

21 items as recorded in the minutes, each with a short summary of what was at issue.

1aApprove prior meeting minutes
Approve prior City Council and public hearing minutes.
The workshop minutes list approval of prior minutes and the Treasurer's Report and claims as consent-agenda items, but they do not record a motion, vote, or dollar amount for those items.
The minutes list this consent item but do not record a motion or vote.
- consent agenda
No action
p. 1
1bFinancial Report and claims
Approve the Treasurer's Report and claims dated July 8, 2020 through August 4, 2020.
The workshop minutes list approval of prior minutes and the Treasurer's Report and claims as consent-agenda items, but they do not record a motion, vote, or dollar amount for those items.
The minutes list this consent item but do not record a motion, vote, or dollar amount.
- consent agenda
- claims
- treasurer report
No action
p. 1
2aEbony & Garnet
Discussion of road work for Ebony and Garnet, including aggregate base, patching, culverts, muck excavation, possible assessment process, and related comments about Rogers Lake and Watercrest roads.
Engineer Nelson discussed why reclaiming Ebony and Garnet with added aggregate base may be the most cost-effective approach, described culvert and muck-related issues, and noted a $50,000 construction contingency. Nelson was to redo numbers, separate typical costs with a 50/50 split, and provide information to Clerk Streich for the next Monday night meeting.
The Council discussed how Rogers Lake, Watercrest, and other road work would fit into a broader road strategy. Nelson was to identify state-aid roads and assemble a five-year road plan, while staff would watch county five-year plans and possible road turnbacks.
Engineer Nelson was asked to redo the numbers and provide information for the Monday night meeting; no formal action was recorded.
- Ebony and Garnet road improvements
- Rogers Lake roads
- Watercrest road
Discussion only
p. 1p. 1
2b5 Year Road Plan Discussion
Discussion of a five-year road plan estimate and state aid road information.
The Council discussed how Rogers Lake, Watercrest, and other road work would fit into a broader road strategy. Nelson was to identify state-aid roads and assemble a five-year road plan, while staff would watch county five-year plans and possible road turnbacks.
Engineer Nelson was to provide a five-year road plan estimate and explanation.
- five-year road plan
Discussion only
p. 2p. 2
3aVolunteers of America - CUP Application
Volunteers of America requested fee waivers for a CUP application related to teaching children about plants and growing through Crossroads.
The Council reviewed several planning and zoning items, including the Volunteers of America CUP request, floor drain policy authorization, Mark Bayer's commercial kitchen IUP, the 8393 181st Avenue essential service CUP, a zoning map update tied to the 2040 Land Use Plan, and code enforcement updates. The minutes note that the Volunteers of America matter required a public hearing and that Attorney Ruppe would review denial findings for the 8393 181st Avenue CUP.
The minutes state the application requires a public hearing; no approval or denial was recorded at this workshop.
- Volunteers of America CUP
- planning and zoning
Discussion only
p. 2
3bFloor Drains
Discussion of floor drain policy authorization.
The Council reviewed several planning and zoning items, including the Volunteers of America CUP request, floor drain policy authorization, Mark Bayer's commercial kitchen IUP, the 8393 181st Avenue essential service CUP, a zoning map update tied to the 2040 Land Use Plan, and code enforcement updates. The minutes note that the Volunteers of America matter required a public hearing and that Attorney Ruppe would review denial findings for the 8393 181st Avenue CUP.
The minutes say authorization was needed because there was no policy; no formal action was recorded.
- floor drains
- planning and zoning
Discussion only
p. 2
3cIUP - Commercial Kitchen, Mark Bayer, 6024 Old Viking Blvd.
Discussion of an interim use permit for a commercial kitchen for Mark Bayer at 6024 Old Viking Boulevard, including findings language and parking.
