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2022-02-08
Agenda
Not posted
What was on the agenda.
One-line summary
Council appointed Adam Schrag as Assistant Fire Chief, approved consent items including claims, a truck/equipment purchase and road repair, adopted an accessory-structures ordinance and local-control housing resolution, discussed unemployment appeals and broadband, directed State Auditor review of office concerns, and extended the interim administrator contract to July 1, 2022.
19 items as recorded in the packet and minutes.
1Call to Order / Firefighter Badge Presentation / Appointment of Assistant Fire Chief
Call to order, pledge, roll call, agenda approval, firefighter badge presentation, and appointment of assistant fire chief.
Agenda approved with item 2G moved to 8E; Adam Schrag was appointed Assistant Fire Chief.
2aApprove January 11, 2022 Council Minutes
Approval of City Council Minutes of Regular Meeting, January 11, 2022, City Council Meeting.
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
2bApprove Claims January 8, 2022 to February 4, 2022
Approval of Claims January 8, 2022, to February 4, 2022.
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
2cNowthen Knights 2022 Lawn Services Agreement
Approval of Lawn Services Agreement for 2022 with Nowthen Knights Baseball Team.
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
2dJames Cotes Planning and Subdivision Fee Waiver
Approval of Fee Waiver in the Amount of $282.50 for Planning and Subdivision Services for James Cotes.
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
2eResolution 2022-5 Prosecutorial Services Agreements
Approval of Resolution 2022-5 authorizing five-year agreements related to city prosecutorial services.
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
2f2023 Mack Truck and Snow/Ice Control Equipment Purchase
Approval of request to purchase one 2023 Mack Granite 64FR(T) tandem axle truck and chassis and associated snow and ice control equipment.
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
2g/8eExtension of Interim City Administrator Employment Agreement
Approval of Extension of Employment Agreement for Interim City Administrator.
Moved from consent agenda to 8E and approved with an extension until July 1, 2022.
2hVariolite Street and 228th Class 5 Road Subbase Correction Project
Approval of Class 5 Road Subbase Correction Project at Variolite Street at 228th.
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
3Floor Items
Floor items.
No floor items were presented.
4Sheriff's Report
Sheriff's report.
Commander Heath gave his final liaison report and introduced the transition to Lieutenant Jacobson.
5Prosecutor's Report
Prosecutor's report.
The prosecutor reported on COVID-era court changes, fines, and the approved BCA access contracts.
6Fire Department
Fire Department.
Fire Department items were handled under item 1.
7aOrdinance 2022-01 Accessory Structures
Consider Ordinance 2022-01 relating to accessory structures and summary ordinance for publication.
Ordinance 2022-01 was adopted.
7bDevelopment Review Matrix
Consider Approval of Development Review Matrix.
The draft matrix was to be sent to residents and developers for comment, then returned for final consideration.
8aInternet Update
Internet update.
The mayor reported on Anoka County, Arvig, matching funds, a feasibility study, and grant preparation; no motion was recorded.
8bRepresentative Elkins / Housing First Minnesota Proposed Legislation
Representative Elkins / Housing First Minnesota Proposed Legislation.
Resolution 2022-06 supporting housing and local decision-making authority was adopted.
8cUnemployment Compensation Requests
Unemployment Compensation Requests.
Council discussed authority and transparency around appeals; no motion was recorded.
8dState of the Office January 24, 2022
State of the Office January 24, 2022.
Council directed Boyles to refer the memo to the State Auditor for review scope, timing, and cost, with no-cost items allowed to proceed.
What this meeting did about specific topics, organized by issue rather than by document.
Nowthen Fire Department badge presentation and Assistant Fire Chief appointment
The meeting opened with a ceremonial badge presentation for the original Nowthen firefighters. Fire Chief David Schmidt then recommended Adam Schrag for Assistant Fire Chief, describing the role as part of the department’s leadership and succession plan. Council appointed Schrag with a $700 monthly stipend.
Agenda: 1, 6. Motions: M02. Speakers: Fire Chief David Schmidt, Mayor Pilon, Rainville.
Consent agenda approvals
Council approved the consent agenda after moving item 2G to regular discussion. The consent approvals included the prior meeting minutes, claims, the Nowthen Knights lawn services agreement, a $282.50 James Cotes fee waiver, Resolution 2022-5 for prosecutorial-services access agreements, the Mack truck and snow/ice equipment purchase, and the Variolite Street class 5 subbase correction project.
