Loading records…
2020-07-14
Agenda
Not posted
What was on the agenda.
Packet
Not posted
The supporting materials council reviewed.
One-line summary
The council approved two road improvement contracts, a CARES Act funding plan, council receipt of public hearing notices, and reopening the recycling center, while also discussing CenterPoint Energy utility work and routine consent business.
16 items as recorded in the packet and minutes.
1Call to Order and agenda amendments
Meeting called to order; members present were recorded, and the agenda was amended before approval.
Agenda approved as amended during call to order.
2.aApprove Special Meeting Minutes of 06-29-2020
Approve Special Meeting Minutes of 06-29-2020.
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
2.bFinancial Report: Treasurer's Report and Claims
Approve Treasurer's Report and claims dated June 3, 2020 through July 7, 2020.
Approved as part of the consent agenda; no dollar amount was shown in the minutes.
2.cResolution 2020-41 Approving the Anoka County Sheriff's Contract
Resolution 2020-41 approving the Anoka County Sheriff's Contract.
Approved as part of the consent agenda; no contract amount was shown in the minutes.
2.dResolution 2020-42 Accepting the 2020 CenterPoint Energy Grant
Resolution 2020-42 accepting the 2020 CenterPoint Energy Grant.
Approved as part of the consent agenda; no grant amount was shown in the minutes.
2.eResolution 2020-43 Approving a Premise Permit at Northwoods Bar & Grill
Resolution 2020-43 approving a premise permit at Northwoods Bar & Grill.
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
2.fClerk's Memo - Operational Changes (Office Hours)
Clerk's memo on operational changes to office hours.
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
2.hLakeside Cabinet golf cart use and road closure
Lakeside Cabinet's request for approval of golf cart use and road closure.
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
3Engineering - Road Improvement Discussion
Discussion of road improvement projects, including budget review, assessment cost, interest rate, resident questions, and related IUP concerns.
Parent discussion item; the two project resolutions were acted on separately.
3.aResolution 2020-44 - 189th Lane, 190th Lane & Dolomite Street Road Improvement Project
Resolution 2020-44 accepting bid and awarding contract for the 189th Lane, 190th Lane & Dolomite Street Road Improvement Project.
Resolution 2020-44 carried unanimously by all present.
3.bResolution 2020-45 - Krypton Street, 183rd Ave., Potassium Street & Merle's Lane Road Improvement Project
Resolution 2020-45 accepting bid and awarding contract for the Krypton Street, 183rd Ave., Potassium Street & Merle's Lane Road Improvement Project with engineer and city contributions.
Resolution 2020-45 carried unanimously by all present.
3 (Emergency Management).aRCA Discussion - Cares Act Local Government Aid Funding
Discussion and motion on CARES Act Local Government Aid funding, including a plan for Pilon and Breyen to work with Clerk Streich and approval of specified reimbursements from CARES Act dollars.
Motion carried unanimously by all present.
4.aCenterpoint Energy Utility Work
Council discussed CenterPoint Energy utility work, resident notification problems, Public Utilities Commission hearing status, and how information would be routed to city staff.
No motion was recorded for this item.
4.bPublic Notices
Council considered whether members should receive public hearing notices and resident address lists when notices are mailed.
Motion carried unanimously by all present.
4.cRecycling
Council discussed reopening the Recycling Center, website and Facebook communication, and volunteer/insurance questions.
Motion carried unanimously by all present.
AdjournmentAdjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Adjournment motion carried unanimously by all present.
What this meeting did about specific topics, organized by issue rather than by document.
Agenda amendments and consent business
The council amended the agenda by adding CenterPoint Energy utility work, public notice procedures, and moving the recycling center memo into Council Items, then approved the amended agenda. The consent agenda was approved, covering prior special meeting minutes, the Treasurer's Report and claims, the Sheriff's contract resolution, the 2020 CenterPoint Energy grant resolution, the Northwoods Bar & Grill premise permit resolution, office-hours operational changes, and Lakeside Cabinet's golf cart and road closure request.
