M-1MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY RAINVILLE TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED.
moved by COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, seconded by RAINVILLE
Passed
- YMayor Pilon
- YRainville
- YBreyen
- YFladebo
- YAlders
Meetings
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2023-05-09
Agenda
Not posted
What was on the agenda.
One-line summary
The council approved the consent agenda, hired recycling and seasonal staff, authorized sale of the 2008 Ford truck and plow, reviewed public safety and road updates, and discussed Fire Protection Council costs and ATV/golf-cart rules.
26 items as recorded in the packet and minutes.
1Call to Order
Call to order, Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approval of the agenda.
Agenda approved as amended to add discussion on ATV, side-by-side, and golf cart vehicles on Nowthen roads.
2Floor Item
Floor items.
No floor items were presented.
3Consent Agenda
Approval of consent agenda.
Consent agenda accepted as presented.
3.aApproval of April 11, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes of Regular Meeting April 11, 2023.
Approved under the consent agenda.
3.bApproval of Claims and Treasurer's Report
Approval of claims April 12-May 5, 2023, and Treasurer's Report.
Approved under the consent agenda.
3.cApproval of First Quarter 2023 Financial Report
Approval of First Quarter 2023 Financial Report from RTY Consulting, Lori Yager.
Approved under the consent agenda.
3.dAccept Amy Hanson's Resignation Letter
Accept Amy Hanson's resignation letter.
Accepted under the consent agenda.
4Engineering
Engineering department report.
No engineering department item was presented.
5Introduction of Newer City Staff
Introduction of newer city staff.
Madeline Greenberg and Donna Ogdahl were introduced; no action was taken.
6Fire Department
Fire Department report.
Fire Department report was received; no council action was recorded.
7Sheriff's Department
Sheriff's Department report.
Sheriff's Department report was received and discussed; no council action was recorded.
8Planning and Zoning
Planning and zoning.
No planning and zoning item was presented.
9.aSeasonal Help and Recycling Attendant Update
Seasonal help and recycling attendant update.
Council authorized the administrator to hire the recommended recycling attendant and seasonal staff.
9.bAuthorization to Sell the 2008 Ford 1-ton with Plow
Authorization to sell the 2008 Ford 1-ton with plow.
Council declared the truck and plow excess inventory and authorized posting them for sale as a package deal.
9.cCapital Improvement Meeting Update, Schedule a Work Session
Capital improvement meeting update and scheduling of a work session.
A meeting was to be scheduled to refine the preliminary CIP before a recommendation is brought back to council.
9.dAnnual Audit Started Monday, May 8
Annual audit started Monday, May 8.
Audit work had started and results were expected at the June council meeting.
9.eNew Position Update
New position update.
This item was covered during the earlier staffing discussion.
9.fUpdate on Crack Sealing Roads
Update on crack sealing roads.
Staff reported crack sealing had started in the Rogers Lake area and explained how roads were selected.
9.gUpdate on Dust Control for Specific Gravel Roads
Update on dust control for specific gravel roads.
Staff explained the dust-control plan and the basis for selecting gravel roads.
9.hUpdate Regarding Culvert on Xenon Street
Update regarding culvert on Xenon Street.
Staff reported bids had been received and more information was being gathered before returning to council.
9.iRecycling Day - May 20
Recycling Day on May 20.
Staff invited council members to participate in the May 20 Spring Recycling Day.
10.aOld Business
Old business.
No old business was presented.
10.b.1Anoka County Fire Protection Council Update
Anoka County Fire Protection Council update.
Mayor Pilon reported on the Fire Protection Council vote and cost-allocation concerns; no city council action was recorded.
10.b.2ATV / Golf Cart Regulations in the City of Nowthen
Discussion added by amendment on ATV, side-by-side, and golf cart vehicles on Nowthen roads.
Staff was directed to review the ordinance and related information and bring back a recommendation if changes are needed.
10.cItems Moved from Consent Agenda
Items moved from consent agenda, if needed.
