Tuesday, May 12, 2020 · 7:00 PM
Agenda
Not posted
What was on the agenda.
Packet
Not posted
The supporting materials council reviewed.
One-line summary
The council approved a business-reopening resolution, a gravel and dust control plan, a temporary habitation request, a shoreland variance, recycling-center enforcement steps, and discussed building signage, logo options, Recycle Days, audit tabling, and claims review.
17 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 7:00 pm; members present were Mayor Pilon, Council Member Blake, Council Member Breyen, Council Member Greenberg, and Council Member Rainville via phone. The agenda was amended to pull claims for discussion and add Recycle Center cleanup.
The council opened the meeting at 7:00 pm, noted all five council members present with Rainville by phone, amended the agenda to pull claims for discussion and add Recycle Center cleanup, approved the agenda as amended, and later adjourned at 9:28 pm.
Agenda approved as amended.
2aApprove Meeting Minutes
Approve Meeting Minutes of 04-14-2020 and Special Meeting Minutes of 04-30-2020.
The council approved the amended consent agenda, covering prior meeting minutes, the City Clerk's attendance at MMCI, a part-time maintenance posting for gravel hauling, streets and facilities, and re-posting a part-time maintenance position for parks, mowing and weed whipping.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
2bFinancial Report: Treasurer's Report and Claims
Approve Treasurer's Report and claims dated April 13, 2020 through May 12, 2020. The item was pulled for discussion, and the minutes later record a claims motion.
Claims were pulled from consent because Mayor Pilon said council received a substantial additional claims list on the day of the meeting. The minutes record approval of the original claims with additional claims to be paid after the June meeting, while the transcript reflects a more specific motion to approve the rest of the financial report while excluding Smith and Glaser, Ramsey Fire Service, and same-day invoices pending further review.
Pulled from consent for discussion; minutes record approval of original claims and additional claims to be paid after the June meeting. Transcript wording indicates some invoices were excluded or delayed; see caveats.
2cCity Clerk attendance at MMCI
Approve City Clerk's attendance at the Minnesota Municipal Clerk's Institute, July 20-24, 2020.
The council approved the amended consent agenda, covering prior meeting minutes, the City Clerk's attendance at MMCI, a part-time maintenance posting for gravel hauling, streets and facilities, and re-posting a part-time maintenance position for parks, mowing and weed whipping.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
2dPart-Time Maintenance Position for gravel hauling, streets, facilities
Approve job posting for a part-time maintenance position for gravel hauling, streets, and facilities.
The council approved the amended consent agenda, covering prior meeting minutes, the City Clerk's attendance at MMCI, a part-time maintenance posting for gravel hauling, streets and facilities, and re-posting a part-time maintenance position for parks, mowing and weed whipping.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
2eRe-post Part-Time Maintenance Position for parks, mowing, weed whipping
Approve re-posting of a part-time maintenance position for parks, mowing, and weed whipping.
The council approved the amended consent agenda, covering prior meeting minutes, the City Clerk's attendance at MMCI, a part-time maintenance posting for gravel hauling, streets and facilities, and re-posting a part-time maintenance position for parks, mowing and weed whipping.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
3Sheriff's Report
Commander Heath gave the April Sheriff's Report, including 129 calls for service and notable drug, park, theft, and recycling-center enforcement issues.
Commander Heath reported 129 April calls for service in Nowthen and discussed notable incidents involving a possible heroin overdose treated with Narcan, a felony-level marijuana wax case at Twin Lakes Park after hours, a theft at Bill's Superette, and preparation for recycling-center dumping enforcement.
Report received; no motion recorded for this item.
4Financial Audit Report - Mike Pofahl
The financial audit report was tabled until June because the auditor was excused from attending due to COVID-19 and council could send questions through staff.
Because auditor Mike Pofahl was not attending due to COVID-19 conditions, the council tabled the financial audit report until June so council members could submit questions through Clerk Streich and receive responses before final action.
Tabled until the June City Council meeting.
5a22840 Sugarbush Road NW - Temporary Habitation
Jake and Lindsey Kepner requested temporary habitation at 22840 Sugarbush Road NW while remodeling the existing home.
The council approved Jake and Lindsey Kepner's request for temporary habitation at 22840 Sugarbush Road NW while they remodel the existing home on the property.
