Agenda spine

6 items as recorded in the packet and minutes.

1. 1Call to Order

   Call to order, roll call, and approval of the agenda.

   minutes not available in this bundle

   • meeting administration

   Outcome unrecorded
   p. 1↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)1\. Call to Order · Roll Call · Approve Agenda

2. 2Consent Agenda

   Consent agenda listed no items.

   minutes not available in this bundle

   • meeting administration

   Outcome unrecorded
   p. 1↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)2\. Consent Agenda None

3. 3AApproval of resolution naming the Nowthen City Administrator

   Consider a resolution naming Scott Lehner as Nowthen City Administrator and authorizing the mayor to execute the employment agreement.

   minutes not available in this bundle

   • Scott Lehner city administrator appointment

   Outcome unrecorded
   p. 1↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)a). Approval of Resolution 2022-xx Naming the Nowthen City Administrator and Authorizing the Mayor to Execute the Employment Agreement on Behalf of the Cityp. 2↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)TITLE OF ISSUE: CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 2022-XX NAMING SCOTT LEHNER THE NOWTHEN CITY ADMINISTRATOR EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1, 2022, AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY

4. 3BApproval of resolution authorizing B2B grant application

   Consider a resolution authorizing submission of a Border-to-Border broadband grant application to extend service to additional Nowthen properties.

   minutes not available in this bundle

   • Twin Lakes broadband grant application

   Outcome unrecorded
   p. 1↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)b). Approval of Resolution 2022-xx Authorizing the Submission of a B2B Grant Application to Extend Broadband to serve 85 Additional Properties within the city of Nowthenp. 5↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION: Motion and Second to adopt Resolution 2022-xx Authorizing the Submission of a B2B Grant Application to extend Broadband to serve an additional eighty-five homes in the Twin Lakes Area of Nowthen. There is no guarantee that Arvig and the city will be successful in this grant attempt.

5. 3C2023 Budget Study Session I

   Study session on the proposed 2023 budget.

   minutes not available in this bundle

   • 2023 budget study session

   Outcome unrecorded
   p. 1↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)c) 2023 Budget Study Session Ip. 14↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)Re: Proposed 2023 Budget worksession Attached please find the 2023 proposed budget prepared by staff and the consultant to assist the council in preparing its' budget for 2023. Action Requested: Review and amend attached proposed 2023 budget.

6. 4Adjourn

   Adjournment.

   minutes not available in this bundle

   • meeting administration

   Outcome unrecorded
   p. 1↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)4\. Adjourn

Issues addressed

What this meeting did about specific topics, organized by issue rather than by document.

• Scott Lehner city administrator appointment

  The packet asked the council to consider a resolution naming Scott Lehner as Nowthen City Administrator effective August 1, 2022, and authorizing the mayor to sign the employment agreement. The packet says a $97,000 annual starting salary had been negotiated, with a six-month performance evaluation and salary review. Because no minutes were included, the actual action taken is not confirmed in this bundle.

  Agenda: 3A. Speakers: Interim City Administrator, Mayor Pilon, Council Member Blake, Scott Lehner.

• Twin Lakes broadband grant application

  The packet asked the council to support a B2B broadband grant application with Arvig to extend service in the Twin Lakes area. The project was estimated at $549,317.50, split among Arvig, the State of Minnesota, and the City of Nowthen, with the city share expected to use county internet underserved-city funds. The packet also notes citywide broadband service would cost $14 million or more. Because no minutes were included, the actual action taken is not confirmed in this bundle.

  Agenda: 3B. Speakers: Interim City Administrator, Mayor Pilon, Arvig.

• 2023 budget study session

  The packet presented a proposed 2023 budget for council review and amendment. Major figures included a $65,495 general fund levy increase, $2,026,830 in proposed general fund revenues, $2,258,375 in proposed general fund expenditures and uses, and a projected $231,545 decrease in general fund balance. Other proposed items included debt service, recycling, park, road, building, and equipment projects. Because no minutes were included, no final budget direction or amendments are confirmed in this bundle.