The Council reviewed several planning and zoning items, including the Volunteers of America CUP request, floor drain policy authorization, Mark Bayer's commercial kitchen IUP, the 8393 181st Avenue essential service CUP, a zoning map update tied to the 2040 Land Use Plan, and code enforcement updates. The minutes note that the Volunteers of America matter required a public hearing and that Attorney Ruppe would review denial findings for the 8393 181st Avenue CUP.
The minutes note added verbiage and that gatherings could not start until the parking area was resolved; no formal action was recorded.
- Mark Bayer commercial kitchen IUP
- planning and zoning
Discussion only
p. 2
3dCUP - Essential Service within RRA District, 8393 181st Ave.
Discussion of a conditional use permit for essential service within the RRA District at 8393 181st Avenue and concerns about traffic, wood-chip dumping, a grinder, appearance, and building value.
The Council reviewed several planning and zoning items, including the Volunteers of America CUP request, floor drain policy authorization, Mark Bayer's commercial kitchen IUP, the 8393 181st Avenue essential service CUP, a zoning map update tied to the 2040 Land Use Plan, and code enforcement updates. The minutes note that the Volunteers of America matter required a public hearing and that Attorney Ruppe would review denial findings for the 8393 181st Avenue CUP.
Planner Stockman was to have Attorney Ruppe review denial findings; no formal action was recorded.
- 8393 181st Avenue essential service CUP
- planning and zoning
Discussion only
p. 2p. 3
3eZoning Map Update to be consistent with 2040 Land Use Plan
Zoning map update to be consistent with the 2040 Land Use Plan.
The Council reviewed several planning and zoning items, including the Volunteers of America CUP request, floor drain policy authorization, Mark Bayer's commercial kitchen IUP, the 8393 181st Avenue essential service CUP, a zoning map update tied to the 2040 Land Use Plan, and code enforcement updates. The minutes note that the Volunteers of America matter required a public hearing and that Attorney Ruppe would review denial findings for the 8393 181st Avenue CUP.
The minutes state there were no questions.
- zoning map
- 2040 Land Use Plan
- planning and zoning
Discussion only
p. 3
3fCode Enforcement Updates
Code enforcement updates were listed under Planning & Zoning.
The Council reviewed several planning and zoning items, including the Volunteers of America CUP request, floor drain policy authorization, Mark Bayer's commercial kitchen IUP, the 8393 181st Avenue essential service CUP, a zoning map update tied to the 2040 Land Use Plan, and code enforcement updates. The minutes note that the Volunteers of America matter required a public hearing and that Attorney Ruppe would review denial findings for the 8393 181st Avenue CUP.
The minutes list the item but record no discussion or action.
- code enforcement
No action
p. 3
4RCA Public Hearing Notices
RCA public hearing notices were listed.
The minutes list RCA public hearing notices and the LG214 premises permit application for Burns Bottle Shop, but they do not record discussion or action on either item.
The minutes list the item but record no discussion or action.
- RCA public hearing notices
No action
p. 3
5LG214 Premises Permit Application - Burns Bottle Shop
LG214 premises permit application for Burns Bottle Shop was listed.
The minutes list RCA public hearing notices and the LG214 premises permit application for Burns Bottle Shop, but they do not record discussion or action on either item.
The minutes list the item but record no discussion or action.
- Burns Bottle Shop premises permit
No action
p. 3
6aFall Recycling Plans
Council discussed whether to hold a fall recycling day.
Council discussed fall recycling plans, recycle center staffing, and recycle center operations. A fall recycling day was not recommended, the staffing item was to be removed from the agenda, Clerk Streich was to arrange tours of other cities' recycle centers, and Council Member Greenberg was to update the plastics sign.
