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Nowthen City Council Work Session meeting, August 11, 2022

Council Work Session

Thursday, August 11, 2022 · 5:30 PM

This meeting on the city's website ↗

Agenda

Not on file

What was on the agenda.

Packet

Not on file

The supporting materials the board reviewed.

Minutes

Open PDF ↗

The official record of what happened.

One-line summary

At a 2023 budget work session, the Council discussed Fire Department needs, Public Works needs, bond-spending questions, road maintenance planning, and related budget preparation, with no motions or votes recorded.

What was on the agenda

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

  1. 1CALL TO ORDER

    Mayor Pilon called the meeting to order at 5:34 pm; attendance was recorded.

    Work session call to order; no vote recorded.

    • meeting administration
    No action
    p. 1Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2022-08-11)1\. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Pilon called the meeting to order at 5:34 pm Present: Council Members Blake, Greenberg, Alders, and Rainville. Also in attendance: Administrator Lehner, Interim City Administrator Boyles, Deputy Clerk Johnson, Fire Chief Schmidt, and Public Works Supervisor Joe Glaze

  2. 2Purpose of work session

    The work session purpose was to learn about Fire Department and Public Works needs for the 2023 Budget.

    The work session was held to learn more about Fire Department and Public Works needs for the 2023 Budget. No motions or votes were recorded.

    Purpose statement for the budget work session; no vote recorded.

    • 2023 Budget
    • Fire Department needs
    • Public Works needs
    Discussion only
    p. 1Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2022-08-11)2\. The purpose of this work session is to learn more about the Fire Department and Public Works needs as they pertain to the 2023 Budget.

  3. 3Fire Department

    Council discussed Fire Department professional services, repairs and maintenance, training, staffing, recruiting, and bond-spreadsheet questions.

    The work session was held to learn more about Fire Department and Public Works needs for the 2023 Budget. No motions or votes were recorded.

    Council discussed Fire Department professional services, building and equipment repairs and maintenance, additional training for current and future firefighters, a desire to fund at least five more firefighters in the next year, and questions about which bond-funded expenses are acceptable and what balance remains.

    Budget work-session discussion; no vote recorded.

    • Fire Department needs
    • 2023 Budget
    • staffing
    • training
    • bond proceeds
    Discussion only
    p. 1Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2022-08-11)## 3. Fire Department Discussion regarding Professional Services provide to the Fire Department. Discussion regarding Repairs and Maintenance to the building and equipment. Discussion regarding additional training for our current fire fighters and future fire fighters.p. 1Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2022-08-11)Discussion regarding staffing. The Fire Department would like the council to fund hiring at least 5 more firefighters in the next year. This is a tough pull in this work force environment, but the fire department is working diligently at recruiting.p. 1Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2022-08-11)Discussion regarding the Bond Spreadsheet - where are we with the expenditure's spreadsheet, what are. acceptable expenditures to be drawn from the bond? The items drawn from the bond must have a life span at least 10 years and what is the balance yet to spend? Dave to work with Lori and Natalie to finalize this worksh…

  4. 4Public Works

    Council discussed Public Works equipment repairs, fuel questions, gravel-road maintenance, dust control, road and equipment planning, and Sodium Street patching or crack filling.

    The work session was held to learn more about Fire Department and Public Works needs for the 2023 Budget. No motions or votes were recorded.

    Council discussed needed Public Works equipment repairs, questions about pre-buying fuel and fire-truck access to off-road diesel, estimated 2023 costs for gravel and dust-control work, the need for policies on dust control and gravel maintenance, a bi-annual road and equipment plan, and checking the capital plan for Sodium Street patching or crack filling.

    Budget work-session discussion; no vote recorded.

    • Public Works needs
    • 2023 Budget
    • equipment repair
    • fuel
    • gravel road maintenance
    • dust control
    • Sodium Street
    Discussion only
    p. 1Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2022-08-11)## 4. Public Works 6:02 PM Discussion on repairs of equipment that need to be completed - tires on equipment, road grader is currently in the shop, etc.p. 1Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2022-08-11)Discussion - can we pre-buy fuel? Can the fire trucks fill with off-road Diesel that public works uses? Does Public Works use "coupons" on Mondays to fill at Bill's? Joe will work with the Fire Department to give them access to the off-road diesel fuel stored at the city maintenance building.p. 1Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2022-08-11)Discussion - Costs for gravel road maintenance. Joe will identify roads that need gravel and estimated costs for 2023. Joe will identify roads that will receive dust control - (not gravel the same year as he cannot grade after calcium chloride is applied, it just scrapes the dust control away) - and estimated costs for…

  5. 5Adjournment

    The work session adjourned at 7:46pm.