Agenda: 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2h. Motions: M03. Speakers: Rainville, Blake.
Sheriff liaison transition and Bar None calls
Commander Heath gave his final report as Nowthen’s sheriff liaison, noted that Lieutenant Jacobson would take over, and discussed recent calls including suspicious-vehicle calls and Bar None incidents involving runaways and a resident with frostbite. Council members thanked Heath for eight years of service to the city.
Agenda: 4. Speakers: Commander Heath, Mayor Pilon.
Prosecutor report and BCA access agreements
Prosecutor Kurt Glaser reported that COVID-era court operations increased use of Zoom, reduced failure-to-appear warrants, and changed sentencing and monitoring practices. He thanked the council for approving the BCA-related prosecution access contracts, which carry a $150 quarterly pass-through cost.
Agenda: 5, 2e. Motions: M03. Speakers: Kurt Glaser, Mayor Pilon.
Accessory structures ordinance for narrow lots
Planner Stockman explained that Ordinance 2022-01 updated the accessory-structure rules to address narrow parcels, especially lake lots, where a front-yard accessory building might otherwise require a variance. Council discussed whether to require variances or reduce regulation and adopted Ordinance 2022-01.
Agenda: 7a. Motions: M04. Speakers: Planner Stockman, Alders, Blake, Greenberg, Rainville, Mayor Pilon.
Development Review Process Matrix
Planner Stockman presented the draft Development Review Process and Responsibility Matrix. Council directed that it be sent for feedback to residents and developers who had recently used the development process, with the item to return later for final consideration.
Agenda: 7b. Speakers: Planner Stockman, Mayor Pilon.
Internet and broadband improvement planning
Mayor Pilon reported on meetings with Anoka County and Arvig. The discussion covered county matching funds, a county feasibility study to map unserved and underserved areas, possible use of HRA or ARPA funds, Arvig grant work, Comcast outreach, and the continuing search for a workable broadband funding package.
Agenda: 8a. Speakers: Mayor Pilon, Boyles, Alders, Blake, Rainville.
Representative Elkins / Housing First legislation and local zoning control
Council discussed proposed state housing legislation that the mayor and interim administrator said would reduce local land-use authority and could repeal Nowthen’s special Metropolitan Council land-use exception. Council adopted Resolution 2022-06 supporting housing policy that preserves local decision-making authority.
Agenda: 8b. Motions: M05. Speakers: Mayor Pilon, Boyles, Greenberg, Rainville.
Former employees’ unemployment compensation requests
Council discussed unemployment claims by former employees Lori Streich and Ellen Lendt, including the cost risk to the city, pending hearings, attorney involvement, and whether the interim administrator had authority to appeal without prior council authorization. Boyles apologized, and council members emphasized the need for greater transparency in similar matters.
Agenda: 8c. Speakers: Mayor Pilon, Boyles, Blake, Alders, Greenberg.
State of the Office memo and possible State Auditor review
The interim administrator’s memo listed multiple financial, payroll, personnel, filing, and recordkeeping problems discovered after the prior staff departures. Council directed Boyles to send the memo to the State Auditor to learn which issues the Auditor would review, whether other reviewers would be needed, the approximate cost, and the timeline, while allowing no-cost items to proceed.
Agenda: 8d. Motions: M06. Speakers: Boyles, Mayor Pilon, Rainville, Alders, Greenberg.
Interim City Administrator contract extension
After moving item 2G from consent to regular business, council extended Interim City Administrator Frank Boyles’s contract until July 1, 2022, with the stated purpose of allowing time to complete delayed work and provide overlap with a newly hired administrator.
Agenda: 2g/8e. Motions: M07. Speakers: Mayor Pilon, Rainville, Blake.
8 motions on the record. Split votes are highlighted.
M01MOTION BY ALDERS SECOND BY BLAKE TO APPROVE THE AGENDA RELOCATING ITEM 2 G TO 8E.
moved by Alders, seconded by Blake
M02MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE SECOND BY MAYOR PILON TO APPOINT ADAM SCHRAG AS ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF WITH A MONTHLY STIPEND OF $700.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Mayor Pilon
M03MOTION MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER RAINVILLE SECOND BY BLAKE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA WITH THE EXCEPTION OF 2G WHICH IS MOVED TO 8E.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Blake
M04MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ALDERS SECOND BY BLAKE TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 2022-01.
