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2025-04-08
One-line summary
The council approved an amended consent agenda, approved the Leistico variance and Original Hockey Mom Brownies IUP, directed follow-up on planner billing and council technology, deferred the 2025 special election to 2026, and voted to levy Dryden unpaid escrow amounts.
27 items as recorded in the packet and minutes.
1Call to Order
Call to order, Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approval of agenda.
The amended agenda was approved.
2Public Forum
Public forum.
Residents spoke; no action was taken during public forum.
3aApproval of March 20th and March 27th, 2025, City Council Meeting Minutes
Approval of March 20th and March 27th, 2025, City Council Meeting Minutes.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
3bApproval of Claims from March 20th to April 1st
Approval of claims from March 20th to April 1st.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda; no claims total was shown in the minutes.
3cFarmers Market lease with Rademacher Family Limited Partnership
Approval of the Farmers Market lease with Rademacher Family Limited Partnership for the 2025 Farmers Market season.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
3dPayment for the 2025 Spring and Fall Newsletters
Approval of payment for the 2025 spring and fall newsletters.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
3eNowthen Farmers Market Positions, Assistance, and Stipend
Approval of Nowthen Farmers Market positions, assistance, and stipend.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
3fPMA/4M Fund primary contact
Remove Scott Lehner and make Natalie Johnson the primary contact for PMA/4M Fund.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
3gUpdate from Subcommittee on Dryden Matter
Update from Subcommittee on Dryden matter.
Moved from consent to new business item 8d; council later approved levying unpaid escrow amounts.
3hUse of City Grader for Tractor Pulls
Approval of use of the city grader for tractor pulls dated June 11, August 13, and October 1 at the threshing show grounds.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
3i2025 Crack Filling by Bertram Asphalt Company
Approval for Bertram Asphalt Company to do the 2025 crack filling.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
3jResignation of firefighter Paul Reighard
Added consent item for resignation of firefighter Paul Reighard.
Added to and approved with the amended consent agenda.
4aMeet your Deputies
Meet your deputies.
Sheriff's Office representatives introduced themselves.
4bSheriff's Department Monthly Report
Sheriff's monthly report.
Monthly report was given; Bar None meeting was reported as rescheduled.
5aFire Department Monthly Report
Fire Department monthly report.
Mayor Hybben reviewed the written Fire Department update.
6aPlanning and Zoning Monthly Report
Planning and Zoning monthly report.
Planner Nash presented Planning and Zoning items.
6b1Leistico Estates East variance
Resolution approving a variance for Leistico Estates East.
Approved based on the findings of fact, which contained conditions.
6b2Leistico Estates East extension of final plat
Extension of final plat for Leistico Estates East.
The minutes record action on the variance but do not record a separate motion on the final plat extension.
6cOriginal Hockey Mom Brownies Interim Use Permit
Resolution approving an interim use permit for Original Hockey Mom Brownies.
Approved with a modification setting the IUP expiration date at April 8, 2037.
7aReduce general invoicing
Working with Cindy to reduce general invoicing.
Council directed staff to create a request for council action about reducing Planner Nash's bill.
7bCrown Castle lease extension and additional space
Renegotiation of the Crown Castle lease extension and additional space.
The administrator reported work on a cell tower lease for Verizon.
8aGarage Sale for Residents in Historic Town Hall
Approval of garage sale for residents in Historic Town Hall.
No motion was made; staff will charge according to the fee schedule.
8bNew Liquor License for Northwoods and Burns Bottle Shop
Approval of new liquor license for Northwoods and Burns Bottle Shop.
Moved to the consent agenda and approved with the amended consent agenda.
8cDefer the Special Election 8-12-2025 to November 2026
Resolution deferring the special election from August 12, 2025, to November 2026.
Approved on a 3-2 vote.
8dDryden escrow matter
Dryden escrow matter moved from consent item 3g.