    Adjournment time recorded; no vote recorded.

    • meeting administration
    No action
    p. 2Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2022-08-11)The work session adjourned at 7:46pm

Prior history on this business

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

  • Additionally, our new Assistant Chief and Captains could benefit from additional leadership education in preparation for the city to run its own Fire Department without the assistance of the City of St. Francis' Fire Department leaders as the contract is expiring in a year and a half.

    What this is about
    Fire Department planning for the end of St. Francis Fire Department leadership assistance under an expiring contract.

    p. 1Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2022-08-11)Additionally, our new Assistant Chief and Captains could benefit from additional leadership education in preparation for the city to run its own Fire Department without the assistance of the City of St. Francis' Fire Department leaders as the contract is expiring in a year and a half.

    Related history

    The records searched do not contain a prior decision specifically matching this recollection about ending St. Francis Fire Department leadership assistance, an expiring contract, or approving leadership education for Nowthen’s Assistant Chief and Captains. There is a partial related item in the March 23, 2026 packet under “Fire Department & Emergency Services,” where the council’s work list included Fire Department planning items such as evaluating well options, emergency sirens, inventory of Fire Department and Maintenance Building equipment and supplies, and a PERA presentation. However, the excerpt does not mention the St. Francis contract, leadership transition, or a formal vote. Other search results reference Fire Department equipment/security and firefighter hiring, but not the specific contract-expiration planning described in the cue.

    • Apr 14, 2026<table> <tr> <th>THEFTS</th> <th></th> <th colspan="3"></th> <th colspan="2"></th> <th></th> <th></th> </tr> <tr> <th>Nu
    • Apr 14, 2026WRIGHT HENNEPIN SECURITY <table> <tr> <th>MEMORIAL PARK PAVILION AND 2 BATHROOMS</th> <th></th> </tr> <tr> <td>Feature</
    • Mar 10, 2026<td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>ZPD2600121AR</td> <td>26036106</td> <td>Feb 17, 2026, 5:03:47 AM</td> <td>ARREST</td> <td>WARRO
    • Mar 23, 2026## 7. Fire Department & Emergency Services · Evaluate Well Options for the Fire Department o Review the feasibility, cos
    • Apr 14, 2026MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. 5 AYES.
  • Discussion regarding the Bond Spreadsheet - where are we with the expenditure's spreadsheet, what are. acceptable expenditures to be drawn from the bond? The items drawn from the bond must have a life span at least 10 years and what is the balance yet to spend?

    What this is about
    Status of a prior bond expenditure spreadsheet, acceptable bond-funded expenses, and remaining bond balance.

    p. 1Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2022-08-11)Discussion regarding the Bond Spreadsheet - where are we with the expenditure's spreadsheet, what are. acceptable expenditures to be drawn from the bond? The items drawn from the bond must have a life span at least 10 years and what is the balance yet to spend?

    Related history

    The records searched show a partial match, but not the bond expenditure spreadsheet itself or a prior council vote adopting the “10-year life span” rule. In the May 12, 2026 packet, the City’s 2025 financial statements say the Equipment Fund is used for bond proceeds and other revenues for City equipment, and the Street Renewal Fund is used for road construction/seal coating. The audit notes a 2025 bond issuance of $1,250,000, plus a $137,912 bond premium. For remaining balances, the May 12, 2026 packet reports the Equipment Fund had a $578,459 fund balance at year-end 2025: $493,526 nonspendable for prepaid equipment and $84,933 assigned for future equipment needs. It also reports the Street Renewal Fund had a $770,235 fund balance assigned for future street improvements, with the increase attributed to bond proceeds for street capital expenditures occurring in 2024 and 2025. The same packet lists debt-service restricted balances of $143,783 for the 2019A bond, $230,814 for the 2021A bond, and $89,632 for the 2025A bond. No formal decision on acceptable bond-funded expenditures was found in these search results.

    • May 12, 2026## City of Nowthen Management's Discussion and Analysis ### FINANCIAL ANALYSIS OF THE GOVERNMENT'S FUNDS (CONTINUED) Gov
    • May 12, 2026### Description of Funds: Major Governmental Funds: General Fund - This fund is the City's primary operating fund. It ac
    • May 12, 2026#### 10. Long-Term Obligations In the government-wide financial statements, long-term debt and other long-term obligatio
    • May 12, 2026## City of Nowthen Management's Discussion and Analysis ### OVERVIEW OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) Government-
    • May 12, 2026# City of Nowthen Reconciliation of the Statement of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances to the Stateme
  • Administrator Lehner will check in the Capital plan for Sodium Street patching and/or crack filling.