  Agenda: 3C. Speakers: Lori Yager, RTY Consulting, Interim City Administrator, Deputy Finance Clerk.

Money discussed

Each figure links back to the document it came from. When the council voted on the amount, the motion is shown.

• city_administrator_starting_salary

  Negotiated starting salary for Scott Lehner as city administrator.

  salary · City administrator starting salary · FY 2022

  $97,000

  outflow

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 2↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)A starting salary of $97,000 per annum has been negotiated with a performance evaluation and salary review in six months.

• citywide_broadband_estimate

  Estimated cost to extend broadband service to the whole community.

  estimate · Estimated citywide broadband cost

  $14,000,000

  unknown

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 5↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)Council members also acknowledged that the cost of serving the entire community was $14 million or more so accomplishment of this objective would require a long-term effort.

• twin_lakes_broadband_total_cost

  Total estimated cost of the proposed broadband extension.

  capital_project · Twin Lakes broadband project total · FY 2022

  $549,317.5

  unknown

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 5↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)SOURCE OF FUNDING: The total cost of the project is $549,317.50. Arvig would pay 30% or $164,795.25, the State 40% or $219,727.00 and the city 30% or $164,795.25.

• arvig_broadband_share

  Arvig's proposed 30 percent share of the broadband project cost.

  capital_project · Arvig broadband share · FY 2022

  $164,795.25

  unknown

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 5↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)Arvig would pay 30% or $164,795.25, the State 40% or $219,727.00 and the city 30% or $164,795.25.

• state_broadband_share

  State of Minnesota proposed 40 percent share of the broadband project cost.

  grant · State broadband share · FY 2022

  $219,727

  inflow

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 5↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)Arvig would pay 30% or $164,795.25, the State 40% or $219,727.00 and the city 30% or $164,795.25.

• nowthen_broadband_share

  City of Nowthen proposed 30 percent share of the broadband project cost.

  capital_project · City broadband share · FY 2022

  $164,795.25

  outflow

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 5↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)Arvig would pay 30% or $164,795.25, the State 40% or $219,727.00 and the city 30% or $164,795.25.p. 8↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)City of Nowthen (Company, City Council, County Board, etc.) is committing funds not to exceed $ 164,795.25 or 30 % of the total estimated project costs.

• county_internet_underserved_city_setaside

  County funds identified as the source for the city's broadband match.

  grant · County internet set-aside · FY 2022

  $150,000

  inflow

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 5↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)City funds would be drawn from the $150,000 set aside by the county for each internet underserved city in the county.

• general_fund_levy_change

  Proposed 2023 general fund levy increase.

  levy · General fund levy change · FY 2023

  $65,495

  inflow

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 15↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)Levy - general fund $ 65,495

• general_fund_total_revenue_change

  Total proposed change in general fund revenues.

  budget · General fund total revenue change · FY 2023

  $93,415

  inflow

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 15↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)Transfers In - Use of fund balance $ 1,065 $ 93,415

• general_fund_total_expenditure_change

  Total proposed change in general fund expenditures.

  budget · General fund total expenditure change · FY 2023

  $324,960

  outflow

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 15↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)Transfer out $ 2,500 $ 324,960

• salary_benefits_change

  Proposed 2023 general fund salary and benefits increase.

  salary · Salary and benefits change · FY 2023

  $120,440

  outflow

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 15↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)Salary & benefits $ 120,440

• law_enforcement_contract_change

  Proposed 2023 increase in the law enforcement contract.

  contract · Law enforcement contract change · FY 2023

  $37,850

  outflow

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 15↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)Law enforcement contract $ 37,850

• sheriffs_contract_2023_budget

  Proposed 2023 budget amount for the sheriff's contract.

