Agenda spine

27 items as recorded in the packet and minutes.

1. 1Call to Order

   Call to Order; Pledge of Allegiance; Roll Call; Approve Agenda.

   Agenda approved as amended.

   • agenda approval

   Approved
   p. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)1. Call to Order · Pledge of Allegiance · Roll Call · Approve Agendap. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED. 5 AYES VIA ROLL CALL.

2. 2aWork Session: Finalize Personnel Policy Updates Phase 1

   Finalize Personnel Policy Updates Phase 1.

   Personnel policy action was moved to the February meeting.

   • personnel policy

   Continued
   p. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)2. Work Session a. Finalize Personnel Policy Updates Phase 1p. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)*Move 10B1 to February meeting, previous work sessions are available online

3. 3Public Forum

   Public forum for residents to address City governmental topics.

   No one spoke.

   • public forum

   No action
   p. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)3. Public Forum The public forum is intended to afford the public an opportunity to address concerns to the City Council.p. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)## 3. PUBLIC FORUM None

4. 4aApprove December 12 and December 14, 2023 minutes

   Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes December 12, 2023 and Work Session Meeting Minutes December 14, 2023.

   Pulled from consent; staff was directed to correct the December 14 work session minutes and bring them back in February.

   • minutes approval

   Continued
   p. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)a. Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes December 12, 2023 and Work Session Meeting Minutes December 14, 2023.p. 7↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)4a) December 14th, Work Session Meeting minutes - Deputy Clerk to clarify "page 1, Funeral leave and discussion that the Administrator is under contract, therefore, certain contracted aspects remain untouched by any changes in this policy, such as PTO." Staff directed to make correction and bring back meeting minutes f…

5. 4bApprove claims and Treasurer's Report

   Approval of Claims December 8, 2023 - January 5, 2024 and Treasurer's Report.

   Consent agenda was approved as amended; the treasurer's report was removed to be sent later.

   • claims
   • treasurer report

   Consent calendar
   p. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)b. Approval of Claims December 8, 2023 - January 5, 2024 and Treasurer's Report.p. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)*Remove Treasurer's report, it will be sent to council later this week.p. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. 5 AYES VIA ROLL CALL.

6. 4cAccept LMC Insurance Trust dividend

   Approval of Resolution accepting a dividend from the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust.

   Approved as part of the consent agenda.

   • insurance dividend

   Consent calendar
   p. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)c. Approval of Resolution 2024-XX Accepting a Dividend of $1,127.00 from the League of MN Cities Insurance Trust.p. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. 5 AYES VIA ROLL CALL.

7. 4dDesignate responsible authority for 2024

   Designate the City Administrator as the city's responsible authority for 2024.

   Approved as part of the consent agenda.

   • data practices

   Consent calendar
   p. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)d. Approval of Resolution 2024-XX Designating the City Administrator as the city's responsible authority for 2024.p. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. 5 AYES VIA ROLL CALL.

8. 4e2024 annual appointments and official designations

   Establish City Council annual appointments and official appointments to commissions, committees, local government authorities, and official designations for 2024.

   Approved as part of the consent agenda.

   • annual appointments

   Consent calendar
   p. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)e. Approval of Resolution 2024-XX establishing City Council Annual Appointments and Official Appointments to Commissions, Committees, Local Government Authorities and Official Designations for 2024.p. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. 5 AYES VIA ROLL CALL.

9. 4fCOLA and merit increases

   Authorize COLA and merit increases based upon Administrator Lehner completing reviews per the 2024 budget.

   Pulled from consent; Council directed staff to bring wage and merit-increase information back for review.

   • COLA
   • merit increases
   • staff compensation

   Continued
   p. 2↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)f. Approval of Resolution 2024-XX authorizing COLA and Merit increases based upon Administrator Lehner completing reviews per the 2024 Budget.p. 10↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)MOTION BY MAYOR PILON SECONDED BY ALDERS TO HAVE STAFF PROVIDE A LISTING OF 2023 WAGES BY INDIVIDUAL, 2023 GROSS PAY, 3.5 MULTIPLIER ON THOSE WAGES, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM ADMINISTRATOR LEHNER FOR MERIT INCREASES. 5 AYES VIA ROLL CALL.

10. 4g2024 Heritage Festival support

    Approve a request from the Heritage Festival Volunteer Committee to waive rental fees, deposits, and associated costs related to the 2024 Heritage Festival, including financial and staff support.

    Approved as part of the consent agenda.

    • Heritage Festival

    Consent calendar
    p. 2↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)g. Approval of Resolution 2024-XX approving a Request from the Heritage Festival Volunteer Committee to Waive Rental Fees, Deposits and Associated Costs Related to the 2024 Heritage Festival to include Financial and Staff Support.p. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. 5 AYES VIA ROLL CALL.

11. 4hTrade resources with Nowthen Alliance Church

    Trade resources with Nowthen Alliance Church.

    Pulled from consent and approved with an amendment to include a possible fourth election if necessary.

