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2021-07-13
Agenda
Not posted
What was on the agenda.
One-line summary
The Council approved the consent agenda, firefighter hiring, a $600,000 replacement tanker tender, CST industrial CUP/IUP, erosion-control escrow fees, a commercial/industrial development moratorium, a financial newsletter item, and the mayor's conference expense, while denying the Allied Blacktop 199th Avenue paving proposal and tabling accessory-building and zoning-fee items.
23 items as recorded in the packet and minutes.
1Consent Agenda
Consent agenda as listed on the July 13 agenda.
Consent agenda approved as amended, with item 1f moved for later discussion.
1aApprove City Council Meeting Minutes of 05-11-2021
Approve City Council Meeting Minutes of 05-11-2021.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
1bFinancial Report: Treasurer's Report and Claims
Approve Treasurer's Report and claims dated June 2, 2021 through July 6, 2021.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
1cQuarterly Financial Report
Quarterly financial report.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
1dRCA - Lakeside Cabinet use of Golf Carts & Temporary Road Closure
Lakeside Cabinet request for golf carts and temporary road closure for September 25, 2021.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
1eRCA - Replacement of refrigerator & tables in the Nowthen Memorial Park Pavilion
Replacement of refrigerator and tables in the Nowthen Memorial Park Pavilion.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
1fRCA - City Financial Newsletter
City Financial Newsletter RCA, moved from consent for discussion.
Moved from consent and later approved with the exception of the Anoka County tax-rate comparison.
1gEngineer's Memo - Name Brand Storage
Engineer memo for Name Brand Storage performance bond release.
Approved as part of the amended consent agenda.
2Floor Items
Floor items.
No floor items were presented.
3Sheriff's Report
Sheriff's report.
Commander Heath reported calls for service, false-alarm concerns, Heritage Festival coverage, and Bar None follow-up.
4Fire Department
Fire Department report and RCAs.
Council approved both fire department requests: hiring up to eight firefighters and spending up to $600,000 for a replacement tanker tender with financing options to be investigated.
4aRCA Hiring of Firefighters
Authorize hiring up to eight firefighters.
Approved 5 ayes.
4bRCA Purchase of Tanker Truck
Authorize purchase of replacement tanker tender.
Approved 5 ayes after discussion of financing, equipment needs, the old tanker tender, and water supply issues.
5Planning & Zoning
Planning and Zoning items.
Council acted on several Planning and Zoning items: CST CUP/IUP approved, Allied Blacktop proposal denied with road maintenance direction, Ordinances 2021-02 and 2021-03 adopted, and items 5f and 5g tabled.
5aPublic Hearing: CST Industrial Building CUP for Building Material Exception
Public hearing for CST Industrial Building conditional use permit for building material exception.
Public hearing opened at 8:24 p.m. and closed at 8:25 p.m.; the related CUP was approved with item 5b.
5bCST Industrial Building IUP for Outdoor Storage
CST Industrial Building interim use permit for outdoor storage, combined with building materials CUP.
Approved 5 ayes, according to the facts and findings and including the IUP for outdoor storage.
5c199th Avenue Paving - Allied Blacktop Company Quote
199th Avenue paving quote from Allied Blacktop Company.
The amended motion denied the Allied Blacktop proposal, allowed the State to proceed with the apron, and directed Public Works to maintain the road as needed; vote was 3 ayes and 2 nays.
5dOrdinance 2021-02: Grading, Landscaping & Erosion Control Escrow
Ordinance 2021-02: Grading, Landscaping & Erosion Control Escrow.
Adopted 5 ayes, with numbering, revision dates, and tree planting as applicable in R2.
5eOrdinance 2021-03: Interim Moratorium on Commercial Development
Ordinance 2021-03: Interim Moratorium on Commercial Development and resolution.
Adopted 5 ayes, expanded in the motion to cover new industrial and commercial development in all industrial and commercial zoning districts.
5fOrdinance 2021-04: Accessory Building Clarifications
Ordinance 2021-04: Accessory Building Clarifications.
Minutes show a motion to table items F and G, but do not record a separate vote tally for that motion.
5gZoning Application Fee Structure, Process Diagram and Checklists
Zoning application fee structure, process diagram and checklists.
Minutes show a motion to table items F and G, but do not record a separate vote tally for that motion.
6For the Good of the Council
For the Good of the Council.
Council approved the financial newsletter RCA and the mayor's conference expense during this portion of the meeting.
7Adjourn
Adjourn.
Minutes record the motion to adjourn but do not record the vote or final adjournment time.
What this meeting did about specific topics, organized by issue rather than by document.
