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Tuesday, December 9, 2025
One-line summary
The Council adopted the 2026 budget and levy, approved the amended consent agenda and pulled consent items, accepted the 2026 overlay feasibility report, approved 2026 staff wage increases, postponed payroll-service review, and directed enforcement action for 8704 190th Avenue NW.
21 items as recorded in the packet and minutes.
1Call to Order
Call to Order; Pledge of Allegiance; Roll Call; Approve Agenda
Agenda approved as amended by moving consent items 4B, 4F, and 4G to New Business 8C, 8D, and 8E.
2Public Forum
Public Forum
No citizens spoke; the mayor also presented a certificate of appreciation to Deputy Matthew Hoef's.
3Public Hearing on Budget and Property Taxes
Public Hearing on Budget and Property Taxes
The public hearing was held with no public comment; the 2026 budget and 2025 levy collectible in 2026 were adopted by separate 4-1 votes.
4aApproval of November 17, November 18, and November 26, 2025, City Council Meeting Minutes
Approval of November 17, November 18, and November 26, 2025, City Council Meeting Minutes.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
4bApproval of Claims and Treasurer's Report
Approval of Claims from November 11 to December 3 and Treasurer's Report for November 2025.
Moved to New Business 8C and approved with items 4F and 4G.
4cRenew Farmers Market License
Approval of Resolution 2025-XX Renewing the Farmers Market License.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
4dSSTS Ordinance Repealing and Replacing Chapter 9 Section 3
Approval of SSTS Ordinance 2025-XX Repealing and Replacing Chapter 9 Section 3 of the City Code, and Summary Publication.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
4ePlanning and Zoning Monthly Report
Receive and File Planning and Zoning Monthly Report.
Received and filed as part of the amended consent agenda.
4fPlanning and Zoning Annual Rate Increase
Approval of Planning and Zoning Annual Rate Increase.
Moved to New Business 8C and approved with items 4B and 4G.
4gAttorney Services Annual Rate Increase
Approval of Attorney Services Annual Rate Increase.
Moved to New Business 8C and approved with items 4B and 4F.
4hAppoint Planning and Zoning Commissioners Kelly Pearo and Martin Bies
Approval of Resolution 2025-XX Appointing Planning and Zoning Commissioners Kelly Pearo and Martin Bies.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
4iFee Schedule Amendment for Building Department and Recycling
Approval of Ordinance 2025-XX Amending the Fee Schedule for Building Department and Recycling and Summary Publication.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
4jRemove a Committee Member from the Veterans Memorial Committee
Approval of Resolution 2025-XX Removing a Committee Member from the Veterans Memorial Committee.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
5aEngineering 2026 Annual Rate Increase
Approval of 2026 Annual Rate Increase.
The minutes record a presentation and discussion of the 2026 engineering billing rates but do not record a separate motion on this item.
5b2026 Overlay Project Feasibility Report
Approval of Resolution 2025-XX Approving the 2026 Overlay Project Feasibility Report.
Resolution 2025-126 was approved and the public improvement hearing was scheduled for January 13, 2026.
6aFire Department Monthly Report
Fire Department Monthly Report.
Monthly report received; no motion recorded.
7aSheriff's Department Monthly Report
Sheriff's Department Monthly Report.
Monthly report received; no motion recorded.
8aDistribution of COLA and Merit Increases Effective January 1, 2026
Approval of Resolution 2025-XX Approval of Distribution of COLA and MERIT increases be effective January 1, 2026.
Resolution 2025-127 was approved.
8bPayroll Service for the City
Discuss RCA and Resolution regarding Payroll Service for the City of Nowthen.
The item was postponed to 2027 for additional research and future budget-season review.
9aClosed Session on Potential Litigation at 8704 190th Avenue NW
Closed session with City Attorney pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 13D.05, subd. 3(b) to discuss potential litigation regarding zoning, septic, nuisance and building code violations at 8704 190th Avenue NW, Nowthen, Minnesota 55303.
