Tuesday, January 14, 2020 · 7:00 PM
Agenda
Not posted
What was on the agenda.
Packet
Not posted
The supporting materials council reviewed.
One-line summary
At the January 14, 2020 meeting, the Nowthen City Council approved the consent agenda, adopted the Surface Water Management Plan, advanced three road improvement feasibility-study resolutions, approved a 3% employee COLA, approved MCFOA Conference attendance, acted on the part-time maintenance position, and authorized several Fire Department JPA and fire-service discussions.
23 items as recorded in the minutes, each with a plain-English summary of what was at issue.
A001Approve tonight's agenda
Agenda approval as amended after Mayor Pilon moved consent agenda item c to Council Items.
Council approved the meeting agenda after Mayor Pilon moved consent agenda item c to Council Items.
Agenda approved as amended.
A0021. Sheriff's Report
Commander Heath gave the Sheriff's report and asked to add “meet the deputy” to the March 2020 City Council agenda.
Commander Heath reported that December had 157 calls for service and 2019 had 1,982 total calls, with no significant activity noted, and asked to add “meet the deputy” to the March 2020 City Council agenda.
No motion was recorded on the Sheriff's report.
A0032. Floor Items
No floor items were raised.
The minutes state “NOTHING.”
A0043a. Approve prior City Council minutes
Approve City Council Minutes of 12-10-2019 and Special City Council Minutes of 12-23-2019.
Council approved the consent agenda with changes, covering prior minutes, the financial report and claims, annual appointments, a Planning & Zoning resignation, Nowthen Knights park use, two liquor license applications, and a one-year maintenance agreement.
Approved under the consent agenda with changes.
A0053b. Financial Report, Treasurer's Report, and Claims
Approve Treasurer's Report and Claims dated December 11 through January 14.
Council approved the consent agenda with changes, covering prior minutes, the financial report and claims, annual appointments, a Planning & Zoning resignation, Nowthen Knights park use, two liquor license applications, and a one-year maintenance agreement.
Approved under the consent agenda with changes; no dollar amount was listed in the minutes.
A0063c. Annual Appointments and Official Appointments to Commission and Committees
Annual appointments and official appointments to commissions and committees.
Council approved the consent agenda with changes, covering prior minutes, the financial report and claims, annual appointments, a Planning & Zoning resignation, Nowthen Knights park use, two liquor license applications, and a one-year maintenance agreement.
Approved under the consent agenda with changes after discussion about keeping current appointments until a workshop.
A0073d. Resignation Acceptance for Planning & Zoning Commission Member Kristin Moan
Accept resignation of Planning & Zoning Commission Member Kristin Moan.
Council approved the consent agenda with changes, covering prior minutes, the financial report and claims, annual appointments, a Planning & Zoning resignation, Nowthen Knights park use, two liquor license applications, and a one-year maintenance agreement.
Approved under the consent agenda with changes.
A0083e. Resolution 2020-06 Nowthen Knights Baseball Team use of Nowthen Memorial Park Baseball Field
Approve Nowthen Knights Baseball Team use and care of Nowthen Memorial Park Baseball Field.
Council approved the consent agenda with changes, covering prior minutes, the financial report and claims, annual appointments, a Planning & Zoning resignation, Nowthen Knights park use, two liquor license applications, and a one-year maintenance agreement.
Approved under the consent agenda with changes.
A0093f. Resolution 2020-07 liquor license for Nowthen Tavern
Approve liquor license application for the Nowthen Tavern, formerly known as Northwoods Bar & Grill.
Council approved the consent agenda with changes, covering prior minutes, the financial report and claims, annual appointments, a Planning & Zoning resignation, Nowthen Knights park use, two liquor license applications, and a one-year maintenance agreement.
Approved under the consent agenda with changes.
A0103g. Resolution 2020-08 liquor license for Nowthen Liquors
Approve liquor license application for Nowthen Liquors, formerly known as Burns Bottle Shop.
Council approved the consent agenda with changes, covering prior minutes, the financial report and claims, annual appointments, a Planning & Zoning resignation, Nowthen Knights park use, two liquor license applications, and a one-year maintenance agreement.
Approved under the consent agenda with changes.
A0113h. Resolution 2020-09 One Year Maintenance Agreement with Air Comfort Heating & Air
Approve a one-year maintenance agreement with Air Comfort Heating & Air.
