Skip to main content

Nowthen City Council Worksession meeting, May 28, 2026

City Council

Thursday, May 28, 2026

This meeting on the city's website ↗

Agenda

Open PDF ↗

What was on the agenda.

Packet

Open PDF ↗

The supporting materials the board reviewed.

Minutes

Open PDF ↗

The official record of what happened.

One-line summary

The Council heard Anoka County’s Flock and drone presentation, approved the Palomino Estates variance resolution on consent, discussed outdoor sirens and CIP/ERP projects, and approved hiring three seasonal Public Works employees at $16 per hour.

What was on the agenda

9 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, and approval of the amended agenda.

    The agenda was amended to add the outdoor warning siren document as Item 4.5 and remove Consent Agenda Item 4b for separate discussion.

    • meeting administration
    Approved
    p. 1May 28, 2026 Agenda1\. Call to Order · Pledge of Allegiance · Roll Call · Approve Agendap. 1May 28, 2026 Meeting MinutesMayor Hybben called the session to order at 6:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance. Roll call by City Clerk Johnson. Present: Mayor Hybben, Council Member Glaser, Council Member Swenson, and Council Member Rainville. Absent: Council Member Breyenp. 1May 28, 2026 Meeting MinutesMOTION BY MAYOR HYBBEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED. 4 AYES, MOTION CARRIED.
  2. 2Public Forum

    Public Forum.

    No residents signed up to speak.

    • public forum
    No action
    p. 1May 28, 2026 Agenda2\. Public Forump. 1May 28, 2026 Meeting MinutesThere were no residents who signed up for the Public Forum.
  3. 3Anoka County Flocking Presentation with Discussion to Follow

    Anoka County presentation and Council discussion about Flock Safety ALPR cameras and drone-assisted response.

    Lieutenant Mendoza briefed the Council on Anoka County’s proposed countywide expansion of Flock Safety automated license plate reader cameras and a drone-assisted response program. He described ALPR privacy rules, 30-day photo retention, audit controls, blocked sensitive searches, and drone warrant requirements. Council members asked about future sheriff’s contract costs, staffing, data requests, company ownership, and officer safety. A resident, Marty Bies, raised cybersecurity and data-sharing concerns; Mendoza responded that Flock data is encrypted, audited, not sold, and not shared with federal agencies. No City Council action was taken.

    Presentation and discussion only; no City Council action was recorded.

    • Flock Safety ALPR and drone-assisted response
    Discussion only
    p. 1May 28, 2026 Agenda3\. Anoka County Flocking Presentation with Discussion to follow.p. 1May 28, 2026 Meeting MinutesLieutenant Cole Bangerter introduced Anthony Mendoza of the Anoka County Sheriff's Office, who serves as program manager for ARCTIC (Anoka Regional Crime Information Technology Center). Lieutenant Mendoza delivered a comprehensive presentation on two technologies the county is exploring for countywide deployment: Autom…
  4. 4Consent Agenda

    Consent agenda, with Item 4b removed for separate discussion.

    Minutes say the consent agenda was moved for approval, but the motion text reads “APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED.”

    • consent agenda
    Approved
    p. 1May 28, 2026 Agenda4\. Consent Agendap. 4May 28, 2026 Meeting MinutesThe Consent Agenda, with item 4b removed for separate discussion, was moved for approval. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED. 4 AYES, MOTION CARRIED.
  5. 4aApproval of Resolution 2026-XX Approving a Variance for Palomino Estates

    Resolution approving a variance for Palomino Estates.

    The Council approved the Palomino Estates variance resolution on the consent agenda after removing the seasonal hiring item for separate discussion. The packet explained that the updated resolution amended and replaced Resolution 2026-49 to remove a recording-related condition and make the variance documents cleaner for recording, with no substantive change to the City’s approval or conditions.

    Approved as the remaining consent item after Item 4b was removed for separate discussion.

    • Palomino Estates variance
    Consent calendar
    p. 1May 28, 2026 Agendaa) Approval of Resolution 2026-XX Approving a Variance for Palomino Estates.p. 2May 28, 2026 PacketREQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION: Adopt Resolution 2026-XXX Amending and Replacing Resolution 2026-49 Approving A Variance within a Plat Known as Palomino Estates.p. 4May 28, 2026 Meeting MinutesThe Consent Agenda, with item 4b removed for separate discussion, was moved for approval. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED. 4 AYES, MOTION CARRIED.
  6. 4.5Community Alerting/Outdoor Warning Siren Plan

    Added item: Fire Chief Miller’s community alerting/outdoor warning siren plan update.