Temporary habitation approved.
5b7677 Old Viking Blvd - Variance
Walter and Minako Cleath requested a variance for a 30x42 accessory building 135 feet from Bass Lake's ordinary high water level instead of the required 150-foot shoreland setback.
The council approved Walter and Minako Cleath's variance request to build a 30-by-42-foot accessory building 135 feet from Bass Lake's ordinary high water level, rather than the 150-foot setback in the city's Shoreland Ordinance, based on the findings and recommendations.
Variance approved based on findings and recommendations.
6aRCA & Resolution Allowing Businesses to Re-open
Council considered a resolution urging Governor Walz to allow businesses to re-open.
The council debated whether to send Governor Walz a resolution urging business reopening during the COVID-19 stay-at-home period. Breyen, Greenberg, Blake and Pilon supported the resolution as a request to the governor, while Rainville opposed it because she wanted to wait for the governor's next action and was concerned about health and liability risks. The resolution passed 4-1.
Resolution 2020-22 approved, with Rainville opposed.
6bPublic Works Director Memo: 2020 Gravel & Dust Control Plan and Resolution 2020-21
Council reviewed the Public Works Director memo for the 2020 gravel and dust control plan and Resolution 2020-21.
The council approved Resolution 2020-21 for the 2020 proposed gravel and dust control plan, authorizing gravel and dust control work on the listed roads within the budgeted amount and weather permitting.
Resolution 2020-21 approved.
6cClerk's Memo: Recycling Center Surveillance & Enforcement / Surveillance Camera Policy
Council discussed the Recycling Center surveillance system, enforcement approach, police reports, administrative citations, possible prosecution, and the surveillance camera policy.
The council discussed how to use the newly installed Recycling Center surveillance system to address illegal dumping. Council directed Clerk Streich to revise the policy, coordinate with the Anoka County Sheriff's Department for vehicle and report information, and administratively send citations to offenders. Rainville also reminded the council that Recycle Days would begin Saturday, with postcards being mailed.
Council directed staff to clean up the policy, work with the Sheriff's Department, and send administrative citations.
6dClerk's Memo: Building Signage
Council discussed proposed signage for the City Hall building at 19800 Nowthen Blvd. and the City Office building at 8188 199th Ave NW, including names and design style.
Clerk Streich presented signage recommendations and quotes for identifying the city's buildings, and council discussed naming the 19800 Nowthen Blvd building the Nowthen Historic Town Hall and the 8188 199th Ave NW building the Nowthen City Offices. Councilmember Greenberg also presented several logo options, and he was to continue refining the designs with council input.
No final approval motion recorded; Clerk Streich was to continue work and return with more information.
7aIntroduction of New Items - Recycle center
Rainville reminded council that Recycle Days would begin Saturday, postcards had been sent to the printer, and they would be mailed when printed.
The council discussed how to use the newly installed Recycling Center surveillance system to address illegal dumping. Council directed Clerk Streich to revise the policy, coordinate with the Anoka County Sheriff's Department for vehicle and report information, and administratively send citations to offenders. Rainville also reminded the council that Recycle Days would begin Saturday, with postcards being mailed.
Reminder and planning discussion; no motion recorded.
7bIntroduction of New Items - City Logo
Councilmember Greenberg presented logo options for council review and was directed to keep working on the designs with council input.
Clerk Streich presented signage recommendations and quotes for identifying the city's buildings, and council discussed naming the 19800 Nowthen Blvd building the Nowthen Historic Town Hall and the 8188 199th Ave NW building the Nowthen City Offices. Councilmember Greenberg also presented several logo options, and he was to continue refining the designs with council input.
No motion recorded; Greenberg was to continue working on logo designs.
8Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:28 pm.
The council opened the meeting at 7:00 pm, noted all five council members present with Rainville by phone, amended the agenda to pull claims for discussion and add Recycle Center cleanup, approved the agenda as amended, and later adjourned at 9:28 pm.
Adjourned at 9:28 pm.
10 motions on the record. Split votes are highlighted.
