Tuesday, August 8, 2023 · 7:00 PM
Agenda
Not posted
What was on the agenda.
One-line summary
The Council approved an amended consent agenda, discussed cannabis regulation and upcoming public hearings, accepted July public safety reports, approved replacing the Twin Lakes Park restroom water tank, and authorized posting the Fire Department Captain-Training position internally with an amended job description.
33 items as recorded in the packet and minutes, each with a plain-English summary of what was at issue.
1Call to Order
Call to order, pledge, roll call, and approval of amended agenda.
Agenda was amended to strike Item 4 and move 5F for discussion, then approved.
2Floor Item
Floor item opportunity.
No floor items were presented.
3Public Opportunity for Input Meeting - MS4 Stormwater Permit
Public opportunity for input on the MS4 stormwater permit.
No public input was recorded.
4Presentation of Benches from the Nowthen Lions
Presentation and acceptance of two recycled-plastic benches from the Nowthen Lions.
The Nowthen Lions bench donation presentation and Resolution 2023-42 were removed from this agenda. The minutes state that the Lions will come to the September meeting to present the benches.
The item was stricken from the August agenda and expected to return in September.
5aApproval of July 6 and July 11, 2023 minutes
Approval of July 6 work session and July 11 regular meeting minutes.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
5bClaims June 12 - July 5, 2023 and Treasurer's Report
Approval of claims and treasurer's report.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
5cSecond Quarter Financial Statement
Approval of the second quarter financial statement prepared by the financial consultant.
The Council approved the second quarter financial report on the consent agenda. The packet showed General Fund revenues of $842,203, expenditures of $1,100,946, a $296,243 use of fund balance, and total city cash and investments of $3,510,841; it also noted a $9,300 recycling baler repair and a $39,531 Recycling Fund net loss.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
5dResolution 2023-43 accepting CenterPoint Energy grant
Acceptance of a CenterPoint Energy matching grant for the Nowthen Fire Department.
The Council accepted a $2,500 CenterPoint Energy matching Community Safety Grant for the Fire Department on the consent agenda. The grant and $2,500 in Fire Department matching funds were tied to a Masimo Rad-57 and MSA Altair 4 gas monitor; the packet included a $4,004 Masimo invoice.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
5eFire Department resignations
Acceptance of resignations from the Fire Department.
The Council accepted the resignations of Firefighter Ginger Warren and Captain Justin Petrick on consent. The open Captain-Training posting was pulled for discussion and then approved with an amended job description stating that the immediate supervisor is the Fire Chief.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
5fOpen Captain - Training position
Authorization to post internally for the open Fire Captain - Training position.
The Council accepted the resignations of Firefighter Ginger Warren and Captain Justin Petrick on consent. The open Captain-Training posting was pulled for discussion and then approved with an amended job description stating that the immediate supervisor is the Fire Chief.
Removed from consent for discussion and approved with an amended job description stating the Fire Chief is the immediate supervisor.
5gResolution 2023-44 Girl Scout facility use
Approval for resident Girl Scout troops to use city fields and facilities free of charge while still following deposit requirements.
The Council approved Resolution 2023-44 on the consent agenda, allowing resident Girl Scout troops to use Nowthen fields and facilities free of charge while keeping the current deposit fee schedule.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
5hResolution 2023-45 ERYHA donation
Acceptance of the Elk River Youth Hockey Association second quarter donation.
The Council accepted the Elk River Youth Hockey Association second quarter donation of $4,558.64 on the consent agenda. The resolution stated the donation brought 2023 ERYHA contributions to fund 100-36230 to $9,133.79.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
5i2024 Capital Improvements and Equipment Replacement Plan
Adoption of the 2024 Capital Improvements and Equipment Replacement Plan for incorporation into the 2024 budget.
The Council accepted the 2024-2028 Capital Improvement and Equipment Replacement Plans on the consent agenda for incorporation into the 2024 budget. The plan covered park improvements, public works storage, road projects, equipment replacements, turnout gear funding, and planned road-improvement bond issues.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
5jOrdinance 2023-02 prohibiting public use of cannabis products
Proposed ordinance prohibiting public use of cannabis products.
