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2021-04-20
Agenda
Not posted
What was on the agenda.
One-line summary
At the April 20, 2021 recessed City Council meeting, Nowthen approved softball field use, Brand Name Storage permits, 2021 road plans, seasonal positions, and an amended animal control contract, while continuing discussion on Dryden property issues, recycling center operations, P&Z interviews, ordinance design standards, and a Mack truck purchase.
16 items as recorded in the packet and minutes.
A0Approve agenda as amended
The council amended the agenda to add the Spring Recycling Event paper-shredding RCA and the Planning & Zoning interview process, then approved the agenda as amended.
A1Resolution 2021-19 Approving Elk River Youth Softball Association Care & Use of Softball Fields
Consent agenda item for Elk River Youth Softball Association care and use of softball fields.
Approved by the consent agenda motion.
A2Quarterly Report
Council received the quarterly financial report.
No questions, comments, or vote were recorded.
A3Property line change to split 10 acres off an 80 acre parcel - Dryden
Planning and zoning discussion of a Dryden property-line change to split 10 acres off an 80-acre parcel.
No application documents were ready for council action; staff and the Drydens discussed next steps.
A4Brand Name Storage Phases 2 and 3, CUPs, Variance, Lot Reconfiguration
Planning and zoning item for Brand Name Storage phases 2 and 3, including CUPs, a variance, and lot reconfiguration.
Approved with the conditions in the findings of fact and related permit terms stated in the motion.
A5Ordinance Amendments
Discussion of ordinance amendments for landscaping/grading escrow, certificates of occupancy, storage facilities, moratoriums, and architectural standards.
Council gave staff direction, but no ordinance was adopted at this meeting.
A6Purchase of Capital Equipment-Mack Truck, continued
Public Works item on purchase of capital equipment, a Mack truck, continued and discussed at the end of the meeting.
The minutes record discussion but no motion or vote on the truck purchase.
A7Resolution 2021-11 Approving the 2021 Crack Seal Plan
Public Works resolution approving the 2021 crack seal plan, amended to add specified roads.
A8Resolution 2021-12 Approving the 2021 Proposed Gravel & Dust Control Plan
Public Works resolution approving the 2021 proposed gravel and dust control plan.
A9RCA - Seasonal Park/Recycle Center & Seasonal Truck Driver
Public Works RCA for seasonal park/recycle center and seasonal truck driver positions.
A10Clerk's Presentation - History & Recommendations
Clerk presentation on the history of the recycling center and recommendations for future operations.
Staff was to bring an RCA to a later meeting for a part-time recycle center employee.
A11RCA - Council Member Rainville paper shredding
Councilmember Rainville RCA for adding paper shredding to the May 8, 2021 Spring Recycling Event.
Council did not add shredding to the May event; Rainville said she would bring it back for the fall event.
A12RCA - City Facebook Page
Administration RCA for a City Facebook page.
Postponed until staff has adequate time.
A13Resolution 2021-07 North Metro Animal Control Contract, continued
Administration item for Resolution 2021-07, North Metro Animal Control contract, continued.
Approved as amended, with Planner Stockman inspecting commercial kennels.
A14Planning & Zoning Candidates
For the Greater Good item on Planning & Zoning Commission candidates and whether to wait for one more interview.
Council agreed to wait until the final candidate had an opportunity to interview.
A15Adjourn
Adjournment.
What this meeting did about specific topics, organized by issue rather than by document.
Amended agenda
The council added Rainville's request about paper shredding for the May 8 Spring Recycling Event and Pilon's request about the Planning & Zoning interview process, then approved the agenda as amended.
Agenda: A0. Motions: M1. Speakers: Rainville, Pilon, Blake, Alders.
Elk River Youth Softball Association field use
The council approved Resolution 2021-19 for Elk River Youth Softball Association care and use of the softball fields through the consent agenda.
Agenda: A1. Motions: M2. Speakers: Rainville, Pilon.
Quarterly financial report
Council members had received the quarterly report in advance; no questions or comments were recorded, and no action was taken.
Agenda: A2.
Dryden property line change
Planner Stockman told the council that the Dryden request could not move forward without documents such as recorded information for the 33-foot strips and a survey. The discussion focused on whether the Drydens could avoid a plat, what road dedication and turnaround would be needed, how much wetland delineation could be minimized, and whether a park and trail fee would apply.
Agenda: A3. Speakers: Stockman, Pilon, Deb Dryden, Alders.