    • Nowthen Alliance Church
    • elections
    • park facilities

    Approved
    p. 2↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)h. Approve Resolution 2024-XX Trading resources with the Nowthen Alliance Church.p. 11↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER FLADEBO, SECONDED BREYEN TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TRADING RESOURCES WITH NOWTHEN ALLIANCE CHURCH FOR THE 2024 ELECTIONS TO SET UP DAY BEFORE 5:00 PM TO 10:00 PM, AND DAY OF 5:30 AM to 11:00 PM (or until election can be closed); MARCH 4 & 5, AUGUST 12 & 13, AND NOVEMBER 4 & 5 AND THE …

12. 5Engineering

    Engineering department item.

    No engineering items were presented.

    • engineering

    No action
    p. 2↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)5. Engineeringp. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)## 5. ENGINEERING None

13. 6Fire Department

    Fire Department report.

    The December Fire Department report was presented; no motion was recorded.

    • fire department
    • public safety

    Discussion only
    p. 2↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)6. Fire Departmentp. 2↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)For the month of December 2023, the fire department responded to 12 incidents (9 less than the previous month) with an average response time of 12 minutes and 49 seconds (1 minute 40 second improvement from November).

14. 7Sheriff's Department

    Sheriff's Department report.

    Chief Deputy Jacobson presented the Sheriff's report; no motion was recorded.

    • sheriff
    • public safety

    Discussion only
    p. 2↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)7. Sheriff's Departmentp. 2↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)Sheriff's deputies responded to 123 calls for service. Total for 2023 is 1,552 calls, which is 115 calls over the 2022 year total.

15. 8Planning and Zoning

    Planning and Zoning.

    No Planning and Zoning items were presented.

    • planning and zoning

    No action
    p. 2↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)8. Planning and Zoningp. 4↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)## 8. PLANNING AND ZONING None

16. 9aAdministrator Update: staff performance reviews

    Reviews in process - 2023 staff performance reviews to be completed by January 31, 2024.

    Administrator Lehner reported staff evaluations would be completed by the end of January.

    • performance reviews

    Discussion only
    p. 2↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)9. Administrator Update a. Reviews in process - 2023 staff performance reviews to be completed by January 31, 2024p. 4↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)Administrator Lehner stated that all Performance Evaluations for staff will be completed by the end of January.

17. 10A1Attorney Glaser process for uncompliant properties

    Attorney Glaser Process for Uncompliant Properties.

    Administrator Lehner was directed to follow up, and Attorney Ruppe may send a letter if there is still no response.

    • uncompliant properties

    Continued
    p. 2↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)1. Attorney Glaser Process for Uncompliant Propertiesp. 4↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)1. Attorney Glaser process for uncompliant properties. Still no response and no billing. Administrator Lehner to follow up, if still no response, ask Attorney Ruppe to send him a letter to see if he still wants to work for the City of Nowthen.

18. 10A2ATV Ordinance Update

    ATV Ordinance Update.

    Still in process; a work session needs to be scheduled.

    • ATV ordinance

    Continued
    p. 2↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)2. ATV Ordinance Updatep. 4↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)2. ATV Ordinance Update - Still in process, need to schedule a work session to discuss and update.

19. 10A3Building official, code enforcement and septic compliance contract

    Choose and approve the Mayor to execute a contract with building official, code enforcement and septic compliance official.

    Tabled until the February meeting while comparisons continue.

    • building official

    Tabled
    p. 2↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)3. Choose and Approve the Mayor to execute a contract with building official, code enforcement and septic compliance official. - In Process address at February Meetingp. 4↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)3. Choose a Building Code Official - Still in process of comparison between Rum River Consultants and Safe Built (MnSpect). Table until February meeting.

20. 10A4Fee Schedule Changes

    Fee Schedule Changes.

    Tabled until the February meeting.

    • fee schedule

    Tabled
    p. 2↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)4. Fee Schedule Changes - In Process, Address at February Meetingp. 4↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)4. Fee Schedule Changes - In process, in addition to the permitting fees, Council Member Rainville mentioned there may be additional fees for the recycling center to be adjusted at a later date. Table the fee schedule discussion until February meeting.

21. 10B1Personnel Policy Updates Phase 1

    Approve Personnel Policy Updates Phase 1 with any approved changes.

    Moved to February after review with Attorney Ruppe.

    • personnel policy

    Continued
    p. 2↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)1. Approve Personnel Policy Updates Phase 1 with any approved changes.p. 4↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)Administrator Lehner to review some topics with Attorney Ruppe and bring back with the final formatted policy for City Council approval at February meeting.

22. 10B2City Planner

    Introduce new City Planner recommended by staff to fill the open planner position.

    Resolution 2024-06 approved the contract with Cindy Nash from Collaborative Planning LLC.

    • city planner
    • Collaborative Planning

    Approved
    p. 2↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)2. Introduce new City Planner recommended by staff to fill the open planner position.p. 5↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY ALDERS TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2024- 06 AUTHORIZING MAYOR PILON AND ADMINISTRATOR LEHNER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH CINDY NASH FROM COLLABRATIVE PLANNING LLC TO FILL THE ROLE OF CITY PLANNER EFFECTIVE JANUARY 10, 2024. 5 AYES VIA ROLL CALL.

23. 10B3Fire Chief job description and posting

    Approve Chief Schmidt and the personnel committee to create a job description and posting for a Fire Chief.

    Resolution 2024-07 approved creating a job description for the Fire Department Chief position.

