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2021-02-09
Agenda
Not posted
What was on the agenda.
One-line summary
The Council approved the 5259 Viking Boulevard lot split, advanced Planning and Zoning Commission posting procedures, approved the URRWMO 2022 draft budget and the new website going live, and tabled the snow-removal ordinance, fee schedule, personnel policies, and North Metro Animal Control contract.
24 items as recorded in the packet and minutes.
1Call to Order
Call to order, pledge, roll call, and approval of the agenda.
The agenda was amended to correct the January minutes title and pull consent items c and e for later discussion.
2aApprove City Council Meeting Minutes of 01-12-2021
Approve the January 12, 2021 City Council minutes.
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
2bFinancial Report: Treasurer's Report and Claims
Approve the Treasurer's Report and claims dated January 6, 2021 through February 2, 2021.
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
2cResolution 2021-07 Renewing the Contract with North Metro Animal Control
Resolution 2021-07 renewing the North Metro Animal Control contract.
The item was pulled from consent for discussion and tabled after questions about contract length, kennel inspections, dangerous dog registration, and unpaid citations.
2dReschedule Ad Hoc Committee Policy Work
Reschedule development of ad hoc committee policy to the March 9, 2021 Council meeting.
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
2eNew City Website and City Facebook Page
New City website and City Facebook page.
The new website was allowed to go live; staff was directed to return with a Facebook proposal.
2fReplacement of Backup Computer for City Office
Authorize replacement of the city office backup computer.
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
2gNowthen Heritage Festival Facility Use and Fee Waiver
Nowthen Heritage Festival request to use facilities and waive rental fees and deposits.
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
3Floor Items
Floor items.
No floor items were presented.
4Sheriff's Report
Sheriff's report.
Commander Heath reported on calls for service and planned follow-up with Bar-None stakeholders; no council action was recorded.
5Quarterly Financial Reports
Quarterly financial reports.
The financial consultant reviewed the unaudited 2020 year-end reports; no vote was recorded.
6a5259 Viking Blvd Minor Subdivision
5259 Viking Boulevard minor subdivision.
Approved by motion.
6bOrdinance No. 2020-04 Amending Chapter 5, Relating to Snow Removal
Ordinance No. 2020-04 amending Chapter 5 relating to snow removal.
Tabled after Councilmember Rainville stated the item had been sent back to staff during the work session.
6cOrdinance 2021-01 Repealing Ordinance 2020-07
Ordinance 2021-01 repealing Ordinance 2020-07.
The minutes state the item was for information only because it had been voted on at the January meeting.
7aPlanning and Zoning Commission Members
Planning and Zoning Commission members.
Council directed staff to post openings under draft appointment procedures and defer interviews until after the February 18 planning session discussion.
7bPlanning and Zoning Draft Applications
Draft applications for Planning and Zoning Commission appointments.
Handled together with the Planning and Zoning Commission appointment process motion.
7cPlanning and Zoning Clerk's Memo
Clerk's memo on Planning and Zoning Commission information.
Handled together with the Planning and Zoning Commission appointment process motion.
8Fee Schedule - Continuation
Fee schedule continuation.
Tabled to the March City Council meeting.
9aAnoka County 2021 Spring/Fall Municipal Recycling Drop-off Days
Recycle Center discussion and Anoka County 2021 spring/fall municipal recycling drop-off days.
The minutes record a motion and second for a March 4 work session and staff information, but do not record a vote or outcome on that motion.
10aEmployment and Personnel Policies
Employment and personnel policies RCA from Councilmember Rainville.
Tabled to the March 9 City Council meeting.
11Upper Rum River Watershed Management Organization
Upper Rum River Watershed Management Organization.
Approved the 2022 draft budget.
12aPlanning Commission Public Hearings at Historic Town Hall
Planning Commission allowed to hold public hearings in person at Historic Town Hall.
Approved by motion.