moved by Alders, seconded by Blake
M05MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER GREENBERG SECOND BY RAINVILLE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2022-06 A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING HOUSING AND LOCAL DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY.
moved by Greenberg, seconded by Rainville
M06MOTION BY GREENBERG SECOND BY RAINVILLE TO DIRECT BOYLES TO REFER THE MEMO TO THE STATE AUDITOR TO DETERMINE WHICH ISSUES THEY WOULD REVIEW WHETHER THERE ARE ISSUES OTHERS WOULD REVIEW, WHAT IS THE APPROXIAMATE COST, AND HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT NO COST ITEMS MAY PROCEED.
moved by Greenberg, seconded by Rainville
M07MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE SECOND BY BLAKE TO EXTEND THE INTERIM ADMINISTRATOR CONTRACT UNTIL JULY 1, 2022, WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT ONE OF THE PURPOSES OF THE EXTENSION IS TO PROVIDE SOME OVERLAP TIME BETWEEN THE INTERIM ADMINISTRATOR AND THE NEWLY HIRED ADMINISTRATOR.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Blake
M08Motion by Blake second by Pilon to adjourn.
moved by Blake, seconded by Pilon
Each figure links back to the document it came from. When the council voted on the amount, the motion is shown.
Assistant Fire Chief monthly stipend
Monthly stipend approved for Adam Schrag as Assistant Fire Chief.
salary · Assistant Fire Chief stipend · FY 2022
$700
outflow
Approved claims total
Total claims approved on the consent agenda.
expenditure · January 2022 claims · FY 2022
$119,854.37
outflow
Pre-written checks
Pre-written checks included in the approved claims register.
expenditure · Pre-written checks · FY 2022
$20,486
outflow
Computer-generated checks
Checks to be generated by computer included in the approved claims register.
expenditure · Checks to be generated · FY 2022
$99,368.37
outflow
St. Francis fire services claim
First half 2022 fire services contract claim.
contract · City of St. Francis fire services contract · FY 2022
$38,661
outflow
Couri & Ruppe December billing claim
Couri & Ruppe December billing claim in the approved claims register.
invoice · City attorney December billing · FY 2022
$6,832.5
outflow
MNSPECT January billing
MNSPECT LLC January billing claim in the approved claims register.
invoice · MNSPECT January billing · FY 2022
$9,371.99
outflow
Bond principal payment
Bond principal payment to The Bank of Elk River in approved claims.
debt_service · Bond principal · FY 2022
$20,000
outflow
Bond interest payment
Bond interest payment to The Bank of Elk River in approved claims.
debt_service · Bond interest · FY 2022
$486
outflow
James Cotes fee waiver
Planning and subdivision services fee waived for James Cotes.
fee · James Cotes fee waiver · FY 2022
$282.5
outflow
James Cotes prior planning fees paid
Prior amount paid by James Cotes for wetland delineation, CUP, and lot split work; provided as background to the fee waiver.
fee · James Cotes prior planning payment · FY 2020
$4,878
inflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
BCA access quarterly cost
Nominal quarterly cost passed through to the city as part of the prosecutor’s bill.
contract · BCA prosecution tools access · FY 2022
$150
outflow
Truck replacement capital budget
Amount included in the 2022 capital budget to replace the older snow and ice control vehicle.
budget · 2022 capital budget truck replacement · FY 2022
$270,000
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
2023 Mack Granite cab and chassis
Nuss Truck and Equipment cab and chassis price including sales tax and license fees.
capital_project · Mack truck cab and chassis · FY 2022
$142,665.16
outflow
Towmaster accessory equipment quote
Accessory equipment quotation for snow and ice control equipment.
capital_project · Towmaster snow and ice control equipment · FY 2022
$139,222
outflow
Total snowplow truck and equipment cost
Total cost for the Mack truck cab/chassis and accessory equipment approved on consent.
capital_project · Total truck and equipment purchase · FY 2022
$281,887.16
outflow
Gravel and rock budget
Street maintenance budget line available for class 5 road work.
budget · Gravel and rock budget · FY 2022
$67,000
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
Contractual streets repair budget
Street maintenance budget line available for class 5 road work.
budget · Contractual streets repair and maintenance budget · FY 2022
$60,000
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
Street maintenance supplies budget
Street maintenance budget line available for class 5 road work.
budget · Street maintenance supplies budget · FY 2022
$25,000
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
Variolite Street soil correction contractor bid
Bid for removal of bad soils and trucking in class 5 for Variolite Street at 228th.