M1MOTION TO APPROVE TONIGHT'S AGENDA AS AMENDED BY BREYEN, SECONDED BY PILON; ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIED.
moved by Breyen, seconded by Pilon
M2MOTION TO APPROVE THE AMENDED CONSENT AGENDA BY BREYEN, SECONDED BY BLAKE; ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIED.
moved by Breyen, seconded by Blake
M3MOTION TO TABLE THE FINANCIAL AUDIT REPORT UNTIL THE JUNE CITY COUNCIL MEETING BY PILON, SECONDED BY RAINVILLE; ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIED.
moved by Pilon, seconded by Rainville
M4MOTION TO APPROVE THE TEMPORARY HABITATION FOR JAKE AND LINDSEY KEPNER AT 22840 SUGARBUSH ROAD NW BY RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY BREYEN; ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIED.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Breyen
M5MOTION BY BREYEN TO APPROVE THE VARIANCE REQUEST BY WALTER AND MINAKO CLEATH BASED ON THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, SECONDED BY BLAKE; ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIED.
moved by Breyen, seconded by Blake
M6MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN TO ACCEPT A RESOLUTION 2020-22 URGING GOVERNOR WALZ TO ALLOW BUSINESSES TO RE-OPEN, SECONDED BY PILON; BLAKE, GREENBERG, PILON, BREYEN APPROVED, RAINVILLE OPPOSED.
moved by Breyen, seconded by Pilon
M7MOTION BY BREYEN TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2020-21 APPROVING THE 2020 PROPOSED GRAVEL AND DUST CONTROL PLAN, SECONDED BY GREENBERG; ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIED.
moved by Breyen, seconded by Greenberg
M8MOTION BY PILON TO HAVE CLERK STREICH CLEAN UP THE POLICY TO REFLECT THE ITEMS DISCUSSED AND WORK WITH THE ANOKA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND ADMINISTRATIVELY SEND CITATIONS TO THE OFFENDER, SECONDED BY RAINVILLE; ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIED.
moved by Pilon, seconded by Rainville
M9MOTION BY BREYEN TO APPROVE THE ORIGINAL CLAIMS AND ADDITIONAL CLAIMS TO BE PAID AFTER THE JUNE CITY COUNCIL MEETING, SECONDED BY BLAKE; ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIED.
moved by Breyen, seconded by Blake
M10MOTION TO ADJOURN AT 9:28 PM BY BREYEN, SECONDED BY BLAKE; ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIED.
moved by Breyen, seconded by Blake
The amounts the council actually voted to approve, each with the vote that approved it. Drawn from the official minutes.
Original claims packet approximately 46000
$46,000
Additional claims received day of meeting approximately 70000
$70,000
Ramsey bills approximately 2600 each
$2,600
Hawkinson anderson additional claim approximately 11000
$11,000
Hawkinson anderson total claims approximately 31000
$31,000
Smith glaser attend court invoice 466
$466
Smith glaser pandemic issues invoice 166
$166
Smith glaser pandemic event entries about 142 each
$142
When someone referred back to earlier business, we found the matching prior discussion and tied it in here.
I remember right we would dust control the year after regret oh yeah and we hadn't gravel that road in a long time
— Breyen
What this is about
Council members recalled the city's past practice of dust-controlling roads the year after graveling them while reviewing the 2020 gravel and dust control plan.
The records I searched do not contain a prior decision matching this recollection about dust-controlling roads the year after graveling them during review of the 2020 gravel and dust control plan. The only road-related result was an April 14, 2026 packet item for crack sealing, which is a different maintenance activity and does not address graveling or dust control practices. Based on these search results, I cannot confirm a formal council vote or adopted policy establishing that “year after gravel” dust-control practice.
be similar to what you're talking about with the snow removal last year correct
— Pilon
What this is about
During recycling-center enforcement discussion, the mayor compared the proposed administrative-first approach to how the city handled snow-removal enforcement the previous year.
The records I searched do not contain a prior council decision or discussion matching this recollection about snow-removal enforcement from the previous year. The search results returned unrelated items, and none describe an administrative-first snow-removal enforcement approach, a vote, or a policy change.
Mary we have had a brief discussion before that it's probably time to get a prosecuting attorney in here to meet with the council
— Pilon
What this is about
Council discussed prior conversations about bringing the prosecuting attorney to meet with the council and explain fine distribution and prosecution process.