    Fire Chief Miller presented an updated outdoor warning siren plan that grew from the original six-siren concept to ten sirens for full city coverage. Twin Lakes Park remained the recommended next priority because it is city-owned, heavily used, and has utilities. The Council discussed siren audibility from neighboring cities, maintenance, phasing, utility-pole limitations, and cost. The Council did not approve a purchase; it took the plan under advisement for future CIP budgeting.

    Added to the agenda and discussed; Council took it under advisement for future CIP budgeting.

    • outdoor warning sirens
    Discussion only
    p. 1May 28, 2026 Meeting MinutesMayor Hybben noted two modifications to the agenda: the addition of Fire Chief Miller's outdoor warning siren document as Item 4.5, Council Member Glaser requested the removal of Consent Agenda Item 4(b) from the consent agenda for separate discussion as Item 5.5.p. 4May 28, 2026 Meeting MinutesFire Chief Rob Miller presented an updated outdoor warning siren plan, which had been revised since 2025 at the Council's request.p. 5May 28, 2026 Meeting MinutesThe Council took the presentation under advisement for future CIP budgeting discussions.
  7. 5CIP/ERP Discussion

    Discussion of the City’s Capital Improvement Plan and Equipment Replacement Plan.

    Financial Consultant Yager walked the Council through updated CIP and ERP projections. Discussion covered a future fire well, building insulation and energy audits, smart thermostats, park parking lot work, Twin Lakes Park roofs, mower replacement options, whether to trailer or drive mowers, and whether to bond for a new dump truck rather than lease it. Yager’s analysis favored bonding and holding the dump truck over a lease-and-trade cycle, while staff noted maintenance and emissions-system concerns with newer trucks. No formal action was taken.

    Discussion only; the plans were expected to return for adoption at a later meeting.

    • CIP and ERP planning
    • building improvements
    • park capital improvements
    • equipment replacement
    • road improvements
    • tax levy
    Discussion only
    p. 1May 28, 2026 Agenda5\. CIP/ERP Discussionp. 6May 28, 2026 Meeting MinutesFinancial Consultant Lori Yager presented updates to the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and Equipment Replacement Plan (ERP), noting the changes made since the prior session and highlighting recommended fund transfers.p. 8May 28, 2026 Meeting MinutesNo formal action was taken; the discussion was framed as gauging Council appetite for a future purchase order for a new truck to be budgeted in 2027.
  8. 5.5Approval of Resolution 2026-66 Authorizing the Hiring of Three Seasonal Public Works Employees

    Removed consent item: hiring three seasonal Public Works employees.

    The Council removed the seasonal hiring resolution from the consent agenda so Council Member Glaser could ask about managing total hours among three seasonal employees. Staff explained the three employees would work varied schedules, would not each work full-time, and would provide coverage when others took time off. The Council approved Resolution 2026-66 hiring Preston Madson, Chase Glasoe, and Gavin Brunelle at $16 per hour starting June 8, 2026.

    Item 4b was removed from consent and approved separately as Resolution 2026-66.

    • seasonal public works hiring
    Approved
    p. 1May 28, 2026 Agendab) Approval of Resolution 2026-xx Authorizing the Hiring of Three (3) Seasonal Public Works Employees Preston Madson, Chase Glasoe, and Gavin Brunelle with a Starting Date of June 8, 2026, at a rate of $16 per hour.p. 9May 28, 2026 Meeting MinutesCouncil Member Glaser inquired about the management of hours among three seasonal employees, noting the potential for total available hours to exceed need.p. 9May 28, 2026 Meeting MinutesMOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER GLASER TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2026-66 AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF THREE (3) SEASONAL PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEES. 4 AYES, MOTION CARRIED.
  9. 6Adjourn

    Adjournment.

    Meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.

    • meeting administration
    Approved
    p. 1May 28, 2026 Agenda6\. Adjourn.p. 9May 28, 2026 Meeting MinutesMOTION TO BY COUNCIL MEMBER GLASER, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE TO ADJOURN. The meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m.

Other topics discussed

Topics that came up without tying to a specific agenda item.