City Attorney Bob Ruppe explained the 2023 state cannabis legislation and recommended both a moratorium on cannabis retail stores until January 1, 2025 and Ordinance 2023-02 prohibiting public use of hemp and cannabis products. The minutes state that both items require public hearings, with the public-use ordinance to be considered at an August 22 Planning and Zoning meeting and the moratorium at the September 12 City Council meeting.
Although listed on the consent agenda, the minutes state that a public hearing would be held before considering adoption.
6City Attorney - Cannabis Products Law
City attorney discussion regarding state cannabis law, proposed public-use ordinance, and moratorium.
City Attorney Bob Ruppe explained the 2023 state cannabis legislation and recommended both a moratorium on cannabis retail stores until January 1, 2025 and Ordinance 2023-02 prohibiting public use of hemp and cannabis products. The minutes state that both items require public hearings, with the public-use ordinance to be considered at an August 22 Planning and Zoning meeting and the moratorium at the September 12 City Council meeting.
The attorney recommended a moratorium and a public-use ordinance, both requiring public hearings.
7Engineering
Engineering report.
No engineering items were presented.
8Fire Department
Fire Department monthly report for July 2023.
Fire Chief Schmidt reported 22 July incidents, an average response time of 11 minutes and 19 seconds, no dollar loss from fires, two assists to other agencies, and five instances of assistance received. He also reported grass fires, a fatal cardiac-arrest crash response, a lightning-caused tree fire, and four firefighter candidates expected to come before Council next month.
The Fire Chief presented the July report and noted four firefighter candidates would come forward next month.
9Sheriff's Department
Sheriff's Department monthly report for July 2023.
Chief Deputy Jacobson reported 126 calls for service in July, including three Bar None calls, five alarms, eight medicals, and seven animal complaints. The report included two Bar None incidents, a speeding stop that led to an arrest warrant pickup, a DWI crash investigation, and thanks for a successful Night to Unite.
The Chief Deputy presented July calls for service and discussed Night to Unite.
10Planning and Zoning
Planning and Zoning report.
No Planning and Zoning items were presented.
11aNight to Unite Update
Night to Unite update.
Staff thanked the Chief Deputy and the Lions for the event.
11bProject Manager Update
Project manager update.
Job description was nearing completion and expected to be posted by the end of the week.
11cFall Newsletter Update
Fall newsletter update.
Articles and ads were complete and layout work was underway.
11dJasper Street Phase One Update
Jasper Street Phase One update.
The Administrator reported that Jasper Street Phase One was complete and Phase Two had begun using Public Works and local contractors. The worst sections were being repaired and would sit over winter to settle before asphalt in the spring.
Phase One was completed and Phase Two had started.
11eCulvert Installation Update
Xenon Street culvert installation update.
The Administrator reported that the Xenon Street culvert had been purchased through Dave Perkins Contracting and was scheduled for installation in October.
The culvert had been purchased and installation was scheduled for October.
11fReminder of Important Dates
Reminder of important dates.
Budget work sessions, event dates, and September 12 preliminary budget acceptance were noted.
11gATV Ordinance Work Session
Scheduling an ATV ordinance work session.
Staff will work on scheduling the work session in October.
11hResolution 2023-46 replacing Twin Lakes Park restroom water tank
Approval of Resolution 2023-46 replacing the Twin Lakes Park restroom water tank.
The Council approved Resolution 2023-46 replacing the 120-gallon water tank at the Twin Lakes Park restroom. Staff reported the pressure tank had failed, Nowthen Plumbing had provided the lowest bid and quick turnaround, and Mork Well later helped resolve an electrical problem and waived an emergency call fee.
Resolution 2023-46 was approved after staff reported the tank had already been replaced due to the need to reopen the restroom.
12aCity Council - Old Business
Old business.
No old business was presented.
12b1Nowthen Threshing Show City Booth
Discussion of city booth staffing for the Nowthen Threshing Show.
