Tuesday, December 9, 2025
One-line summary
The Council adopted the 2026 budget and levy, approved the amended consent agenda and pulled consent items, accepted the 2026 overlay feasibility report, approved 2026 staff wage increases, postponed payroll-service review, and directed enforcement action for 8704 190th Avenue NW.
21 items as recorded in the agenda, packet, and minutes, each with a plain-English summary of what was at issue.
1Call to Order
Call to Order; Pledge of Allegiance; Roll Call; Approve Agenda
Agenda approved as amended by moving consent items 4B, 4F, and 4G to New Business 8C, 8D, and 8E.
2Public Forum
Public Forum
No citizens spoke; the mayor also presented a certificate of appreciation to Deputy Matthew Hoef's.
3Public Hearing on Budget and Property Taxes
Public Hearing on Budget and Property Taxes
The council held the budget and property-tax hearing, received no public comments, and adopted both the 2026 budget and the 2025 levy collectible in 2026. The final levy was $2,332,787 after an $8,645 reduction from the Truth in Taxation amount, and the budget used fund balance for items including equipment, turnout gear, debt service, a weather siren, operating expenses, contingency, and public works training.
The public hearing was held with no public comment; the 2026 budget and 2025 levy collectible in 2026 were adopted by separate 4-1 votes.
4aApproval of November 17, November 18, and November 26, 2025, City Council Meeting Minutes
Approval of November 17, November 18, and November 26, 2025, City Council Meeting Minutes.
The amended consent agenda approved prior meeting minutes, the 2026 Farmers Market license renewal, the SSTS ordinance and summary publication, receipt of the Planning and Zoning monthly report, reappointment of Kelly Pearo and Martin Bies to Planning and Zoning, the building and recycling fee schedule amendment, and removal of Julia Gustafson from the Veterans Memorial Renovation Committee.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
4bApproval of Claims and Treasurer's Report
Approval of Claims from November 11 to December 3 and Treasurer's Report for November 2025.
Items 4B, 4F, and 4G were pulled from consent for questions and then approved together. Discussion covered a safety-footwear reimbursement, legal costs tied to a personnel issue, the attorney rate increase, and the planning services rate increase; the treasurer report showed an adjusted bank total of $1,598,273.25.
Moved to New Business 8C and approved with items 4F and 4G.
4cRenew Farmers Market License
Approval of Resolution 2025-XX Renewing the Farmers Market License.
The amended consent agenda approved prior meeting minutes, the 2026 Farmers Market license renewal, the SSTS ordinance and summary publication, receipt of the Planning and Zoning monthly report, reappointment of Kelly Pearo and Martin Bies to Planning and Zoning, the building and recycling fee schedule amendment, and removal of Julia Gustafson from the Veterans Memorial Renovation Committee.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
4dSSTS Ordinance Repealing and Replacing Chapter 9 Section 3
Approval of SSTS Ordinance 2025-XX Repealing and Replacing Chapter 9 Section 3 of the City Code, and Summary Publication.
The amended consent agenda approved prior meeting minutes, the 2026 Farmers Market license renewal, the SSTS ordinance and summary publication, receipt of the Planning and Zoning monthly report, reappointment of Kelly Pearo and Martin Bies to Planning and Zoning, the building and recycling fee schedule amendment, and removal of Julia Gustafson from the Veterans Memorial Renovation Committee.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
4ePlanning and Zoning Monthly Report
Receive and File Planning and Zoning Monthly Report.
The amended consent agenda approved prior meeting minutes, the 2026 Farmers Market license renewal, the SSTS ordinance and summary publication, receipt of the Planning and Zoning monthly report, reappointment of Kelly Pearo and Martin Bies to Planning and Zoning, the building and recycling fee schedule amendment, and removal of Julia Gustafson from the Veterans Memorial Renovation Committee.
Received and filed as part of the amended consent agenda.
4fPlanning and Zoning Annual Rate Increase
Approval of Planning and Zoning Annual Rate Increase.
Items 4B, 4F, and 4G were pulled from consent for questions and then approved together. Discussion covered a safety-footwear reimbursement, legal costs tied to a personnel issue, the attorney rate increase, and the planning services rate increase; the treasurer report showed an adjusted bank total of $1,598,273.25.
Moved to New Business 8C and approved with items 4B and 4G.
4gAttorney Services Annual Rate Increase
Approval of Attorney Services Annual Rate Increase.