    • fire chief recruitment

    Approved
    p. 2↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)3. Approve Chief Schmidt and the personnel committee to create a job description and posting for a Fire Chief.p. 6↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY RAINVILLE TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2024- 07 AUTHORIZING THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE, ADMINSTRATOR LEHNER, AND FIRE CHIEF SCHMIDT TO CREATE A JOB DESCRIPTION FOR THE NOWTHEN FIRE DEPARTMENT CHIEF POSITION. 5 AYES VIA ROLL CALL.

24. 10B4Joint Powers Agreement with Ramsey for Road Improvement Project

    Joint Powers Agreement with Ramsey for Road Improvement Project.

    Resolution 2024-08 approved the joint powers agreement.

    • Ramsey joint powers agreement
    • Rogers Lake Area road project

    Approved
    p. 2↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)4. Joint Powers Agreement with Ramsey for Road Improvement Project.p. 6↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY ALDERS TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2024-08 APPROVING THE JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT AS RECOMMENDED BY ATTORNEY RUPPE. 5 AYES VIA ROLL CALL.

25. 10B52024 Calendar

    2024 Calendar.

    Council reviewed the calendar, asked staff to verify data-practices issues, discussed closing July 5, and changed the August council meeting date to August 20.

    • 2024 calendar

    Discussion only
    p. 2↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)5. 2024 Calendarp. 6↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)ACTION ITEM: Staff directed to follow up if employment anniversary dates published on the calendar is a data practices violation or public data. * Follow up. Per Attorney Ruppe, anniversary dates may be on city calendar.p. 6↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)The August city council meeting will need to be changed due the Primary Election. The date decided upon is the following Tuesday, August 20th.

26. 10B6Comcast cable franchise waiver

    Added item regarding Comcast contract and regulating cable franchise agreement.

    Resolution 2024-09 waived the right to regulate the cable franchise.

    • Comcast
    • cable franchise

    Approved
    p. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)*Mayor Pilon added 10B6 - A document regarding the Comcast Contract regarding regulating cable franchise agreement.p. 7↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2024-09 WAIVING RIGHT TO REGULATE CABLE FRANCHISE. 5 AYES VIA ROLL CALL.

27. 11Adjourn

    Adjourn.

    Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

    • adjournment

    Approved
    p. 2↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)11. Adjournp. 11↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)MOTION TO ADJOURN BY COUNCIL MEMBER ALDERS AND FLADEBO. Meeting Adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Issues addressed

What this meeting did about specific topics, organized by issue rather than by document.

• Consent agenda and annual housekeeping

  Council approved the amended consent agenda, including acceptance of the $1,127 LMC Insurance Trust dividend, the responsible-authority appointment, annual appointments and official designations, and support for the 2024 Heritage Festival. The treasurer's report was removed, and the December 14 work session minutes were pulled for correction and return in February.

  Agenda: 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4g. Motions: M2. Speakers: Council Member Breyen, Council Member Fladebo.

• December public safety reports and ice rescue

  The Fire Department and Sheriff's Office gave December reports. The fire report noted 12 incidents and no dollar loss from fires, while the Sheriff's report noted 123 calls for service. Both reports discussed the December 3 ice rescue near Garnett Street, and the mayor said the City would also like to recognize Deputy Chris Fjeld for heroism.

  Agenda: 6, 7. Speakers: Mayor Pilon, Chief Deputy Jacobson.

• Personnel policy and staff compensation review

  Council did not approve the proposed COLA and merit increases at this meeting. Instead, after a lengthy discussion about COLA, merit pay, full-time and part-time employees, and comparable wages, Council directed staff to return with 2023 wages by individual, 2023 gross pay, a 3.5 percent multiplier, and Administrator Lehner's merit recommendations. The broader Phase 1 personnel policy update was also continued to February after attorney review.

  Agenda: 4f, 10B1. Motions: M8. Speakers: Mayor Pilon, Council Member Alders, Council Member Breyen, Council Member Fladebo, Council Member Rainville, Administrator Lehner.

• City planner contract with Cindy Nash

  Council approved Resolution 2024-06 authorizing a contract with Cindy Nash of Collaborative Planning LLC as the City's contracted planner effective January 10, 2024. Council discussed her experience, grant-writing background, keeping Nowthen rural, transition from the prior planner, and the contract terms.

  Agenda: 10B2. Motions: M3. Speakers: Mayor Pilon, Administrator Lehner, Cindy Nash, Council Member Fladebo, Council Member Alders, Council Member Rainville.

• Nowthen Fire Department Chief position

  Council approved Resolution 2024-07 authorizing the personnel committee, Administrator Lehner, and Fire Chief Schmidt to create a job description for the Nowthen Fire Department Chief position.

  Agenda: 10B3. Motions: M4. Speakers: Council Member Breyen, Council Member Rainville.

• Ramsey joint powers road improvement agreement

  Council approved Resolution 2024-08 approving the joint powers agreement with Ramsey for the Rogers Lake Area road improvement project. The discussion noted that there was no exact cost yet, that a later public hearing would occur, and that Nowthen could decide whether to move forward based on affordability.

  Agenda: 10B4. Motions: M5. Speakers: Council Member Breyen, Council Member Alders.

• 2024 city calendar

  Council reviewed the 2024 calendar, discussed whether employee anniversary dates could be listed, decided the August council meeting would move to August 20 because of the Primary Election, and noted the Planning and Zoning meeting would need rescheduling because of the Presidential Caucus.