No items were moved from the consent agenda.
11Adjourn
Adjournment.
Meeting adjourned at 8:57 pm.
What this meeting did about specific topics, organized by issue rather than by document.
Consent agenda and first-quarter finances
The council accepted the consent agenda as presented, which covered the April 11 minutes, claims and treasurer's report, Lori Yager's first-quarter financial report, and Amy Hanson's resignation letter.
Agenda: 3, 3.a, 3.b, 3.c, 3.d. Motions: M-2. Speakers: Rainville, Breyen.
Introduction of Madeline Greenberg and Donna Ogdahl
Administrator Lehner introduced Madeline Greenberg as the regular part-time Administrative Assistant and Donna Ogdahl as the new Front Counter Administrative Assistant replacing Adrienne Christensen.
Agenda: 5. Speakers: Administrator Lehner, Madeline Greenberg, Donna Ogdahl, Mayor Pilon.
April public safety reports
The Fire Department and Sheriff's Department gave April activity reports, including 24 fire incidents, 146 sheriff calls for service, notable emergency calls, Bar None calls, and discussion of speeding, pursuits, and Axon Fleet 3 technology.
Agenda: 6, 7. Speakers: Fire Chief Schmidt, Lieutenant Jacobson.
Recycling attendant and seasonal staff hiring
After the personnel committee interviewed candidates, the council authorized Administrator Lehner to hire Don Philipps as recycling attendant, Rose Fredell for seasonal parks, and Isaac Schulz for seasonal public works once remaining details were resolved.
Agenda: 9.a. Motions: M-3. Speakers: Administrator Lehner, Don Philipps, Rose Fredell, Isaac Schulz, Breyen, Alders.
Sale of 2008 Ford 1-ton truck and plow
The council declared the 2008 Ford 1-ton truck and plow excess inventory and authorized Administrator Lehner to post them for sale together, with price to be determined by Kelly Blue Book.
Agenda: 9.b. Motions: M-4. Speakers: Administrator Lehner, Rainville, Alders.
Capital improvement plan and annual audit
Staff reported that a preliminary capital improvement plan had been prepared and that Bergen KDV had begun the annual city audit, with audit results expected at the June council meeting.
Agenda: 9.c, 9.d. Speakers: Administrator Lehner.
Road crack sealing and dust control
Staff reported that crack sealing had started in the Rogers Lake area, pothole work had begun internally, and dust-control work would cover 10 of the city's 25 miles of dirt roads based on traffic, speed, and road type.
Agenda: 9.f, 9.g. Speakers: Administrator Lehner, Fladebo, Rainville.
Xenon Street culvert replacement
Staff reported multiple bids for replacing the deteriorated Xenon Street culvert, with steel and concrete options and estimated costs ranging from $50,000 to $93,000; staff was also looking into whether two culverts could qualify as a bridge for possible county grants.
Agenda: 9.h. Speakers: Administrator Lehner.
Spring Recycling Day
Staff reminded the council that Spring Recycling Day would be held May 20 and invited council members to attend and meet residents and staff.
Agenda: 9.i. Speakers: Administrator Lehner.
Anoka County Fire Protection Council cost allocation
Mayor Pilon reported that the Anoka County Fire Protection Council approved a different cost allocation for a Public Data System, causing much larger increases for smaller cities, and he asked for elected officials to have a role in finance recommendations and for earlier delivery of budget materials.
Agenda: 10.b.1. Speakers: Mayor Pilon, Fire Chief Schmidt.
ATV, side-by-side, and golf cart rules on city roads
After residents contacted Council Members Alders and Fladebo, the council discussed local rules for golf carts and ATVs on roads and directed staff to review the ordinance, state law information, and accident data before returning with any recommended changes.
Agenda: 10.b.2. Speakers: Alders, Fladebo, Lt. Jacobson, Mayor Pilon.
5 motions on the record. Split votes are highlighted.