Agenda: 1, 2.a, 2.b, 2.c, 2.d, 2.e, 2.f, 2.h. Motions: M1, M2. Speakers: Pilon, Rainville, Blake, Breyen.
189th Lane, 190th Lane & Dolomite Street road improvement
The council heard staff and resident discussion on the 189th Lane, 190th Lane & Dolomite Street project, including culvert costs, approximately $11,000 in identified savings, an approximate $6,180 per-resident cost, and a 4% interest rate. Residents asked about payoff timing, driveway tie-ins, core samples, whether residents would vote, road need, business traffic, and speed limits. The council approved Resolution 2020-44 accepting the bid and awarding the contract.
Agenda: 3, 3.a. Motions: M3. Speakers: Streich, Nelson, Pilon, Rainville, Breyen, Blake, Dan Dennie, Gerald Nash.
Krypton Street, 183rd Ave., Potassium Street & Merle's Lane road improvement
The second road project, covering Krypton Street, 183rd Ave., Potassium Street and Merle's Lane, was considered under the same road improvement discussion and the minutes record the same approximate 4% interest rate for both projects. The council approved Resolution 2020-45 accepting the bid and awarding the contract with engineer and city contributions.
Agenda: 3, 3.b. Motions: M4. Speakers: Breyen, Blake, Pilon.
CARES Act Local Government Aid spending plan
The council discussed how to handle CARES Act funds, with Greenberg and Blake asking how recommendations and future council review would work. The approved motion authorized Pilon and Breyen to work with Clerk Streich on a plan and approved CARES Act reimbursement for office front desk remodeling, two recycling day expenses, election preparedness expenses for the year, and emergency preparedness planning consultant fees.
Agenda: 3 (Emergency Management).a. Motions: M5. Speakers: Breyen, Pilon, Streich, Rainville, Greenberg, Blake.
CenterPoint Energy natural gas and utility locating
The council discussed confusion caused by CenterPoint Energy's subcontractor DIS doing sewer and septic line locating before the Public Utilities Commission had approved the natural gas project. The discussion clarified that a virtual Public Utilities Commission hearing was expected on July 23, residents in the current zone had been contacted by CenterPoint, and future information would come directly from CenterPoint to the City Clerk and Deputy Clerk.
Agenda: 4.a. Speakers: Pilon, Streich.
Council copies of public hearing notices
After discussing how council members learn about public hearing notices and what information should be available before Planning and Zoning review, the council approved a motion to include council members on the letter sent to residents and to provide the list of resident names and addresses that received the notice.
Agenda: 4.b. Motions: M6. Speakers: Pilon, Rainville, Breyen, Streich.
Recycling Center reopening
The council discussed reopening the recycling center, posting consistent information on the city website and community Facebook pages, and whether volunteers would be insured. The council approved reopening on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon beginning July 21, with Greenberg working with Clerk Streich on the information page and postings.
Agenda: 4.c. Motions: M7. Speakers: Rainville, Streich, Greenberg, Blake, Breyen, Pilon.
8 motions on the record. Split votes are highlighted.
