Council voting

When council didn't agree

Across 1,000 recorded vote lines covering 25 active council members, we found 22 motions where members split — these are the votes worth reading. Most council votes are unanimous; this page leads with the disagreements.

Split votes (22)

• MOTION BY MAYOR HYBBEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, TO ADJUST THE PROPOSED STAFF SALARY INCREASES FROM 5% TO 4% OF CURRENT WAGES, WITH THE CITY CLERK DETERMINING DISTRIBUTION AMONG STAFF.

  passed

  Sep 3, 2025nowthen.gov ↗

• MOTION BY CM RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY MAYOR HYBBEN TO DEFER THE AUGUST 2025 SPECIAL ELECTION TO NOVEMBER OF 2026.

  passed

  Apr 8, 2025nowthen.gov ↗

• Implement the employee step increase program for all employees effective June 1, 2026, placing each employee at the step corresponding to their years of service and granting any step advancement earned between June 1 and December 31, 2026, funded from the contingency fund and identified budget savings.

  passed

  Jun 9, 2026nowthen.gov ↗

• MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON TO ACCEPT PASSENGER TIRES OFF RIM UP TO 10 PER HOUSEHOLD AND TO ADVERTIZE THE UPDATED LIMIT ON FACEBOOK.

  passed

  May 12, 2026nowthen.gov ↗

• Rainville made a motion to deny the request; Breyen seconded for discussion.

  passed

  Mar 13, 2018nowthen.gov ↗

• TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO LEVY THE UNPAID AMOUNTS OF $9,072.60 PLUS ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS AGAINST PROPERTIES OWNED BY DRYDEN

  passed

  Apr 29, 2025nowthen.gov ↗

• Bettinger made a motion to approve the purchase of a new laptop computer from RB's Computer for $729.00; Scheffler seconded... Two in favor of Bettinger's motion; Pilon and Rainville opposed. Motion failed.

  failed

  Nov 15, 2016nowthen.gov ↗

• MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE TO IMPLEMENT THE EMPLOYEE STEP INCREASE PROGRAM FOR ALL EMPLOYEES EFFECTIVE JUNE 1, 2026, PLACING EACH EMPLOYEE AT THE STEP CORRESPONDING TO THEIR YEARS OF SERVICE AND GRANTING ANY STEP ADVANCEMENT EARNED BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND DECEMBER 31, 2026, FUNDED FROM THE CONTINGENCY FUND AND IDENTIFIED BUDGET SAVINGS.

  passed

  May 19, 2026nowthen.gov ↗

• MOTION BY MAYOR HYBBEN, SECONDED FOR DISCUSSION BY CM BREYEN, DO NOTHING UNTIL THE ESCROW IS PAID AND THE DEVELOPER RE-APPLIES FOR THE PRELIMINARY PLAT, INCLUDING NOTIFICATION TO THE DEVELOPER THAT NO ACTION WILL BE MADE BY THE CITY.

  passed

  Jan 23, 2025nowthen.gov ↗

• Bettinger made a motion to have the Broadband Equipment removed from the City Offices and if there are charges associated with this to bring that back before the Council; Scheffler seconded... Three in favor; Pilon opposed. Motion carried.

  passed

  Nov 15, 2016nowthen.gov ↗

• Rainville made a motion to move forward with the Request for Council Action for posting of all Council, Commission and Committee meeting agendas, supplemental information and minutes onto the City's website. Pilon seconded.

  passed

  Jun 14, 2016nowthen.gov ↗

• MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER ALDERS, SECONDED BY BLAKE TO STRIKE THE ASSESSMENT FOR THE WEICHELT PROPERTY AND APPROVE THE FINAL ASSESSMENT LIST TO BE CERTIFIED TO THE 2023 TAX ROLL FOR THE FOUR (4) OTHER PROPERTIES.

  passed

  Nov 10, 2022nowthen.gov ↗

• Pilon made a motion to appoint Martin Bies, term ending December, 2024, Lars Carlson, term ending December, 2025 and Dan Haapala, term ending December, 2026.

