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Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Minutes
Not posted
The official record of what happened.
Agenda items below are drawn from the packet; outcomes will not appear until minutes are added.
One-line summary
The Council approved the consent agenda, the 19922 Birchwood variance, Viking Estates final plat and development agreement, city building signs, and the 2027 CIP/ERP with a direction to study an irrigation-well alternative for fire water; it also heard public forum comments on legislation, Basalt Street dust, and election poll pads.
25 items as recorded in the packet and minutes.
1Call to Order
Call to order for the June 9, 2026 council meeting.
Meeting opened; minutes were not available in this bundle, but the transcript records the meeting proceeding.
1aPledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance.
Pledge recited; no vote required.
1bRoll Call
Roll call.
Roll call taken; no vote required.
1cApprove Agenda
Approve agenda.
Agenda approved as amended, with consent item 3f removed for separate discussion.
2Public Forum
Public forum.
Public forum speakers included Senator Eric Lucero, Stacy Paris regarding Basalt Street dust and paving, and Derek Lind regarding election poll pads.
3aApproval of May 12, May 19, May 26, and May 28, 2026 Meeting Minutes
Approval of May 12, May 19, May 26, and May 28, 2026 City Council meeting minutes.
Approved as part of the consent agenda as amended.
3bClaims and Treasurer's Report
Approval of claims from May 7 to June 3 and Treasurer's Report for May 2026.
Approved as part of the consent agenda as amended.
3cERYHA First Quarter Donation
Accept the first quarter donation from Elk River Youth Hockey Association.
Approved as part of the consent agenda as amended.
3dARAA First Quarter Donation
Accept the first quarter donation from Anoka Ramsey Athletic Association.
Approved as part of the consent agenda as amended.
3eVeterans Memorial Donation
Accept donation for the Veterans Memorial renovation.
Approved as part of the consent agenda as amended.
3fAdopt the 2027 CIP and ERP
Adopt the 2027 Capital Improvement Plan and Equipment Replacement Plan.
Removed from consent and approved separately with added direction to study use of a farmer's irrigation well as an alternative water source.
3gRelease Escrow for Palomino Estates
Release escrow for Palomino Estates following receipt of final invoices.
Approved as part of the consent agenda as amended; a later transcript comment showed confusion about whether the item had been on the agenda.
4Project Update from Lucky Milliman
Project update from Lucky Milliman.
Lucky Milliman reported the Eagle Scout owl-house project was complete.
5aFire Department Monthly Report
Fire Department monthly report.
Fire Chief Miller was absent for firefighter graduation; the Mayor summarized the written monthly report.
6aSheriff's Department Monthly Report
Sheriff's Department monthly report.
Sergeant Justin Weller gave the Sheriff's May report and discussed Bar None's pending discontinuation of services.
7aPlanning and Zoning Monthly Report
Planning and Zoning monthly report.
Planner Nash offered to answer questions; none were asked.
7bVariance for 19922 Birchwood Lane NW
Variance for 19922 Birchwood Lane NW.
Approved by roll call vote, 5-0.
7cFinal Plat for Viking Estates
Final plat for Viking Estates.
Approved by roll call vote, 5-0.
7dDevelopment Agreement for Viking Estates
Development agreement for Viking Estates.
Approved by roll call vote, 5-0.
8aEmployee Education
Employee education update.
Reported as part of the Clerk's update.
8bEnergy Audit for Historic Town Hall
Energy audit for Historic Town Hall.
Council members supported checking all city buildings with gas meters; no formal vote recorded for the audit.
8cResident Survey Results
Resident survey results.
Clerk asked council members to review the results and bring forward items for future discussion if desired.
9aNoise Ordinance Discussion
Discussion regarding the City of Nowthen's noise ordinance.
Council discussed animal-noise complaints and directed that the issue be reviewed with the city attorney for possible ordinance clarification.
10aBuilding Signs from Extreme Graphic
Purchase and installation of building signs for Historic Town Hall, Recycle Center and Fire Station from Extreme Graphic.
Approved by roll call vote, 5-0.
11Adjourn
Adjournment.