Council approved the consent agenda with changes, covering prior minutes, the financial report and claims, annual appointments, a Planning & Zoning resignation, Nowthen Knights park use, two liquor license applications, and a one-year maintenance agreement.
Approved under the consent agenda with changes; no dollar amount was listed in the minutes.
A0124a. Resolution 2020-01 Adopting Surface Water Management Plan
Adopt the Surface Water Management Plan.
Council adopted Resolution 2020-01 for the Surface Water Management Plan after Engineer Nelson explained it as part of the city's water management planning and Comprehensive Plan requirements.
Resolution 2020-01 was approved.
A0134b. Resolution 2020-03 Willow Creek improvements
Accept feasibility study, order preparation of plans and specifications, and call for a hearing on improvements to Willow Creek.
Council approved feasibility-study resolutions for Willow Creek, Krypton Street/183rd Ave./Merle's Lane/Potassium, and 189th Lane/190th Lane/Dolomite Street, with estimated costs and assessments discussed for Willow Creek and Krypton-area work and soil borings estimated for the three road projects.
Resolution 2020-03 was approved as amended.
A0144c. Resolution 2020-04 Krypton Street, 183rd Ave., Merle's Lane, and Potassium improvements
Accept feasibility study, order preparation of plans and specifications, and call for a hearing on improvements to Krypton Street, 183rd Ave., and Merle's Lane.
Council approved feasibility-study resolutions for Willow Creek, Krypton Street/183rd Ave./Merle's Lane/Potassium, and 189th Lane/190th Lane/Dolomite Street, with estimated costs and assessments discussed for Willow Creek and Krypton-area work and soil borings estimated for the three road projects.
Resolution 2020-04 was approved as amended to include Potassium Street.
A0154d. Resolution 2020-05 189th Lane, 190th Lane, and Dolomite Street improvements
Accept feasibility study, order preparation of plans and specifications, and call for a hearing on improvements to 189th Lane, 190th Lane, and Dolomite Street.
Council approved feasibility-study resolutions for Willow Creek, Krypton Street/183rd Ave./Merle's Lane/Potassium, and 189th Lane/190th Lane/Dolomite Street, with estimated costs and assessments discussed for Willow Creek and Krypton-area work and soil borings estimated for the three road projects.
Resolution 2020-05 was approved as amended.
A0165a. Memo from Clerk Streich regarding COLA increases
Consider Clerk Streich's memo regarding COLA increases.
Council approved a 3% COLA increase for full-time and part-time employees using money in the 2020 budget, with Greenberg and Rainville opposed.
The 3% COLA increase for full-time and part-time employees was approved over two no votes.
A0175b. Memo from Clerk Streich regarding MCFOA Conference
Consider Clerk Streich's memo regarding attendance at the MCFOA Conference.
Council approved Clerk Streich and Deputy Clerk Lendt attending the MCFOA Conference from March 16 through March 19, 2020, with Rainville opposed.
Approved with Rainville opposed; the minutes do not include the words “motion carried” for this item.
A0185c. Memo from Clerk Streich regarding Part-Time Maintenance Worker Position
Consider Clerk Streich's memo regarding the part-time maintenance worker position.
Council accepted the resignation of part-time maintenance worker Randy Pieschke and approved the part-time maintenance worker position as presented, authorizing Clerk Streich to accept applications.
Council accepted the resignation and approved the position as presented, authorizing Clerk Streich to accept applications.
A0195d. 2020 Elected Leaders Institute
Discuss the 2020 Elected Leaders Institute on January 24-25.
Council discussed the Elected Leaders Institute, noted the cost as $275 per Council Member, and council members were to tell Clerk Streich if they wanted to attend.
No motion was recorded; council members were to let Clerk Streich know if they would attend.
A0205e. Fire Department JPA Agreement Discussion
Discuss the Fire Department JPA Agreement.
Council authorized Mayor Pilon and Council Member Breyen to amend the current Fire Department JPA terms, including relief association contribution and payment terms, and also authorized discussions with nearby cities about a possible new JPA and with independent contractors about the option of Nowthen starting its own fire department.
Council approved three motions related to amending the current JPA, discussing a possible new JPA with other cities, and contacting independent contractors about starting a Nowthen fire department.
A0215f. Council meeting date discussion
Discuss City Council meeting dates.
Council decided that City Council meetings would continue on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm and noted that a future workshop would be held for discussion.
Council meetings will continue on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm, with a future workshop to discuss further.
