Thursday, March 10, 2022 · 7:00 PM
Agenda
Not posted
What was on the agenda.
One-line summary
The Council approved the Woodhaven 9-lot preliminary plat, confirmed 2022 precincts and polling places, started the process to fill a Planning and Zoning vacancy, and discussed hiring the city's next top administrator or clerk.
20 items as recorded in the packet and minutes, each with a plain-English summary of what was at issue.
1Call to Order
Call to order, pledge, roll call, and agenda approval.
The agenda was approved as amended.
2aApproval of February 8, 2022 City Council minutes
Approval of the February 8, 2022 City Council regular meeting minutes.
The consent agenda included prior minutes, claims, the SafeAssure OSHA services contract, two tobacco violation penalties, and acceptance of Jeremy Strecker's Fire Department resignation. Councilmember Blake noted that the claims listing date should be March 10, 2022 rather than February 28, 2022, and the recorded motion approved the agenda as amended; the minutes do not separately state a consent-agenda approval motion.
This was listed under the consent agenda; the minutes record the motion wording as approval of the agenda as amended rather than approval of the consent agenda.
2bApproval of claims and Treasurer's Report
Approval of claims and treasurer's report.
The consent agenda included prior minutes, claims, the SafeAssure OSHA services contract, two tobacco violation penalties, and acceptance of Jeremy Strecker's Fire Department resignation. Councilmember Blake noted that the claims listing date should be March 10, 2022 rather than February 28, 2022, and the recorded motion approved the agenda as amended; the minutes do not separately state a consent-agenda approval motion.
This was listed under the consent agenda; the minutes note an amendment to the claims listing date but record the motion wording as approval of the agenda as amended.
2cApproval of contract with Safety Assure for OSHA Services
Approval of a 2022-2023 safety training contract with SafeAssure/Safety Assure.
The consent agenda included prior minutes, claims, the SafeAssure OSHA services contract, two tobacco violation penalties, and acceptance of Jeremy Strecker's Fire Department resignation. Councilmember Blake noted that the claims listing date should be March 10, 2022 rather than February 28, 2022, and the recorded motion approved the agenda as amended; the minutes do not separately state a consent-agenda approval motion.
This was listed as a consent agenda item.
2dBill's Superette tobacco violation penalty
Approval of the ordinance-mandated penalty for Bill's Superette's 2021 tobacco sale violation.
The consent agenda included prior minutes, claims, the SafeAssure OSHA services contract, two tobacco violation penalties, and acceptance of Jeremy Strecker's Fire Department resignation. Councilmember Blake noted that the claims listing date should be March 10, 2022 rather than February 28, 2022, and the recorded motion approved the agenda as amended; the minutes do not separately state a consent-agenda approval motion.
This was listed as a consent agenda item.
2eBurn's Bottle Shop tobacco violation penalty
Approval of the ordinance-mandated penalty for Burn's Bottle Shop's 2021 tobacco sale violation.
The consent agenda included prior minutes, claims, the SafeAssure OSHA services contract, two tobacco violation penalties, and acceptance of Jeremy Strecker's Fire Department resignation. Councilmember Blake noted that the claims listing date should be March 10, 2022 rather than February 28, 2022, and the recorded motion approved the agenda as amended; the minutes do not separately state a consent-agenda approval motion.
This was listed as a consent agenda item.
2fAccept resignation of Jeremy Strecker
Acceptance of Jeremy Strecker's resignation from the Fire Department.
The consent agenda included prior minutes, claims, the SafeAssure OSHA services contract, two tobacco violation penalties, and acceptance of Jeremy Strecker's Fire Department resignation. Councilmember Blake noted that the claims listing date should be March 10, 2022 rather than February 28, 2022, and the recorded motion approved the agenda as amended; the minutes do not separately state a consent-agenda approval motion.
This was listed as a consent agenda item.
3Assessor's Report
Assessors provided a market update for Nowthen.