12bCouncil Planning Session - Thursday, February 18 at 6:00 pm
Council planning session on Thursday, February 18 at 6:00 pm.
Approved by motion.
13Adjourn
Adjourn.
Meeting adjourned at 10:00 PM.
What this meeting did about specific topics, organized by issue rather than by document.
Consent agenda approvals
The Council approved the consent agenda, including the January 12 minutes, the Treasurer's Report and claims, rescheduling work on ad hoc committee policy to March 9, replacement of the city office backup computer, and the Nowthen Heritage Festival facility-use and fee-waiver request. Items for North Metro Animal Control and the new website/Facebook page were pulled for later discussion even though the minutes also list them under the consent agenda.
Agenda: 2a, 2b, 2d, 2f, 2g. Motions: M2021-02-09-02. Speakers: Rainville, Blake.
Bar-None facility and sheriff service levels
Commander Heath reported 136 calls for service in Nowthen for the month, including six at Bar-None. He said he would initiate another meeting with Volunteers of America, the Department of Human Services, City staff, and the Sheriff's Office, and the Council identified the April work session as the time to discuss the Sheriff's Office contract.
Agenda: 4. Speakers: Commander Wayne Heath.
2020 year-end financial reports
Financial Consultant Lori Yager reviewed unaudited year-end financial reports for 2020. She explained that the General Fund was over budget because of CARES Act grant spending, professional services were down, fire costs were up, road and bridge reserves were being used for 2020 improvements pending 2021 debt issuance, and the Recycling Fund was not showing large losses.
Agenda: 5. Speakers: Lori Yager.
5259 Viking Boulevard Green/Roessler lot split
The Council approved the minor subdivision for 5259 Viking Boulevard. The packet describes the Green/Roessler property as 63.77 acres to be split into a 10.0 acre parcel and a 53.77 acre parcel, with conditions in the City Council findings and decision.
Agenda: 6a. Motions: M2021-02-09-03. Speakers: Rainville, Blake.
Snow removal ordinance amendments
The Council tabled Ordinance No. 2020-04, the Chapter 5 snow-removal amendment, after noting that the work-session discussion had sent the item back to staff.
Agenda: 6b. Motions: M2021-02-09-04. Speakers: Rainville, Blake.
Planning and Zoning Commission appointment process
The Council discussed Planning and Zoning Commission membership, applications, and appointment procedures. It directed staff to post commissioner openings under the draft procedures emailed on February 9, but to hold interviews until after the February 18 Council planning session, when the job description, posting procedures, qualifications, and interview questions would be settled.
Agenda: 6c, 7a, 7b, 7c. Motions: M2021-02-09-05. Speakers: Ames, Alders, Rainville.
Fee schedule update
The Council tabled the fee schedule to the March Council meeting so members could send information to Clerk Streich before the item returned.
Agenda: 8. Motions: M2021-02-09-06. Speakers: Alders, Rainville, Pilon.
Recycle Center hours, staffing, costs, and drop-off days
Clerk Streich reviewed the Anoka County recycling contract and said the City was abiding by its terms. A motion was made and seconded to hold a March 4 work session on Recycling Center hours, staffing, profit/loss, and recommendations from the July 27, 2020 building tour, but the minutes do not record a vote or final outcome.
Agenda: 9a. Motions: M2021-02-09-07. Speakers: Streich, Rainville, Pilon.
Employment and personnel policies
The Council tabled the employment and personnel policies to the March 9 City Council meeting.
Agenda: 10a. Motions: M2021-02-09-08. Speakers: Rainville, Pilon.
Upper Rum River Watershed Management Organization 2022 budget
The Council approved the Upper Rum River Watershed Management Organization 2022 draft budget. The packet shows a total budgeted amount of $42,656 and Nowthen's share as $9,376.60, split into two payments.
Agenda: 11. Motions: M2021-02-09-09. Speakers: Greenberg, Rainville.
