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2024-02-13
Agenda
Not posted
What was on the agenda.
One-line summary
The Council approved a large consent agenda, selected Rum River Consultants as building official, approved staff and firefighter compensation changes, accepted a ball field donation, ratified the URRWMO budget, approved several training items, raised newsletter ad rates, and separately approved the SafeAssure agreement.
31 items as recorded in the packet and minutes.
1Call to Order / Approve Agenda
Call to order, pledge, roll call, and approval of agenda.
Agenda approved as amended; item 3G was pulled from consent and moved to 9C1.
2Public Forum
Public forum for residents and speakers.
Senator Lucero spoke during public forum, and Brady Kreger offered to meet with public works staff about grading gravel roads.
3aApprove prior meeting minutes
Approval of prior minutes listed on the consent agenda.
Approved as part of the consent agenda as amended.
3bApprove claims and Treasurer's Report
Claims and Treasurer's Report for December and January.
Approved as part of the consent agenda as amended.
3cApprove 4th Quarter Financial Report
Fourth quarter financial report.
Approved as part of the consent agenda as amended.
3dApprove Generator Power Systems contract
Generator Power Systems contract.
Approved as part of the consent agenda as amended.
3eAccept Anoka Ramsey Athletic Gambling Funds
Acceptance of Anoka Ramsey Athletic Association lawful gambling funds.
Approved as part of the consent agenda as amended.
3fApprove Broadband Development Agreement with Comcast
Broadband Development Agreement with Comcast.
Approved as part of the consent agenda as amended.
3gApprove SafeAssure Consultants service agreement
Service agreement with SafeAssure Consultants.
Pulled from consent agenda and approved later as item 9C1.
3hApprove budget amendment to establish Gambling Fund
Budget amendment to establish Gambling Fund.
Approved as part of the consent agenda as amended.
3iApprove purchase of 3-step rolling ladder for Recycling Center
Purchase of rolling ladder for Recycling Center.
Approved as part of the consent agenda as amended.
4Engineering
Engineering report or business.
No engineering business was presented.
5Fire Department
Fire Department report.
Monthly report presented; no vote recorded on this report.
6Sheriff's Department
Meet the deputies and Sheriff's Department report.
Sheriff's report was presented, Deputy Hoefs was introduced, and Deputy Fjeld was recognized.
7Planning and Zoning
Planning and zoning update.
Planner Nash gave a monthly update; no formal action was taken under this item.
8Administrator Update
Administrator update, including open Fire Chief position.
Administrator Lehner reported that the fire chief recruitment process had started.
9A1Attorney Glaser process for uncompliant properties
Attorney Glaser process for uncompliant properties.
Administrator Lehner was to follow up; no vote recorded.
9A2ATV Ordinance Update
ATV ordinance update.
Still in process; a work session needs to be scheduled.
9A3Approve building official contract
Select building official, code enforcement, and septic compliance contractor.
Rum River Consultants was approved as City Building Official effective March 1, 2024.
9A4Fee Schedule Changes
Fee schedule changes.
To be presented as an ordinance amendment at a special meeting on February 28 at 6:00 p.m.
9A5Approve COLA and merit increases
COLA and merit increases for city staff.
COLA approved effective January 1, 2024; merit increases approved effective February 1, 2024.
9A6Personnel Policy Phase 1
Personnel Policy Phase 1 final decisions.
Council made final Phase 1 decisions on PTO payout, PTO deficit cap, hire-date applicability, and accrual option.
9B1Approve ball field improvements donation
Ball field improvements donation.
Donation accepted, with follow-up action items for a schematic drawing and rental form updates.
9B2Approve Upper Rum River Watershed 2025 Budget
Upper Rum River Watershed 2025 budget.
2025 URRWMO budget ratified.
9B3Authorize Deputy Clerk Johnson to attend MCFOA
Deputy Clerk Johnson attendance at MCFOA conference.
Approved not to exceed $1,200; Administrator Lehner and Deputy Clerk Johnson were to choose classes and forward the list to Council.
9B4Approve firefighter compensation increases
Firefighter compensation increases.
