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Nowthen City Council Budget meeting, November 26, 2025

City Council

Wednesday, November 26, 2025

This meeting on the city's website ↗

Agenda

Open PDF ↗

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 removed an erroneously noticed budget public hearing from the agenda, reviewed but did not finalize the 2026 budget, approved seasonal plow staffing and a public works posting pay range, changed overtime policy to count PTO and holidays for all staff, and approved a $578.10 no-logo street-sign quote.

What was on the agenda

10 items as recorded in the agenda, packet, 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

    The Council removed the budget and levy public hearing from the agenda because it had been listed in error. The minutes say the actual public hearing for the 2026 budget and taxes was scheduled for December 9, 2025.

    The agenda was approved after removing agenda item 2, the budget and levy public hearing, because it had been listed in error.

    • agenda approval
    • public hearing scheduling
    Approved
    p. 1November 26, 2025 Agenda1. Call to Order · Pledge of Allegiance . Roll Call · Approve Agendap. 1November 26, 2025 Signed MinutesThe agenda was amended to remove the public hearing as it was an administrative error, the public hearing regarding the 2026 budget and taxes is scheduled for December 9, 2025. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE TO APPROVE THE BUDGET AS AMENDED BY REMOVING AGENDA ITEM 2. 5 AYES. MOTIO…

  2. 2Public Hearing for Budget and Levy

    Public Hearing for Budget and Levy

    The Council removed the budget and levy public hearing from the agenda because it had been listed in error. The minutes say the actual public hearing for the 2026 budget and taxes was scheduled for December 9, 2025.

    Removed from the agenda as an administrative error; minutes state the public hearing was scheduled for December 9, 2025.

    • 2026 budget and levy
    • public hearing scheduling
    No action
    p. 1November 26, 2025 Agenda2. Public Hearing for Budget and Levyp. 1November 26, 2025 Signed MinutesThe agenda was amended to remove the public hearing as it was an administrative error, the public hearing regarding the 2026 budget and taxes is scheduled for December 9, 2025.

  3. 3New/Old Business

    New/Old Business

    Header item; individual subitems were handled separately.

    • new and old business
    Discussion only
    p. 1November 26, 2025 Agenda3. New/Old Businessp. 1November 26, 2025 Signed Minutes## 3. NEW/OLD BUSINESS

  4. 3aDiscussion on Proposed 2026 Budget

    Discussion on Proposed 2026 Budget.

    Financial Consultant Lori Yager reviewed changes to the proposed 2026 budget, including a 4% COLA instead of 5%, reduced building permit and interest assumptions, a transfer from capital for code enforcement, a retained weather siren allocation, added code enforcement, public works staffing, and training amounts, and projected tax impacts. Council did not adopt the final budget at this meeting and planned to finalize it on December 9.

    The proposed 2026 budget was reviewed and adjusted in discussion; the Council agreed to finalize it at the December 9 meeting.

    • 2026 budget
    • 2026 levy
    • tax impact
    Discussion only
    p. 1November 26, 2025 Agendaa. Discussion on Proposed 2026 Budget.p. 1November 26, 2025 Signed Minutesa) Discussion on Proposed 2026 Budget Financial Consultant Lori Yager presented the proposed 2026 budget, noting several changes since the September 3rd meeting.p. 2November 26, 2025 Signed MinutesThe Council agreed to finalize the budget at the December 9th meeting.

  5. 3bSeasonal public works employee and seasonal plow driver

    Approval of Resolution 2025-XX Authorizing Philip Olmon to Work as a Seasonal Public Works Employee, and Dana Henjum as an As-Needed Seasonal Plow Driver.

    The Council approved Resolution 2025-120 authorizing Philip Olmon to work as a seasonal public works employee and authorizing Dana Henjum as an as-needed seasonal plow driver for snow removal needs.

    Resolution 2025-120 was approved.

    • seasonal public works staffing
    • snow plowing
    Approved
    p. 1November 26, 2025 Agendab. Approval of Resolution 2025-XX Authorizing Philip Olmon to Work as a Seasonal Public Works Employee, and Dana Henjum as an As-Needed Seasonal Plow Driver.p. 2November 26, 2025 Signed MinutesMOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2025-120 AUTHORIZING PHILIP OLMON TO WORK AS A SEASONAL PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE AND DANA HENJUM AS AN AS-NEEDED SEASONAL PLOW DRIVER. 5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED.