    — Administrator Lehner

    What this is about
    Whether Sodium Street patching or crack filling is already in the capital plan.

    p. 1Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2022-08-11)Administrator Lehner will check in the Capital plan for Sodium Street patching and/or crack filling.

    Related history

    The records searched show Council discussed road patching as part of the 2026 Overlay Road Improvement Project, but Sodium Street is not listed in those project areas. At the January 13, 2026 meeting packet, the overlay project covered portions of Country Meadows, Westpahl Country Acres, Morton Farm Preserve, 224th Court, and 218th Avenue, with an estimated $128,000 in repair/patching costs to be paid 100% by the City. At the April 14, 2026 meeting, the patching estimate was reduced to $81,710 based on plans and specifications, and Jasper Street was added as a possible alternate bid item with an estimated $43,000 in patching. The records I searched do not contain a prior decision or capital-plan entry specifically matching Sodium Street patching or crack filling.

    • Jan 13, 2026b) Approval of Resolution 2025-126 Approving the 2026 Overlay Project Feasibility Report. Engineer Nelson presented the
    • Apr 14, 2026# CITY OF NOWTHEN ANOKA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA RESOLUTION NO. 2026-XX # RESOLUTION APPROVING PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS
    • May 12, 2026## CITY OF NOWTHEN ANOKA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA ## RESOLUTION NO. 2026-XX ## AMENDED RESOLUTION DECLARING COSTS TO BE
    • Apr 14, 2026# CITY OF NOWTHEN ANOKA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA # RESOLUTION NO. 2026-XX # RESOLUTION DECLARING COSTS TO BE ASSESSED A
    • Jan 13, 2026# CITY OF NOWTHEN ANOKA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA # RESOLUTION NO. 2026-XX # RESOLUTION ORDERING IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE 20

Where this came up before

  1. Apr 14, 2026
    City Meeting

    <table> <tr> <th>THEFTS</th> <th></th> <th colspan="3"></th> <th colspan="2"></th> <th></th> <th></th> </tr> <tr> <th>Number</th> <th>Case Number</th> <th>Created On</th> <th>Officer Involvemen

    Doc<table> <tr> <th>THEFTS</th> <th></th> <th colspan="3"></th> <th colspan="2"></th> <th></th> <th></th> </tr> <tr> <th>Number</th> <th>Case Number</th> <th>Created On</th> <th>Officer Involvemen
  2. Apr 14, 2026
    City Meeting

    WRIGHT HENNEPIN SECURITY <table> <tr> <th>MEMORIAL PARK PAVILION AND 2 BATHROOMS</th> <th></th> </tr> <tr> <td>Feature</td> <td>Wright Hennepin</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Equipment Upfront Cost</td> <td>$4,6

    DocWRIGHT HENNEPIN SECURITY <table> <tr> <th>MEMORIAL PARK PAVILION AND 2 BATHROOMS</th> <th></th> </tr> <tr> <td>Feature</td> <td>Wright Hennepin</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Equipment Upfront Cost</td> <td>$4,690.00</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Security Ala
  3. Mar 10, 2026
    City Meeting

    <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>ZPD2600121AR</td> <td>26036106</td> <td>Feb 17, 2026, 5:03:47 AM</td> <td>ARREST</td> <td>WARROTH WARRANT ARREST (OTHER COUNTY)</td> <td></td> <td>NOWTHEN</td> <td>19345 RHINE

    Doc<td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>ZPD2600121AR</td> <td>26036106</td> <td>Feb 17, 2026, 5:03:47 AM</td> <td>ARREST</td> <td>WARROTH WARRANT ARREST (OTHER COUNTY)</td> <td></td> <td>NOWTHEN</td> <td>19345 RHINESTONE ST NW</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <t
  4. Mar 23, 2026
    City Meeting

    ## 7. Fire Department & Emergency Services · Evaluate Well Options for the Fire Department o Review the feasibility, costs, and long-term sustainability of water supply options for fire protection. ☐

    Doc## 7. Fire Department & Emergency Services · Evaluate Well Options for the Fire Department o Review the feasibility, costs, and long-term sustainability of water supply options for fire protection. ☐ · Emergency Sirens Chief is working o
  5. Apr 14, 2026
    City Meeting

    MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. 5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED. ## 4. Meet the Deputies with the Anoka County Sheriff's Departm

    DocMOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. 5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED. ## 4. Meet the Deputies with the Anoka County Sheriff's Department. a) Monthly S

Sources

Documents and recordings archived for this meeting, when available.

The summary on this page is AI-extracted and may need correction. The PDFs and the meeting recording are the official record. What do the trust labels mean?