Firefighter compensation-rate increases approved.
9B5Approve City Day on the Hill attendance
City Day on the Hill attendance.
Attendance approved for Administrator Lehner, Mayor Pilon, and Council members.
9B6Approve Council Member Fladebo Elected Leaders Institute attendance
Council Member Fladebo attendance at LMC Elected Leaders Institute.
Approved for Council Member Fladebo to attend the Alexandria cohort after illness prevented Plymouth attendance.
9B7Approve newsletter advertising fee increase
Newsletter advertising fee increase.
Advertising rates increased; staff was directed to get printing and mailing quotes and track staff time.
9CItems moved from consent agenda
Items moved from consent agenda, if needed.
Item 3G was moved here and approved as the SafeAssure agreement.
10Adjourn
Adjournment.
Meeting adjourned at 9:37 p.m.
What this meeting did about specific topics, organized by issue rather than by document.
Agenda for the February 13 meeting
The Council amended the agenda by pulling the SafeAssure service agreement from consent item 3G and moving it to item 9C1, then approved the agenda as amended.
Agenda: 1. Motions: M1. Speakers: Mayor Pilon, Breyen, Fladebo.
Public forum legislative preview and road-grading training offer
Senator Eric Lucero gave a legislative preview during public forum. Brady Kreger asked that public works staff receive grader training and offered to meet with staff; the Mayor directed Administrator Lehner to coordinate a spring meeting with him.
Agenda: 2. Speakers: Senator Eric Lucero, Brady Kreger, Mayor Pilon, Administrator Lehner.
Consent agenda approvals
The Council approved the consent agenda as amended, covering prior minutes, claims and Treasurer’s Reports, the fourth-quarter financial report, generator maintenance, gambling-fund acceptance and budget transfer, the Comcast broadband development agreement, and a Recycling Center rolling ladder purchase. SafeAssure was removed from consent for separate discussion.
Agenda: 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3h, 3i. Motions: M2. Speakers: Breyen, Fladebo.
January Fire Department report
The Mayor presented Chief Schmidt’s January report showing 19 incidents, a 12-minute 6-second average response time, no fire dollar loss, notable medical and crash calls, and successful implementation of the First Due records management system.
Agenda: 5. Speakers: Mayor Pilon.
Sheriff’s report and Deputy Fjeld recognition
The Sheriff’s Office reported 104 January calls for service and reviewed Bar None calls, a school-bus stop-arm violation, crashes, and a suspected overdose. Deputy Hoefs was introduced as Nowthen’s newest deputy, Deputy Fjeld returned for a second year, and the City recognized Deputy Fjeld for his December 3, 2023 ice-rescue response.
Agenda: 6. Speakers: Chief Deputy Jacobson, Sheriff Brad Wise, Deputy Matt Hoefs, Deputy Chris Fjeld, Mayor Pilon, Administrator Lehner.
Planner Nash’s first monthly update
New City Planner Cindy Nash reported on pending and withdrawn planning matters, including the Sota Solar IUP hearing, the incomplete Northern Crane IUP, withdrawal of the Pinnaker Road subdivision application, preliminary Mackenzie Hills discussions, escrow and consultant-expense ordinance work, and zoning ordinance cleanup.
Agenda: 7. Speakers: Cindy Nash, Mayor Pilon, Administrator Lehner.
New fire chief recruitment
Administrator Lehner reported that the City had begun the process for a new Nowthen Fire Department chief and planned to meet with John Ehret to discuss what the chief position should look like and how to recruit for it.
Agenda: 8. Speakers: Administrator Lehner.
Old business items still in process
Several old business items remained open: Administrator Lehner was to follow up again on Attorney Glaser and uncompliant properties, the ATV ordinance still needed a work session, and fee schedule changes were to be handled as an ordinance amendment at a special meeting on February 28.
Agenda: 9A1, 9A2, 9A4. Speakers: Administrator Lehner.
Rum River Consultants building official contract
The Council approved Rum River Consultants as the City Building Official effective March 1, 2024, after staff compared Rum River Consultants and MNSPECT. Council and staff thanked Rum River Consultants for attending and for helping with streamlining questions.