Planning Commission public hearings and Council planning session
Under For the Good of the Council, the Council approved allowing the Planning Commission to hold public hearings in person at Historic Town Hall and approved a Council planning session for Thursday, February 18 at 6:00 PM.
Agenda: 12a, 12b. Motions: M2021-02-09-10, M2021-02-09-11. Speakers: Pilon, Blake, Rainville.
North Metro Animal Control contract renewal
The Council discussed questions about the North Metro Animal Control contract, including whether to sign for one or two years, kennel inspections, dangerous dog registration, and unpaid citations. The Council tabled Resolution 2021-07.
Agenda: 2c. Motions: M2021-02-09-13. Speakers: Rainville, Streich, Pilon, Alders.
New City website and Facebook planning
After discussion of the website and social media policy, the Council voted to let the new website go live and directed staff to return with a proposal for what the City Facebook page should look like.
Agenda: 2e. Motions: M2021-02-09-12. Speakers: Rainville, Alders, Blake, Streich, Pilon.
14 motions on the record. Split votes are highlighted.
M2021-02-09-01MOTION BY BLAKE TO APPROVE TONIGHT'S AGENDA AS AMENDED, SECONDED BY ALDERS.
moved by Blake, seconded by Alders
M2021-02-09-02MOTION BY RAINVILLE TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA, SECONDED BY BLAKE.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Blake
M2021-02-09-03MOTION TO APPROVE 5259 VIKING BLVD MINOR SUBDIVISION BY RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY BLAKE;
moved by Rainville, seconded by Blake
M2021-02-09-04MOTION TO TABLE ITEM b) ORDINANCE NO. 2020-04 AMENDING CHAPTER 5, RELATING TO SNOW REMOVAL BY RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY BLAKE;
moved by Rainville, seconded by Blake
M2021-02-09-05MOTION BY RAINVILLE THAT COUNCIL DIRECTS STAFF TO POST THE PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSIONER OPENINGS ACCORDING TO THE DRAFT COMMISSION APPOINTMENT PROCEDURES THAT WAS E-MAILED ON 2/9/2021 AND INTERVIEWS WOULD NOT BE HELD UNTIL AFTER THE COUNCIL DISCUSSES AND AGREES UPON THE JOB DESCRIPTION, POSTING PROCEDURES, QUALIFICATIONS, AND INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AT THE FEBRUARY 18TH COUNCIL PLANNING SESSION, SECONDED BY ALDERS;
moved by Rainville, seconded by Alders
M2021-02-09-06MOTION BY RAINVILLE TO TABLE THE FEE SCHEDULE UNTIL THE MARCH CITY COUNCIL MEETING SO COUNCIL CAN SEND INFORMATION TO CLERK STREICH, SECONDED BY PILON;
moved by Rainville, seconded by Pilon
M2021-02-09-07MOTION BY RAINVILLE TO APPROVE A MARCH 4, 2021 WORK SESSION TO DISCUSS THE RECYCLING CENTER HOURS, STAFFING, PROFIT/LOSS, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS DISCUSSED DURING THE JULY 27, 2020 BUILDING TOUR. STAFF TO PROVIDE TOTAL LOADED LABOR COSTS ASSOCIATED TO STAFFING TO CENTER FOR THE CURRENT 21 HOURS THAT IS OPEN IN ADDITION TO AN OPTION FOR A 30 AND 35 HOUR COVERAGE BY MARCH 1ST TO COUNCIL. A BREAKDOWN OF WHETHER WE MAKE A PROFIT OR LOSS ON THE TYPES OF ITEMS WE ARE TAKING IN, SECONDED BY PILON;
moved by Rainville, seconded by Pilon
M2021-02-09-08MOTION TO TABLE THE EMPLOYMENT & PERSONNEL POLICIES TO THE MARCH 9TH CITY COUNCIL MEET BY RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY PILON;
moved by Rainville, seconded by Pilon
M2021-02-09-09MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER GREENBERG TO APPROVE THE UPPER RUM RIVER WATERSHED DISTRICT'S 2022 DRAFT BUDGET, SECONDED BY RAINVILLE;
moved by Greenberg, seconded by Rainville