Consent agenda business
Council approved the consent agenda as amended, removing the City Financial Newsletter item for later discussion. The approved consent items included the May 11 minutes, the treasurer's report and claims, the quarterly financial report, Lakeside Cabinet's golf-cart and road-closure request, the Memorial Park Pavilion refrigerator and table replacement, and the Name Brand Storage engineer memo.
Agenda: 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1g. Motions: M2. Speakers: Greenberg, Alders.
City financial newsletter
Council discussed adding resident-friendly financial information to the 2021 newsletter, including where tax dollars go and city tax information. The final motion approved having staff create a financial report similar to the Plymouth example, but excluded the tax-rate comparison to other Anoka County municipalities.
Agenda: 1f, 6. Motions: M9. Speakers: Pilon, Streich, Alders, Blake.
Sheriff's report, false alarms, Heritage Festival, and Bar None
Commander Heath reported 131 calls for service and said false alarms appeared to be increasing, suggesting the Council consider warnings or charges after repeated false alarms and include education in the newsletter. He also reported Sheriff's Department coordination for the Heritage Festival and discussed a June 30 Bar None meeting, recommending a follow-up after Bar None's DHS contest is resolved and stressing the need for action rather than repeated assurances.
Agenda: 3. Speakers: Commander Heath, Rainville, Stockman, Pilon, Blake.
Firefighter hiring
Fire Chief Schmidt said the department retained 12 firefighters after the Ramsey transition and sought authority to hire up to eight more to reach an ideal strength of 20. Council approved the request unanimously, with discussion that recruitment and training would take time and that grants may help with turnout gear costs.
Agenda: 4a. Motions: M3. Speakers: Chief Schmidt, Rainville, Blake.
Replacement tanker tender purchase
The Fire Department requested authority to replace its 1989 two-seat tanker tender because the pump was not operational and repairs were not considered feasible. Council approved spending up to $600,000 and directed staff to work with Chief Schmidt on financing options, while also discussing equipment needs, what to do with the old vehicle, and water-supply issues for the Fire Department.
Agenda: 4b. Motions: M4. Speakers: Chief Schmidt, Rainville, Blake.
CST Industrial Building CUP and IUP
After a short public hearing, Planner Stockman reviewed Planning and Zoning recommendations for the CST Industrial Building. Council approved the conditional use permit allowing an exception to building material requirements and included the interim use permit for outdoor storage, with discussion on lighting and hours of operation.
Agenda: 5a, 5b. Motions: M5. Speakers: Stockman, Rainville, Alders.
199th Avenue paving and Allied Blacktop quote
Council reviewed an Allied Blacktop quote to pave additional 199th Avenue area while the State handled the Highway 47 apron. Members questioned cost, responsibility, and whether the apron alone would solve the pothole problem. The final amended motion denied the Allied proposal, allowed the State apron work to proceed, and directed Public Works to maintain the road as needed; the vote was 3-2.
Agenda: 5c. Motions: M6. Speakers: Stockman, Rainville, Blake, Pilon, Greenberg, Alders.
Grading, landscaping, and erosion-control escrow ordinance
Council discussed Ordinance 2021-02, including MS4 recommendations and expectations for the new NPDES grading and erosion-control process. Council adopted the ordinance unanimously, adding direction for numbering, revision dates, and tree planting where applicable.
Agenda: 5d. Motions: M7. Speakers: Rainville, Greenberg, Stockman.
Commercial and industrial development moratorium
Council considered an interim moratorium because the city had not yet decided what its commercial district should look like and wanted to study architectural and building standards. After discussing Dollar General inquiries, whether industrial uses should be included, and concerns about storage units, Council adopted Ordinance 2021-03 as a moratorium on new industrial and commercial development in all industrial and commercial zoning districts while possible legislative action is studied.
Agenda: 5e. Motions: M8. Speakers: Pilon, Rainville, Stockman.
Accessory-building ordinance and zoning-application materials
The Council did not reach substantive action on Ordinance 2021-04 accessory-building clarifications or the zoning application fee structure, process diagram, and checklists. The minutes show a motion to table items F and G and move on.
Agenda: 5f, 5g. Motions: M11. Speakers: Rainville, Pilon.
Mayor's annual conference
During For the Good of the Council, the mayor's annual conference was noted as moved to September in St. Joseph with a stated cost of $350. Council approved the mayor's attendance with expenditures not to exceed $375.
Agenda: 6. Motions: M10. Speakers: Rainville, Blake.
12 motions on the record. Split votes are highlighted.