Agenda: 9A3. Motions: M3. Speakers: Rainville, Dan, Administrator Lehner, Andy, Carri.
2024 COLA and merit increases for staff
The Council approved Administrator Lehner’s recommended distribution of staff compensation increases, with COLA effective January 1, 2024 and merit increases effective February 1, 2024. The Council later left a separate action item to clarify the process and expectations for year-end reviews, COLA, and merit increases.
Agenda: 9A5. Motions: M4. Speakers: Alders, Rainville, Administrator Lehner, Mayor Pilon.
Personnel Policy Phase 1 PTO decisions
The Council made final Phase 1 Personnel Policy decisions: employees leaving in good standing will be paid all accrued, unused PTO; PTO deficits will be capped at 40 hours; the new PTO accrual plan applies to employees hired after November 1, 2024 as written in the minutes; and Option A was selected for new employees with a maximum of 33 PTO days.
Agenda: 9A6. Motions: M5, M6, M7, M8. Speakers: Mayor Pilon, Fladebo, Alders, Breyen, Genevieve, Administrator Lehner.
Nowthen Memorial Park ball field donation
The Council accepted an anonymous donation for a sprinkler system and baseball-field work at Nowthen Memorial Park. Discussion covered the well, controls in the garage, maintenance, fertilizer timing, and documenting sprinkler lines for fireworks and rental responsibilities.
Agenda: 9B1. Motions: M9. Speakers: Breyen, Alders, Mayor Pilon, Administrator Lehner.
Upper Rum River Watershed 2025 budget
The Council approved the Upper Rum River Watershed Management Organization’s 2025 budget and directed Council Member Breyen to notify Jamie that Nowthen had ratified it.
Agenda: 9B2. Motions: M10. Speakers: Fladebo, Breyen.
Deputy Clerk Johnson MCFOA training
The Council authorized Deputy Clerk Johnson to register for and attend the MCFOA conference in St. Cloud March 19-22, 2024, not to exceed $1,200, with Administrator Lehner and Deputy Clerk Johnson to select classes and forward the list to Council.
Agenda: 9B3. Motions: M11. Speakers: Rainville, Breyen, Mayor Pilon, Administrator Lehner, Deputy Clerk Johnson.
Firefighter compensation increases
The Council approved firefighter compensation-rate increases authorized by the NFD policy and thanked the firefighters for serving Nowthen and surrounding areas.
Agenda: 9B4. Motions: M12. Speakers: Breyen, Rainville.
City Day on the Hill attendance
The Council approved Administrator Lehner, Mayor Pilon, and Council members to attend City Day on the Hill on March 7, 2024, at $125 per attendee plus mileage and stipend.
Agenda: 9B5. Motions: M13. Speakers: Rainville, Breyen.
Council Member Fladebo Elected Leaders Institute training
The Council approved Council Member Fladebo’s LMC Elected Leaders Institute training. The minutes note she had been signed up for the Plymouth cohort but, due to illness, would attend the Alexandria cohort instead.
Agenda: 9B6. Speakers: Fladebo.
Newsletter advertising rates
The Council approved a $25 increase in each newsletter advertising category, setting new rates at $100, $175, $250, and $375. Discussion noted newsletter costs exceeded ad revenue, and staff was directed to obtain printing and mailing quotes and track staff time.
Agenda: 9B7. Motions: M15. Speakers: Rainville, Fladebo, Alders.
SafeAssure safety training agreement
After pulling SafeAssure from consent, the Council discussed OSHA training, written procedures, documentation, and whether firefighters receive similar training, then approved the 12-month agreement beginning March 1, 2024.
Agenda: 3g, 9C. Motions: M20. Speakers: Breyen, Fladebo, Administrator Lehner.
17 motions on the record. Split votes are highlighted.