Added by agenda amendment; council approved levying unpaid amounts on a 3-2 vote.
9Old Business
Old business.
The minutes do not record any old business action.
10Adjourn
Adjournment.
Meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m.
What this meeting did about specific topics, organized by issue rather than by document.
Amended consent agenda
The council approved the amended consent agenda, which included prior minutes, claims, Farmers Market lease and staffing items, newsletter payment authority, 4M Fund contact changes, use of the city grader for tractor pulls, Bertram Asphalt crack filling, the added firefighter resignation item, and the liquor license item moved from new business.
Agenda: 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3h, 3i, 3j, 8b. Motions: M2. Speakers: CM Breyen, CM Rainville.
Sheriff's Department and Bar None update
Anoka County Sheriff's Office representatives introduced themselves, Lt. Bangerter gave the monthly report, and the council was told that a previously scheduled meeting with Bar None staff had been rescheduled to April 30 because of scheduling conflicts.
Agenda: 4a, 4b. Speakers: Lt. Bangerter, Sheriff Brad Wise, Chief Deputy Jacobson, Deputy Matt Hoeffs, Deputy Bill Jacobson, Mayor Hybben.
Fire Department update and firefighter resignation
Mayor Hybben reviewed Chief Rob Miller's written monthly Fire Department update because the chief was unable to attend, and the resignation of firefighter Paul Reighard was added to and approved on the consent agenda.
Agenda: 5a, 3j. Motions: M2. Speakers: Mayor Hybben.
Leistico Estates East variance and final plat timing
Planner Nash presented the Leistico Estates East barn/accessory-structure variance and said the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval. The council approved the variance based on the findings of fact. The agenda also listed an extension of the final plat, but the minutes do not record a separate motion on that item.
Agenda: 6b1, 6b2. Motions: M3. Speakers: Planner Nash, CM Breyen, CM Rainville.
Original Hockey Mom Brownies interim use permit
Planner Nash explained that the Original Hockey Mom Brownies interim use permit had previously been recommended for denial, returned to Planning and Zoning, and came back with changed conditions and a recommendation for approval. After discussing the timing of the bakery buildout, council approved the IUP for a commercial manufacturing kitchen at 18288 Nowthen Blvd NW with the expiration date changed to April 8, 2037.
Agenda: 6c. Motions: M4. Speakers: Planner Nash, Tony Howard, Mayor Hybben, CM Breyen, CM Rainville.
Planner billing and resident inquiry process
Interim City Administrator Johnson discussed reducing general planning bills by limiting general resident or potential resident planning questions to one hour before requiring an escrow. The council directed staff to bring back a request for council action about decreasing Planner Nash's bill.
Agenda: 7a. Motions: M5. Speakers: Interim City Administrator Johnson, Mayor Hybben, CM Swenson.
Cell tower lease work
Interim City Administrator Johnson reported that she was working on a cell tower lease for Verizon, described in the agenda as the Crown Castle lease extension and additional space.
Agenda: 7b. Speakers: Interim City Administrator Johnson.
Council technology and audio setup
The administrator reported that a new projector was in the room and that future budget work might consider a more permanent technology setup. The council approved allowing staff to investigate more permanent council technology options and wired microphones.
Agenda: 7a. Motions: M6. Speakers: Interim City Administrator Johnson, CM Rainville, CM Glaser.
Historic Town Hall garage sale and sales rentals
Council discussed whether to charge an extra fee for facility uses involving sales, such as auctions or garage sales. No motion was made, so city offices will charge according to the adopted fee schedule.
Agenda: 8a.
Northwoods and Burns Bottle Shop liquor licenses
The new liquor license item for Northwoods and Burns Bottle Shop was moved from new business to the consent agenda and approved with the amended consent agenda.
Agenda: 8b. Motions: M2. Speakers: CM Breyen.
