Agenda spine

3 items as recorded in the packet and minutes.

1. AI-1Communication

   The stated agenda included a communication meeting item. The city attorney asked that the communication item be tabled because of potential employee litigation; the motion to remove/table it failed 2-3, and Public Works Supervisor Joe Glaze was then allowed to speak. No remedy was voted on for the staff grievances.

   Motion to table/remove the communication item failed; a staff member spoke, but no final action on the grievances was taken.

   • staff grievances and communication item

   Discussion only
   p. 1↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)Mayor Pilon opened the meeting. Stated agenda is communication meeting, Identification and transition of staff responsibilities, and authorization to fill staff responsibilities on an interim basis.p. 1↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)Rainville made the motion to remove the Communication piece from this meeting; Pilon 2nd.p. 2↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)Pilon restated the motion to table the Communication piece until at least an interim administrator is in place to bring resolution to the concerns that have been raised. 2 in favor - Rainville & Pilon; 3 against - Alders, Blake & Greenberg. Motion failed.p. 2↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)Glaze said his complaint was that this stuff has been going on for 16 years. Pilon and Rainville have been harassing people, creating a hostile work environment, and micromanaging.

2. AI-2Identification and transition of staff responsibilities

   The Council discussed identifying immediate priorities and transition steps after administrative staff resignations. It approved asking staff to prepare a priority list and approved transition help involving St. Francis, the interim administrator if available, and possible attorney involvement.

   Council approved staff priority planning and transition assistance, including contacting St. Francis and using an interim administrator if available.

   • administrative transition after staff resignations
   • St. Francis transition help and payroll

   Approved
   p. 3↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)Item #1 is to ask staff to prepare a list of recommendations on important and immediate priorities that must be take care of during the interim period.p. 3↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)Motion by Pilon to ask Staff to do Item #1; 2nd by Alders. All in favor. Motion Carried.p. 4↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)Motion by Pilon to authorize himself to contact St Francis to come help with the transition in the Admin office this week until the new Interim Administrator is up to speed. If they need some remuneration that would be left to the discretion of Pilon and Blake.p. 4↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)All in favor. Motion carried.

3. AI-3Authorization to fill staff responsibilities on an interim basis

   The Council authorized interim staffing arrangements, including letting the Pilon/Blake hiring committee proceed with an interim administrator subject to attorney contract approval, allowing the interim to engage staff or services to cover responsibilities, and allowing office hours to be adjusted during transition.

   Council approved interim administrator authority, temporary staffing authority, and interim office-hour adjustments.

   • interim administrator
   • temporary staffing
   • office hours during transition

   Approved
   p. 3↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)Motion by Pilon to authorize in advance the Hiring Committee (Pilon & Blake) recommendation for Interim Administrator, upon approval of the contract by the City Attorney.p. 3↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)Motion 2nd by Blake. All in favor; Motion carried.p. 4↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)Pilon made the motion to authorize Interim Administrator, whether SF on the short term or a new Interim retained, to engage staff appropriately to cover responsibilities needed here at the city; 2nd by Blake. All in favor. Motion carried.p. 5↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)Rainville made the motion to authorize Interim to determine, based on staffing, to adjust hours as needed during the transition. 2nd by Alders. All in favor. Motion Carried.

Issues addressed

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

• Staff grievances and communication item

  The Council opened the advertised communication meeting, but Attorney Ruppe advised tabling the communication discussion because resigning staff had sought legal counsel and comments could affect possible litigation. Rainville moved to remove or table the communication item, but the motion failed 2-3. After that, the Council allowed Public Works Supervisor Joe Glaze to speak briefly; he said the problems had been going on for 16 years and called for Mayor Pilon and Councilmember Rainville to resign. No corrective action was voted on for the grievances.

  Agenda: AI-1. Motions: M-1. Speakers: Ruppe, Rainville, Pilon, Greenberg, Alders, Blake, Lorensen, Glaze.

• Administrative transition after staff resignations

  The Council turned to continuity of city operations after multiple administrative resignations. It approved having staff prepare a list of immediate priorities, authorized the Pilon/Blake hiring committee to move ahead with an interim administrator if the city attorney approved the contract, authorized contacting St. Francis to help with payroll and transition duties until the interim administrator was ready, authorized the interim to engage staff or services to cover office responsibilities, and allowed the interim to adjust office hours during the transition.

  Agenda: AI-2, AI-3. Motions: M-2, M-3, M-4, M-5, M-6. Speakers: Pilon, Alders, Blake, Greenberg, Rainville, Ruppe, Streich, Lendt.

• Appreciation for departing administrative staff

  Near the end of the meeting, Councilmember Blake stated for the record that the Council appreciated Clerk/Treasurer Lori Streich, Deputy Clerk Ellen Lendt, and Administrative Assistant Lisa Lorensen for their time, dedication, hard work, and concern for the city.