Meeting adjourned by motion; vote was not recorded in the transcript segment.
What this meeting did about specific topics, organized by issue rather than by document.
Agenda approval
The Council approved the meeting agenda as amended, removing consent item 3f, the 2027 CIP and ERP, for separate discussion and a separate vote.
Agenda: 1c. Motions: M2026-06-09-01. Speakers: Mayor Hybben, Council members.
Senator Lucero legislative recap
Senator Eric Lucero gave a public forum recap of the 2026 legislative session, highlighting HOA reform, creation of an Office of Inspector General to address fraud, a failed firearm magazine restriction, and concerns about adult foster care reimbursement cuts.
Agenda: 2. Speakers: Eric Lucero, Council Member Glaser.
Basalt Street dust and possible paving
Stacy Paris asked the Council to address heavy dust and fast traffic on Basalt Street, saying calcium chloride once per year is not enough and submitting paving-related bids. The Mayor said calcium chloride application was coming and asked that formal bid information be sent to the city for review during 2027 budget discussions.
Agenda: 2. Speakers: Stacy Paris, Mayor Hybben.
Election poll pads and post-election review
Derek Lind of the Anoka County Election Integrity Team urged the city to consider post-election review and returning to paper poll pads, citing Oak Grove's dispute with Anoka County and a pending legal challenge. The discussion briefly became partisan before the Mayor stopped the exchange and moved on.
Agenda: 2. Speakers: Derek Lind, Council Member Rainville, Council Member Glaser, Mayor Hybben.
Consent agenda
The Council approved the consent agenda as amended. The consent approval covered prior meeting minutes, claims and the May treasurer's report, three donation resolutions, and release of the Palomino Estates escrow after final invoices.
Agenda: 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3g. Motions: M2026-06-09-02. Speakers: Mayor Hybben, Council members.
Lucky Milliman owl-house Eagle Scout project
Lucky Milliman reported that his Eagle Scout owl-house project was complete, with the houses installed in the park after assistance from Connexus Energy. He said his Eagle Scout paperwork had been submitted and described learning the importance of attention to detail.
Agenda: 4. Speakers: Lucky Milliman, Mayor Hybben, Council Member Swenson.
Fire Department May report
Because Fire Chief Miller was attending a firefighter graduation, the Mayor summarized the written Fire Department report: 17 May calls and a late-summer recruitment campaign aimed at reaching the authorized staffing level of 25 firefighters.
Agenda: 5a. Speakers: Mayor Hybben.
Sheriff's Department May report and Bar None closure
Sergeant Justin Weller reported 106 Sheriff's calls for May, including Bar None calls, medicals, alarms and animal calls. Council members asked about Bar None's expected closure date and requested updates if the June 30 timeline changes.
Agenda: 6a. Speakers: Sergeant Justin Weller, Council Member Rainville, City Clerk Johnson.
19922 Birchwood variance
The Council approved variances for 19922 Birchwood Lane to allow an accessory structure on an outlot without a principal structure and setback variances from Birchwood Lane and County Road 65. The septic issue was described as separate from the structure variance.
Agenda: 7b. Motions: M2026-06-09-04. Speakers: Cindy Nash, Mayor Hybben, Council members.
Viking Estates final plat and development agreement
The Council approved the Viking Estates final plat for 14 residential lots and one outlot and approved the related development agreement. The agreement requires roads and infrastructure, financial security, park dedication fees, and developer escrow.
Agenda: 7c, 7d. Motions: M2026-06-09-05, M2026-06-09-07. Speakers: Cindy Nash, Mayor Hybben, Council Member Rainville.
Old brusher disposal
During the Clerk's update, staff asked how to dispose of an old brusher estimated at $500 to $1,000. The Council voted to send it to auction, preferably Bid-2-Buy, to keep the sale fair and transparent.
Agenda: 8a. Motions: M2026-06-09-03. Speakers: City Clerk Johnson, Council members.
Energy audit for city buildings
The Clerk reported that an energy audit had been requested, with an estimated cost of $50 to $200 per building. Council members supported including the Historic Town Hall, recycling center, fire department and city offices.