M1MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED.
moved by Breyen, seconded by Fladebo
M2MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED.
moved by Breyen, seconded by Fladebo
M3MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY DAN, TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2024-XX AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND ADMINISTRATOR LEHNER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH RUM RIVER CONSULTANTS TO BE THE CITY BUILDING OFFICIAL EFFECTIVE 3-1-24.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Dan
M4MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER ALDERS, SECONDED BY RAINVILLE TO APPROVE THE DISTRIBUTION OF COLA INCREASE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2024 AND MERIT INCREASES EFFECTIVE 2-1-24 AS RECOMMENDED BY ADMINISTRATOR LEHNER AND INCLUDED IN THE 2024 BUDGET.
moved by Alders, seconded by Rainville
M5MOTION BY MAYOR PILON, SECONDED BY FLADEBO TO GO WITH ALL ACCRUED, UNUSED HOURS WILL BE PAID OUT TO AN EMPLOYEE IN GOOD STANDING.
moved by Mayor Pilon, seconded by Fladebo
M6MOTION BY MAYOR PILON, SECONDED BY ALDERS TO CAP PTO DEFICIET AT 40 HOURS.
moved by Mayor Pilon, seconded by Alders
M7MOTION BY MAYOR ALDERS, SECONDED BY BREYEN TO STATE THE NEW PTO ACCRUAL EFFECTIVE FOR EMPLOYEES HIRED AFTER NOVEMBER 1, 2024.
moved by Mayor Alders, seconded by Breyen
M8MOTION BY MAYOR BREYEN, SECONDED BY FLADEBO TO USE OPTION A: ADMINISTRATOR'S RECOMMENDATION FOR NEW EMPLOYEES CAPING THE MAX PTO DAYS AT 33.
moved by Mayor Breyen, seconded by Fladebo
M9MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY ALDERS TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2024-XX ACCEPTING AN ANYONYMOUS DONATION OF A SPRINKLER SYSTEM AND FIELD WORK FOR THE BASEBALL FIELD AT NOWTHEN MEMORIAL PARK.
moved by Breyen, seconded by Alders
M10MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER FLADEBO, SECONDED BY BREYEN TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2024-XX UPPER RUM RIVER WATERSHED 2025 BUDGET.
moved by Fladebo, seconded by Breyen
M11MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY BREYEN TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2024- XX APPROVING DEPUTY CLERK JOHNSON TO REGISTER AND ATTEND THE MCFOA CONFERENCE IN ST. CLOUD, MARCH 19-22, 2024 NOT TO EXCEED $1,200.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Breyen
M12MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY RAINVILLE TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2024- XX AUTHORIZING AN INCREASE IN FIRE FIGHTER COMPENSATION RATES AS AUTHORIZED BY THE NOWTHEN CITY COUNCIL IN THE NFD POLICY.
moved by Breyen, seconded by Rainville
M13MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY BREYEN TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2024- XX APPROVING ADMINISTRATOR LEHNER, MAYOR PILON AND COUNCIL MEMBERS TO ATTEND CITY DAY ON THE HILL, THURSDAY, MARCH 7TH, 2024 AT A COST OF $125, PLUS MILEAGE AND STIPEND PER ATTENDEE.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Breyen
M14Approval of Resolution 2024-XX Approving Further Education for Council Member Fladebo through the LMC to attend the Alexandria Cohort February 23-24, 2024 with a fee of $350, mileage and hotel accommodations.
M15MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE A $25 INCREASE IN EACH ADVERTISING CATEGORIES IN THE CITY NEWLETTER. THE NEW RATES WILL BE: 1/8 PAGE, $100, 1/4 PAGE $175, 1/2 PAGE $250 AND FULL PAGE $375.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Fladebo
M20MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2024-XX APPROVING THE AGREEMENT WITH SAFE ASSURE CONSULTANTS BEGINNING MARCH 1, 2024 FOR 12 MONTHS.
moved by Breyen, seconded by Fladebo
M21MOTION TO ADJOURN BY COUNCIL MEMBER FLADEBO.
moved by Fladebo
Each figure links back to the document it came from. When the council voted on the amount, the motion is shown.