  Agenda: 10B5. Speakers: Mayor Pilon, Deputy Clerk Johnson, Attorney Ruppe.

• Comcast cable franchise regulation waiver

  Council added and approved Resolution 2024-09 waiving the City's right to regulate Comcast's cable franchise. The mayor reported Attorney Ruppe's view that the City has a Business Subsidy Agreement rather than a Franchise Agreement and should not put a franchise agreement in place if one is not needed.

  Agenda: 10B6. Motions: M6. Speakers: Mayor Pilon, Attorney Ruppe, Council Member Breyen, Council Member Fladebo.

• Nowthen Alliance Church resource trade

  Council approved trading resources with Nowthen Alliance Church: the City may use the church for 2024 elections, and the church may use Memorial Park facilities for specified Wednesday evening events. The resolution was amended to include a possible fourth election if needed, and Council noted the arrangement worked well as a community partnership.

  Agenda: 4h. Motions: M9. Speakers: Council Member Fladebo, Council Member Breyen, Council Member Rainville, Deputy Clerk Johnson, Administrator Lehner.

• Old business items carried forward

  Several old business items stayed open. The uncompliant-property process with Attorney Glaser still had no response, the ATV ordinance still needed a work session, the building official comparison was tabled until February, and fee schedule changes were also tabled until February.

  Agenda: 10A1, 10A2, 10A3, 10A4. Speakers: Administrator Lehner, Council Member Rainville.

Motions and votes

9 motions on the record. Split votes are highlighted.

• M1MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED.

  moved by Council Member Breyen, seconded by Fladebo

  Passed

  • YMayor Pilon
  • YFladebo
  • YRainville
  • YBreyen
  • YAlders

  p. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED. 5 AYES VIA ROLL CALL.p. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)Present: Mayor Pilon, Council Members Fladebo, Rainville, Breyen and Alders.

• M2MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED.

  moved by Council Member Breyen, seconded by Fladebo

  Passed

  • YMayor Pilon
  • YFladebo
  • YRainville
  • YBreyen
  • YAlders

  p. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. 5 AYES VIA ROLL CALL.p. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)Present: Mayor Pilon, Council Members Fladebo, Rainville, Breyen and Alders.

• M3MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY ALDERS TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2024-06 AUTHORIZING MAYOR PILON AND ADMINISTRATOR LEHNER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH CINDY NASH FROM COLLABRATIVE PLANNING LLC TO FILL THE ROLE OF CITY PLANNER EFFECTIVE JANUARY 10, 2024.

  moved by Council Member Rainville, seconded by Alders

  Passed

  • YMayor Pilon
  • YFladebo
  • YRainville
  • YBreyen
  • YAlders

  p. 5↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY ALDERS TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2024- 06 AUTHORIZING MAYOR PILON AND ADMINISTRATOR LEHNER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH CINDY NASH FROM COLLABRATIVE PLANNING LLC TO FILL THE ROLE OF CITY PLANNER EFFECTIVE JANUARY 10, 2024. 5 AYES VIA ROLL CALL.p. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)Present: Mayor Pilon, Council Members Fladebo, Rainville, Breyen and Alders.

• M4MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY RAINVILLE TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2024-07 AUTHORIZING THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE, ADMINSTRATOR LEHNER, AND FIRE CHIEF SCHMIDT TO CREATE A JOB DESCRIPTION FOR THE NOWTHEN FIRE DEPARTMENT CHIEF POSITION.

  moved by Council Member Breyen, seconded by Rainville

  Passed

  • YMayor Pilon
  • YFladebo
  • YRainville
  • YBreyen
  • YAlders

  p. 6↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY RAINVILLE TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2024- 07 AUTHORIZING THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE, ADMINSTRATOR LEHNER, AND FIRE CHIEF SCHMIDT TO CREATE A JOB DESCRIPTION FOR THE NOWTHEN FIRE DEPARTMENT CHIEF POSITION. 5 AYES VIA ROLL CALL.p. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)Present: Mayor Pilon, Council Members Fladebo, Rainville, Breyen and Alders.

• M5MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY ALDERS TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2024-08 APPROVING THE JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT AS RECOMMENDED BY ATTORNEY RUPPE.

  moved by Council Member Breyen, seconded by Alders

  Passed

  • YMayor Pilon
  • YFladebo
  • YRainville
  • YBreyen
  • YAlders

  p. 6↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY ALDERS TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2024-08 APPROVING THE JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT AS RECOMMENDED BY ATTORNEY RUPPE. 5 AYES VIA ROLL CALL.p. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)Present: Mayor Pilon, Council Members Fladebo, Rainville, Breyen and Alders.

• M6MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2024-09 WAIVING RIGHT TO REGULATE CABLE FRANCHISE.

  moved by Council Member Breyen, seconded by Fladebo

  Passed

  • YMayor Pilon
  • YFladebo
  • YRainville
  • YBreyen
  • YAlders

  p. 7↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2024-09 WAIVING RIGHT TO REGULATE CABLE FRANCHISE. 5 AYES VIA ROLL CALL.p. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)Present: Mayor Pilon, Council Members Fladebo, Rainville, Breyen and Alders.