August 2025 special election deferral
Residents spoke both for and against continuing the 2025 special election. Later, the council discussed whether to defer it, and approved deferring the August 2025 special election to November 2026 on a 3-2 vote, with Swenson, Hybben, and Rainville voting yes and Breyen and Glaser voting no.
Agenda: 8c, 2. Motions: M7. Speakers: Brandon Ebert, Brady Kreger, Sheryl Mady Olson, Shanni Fladebo, Jason Dryden, Deb Dryden, CM Rainville, Mayor Hybben, CM Swenson, CM Breyen, CM Glaser.
Dryden escrow matter
The Dryden escrow matter was moved from consent to new business. Residents Jason and Deb Dryden objected during public forum to bills charged to their escrow account, and the council later discussed the matter before approving a resolution to levy $9,072.60 plus attorney's fees and costs against properties owned by Mr. and Mrs. Dryden within Nowthen city limits.
Agenda: 3g, 8d, 2. Motions: M8. Speakers: Jason Dryden, Deb Dryden, CM Rainville, CM Swenson, Mayor Hybben, CM Breyen, CM Glaser.
9 motions on the record. Split votes are highlighted.
M1MOTION TO APPROVE THE AMENDED AGENDA BY CM BREYEN, SECONDED BY CM GLASER.
moved by CM Breyen, seconded by CM Glaser
5 AYES
M2MOTION BY CM BREYEN, SECONDED BY CM RAINVILLE, TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED.
moved by CM Breyen, seconded by CM Rainville
5 AYES
M3MOTION BY CM BREYEN, SECONDED BY CM RAINVILLE TO APPROVE A VARIANCE WITHIN A PLAT KNOWN AS LEISTICO ESTATES EAST BASED ON THE FINDINGS OF FACTS.
moved by CM Breyen, seconded by CM Rainville
5 AYES
M4MOTION BY CM BREYEN, SECONDED BY CM RAINVILLE, TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION FOR AN INTERIM USE PERMIT FOR AN EXTENDED HOME OCCUPATION FOR A COMMERCIAL MANUFACTURING KITCHEN LOCATED AT 18288 NOWTHEN BLVD NW WITH A MODIFICATION TO THE FINDINGS OF FACTS THAT THE INTERIM USE PERMIT SHALL EXPIRE ON APRIL 8TH, 2037.
moved by CM Breyen, seconded by CM Rainville
5 AYES
M5MOTION BY MAYOR HYBBEN, SECOND BY CM SWENSON TO DIRECT STAFF TO CREATE AN RCA ABOUT DECREASING PLANNER NASH'S BILL.
moved by Mayor Hybben, seconded by CM Swenson
5 AYES
M6MOTION BY CM RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY CM GLASER TO ALLOW STAFF TO INVESTIGATE OTHER OPTIONS TO HAVE A MORE PERMANENT COUNCIL TECHNOLOGY SET-UP AND WIRED MICS.
moved by CM Rainville, seconded by CM Glaser
5 AYES
M7MOTION BY CM RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY MAYOR HYBBEN TO DEFER THE AUGUST 2025 SPECIAL ELECTION TO NOVEMBER OF 2026.
moved by CM Rainville, seconded by Mayor Hybben
M8MOTION BY CM RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY CM SWENSON TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO LEVY THE UNPAID AMOUNTS OF $9,072.60 PLUS ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS AGAINST ANY PROPERTIES OWNED BY MR. AND MRS. DRYDEN WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF NOWTHEN. SUCH FEE AMOUNTS SHALL BE ASSESSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NOWTHEN CITY CODE, PLUS ANY PROFESSIONAL FEES AND ESCROW AMOUNTS PURSUANT TO THE DEVELOPER'S AGREEMENT EXECUTED BETWEEN THE PARTIES FOR DRYDEN ACRES.
moved by CM Rainville, seconded by CM Swenson
M9MOTION TO ADJOURN BY CM RAINVILLE TO ADJOURN.
moved by CM Rainville
Each figure links back to the document it came from. When the council voted on the amount, the motion is shown.