January adjusted bank total
Adjusted Bank Total as of January 31, 2024.
treasurer_report · January 2024 Treasurer's Report · FY 2024
$3,284,723.93
unknown
December adjusted bank total
Adjusted Bank Total as of December 31, 2023.
treasurer_report · December 2023 Treasurer's Report · FY 2023
$3,827,435.23
unknown
2023 general fund total revenues
2023 general fund total revenues in fourth quarter financial report.
budget · General Fund revenues · FY 2023
$2,249,576
inflow
2023 general fund total expenditures
2023 general fund total expenditures in fourth quarter financial report.
budget · General Fund expenditures · FY 2023
$2,048,376
outflow
Decrease in total city cash and investments
One-year decrease in total city cash and investments.
treasurer_report · Cash and investments · FY 2023
$425,762
unknown
Generator maintenance annual total
Annual preventive service total for both city generators, February 2024 through January 2025.
contract · Generator Power Systems contract · FY 2024
$1,260
outflow
Generator maintenance Attachment A
Attachment A price for the maintenance facility generator.
contract · Generator Power Systems contract · FY 2024
$655
outflow
Generator maintenance Attachment B
Attachment B price for the Fire Hall generator.
contract · Generator Power Systems contract · FY 2024
$605
outflow
Anoka Ramsey Athletic Association donation
2023 fourth-quarter gambling proceeds donation accepted by the city.
donation · Anoka Ramsey Athletic Association gambling funds · FY 2023
$5,911.22
inflow
Quarterly gambling net profit
Quarterly net profit used to compute the 10% city fund installment.
revenue · Anoka Ramsey Athletic Association gambling report · FY 2023
$59,112.23
unknown
Comcast broadband total project budget
Total project budget for broadband Project Facilities.
capital_project · Comcast Broadband Development Agreement · FY 2024
$8,498,043
unknown
State broadband grant
State Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant for the Project Facilities.
grant · Comcast Broadband Development Agreement · FY 2024
$2,549,413
inflow
City broadband contribution cap
City contribution to Comcast broadband project from ARPA and economic development authority funds.
grant · Comcast Broadband Development Agreement · FY 2024
$950,000
outflow
Anoka County Broadband ARPA Grant
Anoka County Broadband ARPA Grant amount used for broadband project financing.
grant · Comcast Broadband Development Agreement · FY 2024
$150,000
transfer
Anoka County HRA broadband funds
Anoka County Housing and Redevelopment Authority funds for broadband project financing.
grant · Comcast Broadband Development Agreement · FY 2024
$800,000
transfer
Comcast broadband contribution
Comcast share of the broadband Project Budget.
capital_project · Comcast Broadband Development Agreement · FY 2024
$4,998,630
unknown
SafeAssure 12-month agreement
12-month safety training and OSHA compliance service agreement beginning March 1, 2024.
contract · SafeAssure service agreement · FY 2024
$1,857.98
outflow
Budget amendment gambling fund transfer
Transfer of prior-year unspent gambling contributions into the new gambling fund.
transfer · Gambling Contribution Fund · FY 2023
$31,380.05
transfer
Rolling ladder approximate price
Approximate cost of the recommended ULINE 3-step rolling ladder before shipping.
expenditure · Recycling Center rolling ladder · FY 2024
$479
outflow
Rolling ladder not-to-exceed amount
Not-to-exceed amount for purchase of the rolling ladder with shipping.
expenditure · Recycling Center rolling ladder · FY 2024
$600
outflow
Rum River hourly rate
Hourly rate for existing projects, meetings, zoning reviews, property maintenance, and other services.
contract · Rum River Consultants contract · FY 2024
$90
outflow
RRC new residential septic system rate
Rate billed to the jurisdiction for new residential septic systems.
fee · Rum River Consultants septic services · FY 2024
$350
outflow
RRC tank replacement and holding tank rate
Rate billed to the jurisdiction for residential tank replacement and holding tank systems.
fee · Rum River Consultants septic services · FY 2024
$175
outflow
Budgeted staff merit increases
Budgeted merit amount approved for distribution with reviews.
salary · Staff merit increases · FY 2024
$10,870
outflow
Staff COLA percentage
COLA percentage approved for city staff effective January 1, 2024.