M1MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY BLAKE TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Blake
M2MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER GREENBERG, SECONDED BY ALDERS, TO ACCEPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED MOVING 1F TO #6.
moved by Greenberg, seconded by ALDERS
M3MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BLAKE AUTHORIZING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO HIRE UP TO 8 ADDITIONAL FIREFIGHTERS.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Blake
M4MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BLAKE AUTHORIZING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO SPEND UP TO $600,000 TO PURCHASE A REPLACEMENT TANKER TENDER AS DISCUSSED IN THE BACKGROUND & SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION IN THE RCA AND STAFF TO WORK WITH CHIEF SCHMIDT TO INVESTIGATE FINANCING OPTIONS.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Blake
M5MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ALDERS TO APPROVE THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (PID 24-33-25-12-0005) ALLOWING THE EXCEPTION TO THE BUILDING MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS ACCORDING TO THE FACTS & FINDINGS PRESENTED TO AND AMENDED BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING THEN PRESENTED TO CITY COUNCIL. ALSO, TO INCLUDE THE INTERIM USE PERMIT FOR OUTDOOR STORAGE.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Alders
M6MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY BLAKE TO TABLE THIS DISCUSSION, ALLOW THE STATE TO PROCEED WITH THE APRON, AMENDED THE MOTION TO DENY THE PROPOSAL FROM ALLIED BLACKTOP COMPANY AND DIRECT PUBLIC WORKS TO MAINTAIN ROAD AS NEEDED.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Blake
M7MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY GREENBERG, TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 2021- 02 GRADING, LANDSCAPING & EROSION CONTROL ESCROW AND ACCOMMODATING NUMBERING THE ITEMS AND REVISION DATES, AND INCLUDE TREE PLANTING AS APPLICABLE IN R2.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Greenberg
M8MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY PILON TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 2021-03 AN INTERIM ORDINANCE ENACTING A MORATORIUM ON NEW INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN ALL INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICTS PENDING THE STUDY OF POSSIBLE LEGISLATIVE ACTION.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Pilon
M9MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER ALDERS, SECONDED BY BLAKE TO ACCEPT RCA TO HAVE STAFF CREATE A FINANCIAL REPORT AS PART OF THE 2021 NEWSLETTER, PROVIDING SIMILAR FINANCIAL INFOMRATION AS FOUND IN THE ATTACHED NEWSLETTER FROM PLYMOUTH AND ANY ADDITIONAL ITEMS AS WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE CITY OF NOWTHEN WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE TAX RATE COMPARED TO OTHER MUNICIPALITIES IN ANOKA COUNTY.
moved by ALDERS, seconded by Blake
M10MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY BLAKE TO APPROVE THE MAYOR TO ATTEND THE MAYOR'S CONFERENCE NOT TO EXCEED $375 FOR EXPENDITURES.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Blake
M11MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY PILON TO TABLE F AND G TO MOVE ON TO ITEM
moved by Rainville, seconded by Pilon
M12MOTION BY RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY BLAKE TO ADJOURN.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Blake
Each figure links back to the document it came from. When the council voted on the amount, the motion is shown.
Claims batch approved
Claims dated June 2, 2021 through July 6, 2021, approved on the consent agenda.
invoice · Payments Batch July14AP · FY 2021
$180,191.64
outflow
Pine River checking balance
Treasurer's Report cash balance at June 30, 2021.
treasurer_report · Pine River State Bank checking balance · FY 2021
$375,219.81
unknown
PMA CD balance
Treasurer's Report CD balance at June 30, 2021.
treasurer_report · PMA Financial Network CDs · FY 2021
$1,035,000
unknown
4M money market balance
Treasurer's Report money market balance at June 30, 2021.
treasurer_report · 4M, 4MP & GO Funds · FY 2021
$409,597.4
unknown
Treasurer report ending balance
Treasurer's Report ending balance for June 30, 2021.
treasurer_report · Schedule 1 ending balance · FY 2021
$1,837,153
unknown
General Fund claims
Fund summary share of approved claims for the General Fund.
invoice · General Fund claims · FY 2021
$158,897.76
outflow
2019A improvement claim
Fund summary share of approved claims for 2019A Improvement debt service.
debt_service · 2019A Improvement claims · FY 2021
$16,125
outflow
2012A refunding bond claim
Fund summary share of approved claims for 2012A Refunding Bond debt service.
debt_service · 2012A Refunding Bond DS claims · FY 2021
$850
outflow
St. Francis fire service contract claim
Approved claim for second half 2021 fire service contract.