  • Magnesium chloride timing for gravel roads

    Public Works provided a memo recommending that magnesium chloride application on gravel roads wait until June 15-26 if possible, because dry weather was expected and rain would help the treatment work better. At the end of the meeting, staff noted the City was waiting for rain so dust control would do what it is supposed to do, even though residents might complain about dust in the meantime.

    Speakers: Public Works Employee Madson, Mayor Hybben.

Motions and votes

4 motions on the record.

  • M1MOTION BY MAYOR HYBBEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED.

    moved by Hybben, seconded by Rainville

    Passed
    • YHybben
    • YGlaser
    • YSwenson
    • YRainville
    • ·Breyen
    p. 1May 28, 2026 Meeting MinutesMOTION BY MAYOR HYBBEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED. 4 AYES, MOTION CARRIED.p. 1May 28, 2026 Meeting MinutesPresent: Mayor Hybben, Council Member Glaser, Council Member Swenson, and Council Member Rainville. Absent: Council Member Breyen
  • M2MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED.

    moved by Rainville, seconded by Swenson

    Passed
    • YHybben
    • YGlaser
    • YSwenson
    • YRainville
    • ·Breyen
    p. 4May 28, 2026 Meeting MinutesThe Consent Agenda, with item 4b removed for separate discussion, was moved for approval. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED. 4 AYES, MOTION CARRIED.p. 1May 28, 2026 Meeting MinutesPresent: Mayor Hybben, Council Member Glaser, Council Member Swenson, and Council Member Rainville. Absent: Council Member Breyen
  • M3MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER GLASER TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2026-66 AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF THREE (3) SEASONAL PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEES.

    moved by Rainville, seconded by Glaser

    Passed
    • YHybben
    • YGlaser
    • YSwenson
    • YRainville
    • ·Breyen
    p. 9May 28, 2026 Meeting MinutesMOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER GLASER TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2026-66 AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF THREE (3) SEASONAL PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEES. 4 AYES, MOTION CARRIED.p. 1May 28, 2026 Meeting MinutesPresent: Mayor Hybben, Council Member Glaser, Council Member Swenson, and Council Member Rainville. Absent: Council Member Breyen
  • M4MOTION TO BY COUNCIL MEMBER GLASER, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE TO ADJOURN.

    moved by Glaser, seconded by Rainville

    Passed
    p. 9May 28, 2026 Meeting MinutesMOTION TO BY COUNCIL MEMBER GLASER, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE TO ADJOURN. The meeting was adjourned at 8:17 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.

  • Seasonal Public Works employee hourly rate

    $16

    Motion MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER GLASER TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2026-66 AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF THREE (3) SEASONAL PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEES. Passed(4 AYES, MOTION CARRIED.)
    p. 9May 28, 2026 Meeting MinutesCity Administrator Natalie Johnson presented the hiring of three seasonal Park and Public Works employees - Preston Madson, Chase Glasoe, and Gavin Brunelle - with a start date of June 8, 2026, at a rate of $16 per hour.

Sources

Documents and recordings archived for this meeting, when available.

Show a sample of the transcript (942 segments, 2:17:20 total)
  • 0:02 We expect the pilot program to be [cough]
  • 0:11 [clears throat] >> so.
  • 0:21 All right. We're going to open the meeting today and we'll start out with the pledge of allegiance. >> [clears throat] >> I aliance to the flag of the United
  • 0:31 States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
  • 0:40 justice for all. >> Miss Johnson, we do roll call, please. >> Mayor Hib >> here. >> Council member Brian is absent. Council
  • 0:50 member Blazer >> here. [clears throat] >> Council member Rainville present. Council member Swansson >> here. Um, financial consultant Jagger
  • 0:58 here, fire chief Miller >> here, >> and Lieutenant Banger >> here. >> And then I'm sorry, >> Anthony Mendoza.
  • 1:07 >> Anthony Mendoza is here from the sheriff's department as well as Eric out of the fire or out of the public works and my son, Natalie Johnson.
  • 1:17 >> Thank you. Move to uh for the agenda. There was one item the um chief just handed us and he said he would like to
  • 1:24 get on the agenda. Any concerns with that at all? >> And he said he would request to get sooner rather than later. I don't know what that exactly means. So can we do
  • 1:34 that as like 4.5 or something like that before number five? >> Would that work?
  • 1:43 >> Mr. Can we move consent agenda item B out of consent for special? >> Certainly.
  • Showing first 12 segments. Open the YouTube video for the full transcript.

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?