Skip to main content
MN Public Tools

Nowthen City Council Work Session meeting, November 9, 2023

Council Work Session

Thursday, November 9, 2023 · 6:00 PM

This meeting on the city's website ↗

Agenda

Open PDF ↗

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

The council held a work session on the 2024 budget, personnel policy updates, a Public Works hiring proposal, and Fire Department updates.

What was on the agenda

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

  1. 1Call to Order

    Call to Order; Pledge of Allegiance; Roll Call; Approve Agenda.

    At the start of the work session, the mayor reported that three council members had received calls from the same resident asking whether the session would be recorded. The council discussed that work sessions are open to the public but commonly are not video recorded, and a vote on recording this session failed 1-2.

    Meeting was called to order, attendance was recorded, the council voted against recording the work session, and the agenda was accepted as amended.

    • agenda approval
    • work session recording
    Approved
    p. 1Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda (2023-11-09)1\. Call to Order · Pledge of Allegiance . Roll Call · Approve Agendap. 1Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2023-11-09)Mayor Pilon called the meeting to order at 6:13 pm. Present: Mayor Pilon, Council Members Fladebo, Rainville. Excused Absence: Council Member Breyen (home ill) Unexcused Absence: Council Member Aldersp. 1Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2023-11-09)MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY FLADEBO TO ACCEPT THE AGENDA AS AMENDED. 3 AYES. MOTION CARRIED.

  2. 2Discussion to finalize the 2024 Budget

    Discussion to finalize the 2024 Budget.

    Finance Consultant Yager said this was the fourth budget discussion and that the levy had already been set with the county. The council identified added election overtime and a higher Fire Department contract amount as changes for the 2024 budget, with Yager to prepare the final resolution for the December 12, 2023 council meeting.

    This item was moved to Item 3 during agenda approval. Finance Consultant Yager was to make recommended budget changes and prepare a final resolution for the December 12, 2023 city council meeting.

    • 2024 budget
    Discussion only
    p. 1Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda (2023-11-09)2\. Discussion to finalize the 2024 Budget.p. 1Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2023-11-09)Mayor Pilon stated he would like to move Item 3, "Personnel Policy Update Presentation" to Item 2 and move Item 2 "Discussion to finalize 2024 Budget" to Item 3, to allow Project Manager Genevieve Hirschboeck to leave after discussion.p. 4Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2023-11-09)Ms. Yager to make the recommended changes to the budget and make a final resolution for the December 12, 2023 city council meeting.

  3. 3Personnel Policy Update Presentation

    Personnel Policy Update Presentation.

    Project Manager Hirschboeck presented the first phase of personnel policy updates intended to address new legislation and League of Minnesota Cities recommendations. The council reviewed topics including probation, direct deposit, overpayment, Juneteenth, PTO and ESST, medical leave, funeral leave, school conference leave, nursing mothers, smoking, safety shoes, discipline, veterans preference, grievance procedures, and city credit cards, then agreed to continue the work at another work session.

    This item was moved to Item 2 during agenda approval. Council discussed the first phase of personnel policy updates and agreed to continue the work at another work session.

    • personnel policy
    Continued
    p. 1Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda (2023-11-09)3\. Personnel Policy Update Presentationp. 1Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2023-11-09)Project Manager Hirschboeck explained that the personnel policy has many changes to be updated. This is Phase 1 of a couple of Phases. These forthcoming updates are to bring the policy into compliance with new legislation and League of Minnesota Cities' recommendations.p. 3Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2023-11-09)The mayor suggested since it was getting late, let's move on to the budget and set another work session date with the full council possibly available and act on the action items, bring back their recommendations, and finish up this part of the policy. All Council members present agreed.

  4. 4Full-Time Public Works Position

    Full-Time Public Works Position - offer to current seasonal employee.

    Administrator Lehner recommended offering the open full-time Public Works position to seasonal employee Isaac Schulz at $25 per hour plus benefits. The minutes state the position is included in the 2024 budget and that the offer would be voted on at the November 14, 2023 city council meeting.

    Administrator Lehner recommended offering the open full-time Public Works position to Isaac Schulz; the minutes say it would be voted on at the next city council meeting on November 14, 2023.

    • Public Works staffing
    Discussion only
    p. 1Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda (2023-11-09)4\. Full-Time Public Works Position - offer to current seasonal employee.p. 4Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2023-11-09)Administrator Lehner is recommending offering Isaac the open full-time Public Works position, which is included in the 2024 budget.p. 4Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2023-11-09)This will be voted on at the next city council meeting, November 14, 2023.

  5. 5Fire Department Update

    Update on Fire Department recent activities.

