Nowthen City Council Work Session meeting, August 29, 2022

What was on the agenda

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

1. 1Call to Order

   Call to Order, Roll Call, and Approve Agenda.

   The minutes record the call to order and attendance, but do not record a vote to approve the agenda.

   • meeting administration

   No action
   p. 1↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-08-29)1\. Call to Order · Roll Call · Approve Agendap. 1↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2022-08-29)Mayor Pilon called the meeting to order at 5:35 pm Present: Council Members Greenberg, Alders, and Rainville. Also in attendance: Administrator Lehner, Deputy Clerk Johnson, Assistant Fire Chief Lawrence, and Public Works Supervisor Joe Glaze

2. 2Discussion regarding the 2023 Proposed City Budget

   Discussion regarding the 2023 Proposed City Budget.

   The council used the work session to review and refine the preliminary 2023 budget before the September levy deadline. The packet showed a preliminary proposed levy of $1,837,905, split between $1,702,905 for the general fund and $135,000 for debt service; the minutes say the city would prepare for a 6.94% levy increase.

   The council discussed how dust control had been coded in the past and agreed in discussion that maintenance items such as dust control and patching should not be charged to the Capital Improvement Fund. The minutes say the budget was to be adjusted to $30,000 for Gravel, Rock, Etc. and $46,700 for Calcium Chloride dust control, and Council Member Rainville asked staff to explore coordinating dust control with St. Francis for better pricing.

   The council discussed staffing needs in the city office and at the Recycling Center. The minutes state that one more office staff member was needed, that the city was looking for a Recycling Center attendant, and that Council Member Rainville did not want the recycling grant included in the budget because it was not guaranteed.

   The council reviewed remaining fire equipment bond funding and possible equipment needs. The packet says $18,300 remained and identified a $22,180 chest compression equipment request, while the minutes say approximately $45,000 remained for equipment with a 10-year-plus life. The Fire Department also discussed seeking a different medical director to improve training and patient care before ambulances arrive.

   In general discussion, the council asked why workers compensation insurance was high, discussed a forthcoming county assessor proposal, questioned what prosecution services were being performed for legal fees, and noted that Lori would provide a one-year Debt Levy Cancellation for 2019A.

   The work session discussed budget assumptions and adjustments; no formal motion was recorded in the minutes.

   • 2023 proposed budget
   • public works
   • administration
   • recycling
   • fire department
   • levy

   Discussion only
   p. 1↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-08-29)2\. Discussion regarding the 2023 Proposed City Budgetp. 1↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2022-08-29)2\. The purpose of this work session is to finalize a preliminary budget and understand the needs of the city as it pertains to the 2023 Budget.p. 2↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2022-08-29)The city of Nowthen will prepare for a levy increase of 6.94% for 2023 budget, which is very good compared to cities around Nowthen having double digit increases do to inflation of everything.

3. 3Adjourn

   Adjourn.

   The minutes record adjournment but no adjournment motion or vote.

   • meeting administration

   No action
   p. 1↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-08-29)3\. Adjournp. 2↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2022-08-29)The work session adjourned at 8:04pm

Prior history on this business

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

• The previous worksession was held on August 11, 2022. There were discussions with fire and public works. No changes have been made to those budgets. One change has been made since that meeting. The workers compensation insurance increased by $17,000.

  — Lori Yager

  What this is about
  Prior budget work session and changes made afterward, including workers compensation insurance.

  p. 2↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-08-29)The previous worksession was held on August 11, 2022. There were discussions with fire and public works. No changes have been made to those budgets. One change has been made since that meeting. The workers compensation insurance increased by $17,000.

  Related history

  The records I searched do not contain the August 11, 2022 budget work session or any prior decision matching this recollection. The search results provided are mostly unrelated 2026 packet materials and do not document the fire/public works budget discussion or the $17,000 workers compensation insurance increase. Based on these results, I cannot confirm from the available records whether council made any budget changes after the August 11, 2022 work session or whether the workers compensation line item was increased by $17,000.

  • ·Jan 13, 2026This page was left intentionally blank. <figure> CITY OF NOWTHEN </figure> ### REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION <table> <tr> <
  • ·May 12, 2026# City of Nowthen Notes to Basic Financial Statements ## NOTE 8 - RISK MANAGEMENT The City is exposed to various risks o
  • ·Apr 14, 2026WRIGHT HENNEPIN SECURITY <table> <tr> <th>MEMORIAL PARK PAVILION AND 2 BATHROOMS</th> <th></th> </tr> <tr> <td>Feature</
  • ·Mar 10, 2026basis, to determine whether the individual wishes to discuss the test result. If the employee or job applicant wishes to
  • ·Feb 10, 2026Todd Schwieger, Chief of Police City of St. Francis 3750 Bridge Street NW St. Francis MN 55070 tschwieger@stfrancismn.go

• Discussion regarding Dust Control - where has it been coded in the past? Joe was told the previous administration had been coding it to Capital Improvement Fund. Lori Y. disagrees.