Items 4B, 4F, and 4G were pulled from consent for questions and then approved together. Discussion covered a safety-footwear reimbursement, legal costs tied to a personnel issue, the attorney rate increase, and the planning services rate increase; the treasurer report showed an adjusted bank total of $1,598,273.25.
Moved to New Business 8C and approved with items 4B and 4F.
4hAppoint Planning and Zoning Commissioners Kelly Pearo and Martin Bies
Approval of Resolution 2025-XX Appointing Planning and Zoning Commissioners Kelly Pearo and Martin Bies.
The amended consent agenda approved prior meeting minutes, the 2026 Farmers Market license renewal, the SSTS ordinance and summary publication, receipt of the Planning and Zoning monthly report, reappointment of Kelly Pearo and Martin Bies to Planning and Zoning, the building and recycling fee schedule amendment, and removal of Julia Gustafson from the Veterans Memorial Renovation Committee.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
4iFee Schedule Amendment for Building Department and Recycling
Approval of Ordinance 2025-XX Amending the Fee Schedule for Building Department and Recycling and Summary Publication.
The amended consent agenda approved prior meeting minutes, the 2026 Farmers Market license renewal, the SSTS ordinance and summary publication, receipt of the Planning and Zoning monthly report, reappointment of Kelly Pearo and Martin Bies to Planning and Zoning, the building and recycling fee schedule amendment, and removal of Julia Gustafson from the Veterans Memorial Renovation Committee.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
4jRemove a Committee Member from the Veterans Memorial Committee
Approval of Resolution 2025-XX Removing a Committee Member from the Veterans Memorial Committee.
The amended consent agenda approved prior meeting minutes, the 2026 Farmers Market license renewal, the SSTS ordinance and summary publication, receipt of the Planning and Zoning monthly report, reappointment of Kelly Pearo and Martin Bies to Planning and Zoning, the building and recycling fee schedule amendment, and removal of Julia Gustafson from the Veterans Memorial Renovation Committee.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
5aEngineering 2026 Annual Rate Increase
Approval of 2026 Annual Rate Increase.
Engineer Nelson presented the 2026 engineering billing rates and the feasibility report for the 2026 overlay project. The council approved Resolution 2025-126 receiving the feasibility report and calling a public hearing, with the project covering several roughly 20-year-old road areas and using special assessments for benefiting properties.
The minutes record a presentation and discussion of the 2026 engineering billing rates but do not record a separate motion on this item.
5b2026 Overlay Project Feasibility Report
Approval of Resolution 2025-XX Approving the 2026 Overlay Project Feasibility Report.
Engineer Nelson presented the 2026 engineering billing rates and the feasibility report for the 2026 overlay project. The council approved Resolution 2025-126 receiving the feasibility report and calling a public hearing, with the project covering several roughly 20-year-old road areas and using special assessments for benefiting properties.
Resolution 2025-126 was approved and the public improvement hearing was scheduled for January 13, 2026.
6aFire Department Monthly Report
Fire Department Monthly Report.
The Fire Department report covered November call activity, 2026 training planning, and firefighter hiring. The Sheriff's report covered 134 November calls for service, including Bar None incidents, and Lieutenant Bangerter said he would provide more detail later on how much of the city’s crime statistics are related to Bar None.
Monthly report received; no motion recorded.
7aSheriff's Department Monthly Report
Sheriff's Department Monthly Report.
The Fire Department report covered November call activity, 2026 training planning, and firefighter hiring. The Sheriff's report covered 134 November calls for service, including Bar None incidents, and Lieutenant Bangerter said he would provide more detail later on how much of the city’s crime statistics are related to Bar None.
Monthly report received; no motion recorded.
8aDistribution of COLA and Merit Increases Effective January 1, 2026
Approval of Resolution 2025-XX Approval of Distribution of COLA and MERIT increases be effective January 1, 2026.
The council approved the recommended 2026 wage increases for City staff, effective January 1, 2026, to avoid later backpay calculations. The packet resolution described a 4% wage increase for Public Works and Administration staff to be distributed at the City Clerk’s discretion and a $1.00 per hour increase for recycling center employees.
Resolution 2025-127 was approved.
8bPayroll Service for the City
Discuss RCA and Resolution regarding Payroll Service for the City of Nowthen.
The payroll service item was not ready for action because the City Clerk had not received all requested information. She asked to postpone the topic to 2027, conduct more research, and revisit it during the next budget season.
