What this meeting did about specific topics, organized by issue rather than by document.
Routine meeting business and consent agenda
The council opened the meeting, approved the agenda, had no public forum speakers, and approved the consent agenda covering prior minutes, claims, two fire department personnel items, and education opportunities. No consent items were moved out for separate discussion, and the meeting later adjourned.
Agenda: 1, 2, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 9c, 10. Motions: M-2024-04-09-01, M-2024-04-09-02, M-2024-04-09-09. Speakers: Mayor Pilon, Administrator Lehner, Breyen, Rainville, Fladebo.
Rogers Lake Road / Waco Street project
The council approved plans and specifications and ordered bid advertising for the Waco Street, Waco Drive, 182nd Avenue and Ventre Lane project, then approved declaring costs and preparing notice for the assessment hearing. Discussion focused on the May bid and hearing schedule, estimated project costs, the planned assessment approach for 18 properties, and whether one commercial-use property with a CUP should be assessed differently; the minutes say the council ultimately decided all properties would be assessed the same.
Agenda: 4a-1, 4a-2. Motions: M-2024-04-09-03, M-2024-04-09-04. Speakers: Shane Nelson, Rainville, Alders, Breyen, Fladebo.
March public safety reports
Mayor Pilon presented the March fire and sheriff reports because Chief Schmidt and Chief Deputy Jacobson were not in attendance. The reports covered fire calls, response time, notable incidents, sheriff calls for service, Bar None calls, and several noteworthy law-enforcement incidents.
Agenda: 5a, 6a. Speakers: Mayor Pilon.
Home occupations in the C-1 Commercial District
The council approved an ordinance amendment allowing home occupations in the C-1 Commercial District. The minutes explain that the issue was brought forward because the city had allowed home occupations in C-1 areas even though the zoning ordinance did not authorize them.
Agenda: 7a. Motions: M-2024-04-09-05. Speakers: Breyen, Rainville.
SotaSolar interim use permit at 8150 Viking Blvd NW
The council approved an Interim Use Permit for SotaSolar as an extended home occupation at 8150 Viking Blvd NW, conditioned on the findings of fact and record of decision. The discussion included the distinction that an IUP closes out on sale of the property, while a CUP stays with the property if the new business is the same and meets the original CUP requirements.
Agenda: 7b. Motions: M-2024-04-09-06. Speakers: Rainville, Breyen.
Administrator and old-business updates
The council received updates on the open Fire Chief position, the completed road-grading meeting with Brady Kreger, a possible team-building event, the May capital improvement meeting, the Pinnaker Road culvert repair, the May audit presentation, a possible St. Francis senior-housing conduit bond, open MnSpect permits now being reviewed through Rum River Consulting, uncompliant properties, the ATV ordinance, and the Memorial Park sprinkler schematic.
Agenda: 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f, 8g, 8h, 9a1, 9a2, 9a3. Speakers: Administrator Lehner, Mayor Pilon.
Insurance agent of record change to Corporate Four
The council approved changing the city's insurance agent of record to Corporate Four effective April 10, 2024. Council Member Rainville thanked Deputy Clerk Johnson for looking out for the city's best interests.
Agenda: 9b1. Motions: M-2024-04-09-07. Speakers: Breyen, Rainville.
Composting classes
The council approved spending for composting classes and related starter tools and supplies, not to exceed $300. The discussion tied the classes to the SCORE grant and noted that home composting is more appropriate for Nowthen than shared composting stations.
Agenda: 9b2. Motions: M-2024-04-09-08. Speakers: Fladebo, Rainville.
Anoka County Fire Protection Council 2025 budget
The council reviewed the Anoka County Fire Protection Council's 2025 proposed budget. Mayor Pilon said this was the first year cities had an opportunity to review it before the vote, and said he would vote affirmatively at the April 26 Fire Protection meeting.
Agenda: 9b3. Speakers: Mayor Pilon, Administrator Lehner.
Nowthen Historical Power Association 2024 events
The packet included the Nowthen Historical Power Association's annual notice of five planned 2024 public events under its CUP and IUP, but the minutes do not record any council discussion or action on that item.
Agenda: 9b4.