  contract · Sheriff's contract 2023 budget · FY 2023

  $411,835

  outflow

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 21↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)Sheriff's Contract Printing, Utilities & Professional Serv. 249,080 248,607 324,085 373,985 411,835 37,850 10.12%

• general_fund_2023_total_revenues

  Proposed 2023 total general fund revenues.

  budget · General fund 2023 revenues · FY 2023

  $2,026,830

  inflow

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 16↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)TOTAL REVENUES 2,290,808 2,289,805 1,933,415 2,026,830 4.8%

• general_fund_2023_total_expenditures_uses

  Proposed 2023 total general fund expenditures and financing uses.

  budget · General fund 2023 expenditures and uses · FY 2023

  $2,258,375

  outflow

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 16↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)TOTAL EXPENDITURES & USES 1,692,380 1,881,521 1,933,415 2,258,375 16.8%

• general_fund_2023_change_in_fund_balance

  Projected 2023 change in general fund balance.

  budget · General fund balance change · FY 2023

  $-231,545

  unknown

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 16↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)CHANGE IN FUND BALANCE 598,428 408,284 (231,545)

• debt_service_levy_change

  Proposed 2023 debt service levy increase.

  levy · Debt service levy change · FY 2023

  $53,700

  inflow

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 15↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)Levy - debt service $ 53,700

• debt_service_expenditure_change

  Proposed 2023 increase in debt service expenditures.

  debt_service · Debt service expenditure change · FY 2023

  $190,608

  outflow

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 15↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)Debt Service $ 190,608

• debt_service_2023_total_expenditures

  Proposed 2023 total debt service expenditures.

  debt_service · Debt service 2023 expenditures · FY 2023

  $446,838

  outflow

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 33↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)TOTAL EXPENDITURES 172,675 267,283 280,980 256,230 446,838 190,608 74.39%

• recycling_expenditure_change

  Proposed 2023 increase in recycling expenditures.

  budget · Recycling expenditure change · FY 2023

  $16,280

  outflow

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 15↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)Recycling $ 16,280

• park_improvements_change

  Proposed 2023 reduction in park improvements spending compared with the prior budget.

  capital_project · Park improvements change · FY 2023

  $-70,000

  outflow

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 15↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)Park improvements $ (70,000)

• memorial_park_twin_lakes

  Proposed 2023 park improvement item for Memorial Park/Twin Lakes.

  capital_project · Memorial Park/Twin Lakes · FY 2023

  $30,000

  outflow

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 34↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)Memorial Park/Twin Lakes $ 30,000

• building_improvements_change

  Proposed 2023 increase for building improvements.

  capital_project · Building improvements change · FY 2023

  $95,000

  outflow

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 15↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)Builing improvements $ 95,000

• new_well

  Proposed 2023 building improvement item for a new well.

  capital_project · New well · FY 2023

  $175,000

  outflow

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 34↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)New Well $ 175,000

• council_chamber_improvement

  Proposed 2023 building improvement item for council chamber improvement.

  capital_project · Council chamber improvement · FY 2023

  $75,000

  outflow

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 34↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)Council Chamber Improvement $ 75,000

• street_improvements_change

  Proposed 2023 reduction in street improvements listed in the summary of other funds.

  capital_project · Street improvements change · FY 2023

  $-27,280

  outflow

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 15↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)Street improvments $ (27,280)

• street_project_2023

  Proposed 2023 road improvement fund item for the 2023 Street Project.

  capital_project · 2023 Street Project · FY 2023

  $781,720

  outflow

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 35↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)2023 Street Project $ 781,720

• petersons_pond_view

  Road improvement fund project amount listed for Petersons Pond View.

  capital_project · Petersons Pond View · FY 2023

  $56,350

  outflow

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 35↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)Petersons Pond View $ 56,350

• commercial_park_road_project

  Road improvement fund project amount listed for Commercial Park.

  capital_project · Commercial Park · FY 2023

  $285,000

  outflow

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 35↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)Commercial Park $ 285,000