M1MOTION TO APPROVE TONIGHT'S AGENDA AS AMENDED
moved by Breyen, seconded by Pilon
M2MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA
moved by Rainville, seconded by Blake
M3MOTION BY RAINVILLE TO APPROVE 2020-44 RESOLUTION ACCEPTING BID AND AWARDING CONTRACT FOR THE 189TH LANE, 190TH LANE & DOLOMITE STREET ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
moved by Rainville, seconded by Breyen
M4MOTION BY BREYEN TO APPROVE 2020-45 RESOLUTION ACCEPTING BID AND AWARDING CONTRACT FOR THE KRYPTON STREET, 183RD AVE., POTASSIUM STREET & MERLE'S LANE ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT WITH ENGINEER AND CITY CONTRIBUTIONS
moved by Breyen, seconded by Blake
M5MOTION BY BREYEN TO APPROVE PILON AND BREYEN TO WORK WITH CLERK STREICH ON A PLAN FOR THE CARES ACT FUNDS. ALSO TO APPROVE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE OFFICE FRONT DESK REMODELING, THE TWO RECYCLING DAYS EXPENSES, THE ELECTION PREPAREDNESS FOR THIS YEAR'S EXPENSES AS WELL AS THE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLANNING CONSULTANT FEES FROM THE CARES ACT DOLLARS
moved by Breyen, seconded by Rainville
M6MOTION FOR COUNCIL TO BE INCLUDED IN THE LETTER THAT GOES OUT TO RESIDENTS AND LIST OF RESIDENTS NAMES AND ADDRESSES
moved by Pilon, seconded by Breyen
M7MOTION TO RE-OPEN THE RECYCLING CENTER TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS, 10 AM-7 PM, AND SATURDAYS 9 AM-12 PM, BEGINNING JULY 21ST, AND COUNCIL MEMBER GREENBERG TO WORK WITH CLERK STREICH TO CREATE AN INFORMATION PAGE TO BE POSTED ON THE CITY WEBSITE AND COMMUNITY FACEBOOK PAGES
moved by Greenberg, seconded by Blake
M8MOTION TO ADJOURN AT 8:50 PM
moved by Breyen, seconded by Rainville
Each figure links back to the document it came from. When the council voted on the amount, the motion is shown.
Cost savings identified for 189th Lane, 190th Lane & Dolomite Street project
Engineer Nelson identified a little over $11,000 in cost savings on the current road improvement project.
estimate · 189th Lane, 190th Lane & Dolomite Street road project · FY 2020
$11,000
outflow
Approximate resident assessment for 189th Lane, 190th Lane & Dolomite Street project
Approximate new cost per resident for the 189th Lane, 190th Lane & Dolomite Street road improvement project.
assessment · 189th Lane, 190th Lane & Dolomite Street road project · FY 2020
$6,180
inflow
Approximate interest rate for both road projects
Approximate interest rate for both road projects.
rate · Road improvement assessments · FY 2020
$4
inflow
City share after road project cost reductions
The mayor described the city taking responsibility for just over $41,000 after trimming costs and taking back culvert costs.
expenditure · 189th Lane, 190th Lane & Dolomite Street road project · FY 2020
$41,000
outflow
When someone tried to remember earlier business, we cross-reference the corpus and write a short related-history note.
Council Member Breyen said these two road projects have been reviewed by staff and have been on the radar to be improved for a good five years now. When staff reviewed the roads and came up with potential roads back in 2018, these two were included.
— Breyen
What this is about
Prior road planning history for the two road projects.
The records I searched do not contain a prior road planning discussion or decision matching Council Member Breyen’s recollection that the two road projects were identified by staff in 2018 and have been on the improvement radar for about five years. The search results returned unrelated 2026 items, including Planning and Zoning appointments, a state flag discussion, meeting attendance, and a plaque expense discussion. They do not show a 2018 staff road review, a list of candidate road projects, or a formal Council action tied to these two roads.
He already went through one road improvement project when it went from gravel to black top.
— Gerald Nash
What this is about
A resident recalled an earlier improvement when the road changed from gravel to blacktop.
The records I searched do not contain a prior decision clearly matching this recollection of a specific road being converted from gravel to blacktop. The closest road-improvement records found are for the 2026 Overlay Road Improvement Project, which involved improvements to already-identified road segments in Country Meadows, Westpahl Country Acres, Morton Farm Preserve, 224th Court, and 218th Avenue—not an identified gravel-to-blacktop conversion for the resident’s road. At the April 14, 2026 meeting packet, the project was listed with estimated total costs of $491,400, with $245,700 proposed to be paid by the City plus overruns and $128,000 in budgeted road repair costs, and $245,700 proposed to be assessed to benefited property owners. A May 12, 2026 amended resolution revised those figures to $462,800 total, with $227,840 proposed as the City share plus overruns and $81,710 in budgeted road repair costs, and $227,840 proposed to be assessed. The excerpts do not show a vote outcome for those items.
A few years ago, Centerpoint Energy came to the City of Nowthen and asked to use the city hall building for a public meeting to present a proposal to bring natural gas to the east/central portion of our city.