Brand Name Storage phases 2 and 3
Council reviewed Brand Name Storage phases 2 and 3, including stormwater, Nova Brick placement, fire-truck turnaround, building color, landscaping, conditional use permits, a setback deviation, a variance, and an interim use for the existing residence. After discussion about whether the blue color fit the city's desired architectural style, the council approved the permits and variance 4-1, with Rainville voting no.
Agenda: A4. Motions: M3. Speakers: Stockman, Rainville, Pilon, Peterson, Blake, Alders.
Ordinance amendments and architectural standards
The council discussed ordinance work on landscaping and grading escrows, temporary certificates of occupancy, commercial and industrial requirements, storage-facility limits or a moratorium, and clearer architectural standards. Stockman was directed to prepare an architectural design packet and address ordinance amendment items for a future meeting.
Agenda: A5. Speakers: Stockman, Pilon, Alders, Blake, Rainville.
Mack truck purchase
The council continued a detailed discussion of a proposed Mack truck purchase, including whether the proposal exceeded the capital improvement plan placeholder, whether sales tax had been included, why a Mack was chosen over other truck brands, whether to keep the old truck, and how much council should rely on staff expertise versus reviewing specifications. The minutes record no purchase vote.
Agenda: A6. Speakers: Pilon, Rainville, Alders, Streich, Blake.
2021 road maintenance plans
The council approved the amended 2021 crack seal plan, adding Krypton, 183rd, 184th, Merle's Lane, 189th and 190th, and also approved the 2021 proposed gravel and dust control plan.
Agenda: A7, A8. Motions: M4, M5. Speakers: Rainville, Greenberg, Blake.
Seasonal public works and recycling staffing
The council approved seasonal positions for a park/recycle center worker and a seasonal truck driver. In the transcript, staff described the park/recycle center worker at $16 per hour and the gravel hauling driver at $17 per hour, each not to exceed 32 hours per week.
Agenda: A9. Motions: M6. Speakers: Streich, Blake, Alders.
Recycling center operations and paper shredding
Clerk Streich presented recycling center history, funding, problems with unstaffed access, and possible changes such as drop-box windows and staff hours. Council members discussed whether residents needed more hours, whether the center should be open only when staffed, the cost of a part-time employee, and using grant funds for improvements. Rainville's proposal for paper shredding at the May recycling event was not pursued for spring because it had not been advertised; she said she would bring it back for the fall event.
Agenda: A10, A11. Speakers: Streich, Pilon, Rainville, Blake, Alders.
City Facebook page
The city Facebook page project was postponed because staff did not yet have adequate time to devote to it.
Agenda: A12. Speakers: Streich.
North Metro Animal Control contract
The council approved Resolution 2021-07 for the North Metro Animal Control contract as amended. Planner Stockman will continue inspecting commercial kennels, North Metro will inspect private kennels, the dangerous dog addendum will be added, and the contract term will be two years.
Agenda: A13. Motions: M7. Speakers: Streich, Stockman, Alders, Greenberg, Rainville.
Planning & Zoning Commission candidate interviews
Council discussed whether to move ahead with four already-interviewed candidates or wait for a fifth candidate who still wanted an interview after an accident. A majority agreed to wait until the final candidate could be interviewed, with scheduling planned for early May.
Agenda: A14. Speakers: Pilon, Blake, Greenberg, Rainville, Alders, Streich.
8 motions on the record. Split votes are highlighted.
M1MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED
moved by BLAKE, seconded by ALDERS
M2MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2021-19 APPROVING ELK RIVER YOUTH SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION CARE & USE OF SOFTBALL FIELDS
moved by RAINVILLE, seconded by PILON
M3MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW THE DEVIATION OF A SETBACK TO ALLOW THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT UNDER SECTION 11-3-9-C-9 FOR MULTIPLE PRINCIPAL BUILDINGS, A VARIANCE FROM CITY CODE SECTION 11-6-2-K, AND THE EXISTING RESIDENTS USE ON PARCEL B WILL CONTINUE AS AN INTERIM USE PERMIT UNDER SECTION 11-3-9-D-5 UNTIL PHASE 3 COMMENCES
moved by ALDERS, seconded by BLAKE
M4MOTION TO APPROVE AMENDED RESOLUTION 2021-11 2021 CRACK SEAL PLAN, ADDING KRYPTON, 183RD, 184TH, MERLE'S LANE, 189TH & 190TH
moved by RAINVILLE, seconded by GREENBERG
M5MOTION TO APPROVE 2021-12 APPROVING THE 2021 PROPOSED GRAVEL & DUST CONTROL PLAN
moved by RAINVILLE, seconded by BLAKE
M6MOTION TO APPROVE RCA-SEASONAL PARK/RECYCLE CENTER & SEASONAL TRUCK DRIVER POSITIONS
moved by BLAKE, seconded by ALDERS
M7MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2021-07 NORTH METRO ANIMAL CONTROL CONTRACT AS AMENDED WITH PLANNER STOCKMAN INSPECTING COMMERCIAL KENNELS
moved by ALDERS, seconded by GREENBERG
M8MOTION TO ADJOURN AT 10:18 PM
moved by BLAKE, seconded by ALDERS
Each figure links back to the document it came from. When the council voted on the amount, the motion is shown.