• M8MOTION BY MAYOR PILON SECONDED BY ALDERS TO HAVE STAFF PROVIDE A LISTING OF 2023 WAGES BY INDIVIDUAL, 2023 GROSS PAY, 3.5 MULTIPLIER ON THOSE WAGES, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM ADMINISTRATOR LEHNER FOR MERIT INCREASES.

  moved by Mayor Pilon, seconded by Alders

  Passed

  • YMayor Pilon
  • YFladebo
  • YRainville
  • YBreyen
  • YAlders

  p. 10↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)MOTION BY MAYOR PILON LISTING 2023 WAGES BY INDIVIDUAL, 2023 GROSS PAY, 3.5 MULTIPLIER ON THOSE WAGES, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM ADMINISTRATOR LEHNER FOR MERIT INCREASES.p. 10↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)MOTION BY MAYOR PILON SECONDED BY ALDERS TO HAVE STAFF PROVIDE A LISTING OF 2023 WAGES BY INDIVIDUAL, 2023 GROSS PAY, 3.5 MULTIPLIER ON THOSE WAGES, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM ADMINISTRATOR LEHNER FOR MERIT INCREASES. 5 AYES VIA ROLL CALL.p. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)Present: Mayor Pilon, Council Members Fladebo, Rainville, Breyen and Alders.

• M9MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER FLADEBO, SECONDED BREYEN TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TRADING RESOURCES WITH NOWTHEN ALLIANCE CHURCH FOR THE 2024 ELECTIONS TO SET UP DAY BEFORE 5:00 PM TO 10:00 PM, AND DAY OF 5:30 AM to 11:00 PM (or until election can be closed); MARCH 4 & 5, AUGUST 12 & 13, AND NOVEMBER 4 & 5 AND THE MEMORIAL PARK FACILITIES 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. MAY 22, 29, JUNE 5, 12, 19, 26, JULY 10 AND 17TH. AS AMENDED INCLUDING A FOURTH ELECTION IF NECESSARY.

  moved by Council Member Fladebo, seconded by Breyen

  Passed

  • YMayor Pilon
  • YFladebo
  • YRainville
  • YBreyen
  • YAlders

  p. 11↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER FLADEBO, SECONDED BREYEN TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TRADING RESOURCES WITH NOWTHEN ALLIANCE CHURCH FOR THE 2024 ELECTIONS TO SET UP DAY BEFORE 5:00 PM TO 10:00 PM, AND DAY OF 5:30 AM to 11:00 PM (or until election can be closed); MARCH 4 & 5, AUGUST 12 & 13, AND NOVEMBER 4 & 5 AND THE …p. 11↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)VOTING ENSUED: 5 AYES VIA ROLL CALL.p. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)Present: Mayor Pilon, Council Members Fladebo, Rainville, Breyen and Alders.

• M10MOTION TO ADJOURN BY COUNCIL MEMBER ALDERS AND FLADEBO.

  moved by Council Member Alders, seconded by Fladebo

  Passed

  p. 11↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)MOTION TO ADJOURN BY COUNCIL MEMBER ALDERS AND FLADEBO. Meeting Adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Money discussed

Each figure links back to the document it came from. When the council voted on the amount, the motion is shown.

• F1

  Dividend check from the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust accepted through the consent agenda.

  revenue · LMC Insurance Trust dividend · FY 2024

  $1,127

  inflow

  Council voted: MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. Passed
  p. 16↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)City Council thankfully acknowledges and accepts the $1,127.00 dividend check from the LMC Insurance Trust.p. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. 5 AYES VIA ROLL CALL.

• F2

  City monetary contribution approved as part of 2024 Heritage Festival support.

  donation · Nowthen Heritage Festival monetary contribution · FY 2024

  $3,000

  outflow

  Council voted: MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. Passed
  p. 30↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)2. $3,000 monetary contribution.p. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. 5 AYES VIA ROLL CALL.

• F3

  Approximate allocation of SCORE Grant funds for the Heritage Festival outreach event.

  grant · Anoka County Recycling SCORE Grant funds for Heritage Festival · FY 2024

  $800

  transfer

  Council voted: MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. Passed
  p. 30↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)3. Allocation of Anoka County Recycling SCORE Grant funds: approximately $800.00. (The festival qualifies for one of the outreach events required by the SCORE Grant)p. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. 5 AYES VIA ROLL CALL.

• F4

  Budgeted merit-increase amount discussed but not disbursed; Council directed staff to bring back individual wage and merit recommendations.

  salary · Budgeted merit increases · FY 2024

  $10,780

  outflow

  Council approval status: not yet on record.

  p. 29↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)City Council authorizes Administrator Lehner to distribute 3.5% COLA to city staff and distribute the budgeted amount of $10,780 as merit increases with reviews.p. 8↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)The concern the mayor has is that there is $10, 780 for merit increase and 3.5% COLA increase to city staff, but the council has no idea what these numbers are.