M-1MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY RAINVILLE TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED.
moved by COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, seconded by RAINVILLE
M-2MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY BREYEN TO ACCEPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
moved by COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, seconded by BREYEN
M-3MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY ALDERS TO AUTHORIZE ADMINISTRATOR LEHNER TO HIRE DON PHILIPPS AS THE NEWEST RECYCLING ATTENDANT, ROSE FREDELL, AS SEASONAL PARKS AND ISAAC SCHULZ AS SEASONAL PUBLIC WORKS ONCE DETAILS ARE WORKED OUT TO START AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
moved by COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, seconded by ALDERS
M-4MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY ALDERS TO DECLARE THE 2008 FORD 1-TON TRUCK AND PLOW AS EXCESS INVENTORY AND AUTHORIZE ADMINISTRATOR LEHNER TO POST THE TRUCK AND PLOW FOR SALE AS A PACKAGE DEAL, PRICE WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE KELLY BLUE BOOK.
moved by COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, seconded by ALDERS
M-5MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY RAINVILLE TO ADJOURN.
moved by COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, seconded by RAINVILLE
Each figure links back to the document it came from. When the council voted on the amount, the motion is shown.
FIN-1
2023 Budget to Actual - March listed total General Fund revenues year to date at $454,319.
revenue · General Fund revenues, year to date · FY 2023
$454,319
inflow
FIN-2
2023 Budget to Actual - March listed the General Fund revenue budget total at $2,002,840.
budget · General Fund revenues, budget · FY 2023
$2,002,840
inflow
FIN-3
2023 Budget to Actual - March listed total General Fund expenditures year to date at $399,679.
expenditure · General Fund expenditures, year to date · FY 2023
$399,679
outflow
FIN-4
2023 Budget to Actual - March listed the General Fund expenditure budget total at $2,132,595.
budget · General Fund expenditures, budget · FY 2023
$2,132,595
outflow
FIN-5
2023 Budget to Actual - March listed sources of fund balance year to date at $54,640.
budget · General Fund sources of fund balance, year to date · FY 2023
$54,640
inflow
FIN-6
2023 Budget to Actual - March listed budgeted uses of fund balance at ($203,690).
budget · General Fund sources and uses of fund balance, budget · FY 2023
$-203,690
outflow
FIN-7
The March 2023 financial report listed total city cash and investments as of 3/31/2023 at $3,281,888.
asset_value · Total City Cash & Investments · FY 2023
$3,281,888
unknown
FIN-8
The March 2023 financial report listed total city cash and investments down by $1,077,190 compared with 3/31/2022.
asset_value · Decrease in total city cash and investments · FY 2023
$1,077,190
unknown
FIN-9
The Recycling Fund report for March 31, 2023 listed total revenue of $3,659.
revenue · Recycling Fund total revenue · FY 2023
$3,659
inflow
FIN-10
The Recycling Fund report for March 31, 2023 listed total expenditures of $22,118.
expenditure · Recycling Fund total expenditures · FY 2023
$22,118
outflow
FIN-11
The Recycling Fund report for March 31, 2023 listed net income (loss) of $(18,459).
budget · Recycling Fund net loss · FY 2023
$-18,459
outflow
FIN-12
The Recycling Fund report listed a cash balance of $20,661 as of 3/31/23.
asset_value · Recycling Fund cash balance · FY 2023
$20,661
unknown
FIN-13
Staff said the Xenon Street culvert replacement costs ranged from $50,000 to $93,000 depending on culvert style.
estimate · Xenon Street culvert replacement low estimate · FY 2023
$50,000
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
FIN-14
Staff said the Xenon Street culvert replacement costs ranged from $50,000 to $93,000 depending on culvert style.
estimate · Xenon Street culvert replacement high estimate · FY 2023
$93,000
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
FIN-15
The Fire Department reported a $10,000 dollar loss from fires during April 2023.
other · April fire loss · FY 2023
$10,000
unknown
Council approval status: not yet on record.