• equipment_fund_change

  Proposed 2023 decrease in equipment fund expenditures.

  capital_project · Equipment fund change · FY 2023

  $-736,570

  outflow

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 15↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)Equipment fund $ (736,570)

• portable_radios

  Proposed equipment replacement item for portable radios.

  capital_project · Portable radios · FY 2023

  $15,000

  outflow

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 36↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)Portable Radios 15,000

• turnout_gear

  Proposed equipment replacement item for turnout gear.

  capital_project · Turnout gear · FY 2023

  $22,500

  outflow

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 36↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)Turnout Gear 22,500

• balance_of_tanker

  Proposed equipment replacement item for balance of tanker.

  capital_project · Balance of tanker · FY 2023

  $40,500

  outflow

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 36↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)Balance of Tanker 40,500

Memory cues and prior history

When someone tried to remember earlier business, we cross-reference the corpus and write a short related-history note.

• On October 30, 2021, the city's administrative staff resigned in unison. On November 1, 2021, the city council retained an interim city administrator and hired two administrative employees in mid-November of 2021. The three have been attending to city affairs ever since.

  — Interim City Administrator

  What this is about
  The packet recalls the October 2021 resignation of city administrative staff and the interim staffing arrangement that followed, as background for hiring a permanent city administrator.

  p. 2↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)On October 30, 2021, the city's administrative staff resigned in unison. On November 1, 2021, the city council retained an interim city administrator and hired two administrative employees in mid-November of 2021. The three have been attending to city affairs ever since.

  Related history

  The records I searched do not contain a prior meeting record or decision matching this recollection about the October 30, 2021 administrative staff resignations, the November 1, 2021 retention of an interim city administrator, or the mid-November 2021 hiring of two administrative employees. The search results include later administrative staffing material, such as a September 29, 2025 packet item recommending hire of a part-time receptionist, but they do not document the 2021 interim staffing arrangement or any vote related to hiring a permanent city administrator.

  • ·Jan 13, 2026<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="103" --> This page was left intentionally blank. <!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber=
  • ·Oct 28, 2025<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="8" --> 6\. Section 11-3-8 D.9 of the Zoning Ordinance permits the sale of Lower Pote
  • ·Dec 23, 2025<!-- PageBreak --> 9 From: Cindy Nash - Collab Planning Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2025 11:04 AM To: 'Shane Nelson' <
  • ·Dec 23, 2025<!-- PageBreak --> <figure> <!-- PageNumber="32" --> </figure> platted lots and the request is to create not more than t
  • ·Mar 10, 2026<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="298" --> application shall be submitted to the Planning & Zoning Commission for thei

• Earlier this year the city council concurred that its highest priority was to hire a new, long term city administrator utilizing a professional firm.

  — Interim City Administrator

  What this is about
  The packet recalls earlier 2022 council priority-setting and the decision to hire a long-term city administrator using a professional firm.

  p. 2↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)Earlier this year the city council concurred that its highest priority was to hire a new, long term city administrator utilizing a professional firm.

  Related history

  The records I searched do not contain a prior 2022 priority-setting decision matching the recollection that Council formally made hiring a long-term city administrator its highest priority and decided to use a professional firm. The closest match is later: at the February 11, 2025 meeting packet, Consultant Frank Boyles presented an item on assisting the City Council with hiring a full-time City Administrator. The memo said the City had operated for more than two years as a statutory “A” City Administrator city and outlined options for recruitment, including using a human resources/professional firm. The excerpt recommends against conducting the search entirely in-house, but the search results provided do not show a recorded vote, selected firm, or dollar amount.