Agenda: 8b. Speakers: City Clerk Johnson, Mayor Hybben, Council Member Glaser, Council Member Rainville.
Resident survey results and fiscal reality
The Clerk said resident survey results and a memo were available for council and residents, and the Mayor thanked staff for the written summary. The memo framed residents' preference for rural character, roads and low taxes against the costs of maintaining infrastructure and services.
Agenda: 8c. Speakers: City Clerk Johnson, Mayor Hybben.
Noise ordinance and guinea hen complaint
The Council discussed recurring animal-noise complaints, especially guinea hens audible from a neighboring home. Planner Nash showed existing animal-noise language in the dog chapter and recommended having the city attorney review whether it is enforceable or should be moved or clarified under nuisance provisions.
Agenda: 9a. Speakers: City Clerk Johnson, Cindy Nash, Mayor Hybben, Sergeant Justin Weller, Council Member Rainville, Council Member Glaser.
Building signs for city facilities
The Council approved Extreme Graphic's lower-cost signage proposal for the Historic Town Hall, Fire Station and Recycling Center. The total packet estimate was $2,038, including installation.
Agenda: 10a. Motions: M2026-06-09-09. Speakers: City Clerk Johnson, Mayor Hybben, Council Member Glaser.
2027 CIP and ERP adoption
The Council adopted the 2027 CIP and ERP on a 3-2 vote, with Council Members Glaser and Breyen voting no. The motion included direction for staff to study whether a previously offered farmer's irrigation well could be a feasible, less expensive alternative to the planned city fire-protection well.
Agenda: 3f. Motions: M2026-06-09-08. Speakers: Council Member Glaser, Mayor Hybben, Council Member Rainville, City Clerk Johnson.
9 motions on the record. Split votes are highlighted.
M2026-06-09-01Approve the agenda as amended, removing consent item 3f for separate discussion.
M2026-06-09-02Motion to approve the consent agenda as amended.
M2026-06-09-03Make a motion to send it to auction preferably bid by
M2026-06-09-04I'd like to make a motion to approve the resolution approving a variance for 1992 Birchwood Lane Northwest.
seconded by Mayor Hybben
M2026-06-09-05I would move approval of the resolution um for the final plat.
M2026-06-09-07I would move approval of the resolution for the development agreement for Viking Acres, Viking Estates.
moved by Council Member Rainville
M2026-06-09-08Make a motion to adopt the 2027 CIP and ERP with direction to the city staff of investigating the feasibility of alternatively to the uh proposed well new well uh looking at using a farmer's irrigation well that has been offered to the city previously.
moved by Council member Glazer, seconded by Mayor Hybben
M2026-06-09-09I would move that we approve uh the resolution authorizing the purchase of installation of building signs as presented from historic town hall recycling center and fire station from extreme graphics
moved by Council Member Rainville, seconded by Mayor Hybben
M2026-06-09-10I move to adjourn.
Motion made and seconded; no vote tally recorded in the transcript.
Each figure links back to the document it came from. When the council voted on the amount, the motion is shown.
May 2026 checking account balance
May 31, 2026 treasurer report cash balance.
treasurer_report · Pine River State Bank checking account · FY 2026
$238,648.34
unknown
May 2026 CD balance
May 31, 2026 treasurer report CD balance.
treasurer_report · PMA Financial Network CDs · FY 2026
$1,620,900
unknown
May 2026 money market balance
May 31, 2026 treasurer report money market balance.
treasurer_report · 4M, 4MP & GO Funds money market · FY 2026
$386,763.88
unknown
May 2026 adjusted bank total
Adjusted bank total and Schedule 1 ending balance in the May 2026 Treasurer's Report.
treasurer_report · Adjusted Bank Total · FY 2026
$2,232,703.85
unknown
ERYHA first quarter donation
First quarter 2026 donation from Elk River Youth Hockey Association.
donation · Contributions & Donations fund 230-36230 · FY 2026
$6,939.3
inflow
ARAA first quarter donation
First quarter 2026 donation from Anoka Ramsey Athletic Association.