  failed

  May 24, 2021nowthen.gov ↗

• Rainville amended her motion to table the liquor license request of an on sale, Sunday sales and 2:00 am closing until the May 12th Council Meeting; Pilon seconded.

  passed

  Apr 27, 2015nowthen.gov ↗

• Reduce the Planning & Zoning Commission size from seven members down to five members, and to change to having the city council appoint the Planning & Zoning Commission chairman & co-chairman.

  passed

  Jan 12, 2021nowthen.gov ↗

• Bettinger made a motion to appoint Lori Streich to permanent Full Time Employee and to raise her salary $0.75 per hour; Scheffler seconded... Bettinger and Scheffler in favor; Rainville and Pilon opposed. Motion failed.

  failed

  Nov 15, 2016nowthen.gov ↗

• Bettinger made a motion to table Ordinance 2016-06; Rainville seconded. Three in favor; motion carried.

  passed

  Nov 15, 2016nowthen.gov ↗

• Meyer made a motion to approve the request by Todd Johnson and Mr. & Mrs. Selander for a 51.3 Variance to allow construction of a new home closer to the lake than the required setback, as recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission and subject to the following conditions: 1\. The site survey is revised to include: a. The location of the septic system and all associated equipment; b. The location of the proposed water well; c. The proposed driveway, sidewalk, steps and other impervious surfaces; d. The thirty-three (33) foot road easement; e. Any planned accessory building locations; f. The location of the desired boardwalk; g. Silt fence and temporary stockpile locations 2\. A landscaping plan is submitted for review and approval by the City at the time of building permit application. The proposed plantings shall reduce visibility from the lake and shall be completed prior to issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy. 3\. Vegetative screening shall be maintained between the house and the lake. When trees and shrubs die, they will be replaced with similar species. 4\. The Department of Natural Resources reviews and approves the proposed structure location. 5\. The boardwalk must be reviewed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for any impacts to lakes or wetlands. It may require a special application and permit for this type of structure, depending upon the impacts to existing aquatic vegetation. Plans for construction of the boardwalk must be provided which show how it will be constructed, including its materials and method of installation. 6\. A thirty-three (33) foot easement is deeded to the City for one half of the Twin Parkway right-of-way and the survey is revised to show this. 7\. A driveway permit is obtained from the City and a culvert with rock construction entrance is installed prior to any work commencing on site. 8\. A building permit is obtained prior to beginning construction. 9\. The project is in compliance with all applicable City and State Building Codes. 10\. The applicant and property owner are responsible for all costs incurred during the review of this request by the City and its representatives.

  passed

  Jun 10, 2014nowthen.gov ↗

• MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2025-68 DECLARING THE OFFICIAL INTENT OF THE CITY OF NOWTHEN TO REIMBURSE CERTAIN EXPENDITURES FROM THE PROCEEDS OF IMPROVEMENT BONDS TO BE ISSUED BY THE CITY.

  passed

  Jun 17, 2025nowthen.gov ↗

• MOTION BY CM RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY CM SWENSON TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO LEVY THE UNPAID AMOUNTS OF $9,072.60 PLUS ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS AGAINST ANY PROPERTIES OWNED BY MR. AND MRS. DRYDEN WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF NOWTHEN. SUCH FEE AMOUNTS SHALL BE ASSESSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NOWTHEN CITY CODE, PLUS ANY PROFESSIONAL FEES AND ESCROW AMOUNTS PURSUANT TO THE DEVELOPER'S AGREEMENT EXECUTED BETWEEN THE PARTIES FOR DRYDEN ACRES.

  passed

  Apr 8, 2025nowthen.gov ↗

• The commission voted by roll call. The vote was three votes (Haapala, Ames, Carlson) for Jorgenson, two votes (Schiller, Bies) for Bies and Jorgenson abstained.

  Jan 25, 2022nowthen.gov ↗

• Recommend approval of the interim use permit with the conditions outlined in the packet.

  passed

  Mar 24, 2026nowthen.gov ↗

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