  6. 3cPublic Works salary range / job posting

    Approval of Recommendation for Public Works Step Salary Range, to be presented at the meeting.

    The Council approved posting a public works employee position with a pay range of $28.00 to $36.50 per hour. Members discussed avoiding language that would imply the city had adopted a step chart, and the motion approved the posting and pay range only.

    The Council approved a public works job posting with a $28.00 to $36.50 per hour pay range, after discussion about removing step-chart language from the action.

    • public works hiring
    • salary range
    Approved
    p. 1November 26, 2025 Agendac. Approval of Recommendation for Public Works Step Salary Range, to be presented at the meeting.p. 2November 26, 2025 Signed MinutesMOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON TO APPROVE THE POSTING FOR A PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE WITH A PAY RANGE FROM $28.00 TO $36.50 PER HOUR. 5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED.

  7. 3dCOLA/Step Increase

    Discussion on COLA/Step Increase. City Council received via email. Copies upon request.

    Financial Consultant Lori Yager reviewed changes to the proposed 2026 budget, including a 4% COLA instead of 5%, reduced building permit and interest assumptions, a transfer from capital for code enforcement, a retained weather siren allocation, added code enforcement, public works staffing, and training amounts, and projected tax impacts. Council did not adopt the final budget at this meeting and planned to finalize it on December 9.

    Handled during the budget discussion; the minutes state the Council confirmed the 4% COLA included in the 2026 budget.

    • COLA
    • step increase
    • 2026 budget
    Discussion only
    p. 1November 26, 2025 Agendad. Discussion on COLA/Step Increase. City Council received via email. Copies upon request.p. 3November 26, 2025 Signed Minutes## d) Discussion on COLA/Step Increase. This agenda item had already been addressed during the budget discussion, where the Council confirmed the 4% COLA that was included in the 2026 budget.

  8. 3ePTO/Holiday Overtime

    Discussion on PTO/Holiday Overtime City Council received via email. Copies upon request.

    After discussing staff concerns and comparisons to other cities, the Council voted 3-2 to count PTO and holiday hours as hours worked for overtime purposes for all staff, with time and a half paid for hours over 40.

    The Council changed the policy so PTO and holiday hours count as hours worked for overtime calculation for all staff.

    • overtime policy
    • PTO
    • holiday pay
    • employee compensation
    Approved
    p. 1November 26, 2025 Agendae. Discussion on PTO/Holiday Overtime City Council received via email. Copies upon request.p. 3November 26, 2025 Signed MinutesMOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE THAT PTO AND HOLIDAY COUNT AS HOURS WORKED FOR THE PURPOSE OF OVERTIME CALCULATION, PAID TIME AND A HALF ANYTHING OVER 40 HOURS, AND APPLIES TO ALL STAFF. 3 AYES- COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON, COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, MAYOR HYBBEN. 2 NAYS- COUNCIL MEMBER…

  9. 3fUpdating City Street Signs

    Discussion and Decision for Updating the City of Nowthen Street Signs.

    The Council discussed replacing non-compliant street signs under Minnesota MUTCD standards. Rather than replace all city-responsible signs at an estimated $81,918, the Council approved the no-logo EFA quote for $578.10 and directed staff to continue replacing signs as needed on a quarterly basis, with later reevaluation of the policy.

    The Council approved the no-logo EFA quote for $578.10 and directed staff to continue quarterly sign replacement as needed.

    • street signs
    • MUTCD compliance
    • public works
    Approved
    p. 1November 26, 2025 Agendaf. Discussion and Decision for Updating the City of Nowthen Street Signs.p. 3November 26, 2025 Signed MinutesMOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GLASER TO APPROVE THE QUOTE TO REPLACE THE STREET SIGNS BASED ON THE EFA QUOTE FOR THE NO LOGO OPTION AT A TOTAL OF $578.10, AND CONTINUE TO REPLACE SIGNS AS NEEDED QUARTERLY AND REEVALUATE THE POLICY IF NEEDED ONCE THE CITY COMPLETES THE OTHER FOUR QUARTERS. …

  10. 4Adjourn

    Adjourn

    The meeting was adjourned at 8:42 p.m.

    • adjournment
    Approved
    p. 1November 26, 2025 Agenda4. Adjournp. 4November 26, 2025 Signed MinutesMOTION TO ADJOURN BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON. The meeting was adjourned at 8:42 p.m.

Motions and votes

6 motions on the record. Split votes are highlighted.