donation · Contributions & Donations fund 230-36230 · FY 2026
$5,178.53
inflow
Veterans Memorial donation
Resident donations designated for the Nowthen Veterans Memorial.
donation · Nowthen Veterans Memorial · FY 2026
$2,902
inflow
2027 fire protection well bond issue
Planned 2027 bond issue to help pay for a fire protection well.
debt_service · Building/Capital bond issue · FY 2027
$365,000
inflow
New fire protection well
New fire protection well budget impact.
capital_project · Building Improvements · FY 2027
$375,000
outflow
City Hall air conditioner replacement
City Hall air conditioner replacement in the adopted CIP.
capital_project · Building Improvements · FY 2027
$10,000
outflow
Security locks for buildings
Security locks for recycling and fire buildings.
capital_project · Building Improvements · FY 2027
$8,000
outflow
Town Hall and recycling insulation
Improve insulation at Town Hall and Recycling locations.
capital_project · Building Improvements · FY 2027
$10,000
outflow
Town Hall lighting improvement
Town Hall lighting improvement in 2028.
capital_project · Building Improvements · FY 2028
$15,000
outflow
Twin Lakes Park parking lot work
Twin Lakes Park parking lots and drive patch, seal coat and restriping.
capital_project · Park Capital · FY 2027
$100,000
outflow
Twin Lakes fishing pier
Fishing pier replacement at Twin Lakes.
capital_project · Park Capital · FY 2027
$15,000
outflow
Disc golf trails
Disc golf trail improvements.
capital_project · Park Capital · FY 2027
$5,000
outflow
Park security locks
Automatic locking systems at park facilities.
capital_project · Park Capital · FY 2027
$5,000
outflow
Memorial Park parking lot
Memorial Park parking lot work in 2029.
capital_project · Park Capital · FY 2029
$75,000
outflow
2027 road improvement bond issue
Bonds for 2026/2027 road improvements.
debt_service · Road Improvement bond issue · FY 2027
$1,140,000
inflow
2027 road improvement project
2027 Road Improvement Project for Hunters Meadow, Milestone Ponds, Bailey Estates and Prairie Acres.
capital_project · Road Improvement · FY 2027
$520,000
outflow
Additional annual road improvement budget
Annual additional patching or overlay on city streets through 2030.
capital_project · Road Improvement · FY 2027
$120,000
outflow
2027 calcium chloride
2027 calcium chloride application for dirt roads.
capital_project · Road Improvement · FY 2027
$55,000
outflow
2027 equipment bond issue
Equipment fund issue bonds line for 2027.
debt_service · Equipment Fund bond issue · FY 2027
$914,000
inflow
Sterling dump truck replacement
Replacement of 2000 Sterling dump truck.
capital_project · Equipment Replacement · FY 2027
$400,000
outflow
Exmark zero turn replacement
Replacement of 2006 Exmark zero turn mower.
capital_project · Equipment Replacement · FY 2027
$32,000
outflow
SCBA air packs
SCBA air packs for Fire Department.
capital_project · Equipment Replacement · FY 2027
$19,600
outflow
2027 portable radios
2027 portable radios for Fire Department.
capital_project · Equipment Replacement · FY 2027
$10,600
outflow
2027 mobile radios
2027 mobile radios for Fire Department.
capital_project · Equipment Replacement · FY 2027
$5,900
outflow
2027 turnout gear
Turnout gear in 2027.
capital_project · Turnout Gear Fund · FY 2027
$10,000
outflow
Viking Estates letter of credit
Financial security required from the developer under the Viking Estates development agreement.
contract · Viking Estates letter of credit · FY 2026
$979,000
inflow
Viking Estates park and trail dedication fee
Park and trail dedication fee for Viking Estates.
fee · Park and Trail Dedication Fees · FY 2026
$35,000
inflow
Viking Estates developer escrow
Developer escrow account for administrative, legal, engineering and observation costs.
fee · Viking Estates escrow · FY 2026
$30,000
inflow
19922 Birchwood variance amount paid
Amount paid with the 19922 Birchwood variance application.
fee · Variance application escrow/fee · FY 2026
$2,750
inflow
Energy audit estimate low end
Lower end of energy audit cost estimate per building.