contract · City of St. Francis fire service contract · FY 2021
$37,534.5
outflow
Northern Salt calcium chloride claim
Approved claim for calcium chloride for Public Works.
expenditure · Northern Salt Incorporated · FY 2021
$31,167.08
outflow
League of Minnesota Cities workers compensation claim
Approved workers compensation insurance claim for City Staff and Fire Department.
expenditure · League of Minnesota Cities · FY 2021
$22,168
outflow
MNSPECT professional services claim
Approved professional services claim.
contract · MNSPECT LLC · FY 2021
$14,744.41
outflow
Planning Company comp plan and ordinance claim
Approved planning services claim for comprehensive plan and ordinance amendment work.
contract · The Planning Company LLC · FY 2021
$9,004.16
outflow
Hakanson Anderson engineering claim
Approved engineering services claim total.
contract · Hakanson Anderson Associates · FY 2021
$8,974.04
outflow
General Fund receipts budget
Quarterly financial report, 2021 General Fund receipts budget.
budget · General Fund receipts budget · FY 2021
$1,775,140
inflow
General Fund receipts year to date
Quarterly financial report, 2021 General Fund receipts year to date through June.
revenue · General Fund receipts year to date · FY 2021
$171,566
inflow
General Fund disbursements budget
Quarterly financial report, 2021 General Fund disbursements budget.
budget · General Fund disbursements budget · FY 2021
$1,764,065
outflow
General Fund disbursements year to date
Quarterly financial report, 2021 General Fund disbursements year to date through June.
expenditure · General Fund disbursements year to date · FY 2021
$682,199
outflow
General Fund use of fund balance year to date
Quarterly financial report showed year-to-date use of fund balance.
budget · General Fund uses of fund balance year to date · FY 2021
$510,633
outflow
Total City cash and investments
Quarterly financial report status of cash balances.
asset_value · Total City Cash & Investments at 6/30/2021 · FY 2021
$1,837,853
unknown
Pavilion refrigerator not-to-exceed
Consent agenda RCA authorized a refrigerator purchase not to exceed this amount.
expenditure · Nowthen Memorial Park Pavilion refrigerator · FY 2021
$1,000
outflow
Pavilion tables not-to-exceed
Consent agenda RCA authorized four plastic tables not to exceed this amount.
expenditure · Nowthen Memorial Park Pavilion tables · FY 2021
$700
outflow
Replacement tanker tender authorization
Council authorized spending up to this amount for a replacement tanker tender and directed staff to investigate financing options.
capital_project · Replacement tanker tender · FY 2022
$600,000
outflow
Tanker 5-year payment option
Finance quote option for $600,000 tanker purchase, five-year term.
debt_service · REV Financial Services 5-year annual payment option · FY 2022
$129,371.26
outflow
Tanker 7-year payment option
Finance quote option for $600,000 tanker purchase, seven-year term.
debt_service · REV Financial Services 7-year annual payment option · FY 2022
$95,109.65
outflow
Tanker 10-year payment option
Finance quote option for $600,000 tanker purchase, ten-year term.
debt_service · REV Financial Services 10-year annual payment option · FY 2022
$69,657.97
outflow
Allied Blacktop 199th Avenue quote
Council denied the Allied Blacktop proposal and directed Public Works to maintain the road as needed.
estimate · Allied Blacktop 199th Avenue quote · FY 2021
$32,303
outflow
New home NPDES inspection fee
Ordinance 2021-02 fee schedule item adopted by council.
fee · Single Family New Construction NPDES inspection fee · FY 2021
$200
inflow
New home NPDES escrow
Ordinance 2021-02 escrow amount for single-family new construction.
fee · Single Family New Construction NPDES escrow · FY 2021
$2,000
inflow
Single-family alteration NPDES escrow
Ordinance 2021-02 escrow amount for single-family alterations.
fee · Single Family Alterations NPDES inspection escrow · FY 2021
$1,000
inflow
High-priority use NPDES escrow minimum
Ordinance 2021-02 minimum escrow for non-residential and other high-priority land-disturbing activities.
fee · All Other Uses NPDES inspection escrow minimum · FY 2021
$2,000
inflow
Mayor's Conference not-to-exceed
Council approved the mayor to attend the conference with expenses not to exceed $375.
expenditure · Mayor's Conference expenditure cap · FY 2021
$375
outflow
Mayor's Conference stated cost
Stated cost of the mayor's annual conference.
estimate · Mayor's Conference cost · FY 2021
$350
outflow
When someone tried to remember earlier business, we cross-reference the corpus and write a short related-history note.
Last year the Council talked about having a pie chart in the newsletter so residents can see where tax money goes.