• F5

  Proposed 3.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment; Council requested additional wage detail before approval.

  salary · Budgeted COLA percentage · FY 2024

  $3.5

  outflow

  Council voted: MOTION BY MAYOR PILON SECONDED BY ALDERS TO HAVE STAFF PROVIDE A LISTING OF 2023 WAGES BY INDIVIDUAL, 2023 GROSS PAY, 3.5 MULTIPLIER ON THOSE WAGES, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM ADMINISTRATOR LEHNER FOR MERIT INCREASES. Passed
  p. 29↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)Administrator Lehner has the authority to distribute the 3.5 % COLA increases and Merit increases to city staff when reviews are completed.p. 10↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)MOTION BY MAYOR PILON SECONDED BY ALDERS TO HAVE STAFF PROVIDE A LISTING OF 2023 WAGES BY INDIVIDUAL, 2023 GROSS PAY, 3.5 MULTIPLIER ON THOSE WAGES, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM ADMINISTRATOR LEHNER FOR MERIT INCREASES. 5 AYES VIA ROLL CALL.

• F6

  Hourly rate for Cindy Nash/Collaborative Planning under the city planner contract approved by Resolution 2024-06.

  contract · Collaborative Planning city planner hourly rate · FY 2024

  $126

  outflow

  Council voted: MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY ALDERS TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2024-06 AUTHORIZING MAYOR PILON AND ADMINISTRATOR LEHNER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH CINDY NASH FROM COLLABRATIVE PLANNING LLC TO FILL THE ROLE OF CITY PLANNER EFFECTIVE JANUARY 10, 2024. Passed
  p. 65↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)Billing Rate. The billing rate for Ms. Nash for 2024 is $126 per hour, invoiced in 1/4 hour increments.p. 5↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY ALDERS TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2024- 06 AUTHORIZING MAYOR PILON AND ADMINISTRATOR LEHNER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH CINDY NASH FROM COLLABRATIVE PLANNING LLC TO FILL THE ROLE OF CITY PLANNER EFFECTIVE JANUARY 10, 2024. 5 AYES VIA ROLL CALL.

• F7

  Legal publication rate for the Anoka County UnionHerald and Star News "Elk River" as official newspaper.

  rate · Official newspaper legal publication rate · FY 2024

  $10.75

  outflow

  Council voted: MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. Passed
  p. 26↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)The legal publication rate for the Anoka County UnionHerald and Star News "Elk River" as of January 1, 2024, will remain unchanged from the 2023 rate of 10.75 per column inch.p. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. 5 AYES VIA ROLL CALL.

• F8

  Flat fee for manually typeset public notices from the official newspaper.

  fee · Official newspaper manual typeset fee · FY 2024

  $20

  outflow

  Council voted: MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. Passed
  p. 26↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)If any documents need to be manually typeset, a $20 flat fee will be charged per public notice.p. 1↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. 5 AYES VIA ROLL CALL.

• F9

  City Engineer reduced rate.

  rate · Hakanson Anderson 2024 municipal rate · FY 2024

  $135

  outflow

  Council voted: MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. Passed
  p. 28↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)City Engineer (Reduced Rate) $135.00

• F10

  Principal Engineer standard rate.

  rate · Hakanson Anderson 2024 municipal rate · FY 2024

  $160

  outflow

  Council voted: MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. Passed
  p. 28↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)Principal Engineer Standard Rate $160.00

• F11

  Senior Project Manager / Lead Design Engineer rate.

  rate · Hakanson Anderson 2024 municipal rate · FY 2024

  $145

  outflow

  Council voted: MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. Passed
  p. 28↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)Senior Project Manager / Lead Design Engineer $145.00

• F12

  Design Engineer / Project Manager low end of rate range.

  rate · Hakanson Anderson 2024 municipal rate range · FY 2024

  $105

  outflow

  Council voted: MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. Passed
  p. 28↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)Design Engineer / Project Manager $105.00 - $134.00

• F13

  Design Engineer / Project Manager high end of rate range.

  rate · Hakanson Anderson 2024 municipal rate range · FY 2024

  $134

  outflow

  Council voted: MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. Passed
  p. 28↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)Design Engineer / Project Manager $105.00 - $134.00

• F14

  Civil Technician low end of rate range.

  rate · Hakanson Anderson 2024 municipal rate range · FY 2024

  $90

  outflow

  Council voted: MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. Passed
  p. 28↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)Civil Technician $90.00 - $118.00

• F15

  Civil Technician high end of rate range; also listed as Senior Construction Observer rate.

  rate · Hakanson Anderson 2024 municipal rate range · FY 2024

  $118

  outflow

  Council voted: MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. Passed
  p. 28↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)Civil Technician $90.00 - $118.00p. 28↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)Senior Construction Observer $118.00

• F16

  Principal Land Surveyor, P.L.S. rate.

  rate · Hakanson Anderson 2024 municipal rate · FY 2024

  $150

  outflow

  Council voted: MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. Passed
  p. 28↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)Principal Land Surveyor, P.L.S. $150.00

• F17

  Survey Project Manager low end of rate range; also Survey Field Technician high end.

  rate · Hakanson Anderson 2024 municipal rate range · FY 2024

  $115

  outflow

  Council voted: MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. Passed
  p. 28↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)Survey Project Manager $115.00 - $135.00p. 28↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)Survey Field Technician $90.00 - $115.00

• F18

  Senior Survey Field Technician rate; also Environmental Specialist rate.

  rate · Hakanson Anderson 2024 municipal rate · FY 2024

  $124

  outflow

  Council voted: MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. Passed
  p. 28↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)Senior Survey Field Technician $124.00p. 28↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)Environmental Specialist $124.00