The city assessors presented a PowerPoint on Nowthen's real estate market. They said they used 47 good open-market sales and reported strong increases in residential and commercial values, while explaining that higher values do not automatically mean taxes rise because tax burden depends on each property owner's share.
The assessors presented information; no motion was recorded.
4Floor Items
Opportunity for floor items.
No floor items were presented.
5Sheriff's Report
Sheriff's report for February calls and co-location planning.
Lieutenant Jacobson reported 80 February calls in Nowthen, including runaway calls from Bar None, crashes tied mostly to weather and road conditions, and catalytic converter thefts. He also reported that the Sheriff's Department was working with the Fire Department on co-location and expected to be ready for the July 1 transition to Nowthen's dedicated daily car.
The lieutenant reported calls and the co-location update; no motion was recorded.
6Fire Department
Fire Department report.
Nothing was reported.
7aApproval of Woodhaven Preliminary Plat
Approval of the Woodhaven 9-lot preliminary plat.
Council approved the Woodhaven preliminary 9-lot plat. The discussion noted trail easements, the need for a graphic to vacate the cul-de-sac easement, and that the preliminary plat should clearly show possible future trails; the packet conditions also required park and trail dedication totaling $22,500 unless council required another means of dedication.
The preliminary 9-lot plat was approved.
8aResolution confirming 2022 precincts and polling places
Approval of Resolution 2022-07 confirming 2022 precincts and polling places.
Council approved Resolution 2022-07 establishing Nowthen's precincts and polling places for the August 9 and November 8, 2022 elections. The minutes state that Nowthen gained 90 residents in the prior 10 years and did not need to redistrict, and that both precincts would continue voting at the Nowthen Fire Department.
Resolution 2022-07 was approved.
8bReplacement Planning and Zoning Commissioner process
Approval of the process to recruit and select a replacement Planning and Zoning Commissioner for Robert Schiller's unexpired term.
Council approved the process for filling Robert Schiller's unexpired Planning and Zoning Commission term and instructed staff to solicit applicants. The council confirmed that there would be no limit on the number of applicants and that the posting would be open for 30 days.
Council approved the process and directed staff to solicit applicants.
8cAdministrative position, job description, process, timeline, and participants
Discussion of the top administrative position, job description, hiring process, timeline, and participants.
Council discussed whether the city should hire a City Clerk, City Clerk/Treasurer, or City Administrator, and the hiring committee was identified as Interim City Administrator Boyles, Councilmember Blake, and Mayor Pilon. Boyles cautioned that hiring the right person was the council's most important task and discussed the potential $24,500 cost of professional help; council members leaned toward getting more information on costs and possibly using a firm.
Council discussed the position and recruitment approach; no formal motion was recorded.
8dCity Council work completion priorities prior to July 1, 2022
Discussion of council work priorities to be completed before July 1, 2022.
Boyles asked council members to prepare prioritized lists of work to finish before his interim contract ends. Council agreed to submit top-five lists by March 16, with number 1 as most important and number 5 as least important, so a consolidated priority list could be prepared.
Council agreed informally to submit priority lists by March 16, 2022.
8eRecycling Day in Nowthen
Discussion of council participation, costs, and declaration of May 7, 2022 as Recycling Day.
Council discussed Recycling Day for May 7, 2022. Members volunteered or tentatively volunteered to participate, Rainville was working with staff on no-cost appliance and tire recycling options, fees would be collected for electronics, the hours would be 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and the spring newsletter would include a $2 coupon.
This item was discussed after the printed agenda; council supported staff and council participation but no formal motion was recorded.
8fWatershed Consolidation Proposal (1W1P)
Discussion of the Watershed Consolidation Proposal, also called 1W1P.
Councilmember Greenberg updated the council on the 1W1P watershed consolidation proposal, including the June 1 to July 31 enrollment period, no city cost, the ability to resign at any time, and possible funding access. Mayor Pilon suggested council members reread Greenberg's email and discuss the issue again at the May 12 council meeting.