Council discussed city participation in the Nowthen Threshing Show, Heritage Festival, and Fall Recycle Day. Staff asked council members to tell Natalie which events they would attend so the city website could promote council attendance.
Council discussed event presence; staff had not had a city booth at the Threshing Show in the past.
12b2Heritage Festival City Booth
Discussion of city booth staffing for the Heritage Festival.
Council discussed city participation in the Nowthen Threshing Show, Heritage Festival, and Fall Recycle Day. Staff asked council members to tell Natalie which events they would attend so the city website could promote council attendance.
Council members were invited to volunteer at a table for the Heritage Festival.
12b3Fall Recycle Day
Discussion of Fall Recycle Day staffing and council attendance.
Council discussed city participation in the Nowthen Threshing Show, Heritage Festival, and Fall Recycle Day. Staff asked council members to tell Natalie which events they would attend so the city website could promote council attendance.
Council discussed who could attend Fall Recycle Day so attendance could be promoted on the website.
12cItems moved from consent agenda
Items moved from consent agenda, if needed.
The Council accepted the resignations of Firefighter Ginger Warren and Captain Justin Petrick on consent. The open Captain-Training posting was pulled for discussion and then approved with an amended job description stating that the immediate supervisor is the Fire Chief.
Item 5F was moved from consent, discussed, and approved with an amended job description.
13Adjourn
Adjournment.
Meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM.
5 motions on the record. Split votes are highlighted.
M1MOTION BY MAYOR PILON TO ACCEPT THE AMENDED AGENDA, SECONDED BY ALDERS.
moved by Pilon, seconded by Alders
M2MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY BREYEN TO ACCEPT THE AMENDED CONSENT AGENDA.
MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY BREYEN TO ACCEPT THE AMENDED CONSENT AGENDA.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Breyen
M3MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY ALDERS TO APPROVE RESOLUTON 2023-46 REPLACING THE 120-GALLON WATER TANK AT THE TWIN LAKES PARK RESTROOM.
MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY ALDERS TO APPROVE RESOLUTON 2023-46 REPLACING THE 120-GALLON WATER TANK AT THE TWIN LAKES PARK RESTROOM.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Alders
M4MOTION BY MAYOR PILON, SECONDED BY FLADEBO TO AUTHORIZING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO POST FOR PROMOTION TO THE OPEN CAPTAIN -TRAINING POSITION INTERNALLY WITH THE AMENDED JOB DESCRIPTION.
MOTION BY MAYOR PILON, SECONDED BY FLADEBO TO AUTHORIZING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO POST FOR PROMOTION TO THE OPEN CAPTAIN -TRAINING POSITION INTERNALLY WITH THE AMENDED JOB DESCRIPTION.
moved by Pilon, seconded by Fladebo
M5MOTION TO ADJOURN BY COUNCIL MEMBER FLADEBO, SECONDED BY BREYEN TO ADJOURN.
moved by Fladebo, seconded by Breyen
The amounts the council actually voted to approve, each with the vote that approved it. Drawn from the official minutes.
General Fund year-to-date expenditures
$1,100,946
General Fund use of fund balance
$296,243
Total City Cash and Investments
$3,510,841
Cardboard baler repair
$9,300
Recycling Fund net loss
$39,531
Fire Department matching funds for grant purchases
$2,500
Masimo Rad-57 invoice total
$4,004
Park improvements
$30,000
Cold storage building
$100,000
Waco Street NW and Waco Drive NW reconstruction
$649,600
Erkium Street NW improvement
$315,000
Final payment of fire engine - RCA amount
$40,900
Tanker 1 final payment - equipment table amount
$40,950
Sterling 9500 truck
$283,000
Sun Land Acres 2nd Addition (Tiger St. NW)
$351,200
Burns Country Estates (194th LN NW)
$279,400
Shiloh Creek (Krypton St. NW)
$229,200
Engren's Addition (Lithium St. NW)
$240,500
Peterson's Pond View Estates (189th LN NW)
$266,800
Prairie Brook Estates (218th Ave. NW)
$222,600
Jasper St. NW reconstruction
$1,826,800
Network computers
$13,500
Financial Software
$40,000
Annual turnout gear funding
$7,500
Grass 1 replacement
$120,000
Sterling dump truck replacement
$350,000
Tri-axle trailer replacement
$45,000
Nowthen Plumbing water tank replacement estimate
$2,550
When someone referred back to earlier business, we found the matching prior discussion and tied it in here.
