City Council Meeting · MN Public Tools

What was on the agenda

4 items as recorded in the minutes, each with a plain-English summary of what was at issue.

1Call to Order
Meeting called to order at 6:00 pm; members present were Blake, Breyen, Rainville, Pilon, and Greenberg.
Called to order; no motion recorded.
- call to order
No action
p. 1
2Emergency Services - Fire Department
Council considered whether Nowthen should establish its own all-hazards emergency and fire response team and begin a search for management services.
The Council decided to establish a city-owned and city-operated all-hazards emergency and fire response team, after discussion of options including contracting or a joint-powers approach. It also authorized a search process for a management-services candidate, with an interview team that would bring a recommendation back for final Council approval.
Two motions carried: one to establish the city-owned and city-operated all-hazards emergency and fire response team, and one to proceed with a management-services candidate search.
- city-owned all-hazards emergency and fire response team
- management services search
Approved
p. 1p. 2p. 2
3CARES Act Funding
Council discussed use of CARES Act funding, including quotes for fire department and Historic Town Hall building work, sanitizing equipment, fire department jumpsuits, tables and chairs, and hands-free restroom equipment.
The Council discussed using CARES Act funding for a fire department building project involving decontamination and separation of medical and fire equipment, and authorized Pilon to pursue quotes and bring them back to the Council.
Council members discussed whether to spend CARES Act funds on a Historic Town Hall addition and related work, with concerns about the building’s appearance and whether other CARES Act ideas should also be considered. The Council authorized Pilon to obtain quotes for the addition, directed staff to research sanitizable and comfortable tables and chairs, and directed staff to research costs for touch-free restroom equipment in public buildings and park bathrooms; Greenberg abstained on the Town Hall addition quote motion and the restroom-equipment research motion.
The Council approved CARES Act-funded purchases of sprayers and sanitizer or equivalent equipment, not to exceed $5,500, and fire department jumpsuits, not to exceed $5,625.
Multiple CARES Act-related motions carried; two motions had Greenberg abstaining.
- CARES Act funding
- fire department building expansion
- Historic Town Hall addition
- sanitizing equipment
- fire department jumpsuits
- tables and chairs
- hands-free restroom equipment
Approved
p. 2p. 2p. 3p. 3p. 3p. 3p. 3
4Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 8:39 pm.
The Council adjourned the meeting at 8:39 pm.
Adjournment motion carried.
- adjournment
Approved
p. 4

Motions and votes

9 motions on the record. Split votes are highlighted.