M2021-02-09-10MOTION BY PILON TO ALLOW THE PLANNING COMMISSION TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS IN PERSON AT HISTORIC TOWN HALL, SECONDED BY BLAKE;
moved by Pilon, seconded by Blake
M2021-02-09-11MOTION BY PILON TO MEET FOR A COUNCIL PLANNING SESSION ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18TH, AT 6:00 PM, SECONDED BY RAINVILLE;
moved by Pilon, seconded by Rainville
M2021-02-09-12MOTION TO LET THE NEW WEBSITE GO LIVE AND ALLOW STAFF TO COME BACK WITH A PROPOSAL ON WHAT FACEBOOK SHOULD LOOK LIKE BY ALDERS, SECONDED BY BLAKE;
moved by Alders, seconded by Blake
M2021-02-09-13MOTION TO TABLE 2021-07 RENEWING THE CONTRACT WITH NORTH METRO ANIMAL CONTROL BY PILON, SECONDED BY ALDERS;
moved by Pilon, seconded by Alders
M2021-02-09-14MOTION TO ADJOURN AT 10:00 PM BY ALDERS, SECONDED BY BLAKE;
moved by Alders, 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 approved - February 2021 batch
Claims dated January 6, 2021 through February 2, 2021 were approved in the consent agenda; the payment batch total was $154,846.38.
invoice · Claims batch 21Feb09AP · FY 2021
$154,846.38
outflow
Total cash in all accounts - January 31, 2021
Total cash in all accounts as of January 31, 2021.
treasurer_report · Treasurer's Report · FY 2021
$2,505,569.06
unknown
Cash per BANYON ending balance - January 31, 2021
Cash per BANYON January 31, 2021 Schedule 1 ending balance.
treasurer_report · Treasurer's Report · FY 2021
$2,265,296.7
unknown
Anoka County Treasury claim
Anoka County Treasury claim total, including law enforcement contract and economic development cost share.
contract · Claims batch 21Feb09AP · FY 2021
$65,184.75
outflow
Couri & Ruppe legal services claim
Couri & Ruppe legal services claim total.
invoice · Claims batch 21Feb09AP · FY 2021
$10,441.25
outflow
Hakanson Anderson Associates engineering claim
Hakanson Anderson Associates engineering claim total.
invoice · Claims batch 21Feb09AP · FY 2021
$12,765.13
outflow
St. Francis fire services contract claim
City of St. Francis claim for first half of 2021 fire services contract.
contract · Claims batch 21Feb09AP · FY 2021
$37,534.5
outflow
The Planning Company claim
The Planning Company LLC professional services claim total.
invoice · Claims batch 21Feb09AP · FY 2021
$7,442
outflow
Backup computer replacement authorization
Consent agenda authorized replacement of the backup computer and failed hard drive at the city office.
expenditure · Backup PC replacement · FY 2021
$10,456.29
outflow
Wix annual website cost
Wix annual plan cost shown in the website comparison for the new city website.
contract · Website comparison · FY 2021
$324
outflow
Gov Office annual website comparison cost
Gov Office annual plan cost shown as the comparison for the existing or alternative website service.
contract · Website comparison · FY 2021
$600
outflow
2020 General Fund receipts
General Fund total receipts year to date for 2020 in the December financial report.
revenue · 2020 General Fund financial report · FY 2020
$2,065,360
inflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
2020 General Fund disbursements
General Fund total disbursements year to date for 2020 in the December financial report.
expenditure · 2020 General Fund financial report · FY 2020
$1,719,308
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
2020 General Fund transfers out
General Fund transfers out in the 2020 December financial report.
transfer · 2020 General Fund financial report · FY 2020
$187,500
transfer
Council approval status: not yet on record.