  What this is about
  Prior accounting treatment for dust control and whether it had been coded to the Capital Improvement Fund.

  p. 1↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2022-08-29)Discussion regarding Dust Control - where has it been coded in the past? Joe was told the previous administration had been coding it to Capital Improvement Fund. Lori Y. disagrees.

  Related history

  The records searched do not contain a prior decision or accounting entry showing that dust control was coded to the Capital Improvement Fund, and they do not confirm or refute that recollection from the previous administration. The closest match is the April 14, 2026 meeting packet, which included a proposed resolution to award the 2026 dust control application contract to Central Minnesota Dust Control, LLC. The packet says the City budgeted $50,000 for dust control and that Central Minnesota Dust Control submitted the low quote of $47,950 for approximately 35,000 gallons, with approval proposed in an amount not to exceed $50,000. However, the packet language only says the work was “within the budget” and does not identify the fund or account where dust control had been coded.

  • ·Dec 23, 2025DECISION: Based on the foregoing information and applicable ordinances, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommends ap
  • ·Mar 10, 202614\. The site access shall be from a paved publicly-accepted road unless access via a gravel publicly-accepted road is a
  • ·Mar 10, 202613\. The use shall comply with Minnesota Statutes if the property is enrolled in the Agricultural Preserve Program. St
  • ·Feb 24, 2026Jays Services - 8704 190th Ave NW February 11, 2026 13\. The use shall comply with Minnesota Statutes if the property is
  • ·Feb 24, 202614\. The site access shall be from a paved publicly-accepted road unless access via a gravel publicly-accepted road is a

• Why is work compensation insurance so high? Due to 1 claim in 2021.

  What this is about
  Prior 2021 workers compensation claim affecting insurance cost.

  p. 2↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2022-08-29)Why is work compensation insurance so high? Due to 1 claim in 2021.

  Related history

  The records I searched do not contain a prior 2021 workers’ compensation claim or a council decision tying a specific 2021 claim to higher insurance costs. The closest related record is in the financial statement materials included in the May 12, 2026 packet. Those notes say the City’s workers’ compensation coverage is through the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust, with a $500 deductible per occurrence, and that final premiums can change based on payroll audits, rates, payroll levels, and the City’s “experience modification.” That supports the general idea that prior claims experience can affect workers’ compensation premiums, but the searched records do not document the particular 2021 claim being recalled.

  • ·Dec 23, 2025DECISION: Based on the foregoing information and applicable ordinances, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommends ap
  • ·Sep 23, 2025Option A: The cul-de-sac can be installed in substantial compliance with the Approved Plans and an easement acceptable t
  • ·May 12, 2026# City of Nowthen Notes to Basic Financial Statements ## NOTE 8 - RISK MANAGEMENT The City is exposed to various risks o
  • ·Apr 14, 2026Bertram Asphalt Company P.O. Box 162 Paynesville, MN 56362 Cell: 320-292-1311 Email: bertramasphalt@gmail.com Proposal <
  • ·Apr 14, 20266\. The approved total outdoor cultivation area shall not exceed 7000 square feet that is in a fenced and secured area a

• The bond still has money available for the fire department to spend. Approximately $45,000 to be used on equipment with an expected lifetime of 10 years +.

  What this is about
  Prior bond issue and remaining fire equipment funding.

  p. 1↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2022-08-29)The bond still has money available for the fire department to spend. Approximately $45,000 to be used on equipment with an expected lifetime of 10 years +.

  Related history

  The records searched do not contain a prior bond decision or a recorded remaining balance of approximately $45,000 for Fire Department equipment with a 10-year-plus useful life. The only partial match is in the April 14, 2026 meeting packet, which included Fire Department security/access-control pricing from IPS: $8,860.44 in equipment and labor, with an optional burglar alarm/access-control item listed at $5,310.01 and monitoring fees of $30–$36. That packet excerpt does not identify the funding source as bond proceeds, does not mention a $45,000 balance, and does not show a formal vote or decision on using bond funds.

  • ·Apr 14, 2026WRIGHT HENNEPIN SECURITY <table> <tr> <th>MEMORIAL PARK PAVILION AND 2 BATHROOMS</th> <th></th> </tr> <tr> <td>Feature</
  • ·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, 2026APPLICANT: HBH Midwest LLC 14840 Aberdeen St NE Ham Lake, MN 55304 APPLICATION: Request for approval of a Variance to al
  • ·Mar 24, 2026CITY OF NOWTHEN ANOKA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION FINDINGS OF FACT AND RECOMMENDATION Accessory Bui

Sources

Documents and recordings archived for this meeting, when available.

• Document

  Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-08-29)

  Packet · Monday, August 29, 2022

  24 pages

  ↗
• Document

  Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2022-08-29)

  Minutes · Monday, August 29, 2022

  2 pages

  ↗