  • M1_approve_agenda_as_amendedMOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE TO APPROVE THE BUDGET AS AMENDED BY REMOVING AGENDA ITEM 2. 5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED.

    Exact transcript text

    MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE TO APPROVE THE BUDGET AS AMENDED BY REMOVING AGENDA ITEM 2. 5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED.

    moved by Breyen, seconded by Rainville

    Passed
    • YHybben
    • YBreyen
    • YGlaser
    • YSwenson
    • YRainville
    p. 1November 26, 2025 Signed MinutesPresent: Mayor Hybben, Council Member Breyen, Council Member Glaser, Council Member Swenson, and Council Member Rainville. Absent: None.p. 1November 26, 2025 Signed MinutesMOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE TO APPROVE THE BUDGET AS AMENDED BY REMOVING AGENDA ITEM 2. 5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED.

  • M2_resolution_2025_120_seasonal_public_worksMOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2025-120 AUTHORIZING PHILIP OLMON TO WORK AS A SEASONAL PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE AND DANA HENJUM AS AN AS-NEEDED SEASONAL PLOW DRIVER. 5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED.

    Exact transcript text

    MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2025-120 AUTHORIZING PHILIP OLMON TO WORK AS A SEASONAL PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE AND DANA HENJUM AS AN AS-NEEDED SEASONAL PLOW DRIVER. 5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED.

    moved by Breyen, seconded by Swenson

    Passed
    • YHybben
    • YBreyen
    • YGlaser
    • YSwenson
    • YRainville
    p. 1November 26, 2025 Signed MinutesPresent: Mayor Hybben, Council Member Breyen, Council Member Glaser, Council Member Swenson, and Council Member Rainville. Absent: None.p. 2November 26, 2025 Signed MinutesMOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2025-120 AUTHORIZING PHILIP OLMON TO WORK AS A SEASONAL PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE AND DANA HENJUM AS AN AS-NEEDED SEASONAL PLOW DRIVER. 5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED.

  • M3_public_works_posting_pay_rangeMOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON TO APPROVE THE POSTING FOR A PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE WITH A PAY RANGE FROM $28.00 TO $36.50 PER HOUR. 5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED.

    Exact transcript text

    MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON TO APPROVE THE POSTING FOR A PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE WITH A PAY RANGE FROM $28.00 TO $36.50 PER HOUR. 5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED.

    moved by Breyen, seconded by Swenson

    Passed
    • YHybben
    • YBreyen
    • YGlaser
    • YSwenson
    • YRainville
    p. 1November 26, 2025 Signed MinutesPresent: Mayor Hybben, Council Member Breyen, Council Member Glaser, Council Member Swenson, and Council Member Rainville. Absent: None.p. 2November 26, 2025 Signed MinutesMOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON TO APPROVE THE POSTING FOR A PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE WITH A PAY RANGE FROM $28.00 TO $36.50 PER HOUR. 5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED.

  • M5_pto_holiday_overtime_policyMOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE THAT PTO AND HOLIDAY COUNT AS HOURS WORKED FOR THE PURPOSE OF OVERTIME CALCULATION, PAID TIME AND A HALF ANYTHING OVER 40 HOURS, AND APPLIES TO ALL STAFF. 3 AYES- COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON, COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, MAYOR HYBBEN. 2 NAYS- COUNCIL MEMBER GLASER AND COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN. MOTION CARRIED.

    Exact transcript text

    MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE THAT PTO AND HOLIDAY COUNT AS HOURS WORKED FOR THE PURPOSE OF OVERTIME CALCULATION, PAID TIME AND A HALF ANYTHING OVER 40 HOURS, AND APPLIES TO ALL STAFF. 3 AYES- COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON, COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, MAYOR HYBBEN. 2 NAYS- COUNCIL MEMBER GLASER AND COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN. MOTION CARRIED.

    moved by Swenson, seconded by Rainville

    PassedSplit vote
    • YSwenson
    • YRainville
    • YHybben
    • NGlaser
    • NBreyen
    p. 3November 26, 2025 Signed MinutesMOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE THAT PTO AND HOLIDAY COUNT AS HOURS WORKED FOR THE PURPOSE OF OVERTIME CALCULATION, PAID TIME AND A HALF ANYTHING OVER 40 HOURS, AND APPLIES TO ALL STAFF. 3 AYES- COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON, COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, MAYOR HYBBEN. 2 NAYS- COUNCIL MEMBER…

  • M6_street_sign_no_logo_quoteMOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GLASER TO APPROVE THE QUOTE TO REPLACE THE STREET SIGNS BASED ON THE EFA QUOTE FOR THE NO LOGO OPTION AT A TOTAL OF $578.10, AND CONTINUE TO REPLACE SIGNS AS NEEDED QUARTERLY AND REEVALUATE THE POLICY IF NEEDED ONCE THE CITY COMPLETES THE OTHER FOUR QUARTERS. 5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED.