2020 General Fund sources of fund balance
Sources of fund balance in the 2020 General Fund financial report.
budget · 2020 General Fund financial report · FY 2020
$158,552
inflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
Decrease in cash and investments compared to 2019
Decrease in total city cash and investments from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2020.
treasurer_report · 2020 cash and investments · FY 2020
$175,599
unknown
Council approval status: not yet on record.
2020 Recycling Fund net income
Recycling Fund 2020 net income in the December report.
revenue · 2020 Recycling Fund report · FY 2020
$1,097
inflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
URRWMO 2022 total draft budget
Total Upper Rum River Watershed Management Organization 2022 draft budget approved by Council.
budget · URRWMO 2022 draft budget · FY 2022
$42,656
outflow
Nowthen share of URRWMO 2022 draft budget
Nowthen's share of the Upper Rum River Watershed Management Organization 2022 draft budget.
budget · URRWMO 2022 draft budget · FY 2022
$9,376.6
outflow
Nowthen first half URRWMO 2022 payment
Nowthen's first half URRWMO 2022 budget payment due on or before January 1.
budget · URRWMO 2022 draft budget · FY 2022
$4,688.3
outflow
Nowthen second half URRWMO 2022 payment
Nowthen's second half URRWMO 2022 budget payment due on or before July 1.
budget · URRWMO 2022 draft budget · FY 2022
$4,688.31
outflow
When someone tried to remember earlier business, we cross-reference the corpus and write a short related-history note.
Commander Heath will initiate a meeting with the Volunteers of America staff at the Bar-None facility, along with the Department of Human Services, City staff, and the Sheriff's Office to see what steps they are taking to improve the situation.
— Commander Heath
What this is about
Prior discussion with Volunteers of America and Department of Human Services about Bar-None facility concerns and follow-up expectations.
The records show a partial match. In the April 28, 2026 meeting packet, Volunteers of America of Minnesota submitted materials for the Bar None Residential Services campus, describing its youth residential services and stating that the campus is licensed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services as a Children’s Residential Facility. VOA also stated that it believed it was already operating under an earlier Anoka County conditional use permit, but was submitting a new Conditional Use Permit and text amendment application because the City was requiring it. The search results provided do not include minutes or a recorded decision showing a prior meeting with VOA, DHS, City staff, and the Sheriff’s Office, nor do they show a formal Council vote or specific follow-up requirements tied to Commander Heath’s comment. So the records support that Bar None/VOA and DHS licensing were before the City in the April 28, 2026 packet, but they do not document the follow-up meeting itself or any Council action directing it.
At the December 2020 council meeting direction was given that the City Clerk works with Council to develop policy and procedures for the ad hoc Committee, to be presented by the City Clerk at the February Council Meeting.
— Council Member Mary Rainville
What this is about
December 2020 Council direction to develop policy and procedures for ad hoc committees.
The records I searched do not contain a December 2020 council action or direction matching this recollection about having the City Clerk work with Council to develop policy and procedures for ad hoc committees for presentation at a February meeting. The search results returned unrelated 2026 materials, including clerk updates, employee/payroll discussions, personnel policy language, and road project resolutions, but nothing about a December 2020 ad hoc committee policy discussion or formal council direction.
At the January Council Meeting I moved to table Planning and Zoning Commissioner appointments until the Council has the opportunity to discuss a process for appointing members, qualifications and training requirements.
— Council Member Mary Rainville
What this is about
January 2021 tabling of Planning and Zoning Commissioner appointments so Council could discuss process, qualifications, and training.