After the closed-session item, the council directed the City Clerk to send a letter serving a summons and complaint based on ordinance violations.
10Adjourn
Adjourn
The minutes record a motion to recess the meeting to December 16, 2025, but do not record a vote or outcome for that motion; the minutes also state the meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
What this meeting did about specific topics, organized by issue rather than by document.
2026 budget and levy
The council held the budget and property-tax hearing, received no public comments, and adopted both the 2026 budget and the 2025 levy collectible in 2026. The final levy was $2,332,787 after an $8,645 reduction from the Truth in Taxation amount, and the budget used fund balance for items including equipment, turnout gear, debt service, a weather siren, operating expenses, contingency, and public works training.
Agenda: 3. Motions: M-2025-12-09-01, M-2025-12-09-02. Speakers: Financial Consultant Yager, Council Member Swenson, Council Member Glaser, City Clerk Johnson, Council Member Breyen, Mayor Hybben.
Consent agenda approvals
The amended consent agenda approved prior meeting minutes, the 2026 Farmers Market license renewal, the SSTS ordinance and summary publication, receipt of the Planning and Zoning monthly report, reappointment of Kelly Pearo and Martin Bies to Planning and Zoning, the building and recycling fee schedule amendment, and removal of Julia Gustafson from the Veterans Memorial Renovation Committee.
Agenda: 4a, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4h, 4i, 4j. Motions: M-2025-12-09-03. Speakers: Council Member Breyen, Mayor Hybben.
Claims, treasurer report, and consultant rate increases
Items 4B, 4F, and 4G were pulled from consent for questions and then approved together. Discussion covered a safety-footwear reimbursement, legal costs tied to a personnel issue, the attorney rate increase, and the planning services rate increase; the treasurer report showed an adjusted bank total of $1,598,273.25.
Agenda: 4b, 4f, 4g. Motions: M-2025-12-09-07. Speakers: Council Member Glaser, City Clerk Johnson, Attorney Ruppe.
2026 overlay project and engineering rates
Engineer Nelson presented the 2026 engineering billing rates and the feasibility report for the 2026 overlay project. The council approved Resolution 2025-126 receiving the feasibility report and calling a public hearing, with the project covering several roughly 20-year-old road areas and using special assessments for benefiting properties.
Agenda: 5a, 5b. Motions: M-2025-12-09-05. Speakers: Engineer Nelson, Council Member Glaser, Council Member Rainville.
Fire and Sheriff's monthly reports
The Fire Department report covered November call activity, 2026 training planning, and firefighter hiring. The Sheriff's report covered 134 November calls for service, including Bar None incidents, and Lieutenant Bangerter said he would provide more detail later on how much of the city’s crime statistics are related to Bar None.
Agenda: 6a, 7a. Speakers: Mayor Hybben, Lieutenant Bangerter, Council Member Swenson, Council Member Glaser.
2026 employee wage increases
The council approved the recommended 2026 wage increases for City staff, effective January 1, 2026, to avoid later backpay calculations. The packet resolution described a 4% wage increase for Public Works and Administration staff to be distributed at the City Clerk’s discretion and a $1.00 per hour increase for recycling center employees.
Agenda: 8a. Motions: M-2025-12-09-06. Speakers: City Clerk Johnson, Council Member Swenson.
Payroll service review
The payroll service item was not ready for action because the City Clerk had not received all requested information. She asked to postpone the topic to 2027, conduct more research, and revisit it during the next budget season.
Agenda: 8b. Speakers: City Clerk Johnson.
8704 190th Avenue NW ordinance enforcement
The council went into the closed-session item to discuss potential litigation regarding zoning, septic, nuisance, and building code violations at 8704 190th Avenue NW. Afterward, the council voted to have the City Clerk send a letter serving a summons and complaint based on ordinance violations, then moved to recess the meeting to December 16, 2025.
Agenda: 9a, 10. Motions: M-2025-12-09-08, M-2025-12-09-09. Speakers: Mayor Hybben, Council Member Rainville, Council Member Breyen.