salary · Staff COLA · FY 2024
$3.5
outflow
Anonymous ball field improvements donation
Approximate value of anonymous donation for sprinkler system and field work at Nowthen Memorial Park.
donation · Ball field donation · FY 2024
$30,000
inflow
URRWMO total 2025 budget
Total proposed 2025 budget for Upper Rum River Watershed Management Organization.
budget · URRWMO 2025 budget · FY 2025
$45,946
outflow
Nowthen share of URRWMO 2025 budget
Nowthen's portion of the 2025 URRWMO budget.
budget · URRWMO 2025 budget · FY 2025
$9,735.16
outflow
Deputy Clerk MCFOA conference cap
Not-to-exceed amount for Deputy Clerk Johnson to attend the MCFOA conference.
expenditure · MCFOA conference · FY 2024
$1,200
outflow
MCFOA registration fee listed in RCA
Registration fee before February 20, 2024, listed in the RCA for Deputy Clerk Johnson's conference attendance.
fee · MCFOA conference · FY 2024
$475
outflow
Chad Fossum firefighter rate
Approved per-call/hour rate for Chad Fossum with 21 years of service.
salary · Firefighter compensation · FY 2024
$22
outflow
Isaac Schulz firefighter rate
Approved per-call/hour rate for Isaac Schulz with 16 years of service.
salary · Firefighter compensation · FY 2024
$20.5
outflow
Mike Suchy firefighter captain rate
Approved per-call/hour rate for Mike Suchy with 21 years of service plus captain status.
salary · Firefighter compensation · FY 2024
$23.5
outflow
Ray Junge firefighter rate
Approved per-call/hour rate for Ray Junge with 11 years of service.
salary · Firefighter compensation · FY 2024
$19
outflow
Luke Niemela firefighter rate
Approved per-call/hour rate for Luke Niemela with 6 years of service.
salary · Firefighter compensation · FY 2024
$17.5
outflow
City Day on the Hill per-attendee cost
Registration cost per attendee, plus mileage and stipend.
fee · City Day on the Hill · FY 2024
$125
outflow
Council Member Fladebo LMC training fee
Fee for Council Member Fladebo to attend the LMC Elected Leaders Institute Advanced Program.
fee · Elected Leaders Institute · FY 2024
$350
outflow
Council approval status: not yet on record.
Newsletter 1/8 page ad rate
Approved newsletter ad rate for 1/8 page.
fee · Newsletter advertising fees · FY 2024
$100
inflow
Newsletter 1/4 page ad rate
Approved newsletter ad rate for 1/4 page.
fee · Newsletter advertising fees · FY 2024
$175
inflow
Newsletter 1/2 page ad rate
Approved newsletter ad rate for 1/2 page.
fee · Newsletter advertising fees · FY 2024
$250
inflow
Newsletter full page ad rate
Approved newsletter ad rate for full page.
fee · Newsletter advertising fees · FY 2024
$375
inflow
Prior-year newsletter spending
Approximate newsletter spending last year, discussed during rate increase item.
expenditure · Newsletter costs · FY 2023
$8,000
outflow
Prior-year newsletter revenue
Newsletter revenue last year, discussed during rate increase item.
revenue · Newsletter revenue · FY 2023
$4,100
inflow
When someone tried to remember earlier business, we cross-reference the corpus and write a short related-history note.
Also, after watching the last meeting, Administrator Lehner wanted to verify that his words were accurate. Council members may have access to staff, however, it must go through the city administrator.
— Administrator Lehner
What this is about
Council was recalling a prior meeting discussion and the need to confirm what staff direction had been given about council access to staff.
The records I searched do not contain a prior decision or discussion matching this recollection about council members’ access to staff needing to go through the city administrator. The search results included unrelated uses of the word “access,” such as land-use consultation procedures, BCA system access, and property access requirements, but not council direction on staff communications. Based on these results, I cannot confirm from the provided records that a formal vote or specific prior staff direction was recorded on this point.
Recent adopted ordinance amendments are not all included within the Zoning Ordinance. Gathering information needed to include these adopted amendments within the ordinance.