F1
Planner Stockman described one park and trail fee for the net increase of one lot, stated as $2,500, made up of $2,000 plus $500.
fee · Dryden park and trail fee
$2,500
inflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
F2
The seasonal park/recycle center position was described as $16 per hour, not to exceed 32 hours per week, and was approved in the seasonal positions RCA.
salary · Seasonal park/recycle center worker wage · FY 2021
$16
outflow
F3
The seasonal gravel hauling driver position was described as $17 per hour, not to exceed 32 hours per week, and was approved in the seasonal positions RCA.
salary · Seasonal gravel hauling truck driver wage · FY 2021
$17
outflow
F4
During the North Metro Animal Control contract discussion, the council discussed adding the dangerous dog addendum with a $500 registration fee.
fee · Dangerous dog registration fee · FY 2021
$500
inflow
F5
The recycling center presentation said Anoka County provides SCORE money up to $30,257 annually based on the SCORE report.
grant · Anoka County SCORE money
$30,257
inflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
F6
The recycling center presentation said the city can apply for additional grants up to $20,000.
grant · Additional recycling grants
$20,000
inflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
F7
During the recycling center presentation, staff said the recycle center's 2020 gain was $425.
treasurer_report · Recycle center 2020 gain · FY 2020
$425
unknown
Council approval status: not yet on record.
F8
The mayor said sales tax on a quarter-million-dollar truck would be $16,000 if cities and counties remained subject to sales tax.
estimate · Estimated sales tax on truck purchase · FY 2021
$16,000
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
F9
The truck discussion referred to a quarter-million-dollar truck purchase; no purchase motion was recorded.
estimate · Mack truck purchase discussion amount · FY 2021
$250,000
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
F10
Mayor Pilon said the capital improvement plan amount for the truck was $200,000.
budget · Truck capital improvement plan placeholder · FY 2019
$200,000
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
F11
In the truck discussion, Councilmember Alders used an $80,000 mower in the plan as an example of another capital purchase that might be delayed or adjusted.
budget · Mower capital improvement plan placeholder
$80,000
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
F12
In the truck discussion, Councilmember Alders described a hypothetical truck cost of $240,000 if staff could not find one for $200,000.
estimate · Possible truck cost in capital-planning example
$240,000
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
F13
In the truck discussion, Councilmember Alders described a hypothetical used mower cost of $40,000 as part of fitting truck and mower purchases within an overall capital budget.
estimate · Possible used mower cost in capital-planning example
$40,000
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
F14
During the recycling center discussion, council discussed a possible part-time recycling center employee at about $15 per hour; no hiring motion was recorded for this position at this meeting.
salary · Possible part-time recycle center wage
$15
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
F15
Councilmember Alders estimated that 20 hours per week of recycle center staffing at about $15 per hour would be about $15,000.
estimate · Estimated annual recycle center staffing cost
$15,000
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
F16
Councilmember Alders described the recycle center staffing cost as roughly $15,000 to $20,000 for 20 hours per week year-round.
estimate · Estimated annual recycle center staffing upper range
$20,000
outflow
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.
She had thought there was a discussion regarding the colors that are more natural looking that would compliment the buildings that are close to them. They also talked about having fake windows on the ends of some of the buildings.
— Rainville
What this is about
Prior discussion and approval of Brand Name Storage building colors and design features.
The records I searched do not contain a prior discussion or approval matching this recollection about Brand Name Storage building colors, natural-looking exterior materials, or fake windows on building ends. The search results instead appear to relate to other interim use permit and business-licensing matters in 2026, including cannabis cultivation conditions and outdoor storage limits, and do not show a Brand Name Storage design approval or related vote.
Stockman commented that they did bring the color specific back to the Planning & Zoning Commission and they did talk about it and it was specifically approved as blue.
— Stockman
What this is about
Prior Planning & Zoning Commission review of the Brand Name Storage color blue.