contract · Dave Perkins Contracting bid · FY 2022
$19,947
outflow
Variolite Street class 5 material estimate
Expected city-paid class 5 material cost for Variolite Street project.
estimate · Class 5 material estimate · FY 2022
$4,935
outflow
Interim administrator hourly rate
Original contract hourly compensation term, extended by the meeting action.
salary · Interim administrator hourly rate · FY 2022
$100
outflow
Interim administrator round-trip mileage reimbursement
Original contract round-trip mileage reimbursement term, extended by the meeting action.
reimbursement · Interim administrator mileage reimbursement · FY 2022
$52
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Anoka County internet matching grant amount
County matching funds discussed for city internet improvements.
grant · Anoka County internet matching funds · FY 2022
$150,000
inflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
Anoka County ARPA funds mentioned
Mayor stated the county had considerable federal funding and discussed $69 million during the internet update.
grant · Anoka County federal funds discussed for internet · FY 2022
$69,000,000
unknown
Council approval status: not yet on record.
City HRA funds discussed for broadband
HRA funds that might be usable for broadband if business-development conditions are met.
revenue · Nowthen HRA funds discussed for broadband · FY 2022
$700,000
unknown
Council approval status: not yet on record.
Potential Lendt unemployment cost
Potential public-sector unemployment compensation cost if the former employee claim succeeded.
expenditure · Potential Lendt unemployment cost · FY 2022
$12,000
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
Potential Streich unemployment cost
Potential public-sector unemployment compensation cost if the former employee claim succeeded.
expenditure · Potential Streich unemployment cost · FY 2022
$20,000
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
Potential combined unemployment cost
Total potential unemployment compensation cost discussed in the RCA.
expenditure · Potential total unemployment cost · FY 2022
$32,000
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
Couri & Ruppe October services
Couri & Ruppe October services invoice attached to unemployment compensation discussion materials.
invoice · October city attorney services · FY 2021
$6,217.5
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
Couri & Ruppe December 6 billing
Couri & Ruppe billing attached to unemployment compensation discussion materials.
invoice · December 6 city attorney billing · FY 2021
$5,875
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
IRS Form 941 error amount
IRS notification amount the city would have owed if the payroll filing error had not been corrected.
fine · IRS Form 941 amount avoided · FY 2021
$5,598.93
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
Abdo benefits audit cost
Cost of benefits audit used to review vacation-balance claims.
audit · Abdo benefits audit · FY 2021
$5,547
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
Streich claimed vacation payout
Amount claimed by former City Clerk Lori Streich before the benefits audit.
salary · Streich claimed vacation balance · FY 2021
$20,567.04
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
Streich vacation payout paid
Amount the benefits audit found was owed and paid to Lori Streich.
salary · Streich vacation balance paid · FY 2021
$10,082.67
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
Lendt claimed vacation payout
Amount claimed by former Deputy Clerk Ellen Lendt before the benefits audit.
salary · Lendt claimed vacation balance · FY 2021
$773.85
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
Lendt vacation payout paid
Amount the benefits audit found was owed and paid to Ellen Lendt.
salary · Lendt vacation balance paid · FY 2021
$386.93
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
Unpaid third quarter building permit surcharge
Unpaid state building permit surcharge identified in State of the Office memo.
fee · Third quarter building permit surcharge · FY 2021
$2,390.44
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
Unpaid fourth quarter building permit surcharge
Unpaid state building permit surcharge identified in State of the Office memo.
fee · Fourth quarter building permit surcharge · FY 2021
$712.36
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
Unauthorized dental insurance cost
Dental insurance cost the city said was incurred after Ms. Lendt resigned.
expenditure · Dental insurance after resignation · FY 2021
$170
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
DDA recruitment quote example
Example cost for administrator or clerk recruitment noted in State of the Office RCA.
estimate · DDA recruitment quote example · FY 2022
$22,000
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
When someone tried to remember earlier business, we cross-reference the corpus and write a short related-history note.
we talked about this in the meeting when liz wasn't here that it probably wasn't going to affect many homes in the city
— Mayor Pilon
What this is about
The mayor recalled the prior council discussion about accessory structures when Planner Stockman was absent, to frame the choice between adopting Ordinance 2022-01 or relying on variances.