City Staff has not had a city booth at the Threshing Show in the past.
What this is about
Whether the City has historically staffed a booth at the Nowthen Threshing Show.
The records I searched do not contain a prior decision or discussion showing that City staff historically staffed a City booth at the Nowthen Threshing Show. There is a related but different item in the March 10, 2026 packet: the Council was asked to consider supporting the Nowthen Threshing Show by donating use of the City road grader and one hour of Public Works labor for tractor pull dates, and by providing free full-page ads in the Spring and Fall newsletters. The packet includes a draft resolution and staff request for Council action, but the search results provided do not show a completed vote outcome.
City staff has not had a city booth for many years. Last year, there was a table next to the Merchandise tent.
What this is about
Whether the City has historically staffed a booth at the Heritage Festival.
The records I searched do not contain a prior decision or clear historical record showing that the City historically staffed a booth at the Nowthen Heritage Festival, nor do they mention a City table next to the merchandise tent. The records do show related City support for the festival: a March 10, 2026 packet included a request from the Heritage Festival Committee for a free full-page ad in the spring and fall City newsletters, and an April 14, 2026 packet lists approval of Resolution 2026-29 granting that full-page ad at no cost. Other records show the Heritage Festival Committee is listed among groups allowed to use the Historic Town Hall at no rental charge, and a May 12, 2026 mowing contract required City-owned lots to be cut before the festival for parking. These are related supports, but they do not answer the specific booth-staffing question.
On the Spring Recycle Day, we had all staff available and most of the council was there.
What this is about
Comparison to staffing and council attendance at the prior Spring Recycle Day.
The records searched contain only a partial match. At the March 10, 2026 meeting packet, staff provided a Recycling Center quarterly update that included planned changes for the spring recycling day, such as offering confidential document disposal, adding a traffic-pattern map in the newsletter, ordering reusable directional signage, continuing cash/check-only payments, and launching American flag recycling. The records I searched do not show a prior note or decision documenting staffing levels or council attendance at a Spring Recycle Day, and they do not confirm that all staff were available or that most of the council attended.
Council Member Rainville wanted to shout out to the Lions a thank you for sponsoring Night to Unite for many years. They do a great job.
— Council Member Rainville
What this is about
Council Member Rainville recalled the Lions' long-running sponsorship of Night to Unite.
The records I searched do not contain a prior decision or discussion matching Council Member Rainville’s recollection about the Lions sponsoring Night to Unite. The search results mainly show unrelated Council Member Rainville items from 2026, such as appointments, meeting attendance, and other council business, but nothing about the Lions or Night to Unite.
<table> <tr> <th colspan="9">BURGLARIES</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Number</th> <th>Case Number</th> <th>Created On</th> <th>Officer Involvement</th> <th rowspan="2">Violation 609.582.4(a) Burglary - 4
# RESOLUTION No. 2026-XX ## A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY'S GRADER TO BE USED AT THE NOWTHEN THRESHING SHOW GROUNDS FOR 2026 TRACTOR PULLS WHEREAS, Lyle and Michelle Offerdahl have requested that
<figure> CITY OF NOWTHEN </figure> # REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION <table> <tr> <th>Agenda Item:</th> <th>Department:</th> <th>Requested Council Meeting Date:</th> <th>Submitted By:</th> </
CITY OF NOWTHEN </figure> RESOLUTION No. 2026-XX Council Meeting Location: Historic Townhall 19800 Nowthen Blvd NW Nowthen MN, 55330 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT OF MARY LIESER, MARKET COORD
CITY OF NOWTHEN </figure> RESOLUTION No. 2026-XX Council Meeting Location: Historic Townhall 19800 Nowthen Blvd NW Nowthen MN, 55330 # A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF THE SERVICE AGREEMENT W
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