The item was postponed to 2027 for additional research and future budget-season review.
9aClosed Session on Potential Litigation at 8704 190th Avenue NW
Closed session with City Attorney pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 13D.05, subd. 3(b) to discuss potential litigation regarding zoning, septic, nuisance and building code violations at 8704 190th Avenue NW, Nowthen, Minnesota 55303.
The council went into the closed-session item to discuss potential litigation regarding zoning, septic, nuisance, and building code violations at 8704 190th Avenue NW. Afterward, the council voted to have the City Clerk send a letter serving a summons and complaint based on ordinance violations, then moved to recess the meeting to December 16, 2025.
After the closed-session item, the council directed the City Clerk to send a letter serving a summons and complaint based on ordinance violations.
10Adjourn
Adjourn
The council went into the closed-session item to discuss potential litigation regarding zoning, septic, nuisance, and building code violations at 8704 190th Avenue NW. Afterward, the council voted to have the City Clerk send a letter serving a summons and complaint based on ordinance violations, then moved to recess the meeting to December 16, 2025.
The minutes record a motion to recess the meeting to December 16, 2025, but do not record a vote or outcome for that motion; the minutes also state the meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
9 motions on the record. Split votes are highlighted.
M-2025-12-09-00TO APPROVE AGENDA AS AMENDED WITH MOVING ITEMS 4B, 4F, AND 4G TO NEW BUSINESS 8C, 8D, AND 8E.
moved by Breyen, seconded by Rainville
5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
M-2025-12-09-01TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2025-121 ADOPTING THE BUDGET FOR THE YEAR 2026.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Glaser
M-2025-12-09-02TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2025-122 ADOPTING THE LEVY FOR THE YEAR 2025, APPLICABLE IN 2026.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Hybben
M-2025-12-09-03TO APPROVE THE AMENDED CONSENT AGENDA.
moved by Breyen, seconded by Hybben
5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
M-2025-12-09-05TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2025-126 RECEIVING THE FEASIBILITY REPORT AND CALLING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON SAID IMPROVEMENT.
moved by Breyen, seconded by Glaser
5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
M-2025-12-09-06TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION APPROVING THE RECOMMENDED WAGE INCREASES FOR 2026 FOR THE STAFF OF THE CITY OF NOWTHEN.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Swenson
5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
M-2025-12-09-07TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS B, F, AND G.
moved by Breyen, seconded by Glaser
5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
M-2025-12-09-08TO REQUEST THAT THE CITY CLERK SEND A LETTER TO THE RESIDENT OF 8704 190TH AVENUE NW, NOWTHEN, MINNESOTA 55330 SERVING A SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT BASED ON ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Breyen
5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED
M-2025-12-09-09TO RECESS THE DECEMBER 9, 2025 MEETING TO DECEMBER 16, 2025 AT THE HISTORIC TOWN HALL.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Breyen
The amounts the council actually voted to approve, each with the vote that approved it. Drawn from the official minutes.
Levy reduction after debt results
$8,645
2026 budget total appropriations
$4,386,005
2026 General Fund budget
$2,827,765
2026 Recycling budget
$70,645
2026 Gambling Contribution budget
$50,000
2026 Debt Service budget
$488,413
2026 Park Capital budget
$25,000
2026 Turn Out Gear Capital budget
$25,000
2026 Building Improvement Capital budget
$47,007
2026 Street Renewal Capital budget
$734,175
2026 Equipment Replacement budget
$118,000
2026 General Fund balance use
$406,380
Weather siren purchase and installation
$40,460
Public works training allocation
$9,350
Checking account balance
$472,841
CD fixed income balance
$1,158,700
Money market fund balance
$9,026
Adjusted bank total
$1,598,273
Farmers Market license total due
$65
Minnesota Grown Labeling License fee
$25
Minnesota Grown directory listing fee
$40
Collaborative Planning hourly rate in packet
$143
Collaborative Planning hourly rate in minutes
$144
Attorney general hourly rate
$240
Attorney development hourly rate
$270
City cost for electronics recycling items
$5
2026 Overlay Project total estimated cost
$462,800
Overlay repair costs paid in full by City
$128,000
City of Nowthen overlay cost share
$359,400
Recycling center employee hourly increase
$1
Approximate personnel legal costs
$4,000
Documents and recordings archived for this meeting, when available.
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