The records I searched do not contain a prior discussion or decision matching this recollection about accessory structures, Planner Stockman’s absence, or Ordinance 2022-01. The search results mainly relate to later fee-schedule ordinances, cannabis/THC regulations, and lot-line adjustment procedures, not the accessory-structure ordinance or a discussion about how many homes would be affected. Based on these results, I cannot confirm the date, discussion, or any vote outcome for the meeting the mayor was recalling.
the second thing you'll see in your package is something that we actually sent out two years ago sent to the council two years ago when this first started making waves over at the capitol
— Mayor Pilon
What this is about
The mayor recalled sending council information two years earlier about state housing legislation, relevant to Resolution 2022-06 and opposition to the Elkins bill.
The records I searched do not contain a prior decision or packet item matching Mayor Pilon’s recollection of information sent to council two years earlier about state housing legislation, Resolution 2022-06, or opposition to the Elkins bill. The search results returned unrelated 2026 agenda and packet items, including consent agenda resolutions, budget amendments, development items, and other routine city business, but nothing tied to the 2022 housing-legislation discussion described.
last month we talked about arvik proposal and a meeting that you were going to have on january 24th so what was the agenda and outcome of that
— Alders
What this is about
Councilmember Alders recalled the prior month’s internet discussion about an Arvig proposal and a January 24 meeting.
The records I searched do not contain a prior agenda item, discussion, or decision matching Councilmember Alders’ recollection of an Arvig internet proposal or a January 24 meeting. The closest date-related record is the January 13, 2026 packet, which listed proposed 2026 Council and Planning and Zoning meeting dates, but it does not mention Arvig, an internet proposal, or a January 24 meeting outcome.
my very first report to the city council was on february 14th of 2014. so now we're standing here on february 8th of 2022 um it'll be my final report
— Commander Heath
What this is about
Commander Heath recalled that his first report to Nowthen was on February 14, 2014, making this his final report after eight years as liaison.
The records I searched do not contain a prior meeting record confirming Commander Heath’s first report to the Nowthen City Council on February 14, 2014, or documenting the February 8, 2022 report as his final liaison report after eight years. The search results returned later 2026 public-safety report materials and unrelated 2026 resolutions, but nothing directly tied to Commander Heath’s 2014 start date or his 2022 farewell report.
so a few months ago we approved a team to come in and do some book work standard work implementation would that not be covered in this
— Alders
What this is about
Councilmember Alders recalled that the council had previously approved help to write standard work and procedures, during the discussion of whether State Auditor review was also needed.
The records I searched do not contain a prior council decision matching the recollection that the council “approved a team” to come in and do bookkeeping/standard-work or procedure-writing implementation. The closest related items are not that: at the March 23, 2026 meeting and again in the April 14, 2026 packet, council materials discussed participating in the State Council on Local Results and Innovation performance-measurement program, which would submit survey/performance data to the Office of the State Auditor for a reimbursement of $0.14 per capita. Those records do not describe the State Auditor reviewing the City’s books or writing procedures. The May 12, 2026 packet also contains audit-related material, including the City’s 2025 independent audit report from BerganKDV and standard audit/access language in a BCA joint powers agreement. Those are related to auditing and records access, but they do not show an approval of outside help to create standard work or accounting procedures, and the search results provided do not include a recorded vote for such a contract.
<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="307" --> # CITY OF NOWTHEN ANOKA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA # ORDINANCE NO. 2026-XX # AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SCHEDULE OF FEES FOR THE CITY OF NOWTHEN, MINNESOTA W
<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="140" --> # CITY OF NOWTHEN ANOKA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA ## ORDINANCE NO. 2026-01 # AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SCHEDULE OF FEES FOR THE CITY OF NOWTHEN, MINNESOTA
<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="37" --> # PUBLIC NOTICE # CITY OF NOWTHEN ANOKA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA ## Adoption of Ordinance No. 2023-02 # ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING CHAPTER 3, SECTION 6 OF THE
<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="191" --> not limited to the security requirements set forth in Minnesota Rule 9810.1500, as the same may be amended from time to time. Minnesota Administrative Rule
<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="52" --> not limited to the security requirements set forth in Minnesota Rule 9810.1500, as the same may be amended from time to time. Minnesota Administrative Rules
Every document and recording archived for this meeting.
Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2022-02-08)
Minutes · 2022-02-08
4 pages
Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2022-02-08)
Packet · 2022-02-08
168 pages
Meeting recording
YouTube
Transcript · 1177 segments · 3:03:57
The structured brief on this page is auto-generated and may need correction. The PDFs and the meeting recording remain the official record.