The records searched show only a partial match. Council materials did address prosecuting-attorney services in early 2026: at the January 13, 2026 meeting packet, the annual appointments resolution included city consultant appointments, and at the February 10, 2026 meeting packet, the city included legal-services proposals and attorney qualifications describing municipal prosecution experience. One proposal stated that attorney Travis Lutz would be the main city contact and could attend City Council meetings if desired. However, the records provided do not show a prior formal discussion or vote specifically directing that the prosecuting attorney come to a council meeting to explain fine distribution, how prosecution works, or where citation revenue goes. The search results also do not show a recorded decision or scheduled appearance on that specific topic.
we're not the only city with a recycle center and we're not the only cities that has the issues so if she's been able to her has reached out to the other clerks to see what type of policies they have
— Rainville
What this is about
Rainville suggested checking what other cities with recycling centers and similar issues had already done for policies.
The records show a related discussion at the September 29, 2025 meeting, when Council discussed recycling center staffing, Saturday hours, cardboard demand, internet access, safety concerns, oil spills, slippery concrete, and baler operation. In that discussion, City Clerk Johnson noted that many communities only offer quarterly recycling days rather than a full-time recycling center. I did not find a record showing a formal vote or direction specifically requiring staff to contact other city clerks or collect other cities’ recycling center policies. A later March 10, 2026 packet update says that, after conversations with Recycling Liaison Rainville and City Clerk Johnson, staff would begin providing quarterly recycling center updates; it also lists several 2025 changes, including a $15,972 annual ongoing subsidy approved by Resolution 2025-102 and vendor changes for fluorescent bulbs and tire recycling.
when we discussed that that's the same time we were talking about putting a logo so I had a sign in mind to do that with
— Streich
What this is about
During signage discussion, Pilon recalled that monument signage had previously been discussed at the same time as the city logo.
The records I searched do not contain a prior discussion or decision matching this recollection about monument signage being discussed at the same time as the city logo. The only “sign” references in the search results are unrelated, such as wetland buffer signage conditions in a March 10, 2026 packet. The results also include references to Jeff Pilon’s Planning Commission interview and appointment discussion, but not to city logo or monument sign decisions.
we had a policy at one point that especially with the contractors were our biggest bills come from is they have to be out by the time the packet is due
— Pilon
What this is about
During claims discussion, Pilon recalled a prior policy that contractor invoices needed to be submitted by the packet deadline or wait until the next month.
The records I searched do not contain a prior council decision or policy matching this recollection about contractor invoices needing to be submitted by the packet deadline or wait until the next month. The search results returned unrelated items, including financial statement material in the May 12, 2026 packet and planning/subdivision or Planning Commission records from March and April 2026. None of the results show a claims-processing policy, invoice deadline rule, or formal vote on this issue.
one of our last meetings research and purchase blogs or math for city offices remember Rainville yes I do have gloves and mess and hand sanitizer
— Pilon
What this is about
During Recycle Days planning, Pilon recalled that at a prior meeting the city had asked Rainville to research and purchase gloves or masks for city offices.
The records searched do not contain a prior decision matching the recollection that Council directed Rainville to research or purchase gloves, masks, or hand sanitizer for city offices. There is a partial match: at the March 10, 2026 meeting packet, Rainville is referenced as the Recycling Liaison in a quarterly update regarding the Recycling Center, but that item discusses recycling center operations and vendor changes, not PPE for city offices. No formal vote, dollar amount, or purchase authorization for gloves, masks, or hand sanitizer appears in the search results provided.
in case you guys haven't heard earlier this year we approved a asphalt addition for our truck and the boys with the men have been using it
— Pilon
What this is about
Near the end of the meeting, Pilon recalled that council had approved an asphalt addition for a truck earlier in the year and said staff had been using it for patching work.
The records searched show only a partial match. The April 14, 2026 meeting packet included asphalt-related contract language from MP Asphalt Maintenance, but the excerpt does not show a council motion, vote, dollar amount, or a specific “asphalt addition” for a truck. I did not find a prior council decision in the search results that clearly matches Pilon’s recollection that council approved an asphalt addition for a truck earlier in the year and that staff had been using it for patching work.
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Documents and recordings archived for this meeting, when available.
Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2020-05-12)
Minutes · Tuesday, May 12, 2020
4 pages
Meeting recording
YouTube
Transcript · 1000 segments · 2:27:04
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