9 motions on the record. Split votes are highlighted.
M-2025-12-09-00TO APPROVE AGENDA AS AMENDED WITH MOVING ITEMS 4B, 4F, AND 4G TO NEW BUSINESS 8C, 8D, AND 8E.
moved by Council Member Breyen, seconded by Council Member Rainville
5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
M-2025-12-09-01TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2025-121 ADOPTING THE BUDGET FOR THE YEAR 2026.
moved by Council Member Rainville, seconded by Council Member Glaser
M-2025-12-09-02TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2025-122 ADOPTING THE LEVY FOR THE YEAR 2025, APPLICABLE IN 2026.
moved by Council Member Rainville, seconded by Mayor Hybben
M-2025-12-09-03TO APPROVE THE AMENDED CONSENT AGENDA.
moved by Council Member Breyen, seconded by Mayor Hybben
5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
M-2025-12-09-05TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2025-126 RECEIVING THE FEASIBILITY REPORT AND CALLING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON SAID IMPROVEMENT.
moved by Council Member Breyen, seconded by Council Member Glaser
5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
M-2025-12-09-06TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION APPROVING THE RECOMMENDED WAGE INCREASES FOR 2026 FOR THE STAFF OF THE CITY OF NOWTHEN.
moved by Council Member Rainville, seconded by Council Member Swenson
5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
M-2025-12-09-07TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS B, F, AND G.
moved by Council Member Breyen, seconded by Council Member Glaser
5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
M-2025-12-09-08TO REQUEST THAT THE CITY CLERK SEND A LETTER TO THE RESIDENT OF 8704 190TH AVENUE NW, NOWTHEN, MINNESOTA 55330 SERVING A SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT BASED ON ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS.
moved by Council Member Rainville, seconded by Council Member Breyen
5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED
M-2025-12-09-09TO RECESS THE DECEMBER 9, 2025 MEETING TO DECEMBER 16, 2025 AT THE HISTORIC TOWN HALL.
moved by Council Member Rainville, seconded by Council Member Breyen
Each figure links back to the document it came from. When the council voted on the amount, the motion is shown.
2026 final levy
Final levy amount adopted for taxes payable in 2026.
levy · 2026 total levy · FY 2026
$2,332,787
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Levy reduction after debt results
Reduction from the Truth in Taxation notice amount after favorable debt results.
levy · Levy reduction · FY 2026
$8,645
unknown
General fund levy increase
Increase in general fund levy included in the adopted levy discussion.
levy · General fund operating levy increase · FY 2026
$17,515
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Debt levy increase
Increase in debt service levy included in the adopted levy discussion.
levy · Debt service levy increase · FY 2026
$185,906
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2026 budget total appropriations
Total 2026 governmental fund appropriations adopted in the budget resolution.
budget · Governmental funds total · FY 2026
$4,386,005
outflow
2026 General Fund budget
General Fund appropriation in the 2026 adopted budget.
budget · General Fund · FY 2026
$2,827,765
outflow
2026 Recycling budget
Recycling appropriation in the 2026 adopted budget.
budget · Recycling · FY 2026
$70,645
outflow
2026 Gambling Contribution budget
Gambling Contribution appropriation in the 2026 adopted budget.
budget · Gambling Contribution · FY 2026
$50,000
outflow
2026 Debt Service budget
Debt Service appropriation in the 2026 adopted budget.
debt_service · Debt Service · FY 2026
$488,413
outflow
2026 Park Capital budget
Park Capital appropriation in the 2026 adopted budget.
capital_project · Park Capital · FY 2026
$25,000
outflow
2026 Turn Out Gear Capital budget
Turn Out Gear Capital appropriation in the 2026 adopted budget.
capital_project · Turn Out Gear Capital · FY 2026
$25,000
outflow
2026 Building Improvement Capital budget
Building Improvement Capital appropriation in the 2026 adopted budget.
capital_project · Building Improvement Capital · FY 2026
$47,007
outflow
2026 Street Renewal Capital budget
Street Renewal Capital appropriation in the 2026 adopted budget.