— Planner Nash
What this is about
The planner referenced recently adopted zoning ordinance amendments that had not yet been incorporated into the ordinance text.
The records show a likely example of the “recent adopted ordinance amendments” Planner Nash was referring to: Ordinance No. 2025-09, “An Ordinance Amending the City of Nowthen Zoning Ordinance Related to Cannabis,” appears in both the March 24, 2026 packet and the April 14, 2026 meeting packet. That ordinance amended Section 11-3-8 of the Zoning Ordinance to add “Lower Potency Hemp Edible Retailer” and replace provisions for “Cannabis Retail Business,” including state licensing requirements and buffer distances from schools, daycares/residential treatment facilities, and certain park attractions. The search results do not show the meeting at which Ordinance 2025-09 was adopted, the vote outcome, or a separate action formally incorporating it into the codified Zoning Ordinance text. Other results include zoning-related excerpts used in variance or land-use materials, and a 2026 fee schedule ordinance, but those do not directly document the codification issue Planner Nash described.
Council Member Rainville thanked staff for all the work put into the comparison of the two companies, and thanked RRC for the wonderful presentation at the last meeting.
— Council Member Rainville
What this is about
The building official decision relied on presentations from a prior Council meeting and follow-up comparison work.
The records I searched do not contain a prior building official decision or earlier Council presentation matching this recollection. The search results include unrelated 2026 items involving Council Member Rainville, but they do not show a prior RRC presentation, a comparison of two building official companies, or a recorded vote/decision on that issue.
WHEREAS, The cost to produce this newsletter has increased over the years and it is to be noted that we have not had an increase for ads placed in the newsletter for 8 years or more, and;
What this is about
The newsletter fee discussion recalled that advertising rates had not been increased for many years.
The records show a partial match. At the January 13, 2026 meeting, the packet included a proposed resolution on non-profit organizations’ advertising fees in the Nowthen Newsletter. It stated there was no formal language on whether those fees should be waived, noted that the newsletter is expensive to produce, print, and mail, and proposed allowing non-profits up to a 1/4-page advertisement at no cost, with larger ads charged according to the City fee schedule. The search result does not include a completed vote record. A related item appeared at the March 10, 2026 meeting, where the packet included a proposed resolution authorizing payment for the 2026 spring and fall newsletters, not to exceed the budgeted amount of $8,650 plus advertising revenues collected. However, the records searched do not show a prior decision or discussion specifically stating that newsletter advertising rates had not been increased for “8 years or more.”
Back to Action Item not answered. What is the process for the COLA and Merit increases with respect to year end evaluations? This needs to be clarified as it changed from 2023 and 2024.
What this is about
The Council recalled that the COLA and merit process had changed between 2023 and 2024 and needed clarification for future years.
The records I searched do not contain a prior decision matching this recollection about changes to the COLA and merit increase process between 2023 and 2024, or how those increases relate to year-end evaluations. The search results instead relate to other 2026 topics, including performance measurement surveys, drug testing compliance, recycling center hours, security updates, debt service fund closures, equipment sale, and LED lighting. Based on these results, I cannot confirm from the provided records when or how the COLA/merit process changed, or whether Council previously gave formal direction on it.
<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="182" --> <!-- PageHeader="BERGLUND, BAUMGARTNER & GLASER, LLC" --> ## CITY & GOVERNMENT CLIENTS - CONTACT INFORMATION <table> <tr> <th>Public Sector Client</th> <th
<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="326" --> 1\. The City regularly receives inquiries from property owners, real estate professionals, developers and proposed purchasers ("Requesting Parties" or each
<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="30" --> 3\. The City desires to be appropriately responsive to requests for information and applications concerning Land Use Matters but recognizes that a significa
<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="46" --> system that records activity when motion is detected. A fenced outdoor courtyard is also available, providing a secure space for outdoor activities. ##### ·
<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="183" --> # City of Nowthen Emerging Issues ## Accounting Standard Update - GASB Statement No. 103 - Financial Reporting Model Improvements The objective of this Sta
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