The minutes state a fall recycling day was not recommended; no formal action was recorded.
- recycling center
- fall recycling
Discussion only
p. 3
6bRCA - Recycle Center Staffing
Recycle center staffing was discussed for staff input and removal from the agenda.
Council discussed fall recycling plans, recycle center staffing, and recycle center operations. A fall recycling day was not recommended, the staffing item was to be removed from the agenda, Clerk Streich was to arrange tours of other cities' recycle centers, and Council Member Greenberg was to update the plastics sign.
The minutes state this item would be removed from the agenda.
- recycling center
- staffing
Withdrawn
p. 3
6cRCA - Recycle Center Discussion
Council discussed the recycle center, including a tour of surrounding cities' recycle centers, plastics signs, and moving bins and signs.
Council discussed fall recycling plans, recycle center staffing, and recycle center operations. A fall recycling day was not recommended, the staffing item was to be removed from the agenda, Clerk Streich was to arrange tours of other cities' recycle centers, and Council Member Greenberg was to update the plastics sign.
Clerk Streich was to arrange a tour and Council Member Greenberg was to update the plastics sign; no formal action was recorded.
- recycling center
- signage
Discussion only
p. 3
7Newsletter
Staff asked for direction on the timing, number, purpose, and advertising in the fall/winter newsletter.
Staff asked Council for direction on the fall/winter newsletter's timing, frequency, purpose, and advertising. Clerk Streich also recommended creating an official city Facebook page for city information only and said she would prepare criteria for Council review.
Staff requested direction; no formal action was recorded.
- newsletter
- city communications
Discussion only
p. 3
8Facebook Proposal
Clerk Streich recommended creating an official city Facebook page for city information only and said she would create criteria for Council review.
Staff asked Council for direction on the fall/winter newsletter's timing, frequency, purpose, and advertising. Clerk Streich also recommended creating an official city Facebook page for city information only and said she would prepare criteria for Council review.
Clerk Streich was to create criteria and present them to Council; no formal action was recorded.
- Facebook page
- city communications
Discussion only
p. 3
9aJudges availability
Clerk Streich confirmed judge staffing for the primary election.
Clerk Streich reported that all primary election judge shifts were staffed and that distancing signs and draping would be used at the polls to help keep residents safe.
All primary election shifts were reported staffed.
- elections
- election judges
Discussion only
p. 3
9bDistancing plans for polls
Distancing signs and draping were planned for the polls.
Clerk Streich reported that all primary election judge shifts were staffed and that distancing signs and draping would be used at the polls to help keep residents safe.
Safety measures were described; no formal action was recorded.
- elections
- polling place safety
Discussion only
p. 3
10Clerk's Memo - Part-Time Maintenance Position
Clerk Streich recommended hiring a part-time maintenance employee to help with duties current staff had not had time to complete.
Clerk Streich recommended hiring a part-time maintenance employee to help with additional duties that current staff had not had time to complete.
The hiring recommendation was discussed; no formal action was recorded.
- part-time maintenance position
- staffing
Discussion only
p. 3
11Clerk/Treasurer's Review
A Council workshop was scheduled for August 12, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss the Clerk/Treasurer's review.
The minutes state that a Council workshop was scheduled for August 12, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss the Clerk/Treasurer's review.
A separate workshop was noted for August 12, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.; no formal action was recorded.
- Clerk/Treasurer review
Discussion only
p. 4