Council planned to discuss the proposal again at the May 12 council meeting.
8gCity of Nowthen Spring Newsletter Update
Update on the City of Nowthen spring newsletter.
Councilmembers Blake and Rainville were helping prepare the spring newsletter. The minutes set a March 25 noon deadline for ads and articles, an April 18 proof date for council, and delivery to about 1,500 homes and businesses in the first week of May.
Council received a newsletter timeline update; no formal motion was recorded.
9Adjourn
Adjournment.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:37 p.m.
5 motions on the record. Split votes are highlighted.
M1MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER GREENBERG AND SECONDED BY RAINVILLE, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED.
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER GREENBERG AND SECONDED BY RAINVILLE, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED.
moved by Greenberg, seconded by Rainville
M2MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER ALDERS, SECONDED BY RAINVILLE TO APPROVE THE WOODHAVEN PRELIMINARY 9 LOT PLAT.
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER ALDERS, SECONDED BY RAINVILLE TO APPROVE THE WOODHAVEN PRELIMINARY 9 LOT PLAT
moved by Alders, seconded by Rainville
M3MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER BLAKE, SECOND BY RAINVILLE TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2022-07 ESTABLISHING PRECINCTS AND POLLING PLACES FOR 2022 NOWTHEN ELECTIONS ON AUGUST 9, 2022, AND NOVEMBER 8, 2022.
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER BLAKE, SECOND BY RAINVILLE TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2022-07 ESTABLISHING PRECINCTS AND POLLING PLACES FOR 2022 NOWTHEN ELECTIONS ON AUGUST 9, 2022, AND NOVEMBER 8, 2022.
moved by Blake, seconded by Rainville
M4MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY GREENBERG TO ACCEPT THE PROCESS IN PLACE AND INSTRUCT STAFF TO SOLICITE APPLICANTS TO FILL THE TERM OF ROBERT SCHILLER.
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY GREENBERG TO ACCEPT THE PROCESS IN PLACE AND INSTRUCT STAFF TO SOLICITE APPLICANTS TO FILL THE TERM OF ROBERT SCHILLER.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Greenberg
M5MOTION BY RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY BLAKE TO ADJOURN.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Blake
The amounts the council actually voted to approve, each with the vote that approved it. Drawn from the official minutes.
Main claim register total
$135,228
A&B Welding & Construction snow plow repair
$61
ABDO benefits audit
$5,547
Advance Graphix fire department graphics
$1,640
Air Comfort office entry heat repair
$891
Aspen Mills uniforms and badges
$2,439
Barthold January roll-off hauling
$330
Beaudry diesel fuel
$4,272
Cintas equipment rentals
$163
Cornerstone Automotive F350 maintenance
$769
Couri & Ruppe civil attorney services
$10,666
Crow River Farm Equipment supplies
$134
Dock & Door Tec shop overhead door repair
$5,212
Frank Boyles professional services and mileage
$31,232
Hakanson Anderson engineering services
$13,485
Knife River 2021 Street Improvement Project draw
$43,400
PERA amount due after audit
$4,874
February payroll liabilities total
$1,385
Payroll liabilities 2.3.22 total
$3,596
Payroll liabilities 02/17/22 total
$3,304
February auto pay total
$1,441
WEX Fleet Card payment
$984
SafeAssure safety training contract
$1,655
When someone referred back to earlier business, we found the matching prior discussion and tied it in here.
The public hearing was held for Woodhaven on November 23, 2021. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval by a vote of 6-0.
— Packet staff report
What this is about
Prior Woodhaven Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing and recommendation.
The records I searched do not contain the November 23, 2021 Woodhaven Planning and Zoning Commission minutes or any prior decision matching this specific recollection. The search results only include later Planning and Zoning Commission policy materials, which describe the general process for public hearings and recording votes, but they do not document the Woodhaven hearing or the reported 6-0 recommendation.
