Tuesday, September 9, 2025
One-line summary
The Council adopted the preliminary 2026 levy and budget, approved SSTS and Rum River contract changes, amended cannabis zoning for RRA cultivation, updated council policy and the fee schedule, and approved the Anoka County recycling contract with attorney-suggested amendments.
30 items as recorded in the agenda, packet, and minutes, each with a plain-English summary of what was at issue.
1Call to Order
Call to order, Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approve agenda.
Agenda approved as amended; consent item 5F was removed and 5C was moved to old business.
2Proclamation for Constitution Week September 17th to 23rd
Proclamation for Constitution Week September 17th to 23rd.
Mayor Hybben read two proclamations: one recognizing September 17-23, 2025 as Constitution Week and one recognizing October 2025 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Mayor read the proclamation.
3Proclamation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Proclamation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Mayor Hybben read two proclamations: one recognizing September 17-23, 2025 as Constitution Week and one recognizing October 2025 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Mayor read the proclamation.
4Public Forum
Public forum.
No one signed up to speak.
5aApproval of August 12, 2025, and September 3, 2025, City Council Meeting Minutes
Approval of August 12, 2025, and September 3, 2025, City Council Meeting Minutes.
The Council approved the consent agenda as amended, covering prior meeting minutes, claims and the August treasurer's report, the nuisance/excessive-services ordinance and summary publication, and the City Clerk evaluation forms and process.
Approved under the consent agenda as amended.
5bApproval of Claims and Treasurer's Report
Approval of Claims from August 6th to September 2nd and Treasurer's Report for August 2025.
The Council approved the consent agenda as amended, covering prior meeting minutes, claims and the August treasurer's report, the nuisance/excessive-services ordinance and summary publication, and the City Clerk evaluation forms and process.
Approved under the consent agenda as amended.
5cApproval to Sign Contract with Anoka County for Recycling Center
Approval to sign contract with Anoka County for Recycling Center.
The Council approved the Anoka County recycling center contract if the County accepts the attorney's suggested amendments on indemnification, termination, notice, cure periods, reporting, and hauler-report language.
Removed from consent and approved under old business with attorney-suggested amendments.
5dApproval of Ordinance Adding Nuisance Definitions and Excessive Use of Services
Approval of proposed ordinance adding nuisance definitions and excessive use of services section.
The Council approved the consent agenda as amended, covering prior meeting minutes, claims and the August treasurer's report, the nuisance/excessive-services ordinance and summary publication, and the City Clerk evaluation forms and process.
Approved under the consent agenda as amended.
5eApproval of Summary Publication for Nuisance Ordinance
Approval of summary publication for proposed nuisance ordinance.
The Council approved the consent agenda as amended, covering prior meeting minutes, claims and the August treasurer's report, the nuisance/excessive-services ordinance and summary publication, and the City Clerk evaluation forms and process.
Approved under the consent agenda as amended.
5fAccept Resignation from Mary Lieser as Farmer's Market Coordinator
Accept the resignation from Mary Lieser as the Farmer's Market Coordinator.
Item was pulled from consent; the minutes do not record a later motion on it.
5gApproval of City Clerk Evaluation Forms and Process
Approval of City Clerk evaluation forms and process for September 16, 2025 meeting.
The Council approved the consent agenda as amended, covering prior meeting minutes, claims and the August treasurer's report, the nuisance/excessive-services ordinance and summary publication, and the City Clerk evaluation forms and process.
Approved under the consent agenda as amended.
6aApprove Preliminary Budget
Approve 2026 preliminary levy and budget.
The Council adopted Resolution 2025-88 for the preliminary 2026 levy and budget, with an understanding that expenses would be revisited before final adoption for possible reductions. Glaser voted no after raising concerns about the weather siren and fire rescue vehicle assumptions.
Minutes label this as the 2026 preliminary levy and budget, despite the agenda saying 2025 preliminary budget.
7aReview Ordinance Repealing and Replacing Chapter 9 Section 3
Review ordinance repealing and replacing Chapter 9 Section 3 of the Nowthen City Code.
The Council moved forward with a revised septic/SSTS ordinance, adding cost-recovery language for noncompliant systems, and approved the first amendment to the Rum River Consultants building official services agreement for SSTS program administration.
Approved with cost-recovery amendment, but minutes note it still needed MPCA 30-day review and would return October 14, 2025 for final approval.
7bApprove First Amendment to Agreement for Building Official Services
Approve First Amendment to Agreement for Building Official Services: Rum River Consultants.