F1
The Rademacher Family Limited Partnership Farmers Market lease stated rent of $1 per year.
contract · Farmers Market lease rent · FY 2025
$1
outflow
F2
Resolution authorized postage and printing for both 2025 newsletters not to exceed the budgeted amount plus advertising revenues.
expenditure · 2025 spring and fall newsletters · FY 2025
$8,650
outflow
F3
Requested stipend for Mary Lieser as Market Coordinator.
salary · Farmers Market Coordinator stipend · FY 2025
$500
outflow
F4
Requested stipend for Sara Jensen as Market Manager.
salary · Farmers Market Manager stipend · FY 2025
$250
outflow
F5
Resolution capped city staff and monetary assistance for the Farmers Market.
expenditure · Farmers Market city monetary assistance cap · FY 2025
$1,750
outflow
F6
Selected Bertram Asphalt proposal for 2025 crack filling.
contract · Bertram Asphalt 2025 crack filling · FY 2025
$43,010
outflow
F7
Bertram proposal rate for material over 23,000 pounds.
rate · Bertram crack fill material overage rate · FY 2025
$1.87
outflow
F8
Bertram proposal fuel surcharge trigger for diesel fuel pump price.
rate · Bertram fuel surcharge diesel trigger · FY 2025
$5
unknown
F9
Bertram proposal repricing trigger based on WTI oil pricing.
rate · Bertram oil price repricing trigger · FY 2025
$125
unknown
F10
Competing Diversified Paving bid not selected by the consent approval.
estimate · Diversified Paving crack fill bid · FY 2025
$44,100
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
F11
Competing Diversified Paving unit price for crack fill.
rate · Diversified Paving crack fill unit rate · FY 2025
$2.1
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
F12
Variance application base fee.
fee · Leistico variance base fee · FY 2025
$200
inflow
F13
Variance application total amount due and paid.
fee · Leistico variance total amount due and paid · FY 2025
$3,200
inflow
F14
Conditional/interim use permit application base fee.
fee · Original Hockey Mom Brownies IUP base fee · FY 2025
$200
inflow
F15
Potential fee for a senior resident's garage sale reservation; no motion was made, so the fee schedule remained applicable.
fee · Historic Town Hall garage sale use fee · FY 2025
$54.06
inflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
F16
Estimated taxpayer cost avoided by deferring the August 2025 special election.
estimate · Estimated special election cost · FY 2025
$10,000
outflow
F17
Council voted to levy unpaid amounts plus attorney's fees and costs against Dryden-owned properties within Nowthen.
assessment · Dryden unpaid amounts to levy · FY 2025
$9,072.6
inflow
When someone tried to remember earlier business, we cross-reference the corpus and write a short related-history note.
Believed that there were good discussion points made at the last meeting but wanted to address the council about his concerns that Interim Administrator Johnson and Consultant Boyles were not treated fairly. He also encouraged the Council to speak with Joe Glaze about the calcium chloride discussion held at the last meeting.
— Dana Henjum
What this is about
A resident referred to discussion from the prior council meeting about treatment of Interim Administrator Johnson and Consultant Boyles, and also the calcium chloride discussion.
The records I searched do not contain a prior council discussion or decision matching this recollection. The search results include incidental references to Interim City Administrator Johnson in 2026 packets and minutes, but they do not show a discussion about whether Johnson or Consultant Boyles were treated fairly. The same search results also do not contain a calcium chloride discussion or any recorded action involving Joe Glaze. Based on these results, I cannot confirm from the records provided what was discussed at the prior meeting or whether any formal vote was taken.
Believes that transparency should occur regarding the discussion had at the last meeting.
— Shanni Fladebo
What this is about
A speaker referred to prior meeting discussion and asked for transparency about it.