FIN-16
Damages from the April 13 house fire were estimated at around $10,000.
estimate · April 13 house fire estimated damages · FY 2023
$10,000
unknown
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.
Council Member Rainville also reminded everyone that our city engineer has stated it is important to maintain the newer roads in order to prolong the life of the road.
— Council Member Rainville
What this is about
Prior guidance from the city engineer on maintaining newer roads through crack sealing.
The records I searched do not contain a prior discussion or decision matching Council Member Rainville’s recollection about the city engineer advising that newer roads should be maintained with crack sealing to prolong their life. The results only show unrelated items involving Council Member Rainville and meeting attendance records noting Engineer Nelson was present at some meetings; they do not include the road-maintenance guidance or any related vote.
Speeds tend to go up in the rural areas and have continued to be a major issue since the Covid-19 pandemic.
— Lt. Jacobson
What this is about
Longstanding speeding concerns in rural areas since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The records show this same concern was discussed at the May 9, 2023 City Council meeting during the Sheriff’s Office report. Lt. Jacobson discussed speeding and high-speed chases, explaining that speeding can be fatal and that deputies may end a chase if the danger to the public is too great, while still using other methods such as drones, State Patrol helicopters, and other tools to identify suspects. The minutes also record his statement that residents should call 911 when they see dangerous drivers and try to get a plate if they can. He specifically noted that speeds “tend to go up in the rural areas” and had “continued to be a major issue since the Covid-19 pandemic.” No formal council vote or action on speeding was recorded in that discussion.
The Mayor and Chief Schmidt did oppose this before the vote and wanted to use the super formula once again, however, they were outvoted.
— Mayor Pilon
What this is about
Prior Fire Protection Council cost-allocation practice using the super formula.
The records I searched do not contain a prior Fire Protection Council decision matching this recollection about using the “super formula,” nor do they show a vote where the Mayor and Chief Schmidt opposed the outcome and were outvoted. The only related item found is that at the January 13, 2026 meeting, the City listed Fire Chief Rob Miller as the Anoka County Fire Protection Council representative and Council Member Dan Breyen as alternate; that record does not discuss cost allocation or any “super formula” vote.
The existing culvert has been there over 30 years and has deteriorated dramatically.
— Administrator Lehner
What this is about
History of the Xenon Street culvert before the proposed replacement.
The records searched do not contain a prior decision specifically about a Xenon Street culvert or a finding that an existing culvert had been in place for more than 30 years and had deteriorated. The closest match is the 2026 Overlay Road Improvement Project, which included 218th Avenue “from Xenon Street to its terminus.” At the January 13, 2026 meeting, Engineer Nelson presented the feasibility report for that overlay project and described the included roads as about 20 years old with normal pavement degradation; the discussion was about bituminous overlay and repair/patching costs, not a culvert replacement. Later records show the council continued that road project: at the April 14, 2026 meeting, the packet included resolutions approving plans/specifications, ordering advertisement for bids, and setting proposed assessments; a May 12, 2026 amended assessment resolution listed total estimated project costs of $462,800, with $227,840 proposed to be paid by the City, $227,840 assessed to benefited properties, and $81,710 in budgeted road repair costs. Those records relate to road overlay work near Xenon Street, but they do not document the prior history or condition of the Xenon Street culvert itself.
MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON, TO APPOINT MICHAEL HOIUM TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION. 3 AYES - COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON, MAYOR
MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON, TO APPOINT MICHAEL HOIUM TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION. 3 AYES- COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON, MAYOR
Council Member Breyen asked if there was a different category for the budget for this expense, rather than the contingency that it was primarily placed in. The Council has offered to purchase the plaq
Council Member Breyen asked if there was a different category for the budget for this expense, rather than the contingency that it was primarily placed in. The Council has offered to purchase the plaq
## 1. Call To Order Mayor Hybben called the session to order at 6:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance. Roll call by City Clerk Johnson. Present: Mayor Hybben, Council Mem
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