— Pilon
What this is about
History of CenterPoint Energy's earlier natural gas proposal meeting at city hall.
The records I searched do not contain a prior discussion or decision matching this recollection about CenterPoint Energy using City Hall for a public meeting on a natural gas proposal for the east/central portion of Nowthen. The search results returned unrelated 2026 meeting packet items, including resolutions on prosecuting services, hazard mitigation, Farmers Market support, public safety agreements, and fire department hiring, but nothing referencing CenterPoint Energy, natural gas expansion, or a public meeting at City Hall.
Pilon said that Interim Use Permit (IUP) was investigated, and they are complying with their IUP. As long as they abide by the conditions that were placed upon them when they applied, there is nothing that can be done.
— Pilon
What this is about
Prior investigation and conditions for an interim use permit related to business traffic near the road project.
The records show a partial match. At the February 24, 2026 and March 10, 2026 meetings, the packet materials included conditions for an Interim Use Permit for an extended home occupation/business use. Those conditions included limits on business activity and traffic-related impacts: no concrete could be made or washed out on the property, concrete used for jobs had to go directly to the off-site project, materials/equipment generally had to be stored in an accessory structure, no unauthorized outside storage or other businesses were allowed, and no on-street parking was permitted unless allowed by the IUP. At the March 10, 2026 meeting materials, the IUP also allowed specific outdoor storage on a rear concrete pad: one flatbed trailer, one dump trailer, and nine skid loaders. The permit language said the property could be reviewed for compliance upon City notice, that violations of IUP conditions could terminate the permit, and that the City Council could revoke the IUP after notice and hearing. The permit was listed as expiring March 10, 2031. The search results do not include the actual investigation record Pilon referenced or a recorded finding that the business was in compliance. They do, however, show the permit conditions that would control what the City could enforce if the business stayed within those limits.
Council Member Blake said they talked to the IUP owner at this address about the dog show and that will not continue anymore.
— Blake
What this is about
Prior contact with the IUP owner about a dog show event.
The records I searched do not contain a prior discussion or decision matching Council Member Blake’s recollection of contact with an IUP owner at this address about a dog show event ending. The search results shown relate to unrelated council business, including state flag discussion, Planning and Zoning Commission appointment, and plaque/dedication expenses. They do not include an IUP, dog show, the address, or any recorded follow-up with the property owner.
at one time we talked and you may have mentioned this at one time we talked based on the size of our loss that we would increase that 1320
— Rainville
What this is about
Earlier council discussion about increasing public hearing notice distance beyond 1,320 feet.
The records searched show the current zoning ordinance requires mailed notice to property owners within 1,320 feet when a zoning amendment changes district boundaries affecting five acres or less. That appears to be the “1,320” distance being referenced. I did not find a prior council discussion or decision to increase that notice distance beyond 1,320 feet. The February 25, 2025 Planning & Zoning packet and the March 11, 2025 City Council packet include public hearing procedures, but they address hearing conduct and format, not expanding the mailed-notice radius. The records I searched therefore contain a partial match to the topic, but no formal vote or recorded decision matching the recollection of increasing the 1,320-foot distance.
<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="226" --> <figure> CITY OF NOWTHEN </figure> ## REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION <table> <tr> <th>Agenda Item:</th> <th>Department:</th> <th rowspan="2">Requested Council
MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON, TO APPOINT MICHAEL HOIUM TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION. 3 AYES - COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON, MAYOR
MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON, TO APPOINT MICHAEL HOIUM TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION. 3 AYES- COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON, MAYOR
Council Member Mary Rainville informed the Council that due to a medical situation, she might need to excuse herself from the meeting. She was attending the meeting remotely. Roll call by City Clerk J
Council Member Breyen asked if there was a different category for the budget for this expense, rather than the contingency that it was primarily placed in. The Council has offered to purchase the plaq
Every document and recording archived for this meeting.
Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2020-07-14)
Minutes · 2020-07-14
6 pages
Meeting recording
YouTube
Transcript · 689 segments · 1:47:02
The structured brief on this page is auto-generated and may need correction. The PDFs and the meeting recording remain the official record.