M1MOTION TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATION THAT THE CITY OF NOWTHEN ESTABLISH A CITY OWNED AND CITY OPERATED, ALL HAZARDS EMERGENCY AND FIRE RESPONSE TEAM.
Exact transcript text
MOTION TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATION THAT THE CITY OF NOWTHEN ESTABLISH A CITY OWNED AND CITY OPERATED, ALL HAZARDS EMERGENCY AND FIRE RESPONSE TEAM
moved by Pilon, seconded by Breyen
Passed
- YBlake
- YBreyen
- YRainville
- YPilon
- YGreenberg
p. 2
M2MOTION TO PROCEED WITH THE SEARCH PROCESS FOR A CANDIDATE TO PROVIDE MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR THIS NEW DEPARTMENT WITH THE INTERVIEW TEAM CONSISTING OF PILON, BREYEN, CONSULTANT STREICH, CITY CLERK STREICH, AND A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE AND OR THE STATE FIRE CHIEF'S ASSOCIATION AND AFTER INTERVIEWING, A RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE BROUGHT BACK TO THE COUNCIL FOR FINAL APPROVAL.
Exact transcript text
MOTION TO PROCEED WITH THE SEARCH PROCESS FOR A CANDIDATE TO PROVIDE MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR THIS NEW DEPARTMENT WITH THE INTERVIEW TEAM CONSISTING OF PILON, BREYEN, CONSULTANT STREICH, CITY CLERK STREICH, AND A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE AND OR THE STATE FIRE CHIEF'S ASSOCIATION AND AFTER INTERVIEWING, A RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE BROUGHT BACK TO THE COUNCIL FOR FINAL APPROVAL
moved by Pilon, seconded by Rainville
Passed
- YBlake
- YBreyen
- YRainville
- YPilon
- YGreenberg
p. 2
M3MOTION TO ALLOW PILON TO PURSUE QUOTES FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BUILDING EXPANSION AND BRING THOSE QUOTES BACK TO COUNCIL.
Exact transcript text
MOTION TO ALLOW PILON TO PURSUE QUOTES FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BUILDING EXPANSION AND BRING THOSE QUOTES BACK TO COUNCIL
moved by Pilon, seconded by Rainville
Passed
- YBlake
- YBreyen
- YRainville
- YPilon
- YGreenberg
p. 2
M4MOTION TO ALLOW PILON TO OBTAIN QUOTES FOR THE ADDITION TO THE HISTORIC TOWN HALL.
Exact transcript text
MOTION TO ALLOW PILON TO OBTAIN QUOTES FOR THE ADDITION TO THE HISTORIC TOWN HALL
seconded by Rainville
Passed
- YBlake
- YBreyen
- YRainville
- YPilon
- AGreenberg
p. 3
M5MOTION FOR STAFF TO PURCHASE TWO HAND HELD SPRAYERS AND ONE BACK PACK SPRAYER AND A SUPPLY OF SANITIZER, OR EQUIVILENT EQUIPMENT NOT TO EXCEED $5,500, USING CARES ACT FUNDS.
Exact transcript text
MOTION FOR STAFF TO PURCHASE TWO HAND HELD SPRAYERS AND ONE BACK PACK SPRAYER AND A SUPPLY OF SANITIZER, OR EQUIVILENT EQUIPMENT NOT TO EXCEED $5,500, USING CARES ACT FUNDS
moved by Breyen, seconded by Blake
Passed
- YBlake
- YBreyen
- YRainville
- YPilon
- YGreenberg
p. 3
M6MOTION FOR STAFF TO PURCHASE JUMPSUITS FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, NOT TO EXCEED $5,625.
Exact transcript text
MOTION FOR STAFF TO PURCHASE JUMPSUITS FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, NOT TO EXCEED $5,625
moved by Rainville, seconded by Blake
Passed
- YBlake
- YBreyen
- YRainville
- YPilon
- YGreenberg
p. 3
M7MOTION FOR STAFF TO RESEARCH TABLES AND CHAIRS FOR THE HISTORIC TOWN HALL BUILDING THAT CAN BE SANITIZED AND ARE COMFORTABLE FOR THE MEETINGS.
Exact transcript text
MOTION FOR STAFF TO RESEARCH TABLES AND CHAIRS FOR THE HISTORIC TOWN HALL BUILDING THAT CAN BE SANITIZED AND ARE COMFORTABLE FOR THE MEETINGS
moved by Pilon, seconded by Rainville
Passed
- YBlake
- YBreyen
- YRainville
- YPilon
- YGreenberg
p. 3
M8MOTION FOR STAFF TO RESEARCH COSTS FOR EQUIPMENT AND INSTALLATION OF TOUCH FREE SOAP DISPENSERS, HANDS FREE TOILET, TOWEL DISPENSER AND SINKS FOR BATHROOMS IN THE HISTORIC TOWN HALL, CITY OFFICES, FIRE STATION AND THE FOUR BATHROOMS IN THE PARKS.
Exact transcript text
MOTION FOR STAFF TO RESEARCH COSTS FOR EQUIPMENT AND INSTALLATION OF TOUCH FREE SOAP DISPENSERS, HANDS FREE TOILET, TOWEL DISPENSER AND SINKS FOR BATHROOMS IN THE HISTORIC TOWN HALL, CITY OFFICES, FIRE STATION AND THE FOUR BATHROOMS IN THE PARKS
moved by Pilon, seconded by Blake
Passed
- YBlake
- YBreyen
- YRainville
- YPilon
- AGreenberg
p. 3
M9MOTION TO ADJOURN AT 8:39 PM.
Exact transcript text
MOTION TO ADJOURN AT 8:39 PM
moved by Breyen, seconded by Blake
Passed
- YBlake
- YBreyen
- YRainville
- YPilon
- YGreenberg
p. 4

Money the council voted to spend

The amounts the council actually voted to approve, each with the vote that approved it. Drawn from the official minutes.