  Agenda: AI-3. Speakers: Blake.

Motions and votes

7 motions on the record. Split votes are highlighted.

• M-1to remove the Communication piece from this meeting

  moved by Rainville, seconded by Pilon

  FailedSplit vote

  • YRainville
  • YPilon
  • NAlders
  • NBlake
  • NGreenberg

  p. 1↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)Rainville made the motion to remove the Communication piece from this meeting; Pilon 2nd.p. 2↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)Pilon restated the motion to table the Communication piece until at least an interim administrator is in place to bring resolution to the concerns that have been raised. 2 in favor - Rainville & Pilon; 3 against - Alders, Blake & Greenberg. Motion failed.

• M-2to ask Staff to do Item #1

  moved by Pilon, seconded by Alders

  Passed

  • YPilon
  • YAlders
  • YBlake
  • YGreenberg
  • YRainville

  p. 3↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)Motion by Pilon to ask Staff to do Item #1; 2nd by Alders. All in favor. Motion Carried.p. 1↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)Members attended: Mayor Pilon, Councilmember Alders, Councilmember Blake, Councilmember Greenberg, Councilmember Rainville

• M-3to authorize in advance the Hiring Committee (Pilon & Blake) recommendation for Interim Administrator, upon approval of the contract by the City Attorney

  moved by Pilon, seconded by Blake

  Passed

  • YPilon
  • YAlders
  • YBlake
  • YGreenberg
  • YRainville

  p. 3↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)Motion by Pilon to authorize in advance the Hiring Committee (Pilon & Blake) recommendation for Interim Administrator, upon approval of the contract by the City Attorney.p. 3↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)Motion 2nd by Blake. All in favor; Motion carried.p. 1↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)Members attended: Mayor Pilon, Councilmember Alders, Councilmember Blake, Councilmember Greenberg, Councilmember Rainville

• M-4to authorize himself to contact St Francis to come help with the transition in the Admin office this week until the new Interim Administrator is up to speed. If they need some remuneration that would be left to the discretion of Pilon and Blake. St Francis would work with Staff in the transition as well as the Interim Administrator if available for transition; Council will approve the Interim Administrator recommendation from the committee; proceed with engaging St Francis to be able to sign payroll and engage as a potential interim until the Interim Administrator is up to speed, to work with staff on transitioning and if an interim is available prior to staff departure, have the Interim also participate

  moved by Pilon, seconded by Rainville

  Passed

  • YPilon
  • YAlders
  • YBlake
  • YGreenberg
  • YRainville

  p. 4↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)Motion by Pilon to authorize himself to contact St Francis to come help with the transition in the Admin office this week until the new Interim Administrator is up to speed. If they need some remuneration that would be left to the discretion of Pilon and Blake. St Francis would work with Staff in the transition as well…p. 1↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)Members attended: Mayor Pilon, Councilmember Alders, Councilmember Blake, Councilmember Greenberg, Councilmember Rainville

• M-5to authorize Interim Administrator, whether SF on the short term or a new Interim retained, to engage staff appropriately to cover responsibilities needed here at the city

  moved by Pilon, seconded by Blake

  Passed

  • YPilon
  • YAlders
  • YBlake
  • YGreenberg
  • YRainville

  p. 4↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)Pilon made the motion to authorize Interim Administrator, whether SF on the short term or a new Interim retained, to engage staff appropriately to cover responsibilities needed here at the city; 2nd by Blake. All in favor. Motion carried.p. 1↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)Members attended: Mayor Pilon, Councilmember Alders, Councilmember Blake, Councilmember Greenberg, Councilmember Rainville

• M-6to authorize Interim to determine, based on staffing, to adjust hours as needed during the transition

  moved by Rainville, seconded by Alders

  Passed

  • YPilon
  • YAlders
  • YBlake
  • YGreenberg
  • YRainville

  p. 5↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)Rainville made the motion to authorize Interim to determine, based on staffing, to adjust hours as needed during the transition. 2nd by Alders. All in favor. Motion Carried.p. 1↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)Members attended: Mayor Pilon, Councilmember Alders, Councilmember Blake, Councilmember Greenberg, Councilmember Rainville

• M-7to adjourn

  moved by Rainville, seconded by Blake

  Passed

  Meeting adjourned at 7:02 PM.

  p. 5↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)Rainville made the motion to adjourn; Blake 2nd. Meeting adjourned at 7:02 PM.

Money discussed

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

• FF-1

  During discussion of who would help in the office during the transition, Deputy Clerk Lendt asked whether the attorney would charge $150 per hour to work in the office; this was discussed as a possible transition cost, not as a separately voted amount.

  rate · City attorney office work

  $150

  outflow

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 3↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)Lendt asked if the attorney would be charging $150/hr. to work in the office and stated that this is a legitimate question.p. 4↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)Rainville asked that Ruppe's name be included in the motion, but if he isn't necessary to be there then he wouldn't be there. Ruppe said, basically he would be "on call" on Wednesday and Thursday.