A0229. Introduction of New Items
Introduction of new items.
No new items were recorded in the minutes.
A02310. Adjournment
Adjourn the meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 9:25 PM.
14 motions on the record. Split votes are highlighted.
M001MOTION TO APPROVE TONIGHT'S AGENDA AS AMENDED.
MOTION TO APPROVE TONIGHT'S AGENDA AS AMENDED
moved by Rainville, seconded by Pilon
M002MOTION TO ACCEPT THE CONSENT AGENDA WITH CHANGES.
MOTION TO ACCEPT THE CONSENT AGENDA WITH CHANGES
moved by Pilon, seconded by Rainville
M003MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2020-01 ADOPTING SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN.
MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2020-01 ADOPTING SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
moved by Breyen, seconded by Blake
M004MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2020-03 ACCEPTING FEASIBILITY STUDY, ORDERING PREPARATION OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND CALLING FOR A HEARING ON THE IMPROVEMENTS TO WILLOW CREEK AS AMENDED.
MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2020-03 ACCEPTING FEASIBILITY STUDY, ORDERING PREPARATION OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND CALLING FOR A HEARING ON THE IMPROVEMENTS TO WILLOW CREEK AS AMENDED
moved by Greenberg, seconded by Rainville
M005MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2020-04 ACCEPTING FEASIBILITY STUDY, ORDERING PREPARATION OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND CALLING FOR A HEARING ON THE IMPROVEMENTS TO KRYPTON STREET, 183RD AVE., MERLE'S LANE & POTASSIUM AS AMENDED.
MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2020-04 ACCEPTING FEASIBILITY STUDY, ORDERING PREPARATION OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND CALLING FOR A HEARING ON THE IMPROVEMENTS TO KRYPTON STREET, 183RD AVE., MERLE'S LANE & POTASSIUM AS AMENDED
moved by Greenberg, seconded by Blake
M006MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2020-05 ACCEPTING FEASIBILITY STUDY, ORDERING PREPARATION OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND CALLING FOR A HEARING ON THE IMPROVEMENTS AS AMENDED TO 189TH LANE, 190TH LANE & DOLOMITE STREET.
MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2020-05 ACCEPTING FEASIBILITY STUDY, ORDERING PREPARATION OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND CALLING FOR A HEARING ON THE IMPROVEMENTS AS AMENDED TO 189TH LANE, 190TH LANE & DOLOMITE STREET
moved by Greenberg, seconded by Blake
M007MOTION TO APPROVE THE 3% COLA INCREASE FOR FULL TIME AND PART TIME EMPLOYEES, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE CITY CLERK USING MONEY THAT IS CURRENTLY IN THE 2020 BUDGET.
MOTION TO APPROVE THE 3% COLA INCREASE FOR FULL TIME AND PART TIME EMPLOYEES, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE CITY CLERK USING MONEY THAT IS CURRENTLY IN THE 2020 BUDGET
moved by Pilon, seconded by Blake
M008MOTION TO APPROVE CLERK STREICH & DEPUTY CLERK LENDT TO ATTEND THE MCFOA CONFERENCE MARCH 16, 2020 - MARCH 19, 2020.
MOTION TO APPROVE CLERK STREICH & DEPUTY CLERK LENDT TO ATTEND THE MCFOA CONFERENCE MARCH 16, 2020 - MARCH 19, 2020
moved by Pilon, seconded by Breyen
M009MOTION TO APPROVE THE RESIGNATION OF PART-TIME MAINTENANCE WORKER, RANDY PIESCHKE.
MOTION TO APPROVE THE RESIGNATION OF PART-TIME MAINTENANCE WORKER, RANDY PIESCHKE
moved by Pilon, seconded by Rainville
M010MOTION TO APPROVE THE PART-TIME MAINTENANCE WORKER POSITION AS PRESENTED AND AUTHORIZE CLERK STREICH TO ACCEPT APPLICATIONS.
MOTION TO APPROVE THE PART-TIME MAINTENANCE WORKER POSITION AS PRESENTED AND AUTHORIZE CLERK STREICH TO ACCEPT APPLICATIONS
moved by Pilon, seconded by Rainville
M011MOTION TO AUTHORIZE MAYOR PILON AND COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN TO AMEND THE CURRENT JPA AGREEMENT WHICH INCLUDE REMOVING THE TRUCK FEES, INCREASE THE RELIEF ASSOCIATION CONTRIBUTION FROM $406.00/FIREFIGHTER TO $419.00/FIREFIGHTER ($6185 TOTAL) FOR 2020, OFFER TO ASSIST IN ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS, AND SHORTEN THE LENGTH OF THE DISSOLUTION OF THE CONTRACT FROM 2 YEARS DOWN TO 1 YEAR PENDING THE ACCEPTANCE OF PAYMENT OF $8,048 RATHER THAN $82,215/YEAR.