• F19

  GPS/Robotic Total Station rate.

  rate · Hakanson Anderson 2024 municipal rate · FY 2024

  $40

  outflow

  Council voted: MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. Passed
  p. 28↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)GPS/Robotic Total Station $40.00

• F20

  Hydrographic Survey Equipment rate.

  rate · Hakanson Anderson 2024 municipal rate · FY 2024

  $60

  outflow

  Council voted: MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. Passed
  p. 28↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)Hydrographic Survey Equipment $60.00

• F21

  Construction Observer low end of rate range; also Administrative Assistant high end.

  rate · Hakanson Anderson 2024 municipal rate range · FY 2024

  $85

  outflow

  Council voted: MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. Passed
  p. 28↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)Construction Observer $85.00 - $112.00p. 28↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)Administrative Assistant $70.00 - $85.00

• F22

  Construction Observer high end of rate range.

  rate · Hakanson Anderson 2024 municipal rate range · FY 2024

  $112

  outflow

  Council voted: MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. Passed
  p. 28↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)Construction Observer $85.00 - $112.00

• F23

  Administrative Assistant low end of rate range.

  rate · Hakanson Anderson 2024 municipal rate range · FY 2024

  $70

  outflow

  Council voted: MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECOND BY FLADEBO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. Passed
  p. 28↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)Administrative Assistant $70.00 - $85.00

• F24

  Earlier polling-place memorandum stated a maximum cost for all three elections; the Jan. 9 action approved trading resources at no cost to the city.

  fee · Nowthen Alliance Church prior election facility maximum cost · FY 2024

  $400

  outflow

  Council voted: MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER FLADEBO, SECONDED BREYEN TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TRADING RESOURCES WITH NOWTHEN ALLIANCE CHURCH FOR THE 2024 ELECTIONS TO SET UP DAY BEFORE 5:00 PM TO 10:00 PM, AND DAY OF 5:30 AM to 11:00 PM (or until election can be closed); MARCH 4 & 5, AUGUST 12 & 13, AND NOVEMBER 4 & 5 AND THE MEMORIAL PARK FACILITIES 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. MAY 22, 29, JUNE 5, 12, 19, 26, JULY 10 AND 17TH. AS AMENDED INCLUDING A FOURTH ELECTION IF NECESSARY. Passed
  p. 40↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)As discussed, the cost for all three of these elections will have a maximum cost of $400.00 per email dated 8-3-23.p. 42↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)City Council agrees to waive park rental fees for the dates listed above and accepts the Nowthen Alliance church for the 2024 elections at no cost to the city.p. 11↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)VOTING ENSUED: 5 AYES VIA ROLL CALL.

Memory cues and prior history

When someone tried to remember earlier business, we cross-reference the corpus and write a short related-history note.

• Ms. Nash introduced herself and stated how she has some experience in Nowthen in 2018 with a previous project.

  — Cindy Nash

  What this is about
  Cindy Nash recalled prior work in Nowthen in 2018, which may relate to a previous planning project.

  p. 5↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)Ms. Nash introduced herself and stated how she has some experience in Nowthen in 2018 with a previous project.

  Related history

  The records I searched do not contain a prior 2018 Nowthen planning project involving Cindy Nash or Collaborative Planning. The matches found are from 2026, mainly showing Ms. Nash working with the city on current planning matters such as the Jay’s Services interim use permit materials in the March 10, 2026 packet and related February 2026 correspondence. So this appears to be a recollection that is not confirmed by the available search results. The records provided show her current 2026 involvement, but no formal 2018 discussion, project, decision, vote, or contract matching the prior work she referenced.

  • ·Mar 10, 2026<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="44" --> <table> <tr> <th colspan="9">BURGLARIES</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Number</th> <th>
  • ·Mar 10, 2026<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="191" --> Cindy Nash - Collab Planning <table> <tr> <td>From:</td> <td>Gerald Bonine<
  • ·Mar 10, 2026<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="299" --> Page 4: [1] Formatted Cindy Nash - Collab Planning 12/16/2025 5:31:00 PM Le
  • ·Mar 10, 2026<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="190" --> Cindy Nash - Collab Planning <table> <tr> <td>From:</td> <td>Wendy Stament
  • ·Mar 10, 2026<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="188" --> Cindy Nash - Collab Planning <table> <tr> <td>From:</td> <td>Jason Jones</t

• Council Member Breyen stated he can't remember where he has seen it, but it is out there to have both COLA and Merit.

  — Council Member Breyen

  What this is about
  Council Member Breyen tried to recall where he had seen both COLA and merit pay discussed before.

  p. 7↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)Council Member Breyen stated he can't remember where he has seen it, but it is out there to have both COLA and Merit.

  Related history

  The records I searched do not contain a prior discussion or decision matching Council Member Breyen’s recollection of both COLA and merit pay being discussed. The search results returned unrelated items, including Planning and Zoning Commission appointments, a state flag discussion, and other council business, but nothing about employee COLA or merit compensation.