Memory cues and prior history

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

• this has been going on for 16 years

  — Glaze

  What this is about
  A staff grievance cue pointing to a long-running history of alleged harassment, hostile work environment, and micromanaging.

  p. 1↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)Glaze asked when this would be dealt with as this has been going on for 16 years, and he asked when it was going to stop.p. 2↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)Glaze said his complaint was that this stuff has been going on for 16 years.

  Related history

  The records I searched do not contain a prior decision or discussion matching the recollection that a staff grievance involving alleged harassment, a hostile work environment, or micromanaging has been “going on for 16 years.” There are only partial staff-related matches: the April 14, 2026 packet included a proposal to formalize employee step pay charts and increase wages, and the April 14, 2026 minutes included a Clerk’s Update noting short staffing, an employee on medical leave, and thanks to staff for extra work. Those records do not describe a grievance, harassment allegations, or a 16-year history, and no related formal vote is shown in the provided results.

  • ·Apr 28, 2026<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="46" --> system that records activity when motion is detected. A fenced outdoor court
  • ·Apr 14, 2026CITY OF NOWTHEN 8188 199TH AVE NW ELK RIVER, MN 55330 Ship To ALL BUILDINGS LISTED BELOW Terms Phone # DO ON COMPLETION
  • ·Apr 14, 2026<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="197" --> ### EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 3\. Describe your educational background. High
  • ·Apr 14, 2026# TITLE OF ISSUE: Approval of Resolution 2026-XX Accepting the Proposed Step Charts and Increasing Employee Wages BACKGR
  • ·May 12, 2026## 9. Clerk's Update City Clerk Natalie Johnson reported that Miss Riley had returned, and is filling in while another e

• Pilon said they have been having these meetings throughout the summer and it has not been all staff. Blake stated that there have been no communication meetings.

  — Pilon and Blake

  What this is about
  A cue about the intended scope and history of prior communication meetings between staff and council.

  p. 1↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)Pilon said they have been having these meetings throughout the summer and it has not been all staff. Blake stated that there have been no communication meetings.

  Related history

  The records searched do not show a formal council action establishing a summer series of “communication meetings” or defining whether those meetings were intended to include all staff. The closest match is planning/zoning-related communication discussion: at the May 11, 2021 meeting, Councilmember Alders asked to schedule a review of prior Planning & Zoning issues related to recent lot splits, noting it had been postponed twice. At the June 15, 2021 special council workshop, council discussed communication problems in the planning/zoning process. Mayor Pilon said he believed there had been a communication breakdown involving the Ulwelling business, while Planner Stockman responded that city staff had been in transition for several years and was working to update internal and online materials. That same meeting included a motion by Rainville, seconded by Pilon, directing staff to investigate how comparable cities handle planner services and fees; the excerpt does not show a vote outcome. Overall, the records show discussion of communication concerns, but not a recorded history of separate “communication meetings” throughout the summer.

  • ·Jun 15, 2021MOTION BY RAINVILLE TO DIRECT INTERNAL STAFF TO INVESTIGATE SURROUNDING CITIES, COMPARABLE SIZE-WISE AND DEVELOPMENT-WIS
  • ·Jun 8, 2021## Public Works a) Purchase of Capital Equipment-Mack Truck, continued Pilon stated that Rainville had a ton of question
  • ·Apr 20, 2021a) Purchase of Capital Equipment-Mack Truck, continued Pilon stated that Rainville had a ton of questions regarding this
  • ·May 11, 2021b) Inventory needs Nothing at this time. Planning & Zoning a) 19745 Nowthen Blvd - FX Auto Repair-Conditional Use Permit
  • ·May 11, 2021MOTION TO APPROVE AS MODIFIED RCA FOR A RECYCLING CENTER EMPLOYEE FOR THE TIMES NOTED WITH THE DISCUSSION FROM THIS COUN

• Council had previously authorized the hiring committee of Pilon & Blake to interview interim administrator candidates.

  What this is about
  A cue about a prior council authorization for the Pilon and Blake hiring committee to interview interim administrator candidates.

  p. 3↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)Council had previously authorized the hiring committee of Pilon & Blake to interview interim administrator candidates.

  Related history

  The records searched do not contain a prior decision matching this recollection. The results show Council discussed and conducted interviews for Planning & Zoning Commission candidates in April and May 2021, including discussion at the April 20, 2021 meeting about whether to wait for one remaining candidate to be interviewed, and a May 11, 2021 interview of a Planning & Zoning candidate attended by the full Council. Those records do not show a formal authorization for a “Pilon & Blake” hiring committee to interview interim administrator candidates. The closest matches involve Planning & Zoning candidate interviews and selection procedures, not interim administrator hiring.