capital_project · Street Renewal Capital · FY 2026
$734,175
outflow
2026 Equipment Replacement budget
Equipment Replacement appropriation in the 2026 adopted budget.
capital_project · Equipment Replacement · FY 2026
$118,000
outflow
2026 General Fund balance use
General fund balance use listed in the budget presentation.
budget · General Fund Balance Use · FY 2026
$406,380
outflow
Weather siren purchase and installation
Fund balance use for weather siren purchase and installation.
capital_project · Weather siren · FY 2026
$40,460
outflow
Public works training allocation
Public works training budget discussed during the budget hearing.
budget · Public works training · FY 2026
$9,350
outflow
Leadership course high-end estimate
Potential per-person cost for leadership courses discussed during the budget hearing.
estimate · Leadership course estimate · FY 2026
$3,000
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
Leadership course low-end estimate
Potential per-person cost for leadership courses discussed during the budget hearing.
estimate · Leadership course estimate · FY 2026
$900
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
Typical homeowner annual city taxes
Estimated annual city taxes for an average Nowthen homeowner under the new tax rate.
levy · Typical homeowner city taxes · FY 2026
$1,073
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Typical homeowner annual increase
Estimated annual increase in city taxes for a typical homeowner.
levy · Typical homeowner tax increase · FY 2026
$100
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Typical homeowner monthly increase
Estimated monthly increase in city taxes for a typical homeowner.
levy · Typical homeowner monthly tax increase · FY 2026
$8.35
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Checking account balance
Pine River State Bank checking account balance as of November 30, 2025.
treasurer_report · Treasurer's Report · FY 2025
$472,841.17
unknown
CD fixed income balance
PMA Financial Network CDs Fixed Income balance as of November 30, 2025.
treasurer_report · Treasurer's Report · FY 2025
$1,158,700
unknown
Money market fund balance
4M, 4MP and GO Funds money market balance as of November 30, 2025.
treasurer_report · Treasurer's Report · FY 2025
$9,026.17
unknown
Adjusted bank total
Adjusted bank total and Schedule 1 ending balance.
treasurer_report · Treasurer's Report · FY 2025
$1,598,273.25
unknown
Farmers Market license total due
Total due for 2026 Minnesota Grown labeling license and directory listing for Nowthen Farmers Market.
license · Farmers Market license renewal · FY 2026
$65
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Minnesota Grown Labeling License fee
Required Minnesota Grown Labeling License fee.
license · Farmers Market license renewal · FY 2026
$25
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Minnesota Grown directory listing fee
Optional Direct to Consumer Directory Listing fee for Nowthen Farmers Market.
license · Farmers Market directory listing · FY 2026
$40
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Collaborative Planning hourly rate in packet
Packet letter from Collaborative Planning stating the 2026 hourly rate.
contract · Planning services hourly rate · FY 2026
$143
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Collaborative Planning hourly rate in minutes
Minutes statement of the Collaborative Planning rate increase.
contract · Planning services hourly rate · FY 2026
$144
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Attorney general hourly rate
General city legal work hourly rate approved with the attorney services annual rate increase.
contract · Attorney general hourly rate · FY 2026
$240
outflow
Attorney development hourly rate
Development work hourly rate approved with the attorney services annual rate increase.
contract · Attorney development hourly rate · FY 2026
$270
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Electronics recycling fee for cellphones, landlines, and clocks
Recommended customer recycling charge for cellphones, landlines, and clocks.
fee · Recycling fee schedule · FY 2026
$10
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City cost for electronics recycling items
City cost to recycle cellphones, landlines, and clocks.
expenditure · Recycling vendor cost · FY 2026
$5
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Minimum FMT permit fee
Minimum fee for permits under the Fee Multiplier Table.
fee · Building fee schedule · FY 2026
$125
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Building permit technology fee
Technology fee per permit in the adopted building fee schedule.