The records show Shanni Fladebo made this comment during Public Forum at the April 8, 2025 City Council meeting. The minutes say she raised concerns about social media causing division, said Council Member Swenson was posting inaccurate information, stated that “transparency should occur regarding the discussion had at the last meeting,” and said she supported holding a special election. The records provided only partially identify what “the last meeting” discussion was. A related prior item appears in the February 27, 2025 packet/minutes excerpt, where Consultant Boyles discussed options for hiring a city administrator, including a $3,000 HR-firm-assisted process, a $14,500 full recruitment proposal, and a $3,500 option involving Interim Administrator Johnson in the interview process. Council members discussed different preferences, but the excerpt provided does not show a formal vote or a specific “transparency” decision tied to Fladebo’s later comment.
On March 12, 2025, the council voted to appoint Dan Swenson to fill the vacancy.
— Council Member Mary Rainville
What this is about
The special election deferral request recalled the council's earlier appointment of Dan Swenson.
The records provided show a related vacancy/special-election item, but not the specific appointment vote. In the March 10, 2026 packet, a proposed resolution says the City Council had adopted Ordinance 2025-01 on February 11, 2025, dealing with “City Council Vacancy and Special Elections,” and would codify it in Chapter 1, Section 7 of the City Code. The search results also show Dan Swenson later serving as a council member, including at the May 12, 2026 meeting, where “Council Member Dan Swenson” presented research on employee pay scales. However, the records I searched do not contain the March 12, 2025 meeting action or vote appointing Dan Swenson to fill the vacancy.
WHEREAS, at its February 11, 2025, meeting, the City Council of Nowthen considered the process for filling the vacant City Council seat created by the resignation of Council Member Shannon Fladebo; and WHEREAS, a motion was made by Council Member Breyen and seconded by Council Member Glaser to hold a special election for the vacant City Council seat in August 2025 and to use the defined appointment process to fill the vacancy on the City Council, by which the appointed person would serve until the special election occurs;
What this is about
The special election resolution recalled the February 11, 2025 council decision to hold a special election and use an appointment process.
The records searched contain a partial match. A later packet shows that at the March 10, 2026 meeting, Council considered a resolution stating that the City Council had adopted Ordinance 2025-01 on February 11, 2025, and that the ordinance related to “City Council Vacancy and Special Elections.” That 2026 resolution was to assign the ordinance to the City Code in Chapter 1, “Administration,” as Section 7, titled “City Council Vacancy and Special Elections.” The records provided here do not include the February 11, 2025 minutes or vote record itself, so they do not independently confirm the specific motion by Council Member Breyen, seconded by Council Member Glaser, to hold an August 2025 special election and use an appointment process. They do support that Council action on council vacancies and special elections occurred on February 11, 2025, but the detailed motion and vote outcome are not shown in these search results.
It was originally recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission to deny the IUP. It went back to the P&Z Commission, and now it has come back to the council with changes in conditions.
— Planner Nash
What this is about
Planner Nash recalled earlier Planning and Zoning and council handling of the Original Hockey Mom Brownies IUP.
The records I searched do not contain a prior decision matching this recollection about the Original Hockey Mom Brownies IUP. The results include general zoning procedure language and Planning and Zoning Commission minutes from February 24, 2026, but they do not show an earlier P&Z recommendation to deny that IUP, a City Council action sending it back, or a later P&Z recommendation with revised conditions.
Leistico Estates East was a previously approved final plat that was to be recorded but has not yet been.
— Cindy Nash
What this is about
The Leistico staff report recalled that the final plat had been previously approved but not recorded.
The records I searched do not contain a prior decision matching the recollection about Leistico Estates East having a previously approved final plat that was not recorded. The search results returned other subdivision materials, including Palomino Estates items in the March 24 and April 14, 2026 packets and Viking Estates items in the February 24 and March 10, 2026 packets, but they do not identify Leistico Estates East or show a prior approval, recording deadline, or follow-up action for that plat.
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