  • ·May 11, 2021Nowthen City Council May 11, 2021 MINUTES 6:15 pm Interview - Planning & Zoning Candidate Members attended: Mayor Pilon,
  • ·Jun 15, 2021MOTION BY RAINVILLE TO DIRECT INTERNAL STAFF TO INVESTIGATE SURROUNDING CITIES, COMPARABLE SIZE-WISE AND DEVELOPMENT-WIS
  • ·May 24, 2021council member could rank the applicants on a 5-point scale, with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest, and the to
  • ·Jun 8, 2021a) Planning & Zoning Candidates Pilon stated that the interviews have taken place for 4 candidates, and the request is t
  • ·May 11, 2021MOTION TO APPROVE AS MODIFIED RCA FOR A RECYCLING CENTER EMPLOYEE FOR THE TIMES NOTED WITH THE DISCUSSION FROM THIS COUN

• Streich said that she put her notice in 30 days ago, and unfortunately, Council is just now talking, the last three days staff is in the office, about finding someone to handle these things.

  — Streich

  What this is about
  A cue about the timeline after Clerk/Treasurer Lori Streich gave notice and expected to train remaining staff before additional resignations changed the transition plan.

  p. 3↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)Streich said that she put her notice in 30 days ago, and unfortunately, Council is just now talking, the last three days staff is in the office, about finding someone to handle these things.

  Related history

  The records I searched do not contain a prior discussion or formal decision matching this recollection about Lori Streich giving notice, a 30-day transition period, training remaining staff, or additional resignations changing the transition plan. The search results mainly show Lori Streich listed in her clerk/clerk-treasurer role on unrelated 2021 Planning and Zoning records and a 2025 council packet signature page, plus an unrelated 2021 memo about interim public works staffing. They do not document the notice timeline or any council action on hiring or transition coverage for the clerk/treasurer duties.

  • ·Jun 22, 2021MOTION BY JORGENSEN TO ADJOURN; 2ND BY HAAPALA. ALL IN FAVOR. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:57 PM. Respectfully Submitted, <fig
  • ·May 5, 2025CITY OF NOWTHEN <figure> By: Kken m. Plan Mayor Neff Pilon </figure> Attest: Lori Streich Lori Streich, City Clerk <!--
  • ·Jul 1, 2021<!-- PageBreak --> ## MEMO <table> <tr> <td>To:</td> <td>Mayor and City Council Members</td> </tr> <tr> <td>From:</td> <
  • ·Jun 22, 2021# City of Nowthen PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2021 MINUTES <table> <tr> <td rowspan="3">Prese
  • ·Jun 22, 2021<!-- PageBreak --> # RECOMMENDATION The Toft/CST Companies Development is overall a high-quality design and will be a po

• Currently the City has administrative contract with the City of St Francis to deal with the Fire Department.

  What this is about
  A cue about the city’s existing administrative contract with St. Francis for Fire Department administration, used as a basis for possible payroll and transition help.

  p. 3↗Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)Currently the City has administrative contract with the City of St Francis to deal with the Fire Department.

  Related history

  The records I searched do not contain a prior decision or agreement matching the recollection of an administrative contract with the City of St. Francis for Fire Department administration, payroll, or transition assistance. The search results do show recent Fire Department-related items, including planning tasks in the March 23, 2026 packet, security/equipment information in the April 14, 2026 packet, a proposed firefighter hiring resolution in the May 12, 2026 packet, and a May 12, 2026 request to replace Fire Station garage door openers for $9,205.40. However, none of those records identify St. Francis as providing administrative services or record a council vote approving such a contract.

  • ·Apr 14, 2026<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="52" --> <table> <tr> <th>THEFTS</th> <th></th> <th colspan="3"></th> <th colspan="2"
  • ·Apr 14, 2026WRIGHT HENNEPIN SECURITY <table> <tr> <th>MEMORIAL PARK PAVILION AND 2 BATHROOMS</th> <th></th> </tr> <tr> <td>Feature</
  • ·Mar 10, 2026<td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>ZPD2600121AR</td> <td>26036106</td> <td>Feb 17, 2026, 5:03:47 AM</td> <td>ARREST</td> <td>WARRO
  • ·Mar 23, 2026## 7. Fire Department & Emergency Services · Evaluate Well Options for the Fire Department o Review the feasibility, cos
  • ·May 12, 2026##### A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF ZACHARY WYTTENHOVE TO THE NOWTHEN FIRE DEPARTMENT. WHEREAS, The City of Now

Sources

Every document and recording archived for this meeting.

• Document

  Meeting Communications Meeting — Minutes (2021-10-25)

  Minutes · 2021-10-25

  5 pages

  ↗
• Video

  Meeting recording

  YouTube

  Transcript · 405 segments · 1:03:14

  ↗