  • ·May 12, 2026<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="183" --> # City of Nowthen Emerging Issues ## Accounting Standard Update - GASB Stat
  • ·Feb 10, 2026<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="188" --> <!-- PageHeader="BERGLUND, BAUMGARTNER & GLASER, LLC" --> Paul D. Baertschi
  • ·May 5, 2025<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="104" --> City, provided that the purpose is to promote, advertise, improve, or devel
  • ·Apr 29, 2025<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="102" --> City, provided that the purpose is to promote, advertise, improve, or devel
  • ·Feb 27, 2025<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="63" --> <figure> 1/6/ 25 </figure> Thursday with Christie possibly leaving earlier t

• Earlier this year the city council was asked about their top five priorities for completion in the near term. While it did not make the top five, more than one city council member named broadband service to the community.

  — Interim City Administrator

  What this is about
  The packet recalls prior council priority-setting on broadband and a delegation of that objective to the mayor.

  p. 5↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)Earlier this year the city council was asked about their top five priorities for completion in the near term. While it did not make the top five, more than one city council member named broadband service to the community.

  Related history

  The records I searched do not contain a prior council decision matching this recollection about broadband being named during a “top five priorities” exercise or formally delegated to the mayor. The search results returned unrelated packet material, including Planning and Zoning interviews, personnel/drug-testing policy language, a home business discussion, and an April 14, 2026 clerk update. None of the excerpts show a council priority-setting discussion, a vote, or an action assigning broadband work to the mayor.

  • ·Apr 28, 2026APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CARLSON, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BIES TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. FIVE (5) AYES. M
  • ·Mar 10, 2026<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="48" --> #### (2) Reasonable Suspicion Testing/Post- accident/Post-injury Testing: Co
  • ·Mar 10, 2026### E. PROHIBITION AGAINST DRUGS, ALCOHOL AND/OR CANNABIS #### 1. Use and Possession of Alcohol, Drug(s) and/or Cannabis
  • ·Mar 10, 2026#### 2. While Impaired by Alcohol, Drugs or Cannabis: Employees are prohibited from being under the influence of alcohol
  • ·Mar 10, 2026#### 3. Driving While Impaired: Easy A conviction of driving while impaired in a City-owned vehicle at any time during b

• The city council delegated this objective to the mayor. Since that delegation, internet upgrades have successfully been made to all city buildings and the industrial area.

  — Interim City Administrator

  What this is about
  The packet recalls that the council delegated the broadband objective to the mayor and says internet upgrades had already been completed for city buildings and the industrial area.

  p. 5↗Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)The city council delegated this objective to the mayor. Since that delegation, internet upgrades have successfully been made to all city buildings and the industrial area.

  Related history

  The records I searched do not contain a prior council decision clearly matching this recollection that the broadband objective was formally delegated to the mayor. The closest partial match is in the January 13, 2026 packet, where the Clerk Update listed completed 2025 tasks, including technology-related work such as correcting audio/visual issues and installing a new projector at the Historic Town Hall, and a truncated item beginning “Established the leadership authority…”. However, the search results do not show a vote, motion, date of delegation, or specific record confirming that internet upgrades to all city buildings and the industrial area were completed under a mayoral delegation.

  • ·Apr 14, 2026SWPPP DRAWING UPDATES UPDATE SWPPP DRAWING FOR LOCATIONS OF CONSTRUCTION DUMPSTER, PORTABLE TOILET, EQUIPMENT STAGING AR
  • ·Mar 24, 2026SWPPP DRAWING UPDATES UPDATE SWPPP DRAWING FOR LOCATIONS OF CONSTRUCTION DUMPSTER, PORTABLE TOILET. EQUIPMENT STAGING AR
  • ·May 12, 2026Mayor Hybben recalled there were multiple buildings, with existing structures that had been there long-term and many res
  • ·Apr 14, 2026Mayor Hybben recalled there were multiple buildings, with existing structures that had been there long-term and many res
  • ·Jan 13, 2026<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="100" --> Nowthen City Office 8188 199th Ave. NW Nowthen MN, 55330 (763)-441-1347 <fi

Sources

Every document and recording archived for this meeting.

• Document

  Meeting City Council Work Session — Agenda Packet (2022-07-25)

  Packet · 2022-07-25

  36 pages

  ↗