The records I searched do not contain a prior Planning & Zoning Commission decision matching this recollection about Brand Name Storage’s building color being brought back and specifically approved as blue. The search results include other Planning & Zoning materials and approvals from 2026, but they do not reference Brand Name Storage, a color review, or an approval of blue.
Pilon said that the council is the architectural review committee and it has actually been years since they've met on architectural review issues.
— Pilon
What this is about
Past lack of Architectural Review Committee meetings for commercial or industrial design review.
The records searched contain a partial match: the January 13, 2026 packet includes the annual appointments resolution listing the “Architectural Review Committee” as the Mayor, City Council, and Building Official. That supports Pilon’s statement that the council serves in that role. However, the search results do not show any recent Architectural Review Committee meeting, commercial or industrial design-review item, or formal action on architectural review issues. The records I searched therefore do not confirm the “years since they’ve met” timeline, but they also do not contain a prior design-review decision matching such a meeting.
i just noticed today i don't even remember which meeting it was it might have been planning and zoning where we held off on discussing um about the storage facilities
— Stockman
What this is about
Prior postponement of discussion about storage facilities at a previous meeting, possibly Planning & Zoning.
The records I searched do not contain a prior postponement or held-over discussion specifically about “storage facilities,” either at Planning & Zoning or City Council. The closest results are general Planning & Zoning materials and land-use application items in the March 10, 2026 packet, plus unrelated variance/accessory-structure materials in the March 24 and April 14, 2026 packets. None of the returned records show a formal vote, tabling action, or discussion delay tied to storage facilities.
There's been an opening on Planning & Zoning since January of 2020, and an opportunity for anyone to apply for that, and none of these candidates applied.
— Rainville
What this is about
Prior Planning & Zoning Commission vacancy and application process dating back to 2020 and January 2021.
The records searched show a Planning and Zoning Commission vacancy process much later: at the April 28, 2026 meeting, the commission interviewed five candidates for a vacant Planning and Zoning Commission seat after approving the agenda by a 5-0 vote. The records provided do not contain a prior Planning and Zoning Commission vacancy or application process dating back to January 2020 or January 2021, and they do not show whether any of the 2026 candidates had or had not applied during an earlier vacancy period.
When this candidate applied in January 2021, Council told him he couldn't apply because it wasn't posted, now Rainville is stating that someone could have applied even if it wasn't posted. You can't have it both ways.
— Alders
What this is about
Prior handling of the same Planning & Zoning candidate's January application and whether the opening had been posted.
The records I searched do not contain a prior January 2021 decision or discussion matching the recollection that Council told this Planning & Zoning candidate he could not apply because the opening had not been posted. The only related record found is from the April 28, 2026 packet, which shows the Planning and Zoning Commission interviewed five candidates for a vacant seat. That record summarizes the interviews but does not address a January 2021 application, whether the vacancy had been posted, or any Council ruling on whether someone could apply before posting.
Pilon said that years ago, before Streich started, council would tell Public Works Supervisor Glaze to put a placeholder in the capital improvement plan. Glaze presented this purchase in 2019 and the number that was discussed was two hundred thousand.
— Pilon
What this is about
Prior capital improvement planning for the Mack truck purchase in 2019.
The records I searched do not contain a prior 2019 capital improvement discussion or decision matching the recollection that Public Works Supervisor Glaze presented a Mack truck purchase with a $200,000 placeholder. The only related record in these results is much later: in the April 14, 2026 meeting packet, City Clerk Johnson noted that public works staff were developing better capital improvement plans with equipment inventory and lifecycle planning “to eliminate surprises in future budgets.” That confirms a current discussion about improving capital improvement planning, but it does not document the 2019 Mack truck placeholder or any vote or purchase amount from that time.
The last truck purchased was when the city was a township. It was different back then.
— Pilon
What this is about
Past purchase of a city truck when Nowthen was still a township.
The records I searched do not contain a prior decision matching the recollection of a city truck purchase from when Nowthen was still a township. The search results returned 2026 packet materials on unrelated items, such as prosecuting services, Farmers Market support, mowing agreements, hazard mitigation, and use of the city grader, but not a prior township-era truck purchase. So, based on these results, there is no documented match here for the last truck purchase or the circumstances of that purchase.
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Every document and recording archived for this meeting.
Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2021-04-20)
Minutes · 2021-04-20
8 pages
Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2021-04-20)
Packet · 2021-04-20
120 pages
Meeting recording
YouTube
Transcript · 1264 segments · 3:18:14
The structured brief on this page is auto-generated and may need correction. The PDFs and the meeting recording remain the official record.