The Council moved forward with a revised septic/SSTS ordinance, adding cost-recovery language for noncompliant systems, and approved the first amendment to the Rum River Consultants building official services agreement for SSTS program administration.
8aFire Department Monthly Report
Fire Department monthly report.
Fire Chief Miller reported 23 August responses, including a structure fire with limited damage, and updated the Council that the new tanker had been delivered and placed into service.
Monthly report received; no motion recorded.
9aSheriff's Department Monthly Report
Sheriff's Department monthly report.
Lieutenant Bangerter reported 152 August calls for service, including 8 calls to Bar None, and City Clerk Johnson later reported that staff and consultants met with Bar None to discuss what type of IUP or CUP would be needed.
Monthly report received; no motion recorded.
10aPlanning and Zoning Monthly Report
Planning and Zoning monthly report.
Monthly report received; no questions were asked.
10bReview and Approval of Cannabis Zoning Ordinance
Review and approval of proposed ordinance repealing and replacing cannabis zoning.
The Council approved a cannabis zoning ordinance amendment allowing cannabis cultivation as a potential interim use in the Rural Residential Agriculture district, with revised setbacks, limits on microbusiness activities in that district, and city enforcement language tied to state rules. Rainville voted no.
Approved with discussed changes, including revised setbacks, microbusiness limitation to cultivation, and city enforcement of state rules.
10cApproval of Summary Publication for Cannabis Zoning Ordinance
Approval of summary publication for proposed cannabis zoning ordinance.
The Council approved a cannabis zoning ordinance amendment allowing cannabis cultivation as a potential interim use in the Rural Residential Agriculture district, with revised setbacks, limits on microbusiness activities in that district, and city enforcement language tied to state rules. Rainville voted no.
Covered and approved as part of the cannabis zoning motion.
11aUpdate on Open Receptionist Position
Update on the open receptionist position.
The City Clerk updated the Council on receptionist hiring, ordinance review work, Recycling Day, a city booth for the Heritage Festival, and the need to find a new impound option because the Humane Society will stop accepting at-large animals after the end of 2025.
Update received; no motion recorded.
11bUpdate on Bar None Meeting
Update on the Bar None meeting.
Lieutenant Bangerter reported 152 August calls for service, including 8 calls to Bar None, and City Clerk Johnson later reported that staff and consultants met with Bar None to discuss what type of IUP or CUP would be needed.
Update received; no motion recorded.
11cOrdinance Review Update
Ordinance review update.
The City Clerk updated the Council on receptionist hiring, ordinance review work, Recycling Day, a city booth for the Heritage Festival, and the need to find a new impound option because the Humane Society will stop accepting at-large animals after the end of 2025.
Update received; no motion recorded.
11dRecycling Day
Recycling Day reminder.
The City Clerk updated the Council on receptionist hiring, ordinance review work, Recycling Day, a city booth for the Heritage Festival, and the need to find a new impound option because the Humane Society will stop accepting at-large animals after the end of 2025.
Update received; no motion recorded.
11eHeritage Festival City Representation
Heritage Festival city representation.
The City Clerk updated the Council on receptionist hiring, ordinance review work, Recycling Day, a city booth for the Heritage Festival, and the need to find a new impound option because the Humane Society will stop accepting at-large animals after the end of 2025.
Council reached informal consensus to have a staffed city booth; no formal motion recorded.
11fHumane Society At-Large Animals Update
Humane Society stopping intake of at-large animals.
The City Clerk updated the Council on receptionist hiring, ordinance review work, Recycling Day, a city booth for the Heritage Festival, and the need to find a new impound option because the Humane Society will stop accepting at-large animals after the end of 2025.
Update received; no motion recorded.
12aApproval of Revisions to City Council Policy
Approval of revisions to City Council Policy.
The Council approved revisions to its City Council policy after discussing city email use, removing an unused informational-meeting section, softening minute requirements, referencing the code for compensation, and correcting the regular meeting time.
Approved with discussed changes.
12bApproval of Fee Schedule Ordinance
Approval of proposed ordinance repealing and replacing the fee schedule.
The Council approved the fee schedule ordinance and its publication with discussed changes, while directing that the administrative fine schedule be separated out and addressed later.
Approved with administrative fine schedule separated out for later consideration and other discussed changes.
12cApproval of Summary Publication for Fee Schedule Ordinance
Approval of summary publication for proposed fee schedule ordinance.
The Council approved the fee schedule ordinance and its publication with discussed changes, while directing that the administrative fine schedule be separated out and addressed later.
Covered and approved as part of the fee schedule motion.