F5
$5,500
Council voted: MOTION FOR STAFF TO PURCHASE TWO HAND HELD SPRAYERS AND ONE BACK PACK SPRAYER AND A SUPPLY OF SANITIZER, OR EQUIVILENT EQUIPMENT NOT TO EXCEED $5,500, USING CARES ACT FUNDS Passed(ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIED.)
p. 3
F6
$5,625
Council voted: MOTION FOR STAFF TO PURCHASE JUMPSUITS FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, NOT TO EXCEED $5,625 Passed(ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIED.)
p. 3

Prior history on this business

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

The arrangement that the city had with Ramsey was a hybrid between a contract situation and a joint powers agreement. It was not a formal joint powers agreement.
— Pilon
What this is about
Prior fire service arrangement with Ramsey and how it differed from a formal joint-powers agreement.
p. 1
Related history
The records I searched do not contain a prior decision or agreement matching this recollection about a prior fire service arrangement with Ramsey, or showing whether it was structured as a hybrid contract rather than a formal joint-powers agreement. The search results that mention “Ramsey” appear to be unrelated items, such as Anoka Ramsey Athletic Association donations and a vendor address in Ramsey, not fire service governance or service agreements.
- 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
- Feb 10, 2026CITY OF NOWTHEN </figure> Council Meeting Location: Historic Townhall 19800 Nowthen Blvd NW Nowthen MN, 55330 # RESOLUTI
- Feb 10, 2026PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE SERVICES AND REPAIR SERVICES: A. Provide Preventative Maintenance Service on the generator in t
- Mar 10, 2026Agreement in an effort to prevent, reduce or otherwise mitigate such irreparable harm or safety hazard, provided that th
There are a lot more ideas that at one time council thought were good.
— Blake
What this is about
Council had previously considered a broader list of CARES Act ideas.
p. 3
Related history
The records I searched do not contain a prior council discussion or decision matching this recollection about a broader list of CARES Act ideas. The search results mainly returned unrelated 2026 packet material, including instances where “cares” appears to be a typo for “cars,” and do not show a prior CARES Act project list, council ranking, or vote.
- Apr 14, 2026WRIGHT HENNEPIN SECURITY <table> <tr> <th>MEMORIAL PARK PAVILION AND 2 BATHROOMS</th> <th></th> </tr> <tr> <td>Feature</
- Mar 10, 2026basis, to determine whether the individual wishes to discuss the test result. If the employee or job applicant wishes to
- Mar 10, 2026g) Is there space for trucks and cars to park and turn around on the property or is it necessary that they stop on the s
- Feb 24, 2026g) Is there space for trucks and cars to park and turn around on the property or is it necessary that they stop on the s
- Apr 28, 2026To Whom This May Concern I am writing to express my growing concern regarding the proposed structure on Birchwood lane.
Upgrading the website is still be discussed and sounds like that may come in less than the original quote of $10,000.
— Breyen
What this is about
Earlier website-upgrade discussion and a prior quote for that work.
p. 3
Related history
The records I searched do not contain a prior website-upgrade discussion or decision matching this recollection, and I did not find a $10,000 quote for website work in the returned results. The search results mainly relate to unrelated packet items and meeting topics, so they do not confirm when the website upgrade was previously discussed or whether any formal quote or vote was recorded.
- May 12, 2026# City of Nowthen Emerging Issues ## Accounting Standard Update - GASB Statement No. 103 - Financial Reporting Model Imp
- Mar 10, 2026#### Employees. Drivers who are known to have engaged in prohibited behavior with regard to alcohol misuse or use of con
- May 12, 2026##### Government-Wide Financial Analysis As noted earlier, net position may serve over time as a useful indicator of a g
- Apr 28, 2026MOTION BY CHAIRMAN HAAPALA, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER LEWIS, TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE FINAL PLAT AS WRITTEN. SIX (6) AY
- Mar 24, 2026MOTION BY CHAIRMAN HAAPALA, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER LEWIS, TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE FINAL PLAT AS WRITTEN. SIX (6) AY

Where this came up before

Sources

Documents and recordings archived for this meeting, when available.

Document
Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2020-09-16)
Minutes · Wednesday, September 16, 2020
4 pages

What was on the agenda

Motions and votes

Money the council voted to spend

Prior history on this business

Related history

Related history

Related history

Where this came up before

Sources