fee · Building fee schedule · FY 2026
$10
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SSTS Type I, II, or III permit fee
SSTS Type I, II, or III new or replacement fee.
permit · SSTS fee schedule · FY 2026
$450
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SSTS operating permit annual fee
Annual SSTS operating permit fee.
permit · SSTS fee schedule · FY 2026
$200
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SSTS maintenance permit fee
SSTS maintenance permit fee.
permit · SSTS fee schedule · FY 2026
$20
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City Engineer reduced hourly rate
Hakanson Anderson 2026 municipal billing rate for City Engineer reduced rate.
contract · Engineering rate schedule · FY 2026
$153
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
Principal Engineer standard hourly rate
Hakanson Anderson 2026 municipal billing rate for Principal Engineer standard rate.
contract · Engineering rate schedule · FY 2026
$180
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
2026 Overlay Project total estimated cost
Total estimated project cost for the bituminous overlay improvement.
capital_project · 2026 Overlay Project · FY 2026
$462,800
outflow
Overlay repair costs paid in full by City
Budgetary repair costs proposed to be paid in full by the City.
capital_project · 2026 Overlay Project city-paid repairs · FY 2026
$128,000
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Estimated total assessment share
Fifty percent of improvement costs proposed to be assessed to benefiting properties.
assessment · 2026 Overlay Project assessments · FY 2026
$231,400
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Overlay per-parcel assessment / St. Francis fair share
Estimated per-unit assessment and proposed City of St. Francis contribution for one benefited unit.
assessment · 2026 Overlay Project per-unit assessment · FY 2026
$3,560
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Nowthen benefiting-property assessment total
Total estimated cost to be assessed to benefiting properties within Nowthen.
assessment · 2026 Overlay Project Nowthen assessments · FY 2026
$227,840
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City of Nowthen overlay cost share
Total estimated cost to be paid by the City of Nowthen for the overlay project.
capital_project · 2026 Overlay Project City of Nowthen share · FY 2026
$359,400
outflow
Recycling center employee hourly increase
Hourly increase for recycling center employees included in the wage resolution.
salary · Recycling center employee wage increase · FY 2026
$1
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ADP Complete Plus biweekly net price quote
ADP Complete Plus net price per biweekly billing cycle; item was postponed and not approved.
estimate · ADP payroll proposal · FY 2026
$119.82
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
ADP annual W2 fee quote
ADP annual W2 fee quote; item was postponed and not approved.
estimate · ADP payroll proposal · FY 2026
$126.5
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
Approximate personnel legal costs
Approximate legal cost questioned by Council Member Glaser; exact amount was not stated in the minutes.
invoice · Personnel legal costs · FY 2025
$4,000
outflow
When someone tried to remember earlier business, we cross-reference the corpus and write a short related-history note.
She explained that the City Council held four meetings between July and November to discuss and plan for the 2026 budget.
— Financial Consultant Yager
What this is about
Budget planning history for the 2026 budget and levy.
The resolver has not run for this cue, or the search did not find a strong match in the corpus.
Council Member Breyen noted challenges with the budget process, particularly the addition of items after the preliminary budget discussions, which resulted in using more fund balance than initially planned. He suggested improving the planning process for the 2027 budget.
— Council Member Breyen
What this is about
Council Member Breyen recalled problems with the earlier 2026 budget process and suggested improving the 2027 planning process.
The resolver has not run for this cue, or the search did not find a strong match in the corpus.
In the past 3 years, the annual increases have not been distributed before January 1. For 2026, staff requests the approval of increases to be effective January 1, 2026, instead of having to backpay at a later date.
— City Clerk Johnson
What this is about
Past timing of employee annual increases and backpay.
The resolver has not run for this cue, or the search did not find a strong match in the corpus.
Regarding the footwear, City Clerk Johnson confirmed that the city has always paid for safety footwear as safety is very important.
— City Clerk Johnson
What this is about
Past city practice of paying for safety footwear.
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.
The structured brief on this page is auto-generated and may need correction. The PDFs and the meeting recording remain the official record.