estimate · Energy audit estimate · FY 2026
$50
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
Energy audit estimate high end
Upper end of energy audit cost estimate per building.
estimate · Energy audit estimate · FY 2026
$200
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
Extreme Graphic building signs total
Total estimated cost for building signs and installation from Extreme Graphic.
expenditure · Building Improvement Fund 410-41410-520 · FY 2026
$2,038
outflow
Historic Town Hall sign
Historic Town Hall sign from Extreme Graphic.
expenditure · Building Improvement Fund 410-41410-520 · FY 2026
$1,460
outflow
Fire Station sign
Fire Station sign from Extreme Graphic.
expenditure · Building Improvement Fund 410-41410-520 · FY 2026
$289
outflow
Recycling Center sign
Recycling Center sign from Extreme Graphic.
expenditure · Building Improvement Fund 410-41410-520 · FY 2026
$289
outflow
Old brusher estimated value low end
Staff's lower estimate of value for old brusher sent to auction.
asset_value · Old brush cutter estimated sale value · FY 2026
$500
inflow
Old brusher estimated value high end
Staff's upper estimate of value for old brusher sent to auction.
asset_value · Old brush cutter estimated sale value · FY 2026
$1,000
inflow
When someone tried to remember earlier business, we cross-reference the corpus and write a short related-history note.
I have not been satisfied with the uh the lack of response. I don't think there was any response to my question about adding the option of is the uh the previous offer to utilize a a farmer's um pivot um to uh uh give us a a potentially a less expensive option to provide high volume water for the sake of fighting structure fires.
— Council Member Glaser
What this is about
Possible prior offer of a farmer's irrigation well as an alternative fire-fighting water source.
The resolver has not run for this cue, or the search did not find a strong match in the corpus.
When Vie was living there, a request was made to the City of Nowthen to remove the old barn for safety reasons.
— Concerned
What this is about
Prior city request to remove the old barn on the Birchwood outlot, raised by a public comment letter for the variance.
The resolver has not run for this cue, or the search did not find a strong match in the corpus.
Everyone that reached out were consistently told that the area across the road was unbuildable due to existing restrictions.
— Concerned
What this is about
Neighbors recalled being told the Birchwood outlot was unbuildable when the property was for sale.
The resolver has not run for this cue, or the search did not find a strong match in the corpus.
A few years back many of us previously called about the dilapidated barn and the lakeside structure as serious safety hazards-both as structural risks to exploring local children and as magnets for pests.
— A Neighbor
What this is about
Prior resident complaints about the Birchwood barn and lakeside structure as safety hazards.
The resolver has not run for this cue, or the search did not find a strong match in the corpus.
At some point in time no properties ended up being zoned long-term agricultural anymore. So we have this situation where your agricultural properties are in the same zoning district as your platted residential neighborhoods as well.
— Cindy Nash
What this is about
The history of Nowthen's agricultural zoning categories and current RRA zoning.
The resolver has not run for this cue, or the search did not find a strong match in the corpus.
we had talked um and Miss Johnson, you were going to set this up so we could fix this. Um, and the issue was so for the final plat going back to uh the planning and zoning. Um, and I know Miss Nash, you talked a little bit about this, we could bring them right to council and it could take uh 30 days off this timeline
— Mayor Hybben
What this is about
Prior request to streamline final plats by avoiding a return to Planning and Zoning Commission.
The resolver has not run for this cue, or the search did not find a strong match in the corpus.
Every document and recording archived for this meeting.
June 9, 2026 City Council Packet
Packet · 2026-06-09
211 pages
June 9, 2026 Agenda
Agenda · 2026-06-09
1 pages
Public Forum Information - Basalt Blacktop
Document · 2026-06-09
5 pages
June 9, 2026 Packet
Packet · 2026-06-09
211 pages
Public Forum Information - Elections
Document · 2026-06-09
10 pages
Meeting recording
YouTube
Transcript · 542 segments · 1:20:03
The structured brief on this page is auto-generated and may need correction. The PDFs and the meeting recording remain the official record.