MOTION TO AUTHORIZE MAYOR PILON AND COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN TO AMEND THE CURRENT JPA AGREEMENT WHICH INCLUDE REMOVING THE TRUCK FEES, INCREASE THE RELIEF ASSOCIATION CONTRIBUTION FROM $406.00/FIREFIGHTER TO $419.00/FIREFIGHTER ($6185 TOTAL) FOR 2020, OFFER TO ASSIST IN ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS, AND SHORTEN THE LENGTH OF THE DISSOLUTION OF THE CONTRACT FROM 2 YEARS DOWN TO 1 YEAR PENDING THE ACCEPTANCE OF PAYMENT OF $8,048 RATHER THAN $82,215/YEAR
moved by Pilon, seconded by Greenberg
M012MOTION TO ALLOW MAYOR PILON AND COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, ALONG WITH CITY STAFF TO SPEAK ON THE BEHALF OF THE CITY OF NOWTHEN WITH THE CITIES OF ST. FRANCIS, OAK GROVE, ELK RIVER, AND RAMSEY TO DISCUSS THE POSSIBILITY OF FORMING A NEW JPA.
MOTION TO ALLOW MAYOR PILON AND COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, ALONG WITH CITY STAFF TO SPEAK ON THE BEHALF OF THE CITY OF NOWTHEN WITH THE CITIES OF ST. FRANCIS, OAK GROVE, ELK RIVER, AND RAMSEY TO DISCUSS THE POSSIBILITY OF FORMING A NEW JPA
moved by Pilon, seconded by Rainville
M013MOTION TO ALLOW MAYOR PILON AND COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN TO CONTACT INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS TO DISCUSS THE OPTION OF NOWTHEN TO START THEIR OWN FIRE DEPARTMENT.
MOTION TO ALLOW MAYOR PILON AND COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN TO CONTACT INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS TO DISCUSS THE OPTION OF NOWTHEN TO START THEIR OWN FIRE DEPARTMENT
moved by Pilon, seconded by Rainville
M014MOTION TO ADJOURN AT 9:25 PM.
MOTION TO ADJOURN AT 9:25 PM
moved by Rainville, seconded by Blake
The amounts the council actually voted to approve, each with the vote that approved it. Drawn from the official minutes.
F001
$296,000
F002
$148,000
F006
$243,600
F007
$121,800
F010
$406
F011
$419
F012
$6,185
F013
$8,048
F014
$82,215
When someone referred back to earlier business, we found the matching prior discussion and tied it in here.
explaining that in the Fall they talked about discussing meeting schedules, holding committee meetings as necessary, rather than being scheduled every month.
— Mayor Pilon
What this is about
Prior discussion of committee and commission meeting schedules and whether to hold meetings only as needed.
The records I searched do not contain a prior discussion or decision matching Mayor Pilon’s recollection about committee or commission meeting schedules, or about changing from monthly scheduled meetings to meetings held only as needed. The search results include several unrelated references to “fall” — such as newsletters, mowing, and generator maintenance — but nothing about council, committee, or commission meeting frequency.
There were repairs made just last year and we don't know what the outcome will be.
— Paul Reighard
What this is about
Prior work and repairs on Willow Creek-area road problems before the current feasibility study.
The records I searched do not contain a prior decision or recorded repair project matching the recollection about Willow Creek-area road problems “last year.” The results returned are mostly unrelated packet material from 2026, including security equipment, policy documents, and development-approval conditions. There are some generic references in 2026 packets to “infrastructure improvements” being handled through developer agreements, but those do not identify Willow Creek-area road repairs or describe an outcome from prior road work. Based on these search results, there is no clear prior council action or repair record to cite for that recollection.
For most of the residents in this development, it will be the third time they are being assessed for road improvements.
— Paul Reighard
What this is about
Prior assessments for road improvements in the Willow Creek development.