    The council received a Fire Department update noting resignations from Assistant Fire Chief Schrag and Steve "Beaver" Lundeen, Captain Mike Suchy's planned April 2024 retirement, continued training for four recruits, and continued recruitment.

    The council received updates on Fire Department resignations, an upcoming retirement, recruit training, and continued recruitment.

    • Fire Department staffing
    Discussion only
    p. 1Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda (2023-11-09)5\. Update on Fire Department recent activities.p. 4Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2023-11-09)Assistant Fire Chief Schrag has resigned from his position with the NFD.p. 5Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2023-11-09)The NFD will continue to train the 4 recruits and continue to recruit additional firefighters as they become available.

  6. 6Adjourn

    Adjourn.

    Council Member Rainville moved, Fladebo seconded, and the meeting adjourned at 10:37 p.m.

    The meeting was adjourned at 10:37 p.m.

    • adjournment
    Approved
    p. 1Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda (2023-11-09)6\. Adjournp. 5Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2023-11-09)MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY FLADEBO TO ADJOURN. The meeting was adjourned at 10:37 p.m.

Motions and votes

3 motions on the record. Split votes are highlighted.

  • M1MAYOR PILON CALLED A VOTE ON WHETHER THIS SESSION WOULD BE RECORDED.

    moved by Pilon

    FailedSplit vote
    • YPilon
    • NRainville
    • NFladebo
    • ·Breyen
    • ·Alders
    p. 1Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2023-11-09)Present: Mayor Pilon, Council Members Fladebo, Rainville. Excused Absence: Council Member Breyen (home ill) Unexcused Absence: Council Member Aldersp. 1Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2023-11-09)MAYOR PILON CALLED A VOTE ON WHETHER THIS SESSION WOULD BE RECORDED. 1 AYE, (Mayor Pilon) 2 NAYS (Council Members Rainville and Fladebo). MOTION FAILED.

  • M2MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY FLADEBO TO ACCEPT THE AGENDA AS AMENDED.

    Exact transcript text

    MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY FLADEBO TO ACCEPT THE AGENDA AS AMENDED.

    moved by Rainville, seconded by Fladebo

    Passed
    • YPilon
    • YFladebo
    • YRainville
    • ·Breyen
    • ·Alders
    p. 1Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2023-11-09)Present: Mayor Pilon, Council Members Fladebo, Rainville. Excused Absence: Council Member Breyen (home ill) Unexcused Absence: Council Member Aldersp. 1Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2023-11-09)MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY FLADEBO TO ACCEPT THE AGENDA AS AMENDED. 3 AYES. MOTION CARRIED.

  • M3MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY FLADEBO TO ADJOURN.

    moved by Rainville, seconded by Fladebo

    Passed
    p. 5Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2023-11-09)MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY FLADEBO TO ADJOURN. The meeting was adjourned at 10:37 p.m.

Prior history on this business

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

  • Finance Consultant Yager addressed the mayor and the council stating this is the fourth meeting for the 2024 budget discussions. The levy has been set with the county and changes discussed at the last meeting have been made.

    — Finance Consultant Yager

    What this is about
    Prior 2024 budget discussions and changes from the last budget meeting.

    p. 4Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2023-11-09)Finance Consultant Yager addressed the mayor and the council stating this is the fourth meeting for the 2024 budget discussions. The levy has been set with the county and changes discussed at the last meeting have been made.

    Related history

    The records I searched do not contain a prior 2024 budget meeting or specific earlier vote matching Finance Consultant Yager’s recollection that this was the fourth 2024 budget discussion and that changes from the last meeting had been made. The closest related record is later and for a different budget year: at the January 13, 2026 meeting, Financial Consultant Yager reported that the Council had held four meetings between July and November to plan the 2026 budget, and that the levy had been reduced by $8,645 from the amount shown on Truth in Taxation notices. That record concerns the 2026 budget, not the 2024 budget.

    • Mar 10, 20261\. The City regularly receives inquiries from property owners, real estate professionals, developers and proposed purch
    • Dec 23, 2025DECISION: Based on the foregoing information and applicable ordinances, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommends ap
    • Jan 13, 2026### 3. PUBLIC HEARING ON BUDGET AND PROPERTY TAXES Financial Consultant Yager presented the 2026 budget and levy proposa
    • Feb 24, 2026Council approval, including demonstrating compliance with Section 10-3-5. If the comments from the City Engineer memo ar
    • Mar 10, 20267\. The memo from the City Planner dated February 18, 2026 is incorporated herein by reference. The staff report from th
  • The city did hit its limit last month due to several larger purchases and an employee was denied at a counter while trying to make a purchase.

    What this is about
    A prior city credit-card limit problem that prompted discussion of increasing the limit.

    p. 3Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2023-11-09)The city did hit its limit last month due to several larger purchases and an employee was denied at a counter while trying to make a purchase.