We have gained 90 residents in the last 10 years since the last redistricting.
What this is about
Prior redistricting cycle and population change since the last redistricting.
The records I searched do not contain a prior redistricting decision or discussion matching this recollection, and they do not show a recorded finding that the city gained 90 residents since the last redistricting. The search results returned unrelated packet material from 2025–2026, including subdivision, cannabis interim use permit, pension, and law-enforcement data access items, but nothing about redistricting or population-change calculations.
He believes we had the wrong level of people in the wrong positions before. We don't want the same problems we have had.
— Boyles
What this is about
Prior staffing problems that council wanted to avoid when hiring the next top administrator or clerk.
The records I searched do not contain a prior council decision matching this recollection about earlier staffing problems or having “the wrong level of people in the wrong positions” when hiring a top administrator or clerk. The search results returned unrelated planning, subdivision, cannabis-permit, and employee-benefit material, but no meeting record showing a formal discussion or vote about past staffing problems tied to hiring the next administrator or clerk.
Councilmember Alders agrees with Boyles, that the cost is great, but we have spent much more in the past few months and he would propose to go with a firm to help us get the right candidates.
— Alders
What this is about
Recent spending that council considered when discussing whether to hire a third-party recruiting firm.
The records show a related discussion at the May 5, 2025 meeting, when council discussed whether to continue using South Central Service Cooperative (SCSC) for the city administrator recruitment and whether to extend consultant Frederick Boyles’ contract to help complete the hiring process. Council Member Glaser said using SCSC would “incur costs” and suggested that not renewing Mr. Boyles’ contract and hiring Ms. Johnson directly as City Administrator could potentially save the city $30,000–$50,000. The council discussed canceling the SCSC contract, but the minutes say the council wanted to keep the process open, see who applied, and decide later whether to end the SCSC contract. The May 5, 2025 packet included a proposed resolution to extend Mr. Boyles’ contract until August 1, 2025, or until an administrator was hired, with Mr. Boyles working with SCSC on recruitment and assisting Interim Administrator Johnson as needed. The search results do not identify the specific “much more” recent spending Councilmember Alders was comparing this to, and the May 5 minutes excerpt does not show a formal vote specifically canceling or approving the SCSC recruiting arrangement.
At the February city council meeting my employment agreement with the city was extended to terminate no later than July 1, 2022.
— Boyles
What this is about
Prior extension of the interim administrator's employment agreement and why priorities were being discussed.
The records I searched do not contain a prior decision matching this recollection. The search results returned 2026 packet materials about plats, minor subdivisions, interim use permits, and employee benefit plan language, but nothing about Boyles’ employment agreement, an interim administrator agreement, a February 2022 extension, or a termination date of July 1, 2022. Based on these search results alone, I cannot confirm the prior extension or the reason priorities were being discussed.
## RESOLUTION No. 2026-XX ### A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION POLICY WHEREAS, The Planning and Zoning Commission does an annual review of their policies and procedures in Jan
Roll Call 3\. Meeting Policy read 4\. Approve/Amend Meeting Agenda 5\. Approve/Amend Meeting Minutes of the Preceding Meetings 6\. Public Hearings 7\. Unfinished Business 8\. New Business 9\. Adjournm
B. For certain matters considered by the Planning and Zoning Commission, a requirement that the Planning and Zoning Commission conduct a public hearing is prescribed by State Statute or the City
public hearing following closure of the public hearing. E. Conduct of Persons Before the Planning and Zoning Commission 1\. During all public hearings required by State law or ordinance, members of th
C. The applicant (if any) may make a presentation or report on the subject matter for the hearing. d. The presiding officer asks Planning and Zoning Commission members if they have questions of
Documents and recordings archived for this meeting, when available.
The structured brief on this page is auto-generated and may need correction. The PDFs and the meeting recording remain the official record. What do the trust labels mean?