The records I searched do not contain a prior decision matching this recollection about Willow Creek residents being assessed previously for road improvements. The search results are largely about 2025–2026 subdivision and developer-agreement materials, including requirements for developers to construct roads or other improvements at their own expense, but they do not identify Willow Creek or document earlier special assessments to those residents. So, based on these results alone, I cannot confirm the “third time” statement or identify the dates, amounts, or votes for the first two prior road assessments.
Engineer Nelson explained that this project was discussed about a year ago to do a reclaim and some subgrade with patching repairs on Krypton Street
— Engineer Nelson
What this is about
Prior discussion about a Krypton Street project about a year earlier.
The records I searched do not contain a prior decision or discussion matching Engineer Nelson’s recollection of a Krypton Street reclaim/subgrade patching project from about a year earlier. The closest related records are for the 2026 Overlay Road Improvement Project, discussed at the January 13, 2026 meeting and carried forward in the April 14, 2026 and May 12, 2026 packets. That project included several other street areas and budgeted repair/patching costs, but Krypton Street is not listed among the project locations in the search results.
Council member Breyen said that knowing adjustments were made to salaries last year, this can be looked at on a yearly basis as to what makes sense and he would like to look at the administrative policies.
— Council member Breyen
What this is about
Prior city salary adjustments and administrative policies relevant to the COLA discussion.
The records searched do not contain a prior City Council decision clearly matching Council member Breyen’s recollection that city salaries were adjusted “last year” in connection with this COLA discussion. There are partial references to related administrative policies. In the January 13, 2026 packet, the city’s annual appointments/organizational materials state that staff or consultants directed to attend meetings are compensated under the city’s personnel policies or contractual agreements, and that mileage/expenses are handled under city personnel policies, Resolution No. 2025-92 Meeting Stipend Policy, City Code Chapter 1 Section 3, or contracts. The May 12, 2026 packet also includes a PERA benefits description noting a 2025 postretirement COLA increase of 1.25%, but that appears to concern retirement benefits, not city employee wage adjustments.
Council member Blake said that as she understands it there hasn't been any COLA increases in 8 years.
— Council member Blake
What this is about
Past lack of COLA increases for city employees.
The records I searched do not contain a prior decision confirming that city employees had gone eight years without COLA increases. The closest earlier reference is from the July 20, 2021 City Council work session, where the draft Public Works budget noted a salary increase was included and that a COLA increase was “possible,” but no formal vote or approved COLA amount was recorded in that excerpt. More recent records suggest the city had moved toward COLA/merit adjustments by 2025. In the May 5, 2025 council packet, a proposed compensation policy states that “in 2025, the City Council has authorized a total salary increase pool of 5%” for employees, to be divided between COLA and merit-based increases. The April 14, 2026 packet then proposed formal step pay charts and described typical step increases plus COLA, with an estimated immediate added cost of $29,285.67 over the 2026 budget if implemented.
Mayor Pilon said that based on what they received from previous administration, different numbers were recommended.
— Mayor Pilon
What this is about
Previous administration's recommendations affecting the COLA budget understanding.
The records I searched do not contain a prior budget or COLA decision matching this recollection. The search results did not show prior administration recommendations about COLA amounts, budget assumptions, or different recommended numbers. The results that did mention Jeff Pilon or “previous” were unrelated to COLA budgeting, mostly concerning 2026 Planning Commission candidate interviews and appointments, including discussion at the March 24, 2026 Planning Commission meeting and the April 14, 2026 Council meeting.
# RESOLUTION No. 2026-XX ## A RESOLUTION APPROVING PAYMENT FOR THE 2026 SPRING AND FALL NEWSLETTERS. WHEREAS, the city has a semi-annual newsletter each spring and fall to help inform residents about
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\.
6\. The approved total outdoor cultivation area shall not exceed 7000 square feet that is in a fenced and secured area as shown on the Site Layout. All cultivation shall occur not less than 200
5\. No extraction, production, or retail endorsements have been issued by the OCM. Even if granted by the OCM in the future, these activities may not be commenced or undertaken under this Interi
CITY OF NOWTHEN By: SHANE D. HYBBEN Its Mayor ATTEST By: NATALIE JOHNSON Its City Clerk <figure> CITY OF NOWTHEN </figure> #### CONTRACT TO MOW THREE PARCELS IN 2026 THIS SPRING, SUMMER
Documents and recordings archived for this meeting, when available.
The structured brief on this page is auto-generated and may need correction. The PDFs and the meeting recording remain the official record. What do the trust labels mean?