What this is about
Prior council discussion about adding financial information to the city newsletter.
The records I searched do not contain a prior council decision matching this recollection about adding a pie chart or other “where tax money goes” information to the city newsletter. The search results did include financial reporting materials in the May 12, 2026 packet, such as the audit/Management’s Discussion and Analysis, but those records do not show a council discussion or vote about newsletter content.
On July 27, 2020 the Mayor, Council and the City Clerk toured city facilities to discuss needs and maintenance issues. One of the items discussed was replacing the existing refrigerator and wood tables.
— Rainville
What this is about
Prior city-facility tour where the pavilion refrigerator and wood tables were identified as needing replacement.
The records I searched do not contain a prior decision matching this recollection. The search results do not include a July 27, 2020 facility tour record, nor do they show a council action specifically about replacing the pavilion refrigerator or wood tables. The closest results are general 2026 discussions about municipal services, capital improvement planning, and facility/security-related needs, but those do not reference the pavilion refrigerator, wood tables, or the 2020 tour.
At the May 11, 2021 City Council meeting the topic of Architectural Design Standards was discussed. All Councilmembers agreed that additional details governing architectural control would be positive for the commercial zoning district and Mayor Pilon stated that he would discuss a possible development moratorium with Attorney Ruppe.
— Stockman
What this is about
Prior May 11 council discussion about architectural design standards and a possible development moratorium.
The records I searched do not contain a May 11, 2021 City Council record or any prior decision matching this recollection about architectural design standards or a possible development moratorium. The search results returned later 2026 packet materials on unrelated zoning applications, commission language, and attorney services, but they do not document the May 11, 2021 discussion, any direction to Mayor Pilon or Attorney Ruppe, or a formal vote on architectural design standards or a moratorium.
1989 - 2-seat vehicle and the pump is not operational at this time. That was not shared with us during the transition from Ramsey.
— Chief Schmidt
What this is about
Prior transition from Ramsey related to the Fire Department tanker tender's non-operational pump.
The records I searched do not contain a prior decision or discussion matching Chief Schmidt’s recollection about a 1989 two-seat Fire Department tanker/tender, a non-operational pump, or information not being shared during a transition from Ramsey. The only partial related items are general Fire Department records: at the February 10, 2026 and March 23, 2026 meetings, packets listed an item to complete an inventory of Fire Department and Maintenance Building equipment and supplies, but no formal vote or specific tanker/pump issue was recorded in the search results. Ramsey appears in one unrelated legal-services client list, not in connection with a Fire Department transition.
Bar None: Discussion regarding meeting on June 30th at Bar None. Mayor Pilon and City Attorney Ruppe attended along with Commander Heath.
— Commander Heath
What this is about
Prior June 30 meeting at Bar None attended by city and sheriff representatives.
The records I searched do not contain a prior decision or meeting record matching the specific recollection of a June 30 meeting at Bar None attended by Mayor Pilon, City Attorney Ruppe, and Commander Heath. The search results do show related Bar None materials, but not that June 30 meeting or any formal action tied to it. The closest related record is from the May 5, 2025 council packet, where City Attorney Ruppe and Allseits submitted an item asking council to consider an ordinance amendment on “Excessive Use of Law Enforcement Services.” The background specifically identified Bar None as a facility with “a large number” of incidents involving tenants assaulting one another, damaging property, and using significant sheriff’s time, and said the City Attorney’s office, sheriff’s department, and city representatives had worked together on the proposed ordinance. Later records show Bar None continued to be a recurring public-safety topic. At the January 13, 2026 meeting packet, sheriff’s data reported 159 total arrests in Nowthen during 2025, with 119 of them — 75% — listed as Bar None arrests. Monthly sheriff’s reports in 2026 also listed repeated calls to Bar None, including 12 calls in January, 9 in February, 8 in March, and 6 in April.
<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="17" --> DECISION: Based on the foregoing information and applicable ordinances, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommends approval of the Minor Subdivision subj
<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="183" --> # City of Nowthen Emerging Issues ## Accounting Standard Update - GASB Statement No. 103 - Financial Reporting Model Improvements The objective of this Sta
<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="32" --> Option A: The cul-de-sac can be installed in substantial compliance with the Approved Plans and an easement acceptable to the City Attorney recorded prior t
<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="175" --> # City of Nowthen Required Communication ## Other Information Included in Annual Reports (Continued) We applied certain limited procedures to the RSI that
<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="75" --> 7\. LICENSE AND PROTECTION OF PROPRIETARY RIGHTS. During the term of this Subscriber Amendment, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Court hereby
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