Prior history on this business

When someone referred back to earlier business, we found the matching prior discussion and tied it in here.

The residents were assessed back in the early 2000's to put the road in. That is usually done when the development goes in, not after. Then it was fixed again because it wasn't done right.
What this is about
Prior assessment and repair history for the Ebony and Garnet area road project.
p. 1
Related history
The records searched do not contain a prior decision matching the recollection about residents in the Ebony and Garnet area being assessed in the early 2000s to put in the road, nor do they show a later repair because the original work “wasn’t done right.” The only assessment-related road records in these results are for the 2026 Overlay Road Improvement Project, covering portions of Country Meadows, Westpahl Country Acres, Morton Farm Preserve, 224th Court, and 218th Avenue. At the April 14, 2026 packet, the proposed project cost was listed at $491,400, with $245,700 proposed to be assessed to benefited property owners; a later May 12, 2026 packet showed an amended estimate of $462,800, with $227,840 proposed to be assessed. Those records do not reference Ebony, Garnet, or an early-2000s road installation or repair.
- Apr 14, 20266\. The approved total outdoor cultivation area shall not exceed 7000 square feet that is in a fenced and secured area a
- Mar 24, 20265\. No extraction, production, or retail endorsements have been issued by the OCM. Even if granted by the OCM in the fut
- Apr 14, 2026DECISION: Based on the foregoing information and applicable ordinances, the City Council approves the Final Plat for Pal
- Mar 10, 20262\. Development of the flag lot shall be subject to the conditions of the Conditional Use Permit. 3\. All public infrast
- Mar 10, 20267\. All comments contained within the City Engineer memo from Hakanson Anderson dated February 13, 2026, the memo from C
The road is currently about 20 feet The standard since 1999 is 24 foot pavement.
— Nelson
What this is about
Road-width standard history relevant to the Rogers Lake area discussion.
p. 1
Related history
The records searched show prior Rogers/Rogers Lake area road activity, but they do not contain a clear prior decision establishing a 24-foot pavement standard in 1999 or comparing it to an existing 20-foot road width. The closest match is the May 24, 2021 public hearing for proposed assessments related to the 2021 road improvements in the Rogers Area Project. That record includes resident comments and assessment/deferment discussion, including concerns from Rogers Lake-area property owners, but the excerpt does not record a road-width standard decision. Later packet items reference Rogers Lake work, including a Rogers Lake Reconstruction Project engineering invoice in the May 5, 2025 packet and Rogers Lake-area tree trimming in the March 10, 2026 packet, but those records also do not state the 1999 standard or a formal vote on pavement width.
- May 24, 2021## 7:15 PM - PUBLIC HEARING OPENED for proposed assessment of costs relate
- Apr 14, 2026## Calcium Chloride <table> <tr> <th>Gravel Street</th> <th>GIS MAP FT</th> <th colspan="3">Actual FT Sprayed</th> <th r
- Mar 10, 2026Council Meeting Location: Historic Townhall 19800 Nowthen Blvd NW Nowthen MN, 55330 CLERK UPDATE 03-10-26 \> MN Pollutio
- May 24, 2021### Kristine Fallon, 4810 184th Ave NW Fallon's property is the first driveway off of Hwy 7, which is 183rd and becomes
- May 5, 2025<figure> CITY OF NOWTHEN </figure> <table> <tr> <td>CITY OF NOWTHEN</td> <td>04/23/25 1:50 PM</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td>
That road has been bad for 15 years and nobody is complaining about it.
What this is about
Longstanding condition of Watercrest road and timing of reclamation work.
p. 2
Related history
The records show Watercrest Boulevard had been identified for improvement before the August 2020 comment. At the January 14, 2019 public hearing, council discussed using city funds to patch Watercrest so it could last until a larger project could be done, including the cul-de-sac. At the June 11, 2019 meeting, council unanimously voted to order feasibility studies for several proposed road projects, including Watercrest Boulevard, and also unanimously adopted a 50% resident / 50% city assessment policy. The Watercrest feasibility materials describe the road as originally constructed in 1980, about 0.15 miles long, and showing “moderate to severe” structural distress with alligator cracking, concluding that reclamation and repaving were necessary. At the August 6, 2020 council workshop, the minutes record the specific recollection: Watercrest was near the Ebony and Garnet project and “could be reclaimed at the same time”; if not done then, the city might not need a reclaimer again for about 10 years; and “that road has been bad for 15 years and nobody is complaining about it.” No formal vote on Watercrest reclamation is recorded in that workshop excerpt.
- Aug 6, 2020City of Nowthen City Council Workshop August 6, 2020 Nelson's recommendation is to have a neighborhood meeting, with exh
- Jan 14, 2020CLEARY RD NW 3 WATERCREST BLVD NW 2 4 1 5 Project Extents Benefitting Properties 187TH AVE NW 0 90 180 360 Feet </figure
- Jun 11, 2019CLEARY KD NW 3 WATERCREST, BLVD NWN 2 4 1 5 Project Extents Benefitting Properties Q7TH AVE NN 0 90 180 360 Feet </figur
- Jan 14, 2020## 1.0 INTRODUCTION The purpose of this feasibility report is to present the City of Nowthen with a preliminary examinat
- Jun 11, 2019### 1.0 INTRODUCTION The purpose of this feasibility report is to present the City of Nowthen with a preliminary examina

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Sources

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Document
Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2020-08-06)
Minutes · Thursday, August 6, 2020
4 pages

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What was on the agenda

Prior history on this business

Related history

Related history

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Where this came up before

Sources