    Exact transcript text

    MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GLASER TO APPROVE THE QUOTE TO REPLACE THE STREET SIGNS BASED ON THE EFA QUOTE FOR THE NO LOGO OPTION AT A TOTAL OF $578.10, AND CONTINUE TO REPLACE SIGNS AS NEEDED QUARTERLY AND REEVALUATE THE POLICY IF NEEDED ONCE THE CITY COMPLETES THE OTHER FOUR QUARTERS. 5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED.

    moved by Breyen, seconded by Glaser

    Passed
    • YHybben
    • YBreyen
    • YGlaser
    • YSwenson
    • YRainville
    p. 1November 26, 2025 Signed MinutesPresent: Mayor Hybben, Council Member Breyen, Council Member Glaser, Council Member Swenson, and Council Member Rainville. Absent: None.p. 3November 26, 2025 Signed MinutesMOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GLASER TO APPROVE THE QUOTE TO REPLACE THE STREET SIGNS BASED ON THE EFA QUOTE FOR THE NO LOGO OPTION AT A TOTAL OF $578.10, AND CONTINUE TO REPLACE SIGNS AS NEEDED QUARTERLY AND REEVALUATE THE POLICY IF NEEDED ONCE THE CITY COMPLETES THE OTHER FOUR QUARTERS. …

  • M7_adjournMOTION TO ADJOURN BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON.

    Exact transcript text

    MOTION TO ADJOURN BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON.

    moved by Rainville, seconded by Swenson

    Passed
    p. 4November 26, 2025 Signed MinutesMOTION TO ADJOURN BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON. The meeting was adjourned at 8:42 p.m.

Dollar amounts in motions

Amounts named in or tied to a motion that passed, each shown with the motion. A motion can approve an amount, cap it, or remove it from a list, so read the motion text. These links are AI-extracted, and the minutes control.

  • Public works pay range minimum

    $28

    Motion MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON TO APPROVE THE POSTING FOR A PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE WITH A PAY RANGE FROM $28.00 TO $36.50 PER HOUR. 5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED. Passed(5 ayes)
    p. 2November 26, 2025 Signed MinutesMOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON TO APPROVE THE POSTING FOR A PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE WITH A PAY RANGE FROM $28.00 TO $36.50 PER HOUR. 5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED.

  • Public works pay range maximum

    $37

    Motion MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON TO APPROVE THE POSTING FOR A PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE WITH A PAY RANGE FROM $28.00 TO $36.50 PER HOUR. 5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED. Passed(5 ayes)
    p. 2November 26, 2025 Signed MinutesMOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON TO APPROVE THE POSTING FOR A PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE WITH A PAY RANGE FROM $28.00 TO $36.50 PER HOUR. 5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED.

  • Street sign no logo quote

    $578

    Motion MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GLASER TO APPROVE THE QUOTE TO REPLACE THE STREET SIGNS BASED ON THE EFA QUOTE FOR THE NO LOGO OPTION AT A TOTAL OF $578.10, AND CONTINUE TO REPLACE SIGNS AS NEEDED QUARTERLY AND REEVALUATE THE POLICY IF NEEDED ONCE THE CITY COMPLETES THE OTHER FOUR QUARTERS. 5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED. Passed(5 ayes)
    p. 3November 26, 2025 Signed MinutesMOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GLASER TO APPROVE THE QUOTE TO REPLACE THE STREET SIGNS BASED ON THE EFA QUOTE FOR THE NO LOGO OPTION AT A TOTAL OF $578.10, AND CONTINUE TO REPLACE SIGNS AS NEEDEDp. 36Documents Presented at Council MeetingNet Quote:</td> <td>578.10</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>Freight:</td> <td>0.00</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>Sales Tax:</td> <td>0.00</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>Quote Total:</td> <td>578.10</td>

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?