The records I searched do not contain the January 2021 Council action described, so I cannot confirm from these results that Council Member Rainville moved to table Planning and Zoning Commissioner appointments at that meeting. The closest related records are from 2026. At the March 10, 2026 meeting, the consent agenda was approved and included Resolution 2026-17 approving a Planning and Zoning Commission Policy. The same packet included a proposed ordinance amendment stating that the city’s rules were being updated so the City Council would “determine the interview process,” rather than requiring the Council itself to interview members, and also discussed eligibility/residency language for commission appointments. A later April 28, 2026 packet shows the Planning and Zoning Commission conducting interviews for five candidates for a vacant commission seat, but that is a later appointment-process record and not evidence of the January 2021 tabling motion.
MOTION BY RAINVILLE TO APPROVE A MARCH 4, 2021 WORK SESSION TO DISCUSS THE RECYCLING CENTER HOURS, STAFFING, PROFIT/LOSS, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS DISCUSSED DURING THE JULY 27, 2020 BUILDING TOUR.
— Rainville
What this is about
Recycle Center recommendations from the July 27, 2020 building tour.
The records searched do not contain the July 27, 2020 Recycling Center building tour notes or a list of the recommendations discussed during that tour, so I cannot confirm from these results what those specific recommendations were or whether they were implemented in 2021. The results do show later related Recycling Center follow-up. At the March 10, 2026 meeting packet, staff brought back Recycling Center open hours, noting prior fall discussions about winter/summer hours and the safety of having two employees working together. Staff reported that Tuesday/Thursday hours and the 2nd and 4th Saturdays were working well, with fewer downtime hours and few complaints, and asked Council to determine summer hours. The same packet also included a quarterly Recycling Center update listing 2025–early 2026 changes, including an ongoing $15,972 subsidy approved by Resolution 2025-102, vendor changes for fluorescent bulbs and tire recycling, and operational improvements.
During 2018 council held discussions regarding updating the Employment and Personnel Policies which had last received revisions in January 2016.
— Council Member Mary Rainville
What this is about
Prior 2018 discussions and December 2020 workshop mention of employment and personnel policy updates.
The records I searched do not contain a 2018 council discussion or a December 2020 workshop item matching the recollection about updating the City’s Employment and Personnel Policies after the January 2016 revisions. No formal 2018 or 2020 vote or direction on those policy updates appears in the search results provided. The closest related records are from 2026, when the City was reviewing drug-testing requirements tied to CDL drivers. At the January 13, 2026 meeting packet, staff reported that the current Drug Policy within the City’s Personnel Policy was not DOT-compliant and recommended using Workforce QA to update that policy for $150, along with considering a drug-testing company. A March 10, 2026 packet also contains updated drug, alcohol, and cannabis testing policy language, but the search results do not show a recorded vote on the earlier 2018/2020 policy-update discussions.
Clerk Streich explained that the social media policy is the policy that this Council approved in 2020.
— Clerk Streich
What this is about
Prior approval of the social media policy in 2020 during the website/Facebook discussion.
The records I searched do not contain a prior decision matching the recollection that Council approved a social media policy in 2020. The search results provided are from 2026 meeting packets and minutes and relate to wage studies, development agreements, fee schedules, payroll services, and other operations, not a 2020 website/Facebook or social media policy approval. Based on these results, I cannot confirm the date, vote, or terms of any prior Council approval of the social media policy.
<!-- 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="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="151" --> 6\. The approved total outdoor cultivation area shall not exceed 7000 square feet that is in a fenced and secured area as shown on the Site Layout. All cul
<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="14" --> 5\. No extraction, production, or retail endorsements have been issued by the OCM. Even if granted by the OCM in the future, these activities may not be com
#### Introduction VOA, MN is a nonprofit corporation engaged in the provision of health and human services with a 129-year history serving individuals, families, and communities. VOA, MN's mission is
Every document and recording archived for this meeting.
Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2021-02-09)
Minutes · 2021-02-09
5 pages
Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2021-02-09)
Packet · 2021-02-09
203 pages
Meeting recording
YouTube
Transcript · 1147 segments · 2:56:34
The structured brief on this page is auto-generated and may need correction. The PDFs and the meeting recording remain the official record.