    Related history

    The records I searched do not contain a prior decision matching this recollection about the city hitting a credit-card limit, an employee being denied at a counter, or council increasing the card limit in response. The search results returned items from 2026 meeting packets and minutes on unrelated topics, including fire/security monitoring costs, Building Safety Month, Fire Chief updates, culvert work, and permit compliance. None of the retrieved records mention city credit-card limits, denied purchases, or a formal vote to raise a limit.

    • Feb 10, 2026This is required by State, You are asking if you would be able to complete this yourself. What I do know is that it is r
    • May 12, 2026### RE: 2026 Building Safety Month Proclamation Request Dear Natalie & Lexi, As we begin the month of May, we invite the
    • May 12, 2026<figure> BUILDING SAFETY MONTH </figure> ## Proclamation ### Building Safety Month - May 2026 Whereas the City of Nowthe
    • Feb 10, 2026SALES MANAGER APPROVAL NOTE: THIS PROPOSAL MAY BE WITHDRAWN BY US IF NOT ACCEPTED IN 30 DAYS CUSTOMER SIGNATURE PRINT NA
    • Apr 14, 2026CITY OF NOWTHEN </figure> ## Fire Chief Council Update 4.14.2026 Monthly Calls-March 2026 37 total calls 5-Structure Fir
  • If at some point the city goes back to 10 hours a day, if it is a Holiday/Vacation/Sick day, 8 hours is paid by city, and PTO covers the other 2.

    What this is about
    Prior or possible future city workday schedule of 10-hour days and how paid leave would be treated.

    p. 3Meeting City Council Work Session — Minutes (2023-11-09)Council would like it in the policy that Holiday Pay or Vacation/Sick (PTO) is 8 hours. If at some point the city goes back to 10 hours a day, if it is a Holiday/Vacation/Sick day, 8 hours is paid by city, and PTO covers the other 2.

    Related history

    The records I searched do not contain a prior decision matching this recollection about the City moving to 10-hour workdays or how holiday, vacation, sick time, or PTO would be applied under that schedule. The search results returned unrelated planning and zoning items from 2025 and 2026, such as minor subdivisions, wetland/septic conditions, developer agreements, and a cannabis interim use permit. None of the results document a council discussion or vote on a 10-hour-day schedule or an 8-hours-paid/2-hours-PTO leave policy.

    • 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
    • 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, 20266\. The approved total outdoor cultivation area shall not exceed 7000 square feet that is in a fenced and secured area a
    • Mar 24, 202621\. The Subject Property shall be final platted in one phase. Prior to the release of the Final Plat for recording, a D

Where this came up before

  1. Mar 10, 2026
    City Meeting

    1\. The City regularly receives inquiries from property owners, real estate professionals, developers and proposed purchasers ("Requesting Parties" or each a "Requesting Party") in relation to

    Doc1\. The City regularly receives inquiries from property owners, real estate professionals, developers and proposed purchasers ("Requesting Parties" or each a "Requesting Party") in relation to
  2. Dec 23, 2025
    City Meeting

    DECISION: Based on the foregoing information and applicable ordinances, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommends approval of the Minor Subdivision subject to the following conditions: 1\.

    DocDECISION: Based on the foregoing information and applicable ordinances, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommends approval of the Minor Subdivision subject to the following conditions: 1\.
  3. Jan 13, 2026
    City Meeting

    ### 3. PUBLIC HEARING ON BUDGET AND PROPERTY TAXES Financial Consultant Yager presented the 2026 budget and levy proposal. She explained that the City Council held four meetings between July and Novem

    Doc### 3. PUBLIC HEARING ON BUDGET AND PROPERTY TAXES Financial Consultant Yager presented the 2026 budget and levy proposal. She explained that the City Council held four meetings between July and November to discuss and plan for the 2026 bu
  4. Feb 24, 2026
    City Meeting

    Council approval, including demonstrating compliance with Section 10-3-5. If the comments from the City Engineer memo are not satisfactorily addressed, then this recommendation shall be changed to a r

    DocCouncil approval, including demonstrating compliance with Section 10-3-5. If the comments from the City Engineer memo are not satisfactorily addressed, then this recommendation shall be changed to a recommendation for denial of the minor su
  5. Mar 10, 2026
    City Meeting

    7\. The memo from the City Planner dated February 18, 2026 is incorporated herein by reference. The staff report from the City Planner dated March 4, 2026 is incorporated herein by reference.

    Doc7\. The memo from the City Planner dated February 18, 2026 is incorporated herein by reference. The staff report from the City Planner dated March 4, 2026 is incorporated herein by reference.

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?