13aInternet Update from Comcast
Internet update from Comcast.
Mayor Hybben reported that Comcast and Connexus were a couple of weeks behind due to weather but still hoped to connect everyone by the end of 2025, with 333 homes already released for service and 600 more targeted by the end of October.
Update received; no motion recorded.
14Adjourn
Adjournment.
Meeting adjourned at 8:31 p.m.
10 motions on the record. Split votes are highlighted.
M001MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, TO APPROVE AGENDA AS AMENDED WITH REMOVING CONSENT ITEMS 5F AND MOVING 5C TO OLD BUSINESS ITEM D.
moved by BREYEN, seconded by RAINVILLE
5 AYES, MOTION CARRIED.
M002MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED.
moved by RAINVILLE, seconded by BREYEN
5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
M003MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2025-88 ADOPTING THE PRELIMINARY 2026 LEVY AND BUDGET WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT COUNCIL HAS AGREED TO REVISIT EXPENDITURES CLOSER TO THE END OF THE YEAR TO IMPLEMENT ADDITIONAL REDUCTIONS.
moved by RAINVILLE, seconded by SWENSON
M004MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY MAYOR HYBBEN, TO APPROVE THE ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING CHAPTER 9 SECTION 3 OF THE NOWTHEN CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATED TO THE SUB-SURFACE SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEM AS PRESENTED, WITH THE AMENDMENT PROVIDING THE ABILITY FOR THE CITY TO RECOUP ITS COSTS FOR NONCOMPLIANT SYSTEMS.
moved by BREYEN, seconded by HYBBEN
5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
M005MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GLASER, TO APPROVE THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT FOR BUILDING OFFICIAL SERVICES WITH RUM RIVER CONSULTANTS.
moved by RAINVILLE, seconded by GLASER
5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
M006MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON, SECONDED BY MAYOR HYBBEN, TO APPROVE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY OF NOWTHEN ZONING ORDINANCE FOR CANNABIS WITH THE DISCUSSED CHANGES, AND TO APPROVE THE PUBLICATION OF THE ORDINANCE.
moved by SWENSON, seconded by HYBBEN
M007MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, TO APPROVE THE CITY OF NOWTHEN CITY COUNCIL POLICY WITH THE DISCUSSED CHANGES.
moved by RAINVILLE, seconded by BREYEN
5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
M008MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON, TO APPROVE THE ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING THE FEE SCHEDULE AND APPROVING THE PUBLICATION OF THE UPDATED ORDINANCE, WITH THE ADMINISTRATIVE FINE SCHEDULE TO BE SEPARATED OUT AND ADDRESSED LATER, AND WITH THE DISCUSSED CHANGES.
moved by BREYEN, seconded by SWENSON
5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
M010MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BREYEN, TO APPROVE THE CONTRACT WITH ANOKA COUNTY FOR THE RECYCLING CENTER WITH THE AMENDMENTS SUGGESTED BY THE ATTORNEY AND TO SEE IF THE COUNTY IS AGREEABLE AND SIGN OFF.
moved by RAINVILLE, seconded by BREYEN
5 AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
M011MOTION TO ADJOURN BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWENSON.
moved by SWENSON
The amounts the council actually voted to approve, each with the vote that approved it. Drawn from the official minutes.
Treasurer august 2025 checking balance
$48,656
Treasurer august 2025 pma cd balance
$1,893,138
Treasurer august 2025 money market balance
$493,360
Treasurer august 2025 adjusted bank total
$2,412,941
Fund balance usage 2026
$352,000
Fund balance equipment
$40,000
Fund balance turnout gear
$25,000
Fund balance weather siren
$30,000
Fund balance contingency operating
$24,950
Road improvement plan approx
$560,000
Proposed 2026 general budget
$2,804,150
Proposed 2026 recycling budget
$71,375
Proposed 2026 gambling contribution budget
$50,000
Proposed 2026 debt service budget
$491,720
Proposed 2026 park capital budget
$25,000
Proposed 2026 building capital budget
$61,140
Proposed 2026 road improvement capital budget
$734,175
Proposed 2026 equipment replacement budget
$118,808
Proposed 2026 total budget
$4,381,168
Rum river new residential septic rate
$350
Rum river tank replacement rate
$175
Rum river new commercial septic minimum
$350
Rum river maintenance permit rate
$20
Rum river operating permit annual rate
$200
Rum river noncompliance hourly rate
$90
Rum river mpca reporting annual cap
$1,000
Documents and recordings archived for this meeting, when available.
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