  • ·Feb 10, 2026<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="226" --> <figure> CITY OF NOWTHEN </figure> ## REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION <table> <t
  • ·May 12, 2026MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON, TO APPOINT MICHAEL HOIUM TO THE PLANNING AND ZON
  • ·Apr 14, 2026MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON, TO APPOINT MICHAEL HOIUM TO THE PLANNING AND ZON
  • ·Feb 10, 2026Council Member Mary Rainville informed the Council that due to a medical situation, she might need to excuse herself fro
  • ·Apr 14, 2026Council Member Breyen asked if there was a different category for the budget for this expense, rather than the contingen

• When previous staff asked about it, it was discussed as a bonus.

  — Council Member Breyen

  What this is about
  The discussion referenced prior staff questions about merit or bonus pay.

  p. 7↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)When previous staff asked about it, it was discussed as a bonus.

  Related history

  The records I searched do not contain a prior discussion or decision matching Council Member Breyen’s recollection about staff questions on merit pay or bonus pay. The search results returned unrelated items, including land-use permit materials, Planning Commission procedures, and a state performance measurement survey item, but nothing about employee compensation, merit increases, or bonuses.

  • ·Apr 28, 2026<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="46" --> system that records activity when motion is detected. A fenced outdoor court
  • ·Mar 10, 2026<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="181" --> <!-- PageHeader="Jays Services - 8704 190th Ave NW February 11, 2026" --> 1
  • ·Feb 24, 2026<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="7" --> Jays Services - 8704 190th Ave NW February 11, 2026 13\. The use shall comply
  • ·Apr 14, 2026<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="315" --> <figure> CITY OF NOWTHEN </figure> ## REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION <table> <t
  • ·Mar 10, 2026<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="161" --> <!-- PageHeader="21360 Xenon St NW February 18, 2026" --> 14\. The site acc

• Last year, it was based the same way, it was all COLA, he used the % to adjust wages to try to get competitive and to do that, some employees had to "donate" and not receive the full 5% that was budgeted.

  — Administrator Lehner

  What this is about
  Administrator Lehner recalled how the prior year's COLA was used to adjust wages.

  p. 8↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)Last year, it was based the same way, it was all COLA, he used the % to adjust wages to try to get competitive and to do that, some employees had to "donate" and not receive the full 5% that was budgeted.

  Related history

  The records searched do not contain a prior-year decision matching Administrator Lehner’s recollection that a 5% budgeted COLA was redistributed so some employees did not receive the full amount in order to make wage adjustments more competitive. The closest match is the April 14, 2026 meeting packet, where staff proposed formal step pay charts and wage increases to make the City more competitive as an employer. That packet describes proposed 3–5% step increases plus COLA each year, with employees receiving only COLA after reaching the top of their scale, and estimated that immediate implementation would cost $29,285.67 above what was budgeted for 2026. The search results show this related wage-structure discussion, but they do not show the prior year’s COLA allocation or a recorded vote on the specific 5% approach described.

  • ·Feb 10, 2026<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="182" --> <!-- PageHeader="BERGLUND, BAUMGARTNER & GLASER, LLC" --> ## CITY & GOVERNM
  • ·May 12, 2026#### General Employees Plan Benefits General Employees Plan requires three years of service to vest. Benefits are based
  • ·Apr 14, 2026# TITLE OF ISSUE: Approval of Resolution 2026-XX Accepting the Proposed Step Charts and Increasing Employee Wages BACKGR
  • ·May 12, 2026##### GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES General fund expenditures are up 8% or $35,000 over last year. All departments are under
  • ·Apr 14, 2026<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="210" --> steps, because most of what I read and also observed in other cities' steps

• Council member Breyen responded there was a COLA increase in the budget of 6%, at the work session It was broken apart to give some COLA and some merit to provide the administrator some flexibility with distribution.

  — Council Member Breyen

  What this is about
  Council Member Breyen recalled that the COLA and merit split had been discussed during budgeting.

  p. 9↗Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)Council member Breyen responded there was a COLA increase in the budget of 6%, at the work session It was broken apart to give some COLA and some merit to provide the administrator some flexibility with distribution.

  Related history

  The records I searched do not contain a prior budget discussion or decision matching Council Member Breyen’s recollection about a 6% COLA being split between COLA and merit pay to give the administrator flexibility. The only budget-related matches in these results concern an unrelated plaque expense discussed at the March 10, 2026 meeting, where Council Member Breyen asked what budget category should cover that expense. No COLA, merit-pay split, work session discussion, or related vote appears in the search results provided.

  • ·Feb 10, 2026<!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageNumber="226" --> <figure> CITY OF NOWTHEN </figure> ## REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION <table> <t
  • ·May 12, 2026MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON, TO APPOINT MICHAEL HOIUM TO THE PLANNING AND ZON
  • ·Apr 14, 2026MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON, TO APPOINT MICHAEL HOIUM TO THE PLANNING AND ZON
  • ·Feb 10, 2026Council Member Mary Rainville informed the Council that due to a medical situation, she might need to excuse herself fro
  • ·Apr 14, 2026Council Member Breyen asked if there was a different category for the budget for this expense, rather than the contingen

Sources

Every document and recording archived for this meeting.

• Document

  Meeting City Council Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-01-09)

  Packet · 2024-01-09

  87 pages

  ↗
• Document

  Meeting City Council Meeting — Minutes (2024-01-09)

  Minutes · 2024-01-09

  11 pages

  ↗