Nowthen City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Special Election / Council Seat Vacancy
2027 Budget and Fiscal Responsibility
Comcast/Xfinity Service Issues
Council Member Conduct / Apology Request
Votes (7)
Hockey Rink Improvement Proposal
Elk River Youth Hockey (ERYH) proposed a partnership to upgrade the outdoor rink with a coolant system, leveling, and other improvements. ERYH offered significant funding and donations for excavation/electrical, highlighting benefits like improved ice, water efficiency, and potential for summer events. Council raised concerns about the city's lack of budget, need for a formal proposal with cost specifics (electricity, maintenance), Zamboni storage, calendar management for shared use, and overall ownership. The ERYH representative expressed willingness to cover power costs if needed.
Saw Mill Street Paving Project
Dissent: Councilmember Bryan voiced concerns about policy and budget before the vote.
Moved by Councilwoman Blazer [0:42:53] · Seconded by Unknown [0:43:57]
Resident Bill Allway offered to donate $2,500 for a feasibility study and $25,000 for asphalt work on Saw Mill Street, with additional in-kind excavation from his family, citing safety concerns (a dangerous hill) and property value improvement. Council debated the lack of existing policy and budget for gravel road paving, and the precedent it could set. Discussion also covered whether the city would bear part of the cost or if it would be 100% assessed to residents, and the assessment hearing process. Residents inquired about fair assessment for multiple properties.
Consent Agenda Approval
Moved by Councilmember Swenson [0:48:47] · Seconded by Unknown [0:48:50]
The August 3rd, 2017 council minutes were corrected to reflect an annual county support amount of $15,972 (not $14,000). Duplicate claims for Menards and HES Construction were removed. Copy costs were adjusted to reflect 'actual cost.' Items B and E were removed from the original consent agenda, and a resolution request (RC) from Councilmember Swenson was added.
Approval of Ordinance Amending City Code Related to Final Plats
Moved by Unknown [0:47:49] · Seconded by Unknown [0:48:02]
The proposed ordinance aimed to remove the Planning Commission's review requirement for final plats, allowing them to go directly to the council after preliminary plat approval. This change was presented as a way to expedite the process for residents, as final plats rarely involve significant modifications. The Planning Commission had already reviewed and recommended the change.
2026 Fee Schedule Updates Ordinance
Moved by Unknown [1:04:47] · Seconded by Councilman Ringo [1:04:50]
Discussion included updating regulations for alcohol in parks (proposing a 14% limit to include seltzers and prohibiting glass containers on park premises). Horseback riding in parks raised concerns about manure, unsafe riding, and complaints from nearby St. John's; staff was tasked with developing a plan for designated trails and signage. Parking ordinances for the fishing pier were discussed to designate specific areas for vehicles with trailers to improve organization and access. A question was raised about the legality of permit holders carrying firearms in city parks, with council members suggesting the code might need clarification or amendment.
Discussion and Vote on Proposed Noise Ordinance
Moved by Unknown [1:17:49] · Seconded by Councilwoman Blazer [1:17:59]
The council discussed a proposed noise ordinance drafted in response to resident complaints about guinea hens. The Mayor reported widespread resident feedback opposing the ordinance as over-regulation for a rural area. Concerns were raised that the draft ordinance might not address the specific issue effectively due to exceptions and that enforcing it would be difficult. Council members also considered removing 'peafowl' and 'rooster' from the ordinance, citing low complaint numbers and a desire not to over-regulate animal sounds common in rural living. The existence of a broader nuisance ordinance for 'any animal' was noted.
Approval of Claims and Data Access Policy
Moved by Unknown [1:26:01] · Seconded by Unknown [1:26:14]
The council proceeded with the approval of claims and the data access policy. During this item, a resident highlighted that the cost to address the special election issue in the courts with Attorney Ruppy was $5,250.
Notable Quotes (18)
Um basically we are looking to partner with the city and make improvements to the outdoor rink that is here. Um possibly putting a coolant system in um and making improvements just to the the general setup of the rink.
What we would ask is if we're buying this, that we don't have to then turn around and donate it and say, 'Here you go.' And then we could lose the site at any time and be out the the investment that we have.
My concern was expectations for ice time. I'm assuming that the local churches are going to if theoretically the ice is there, they're going to want their their youth to be uh using it on Wednesday nights for sure.
We have zero dollars in the budget. So, just keep that in mind as we keep talking and you say concrete coverage and everything else. There definitely could be a benefit to not only the residents of Alburn businesses of Alburn. So, there is some benefit.
I would be willing to donate the money for the feasibility study to get the project going. And if the project is voted to go, I will give another $25,000 donation off the top to cut expenses for the taxpayers that live on the road.
There's [clears throat] a hill on 595 that if you run the center line and a bus is on the other line, you're not going to see the bus till you hit. So, I would propose when they look at it that they take at least 2 ft of that top crown.
Our road policy is that when we have asphalt roads and we rework those asphalt roads, we don't have a policy on doing anything on a gravel road... We could have 10 neighborhoods that are on gravel come to us and say, 'Well, you did it. Now you need to do it for here.'
I would much rather you know, prioritize a road where the residents are on board with paying assessment than you know, charging assessment to residents [clears throat] who have no desire pay for it.
So, right now the process is they go preliminary plat approval, and then once they get it, the final plat has to go back in front of planning and zoning. Most of the time there's nothing to be done at that point cuz it's final, and then it comes in So, what it does is delay the process two or three or four weeks, and it's not beneficial to the residents.
Um one of the areas is with the alcohol. Right now we allow beer and wine. Um and we would like to add the um because of the seltzers, to add something like propose a limit of 14%.
this summer we've had to clean up more species in the park than they've ever had to. Um and some unofficial complaints, too, of people riding their horses too fast or too fast in unsafe capacity.
is it currently unlawful for someone with a um a permit to carry a firearm to enter one of our city parks with their firearm? And is is it posted?
So, if you have a gun in your possession, it is unlawful, but I would say that needs to be looked at because if you have a legit permit, you should be able to carry a firearm.
I got a lot of feedback from residents on this. This is a significantly a controversial issue anytime you try to in- I'll say enforce, but it's really um dealing with how residents feel of that you're trying to regulate something that they're doing.
I think the whole issue is this this chicken coop or this guinea and coop is right on the property line. And I think that's really the issue. I'm concerned that the ordinance as drafted not even addressing your concerns because there's an exception that says it doesn't apply if they're you know, making their noise because of external stimulus.
Since January of 2024 we have had a total of 16 written complaints about all different subjects. Four of those complaints involved roosters or fowl chicken like fowl... Um and I I've had multiple residents approach me and and they were very professional about it and they said if the council starts passing ordinances like this, it won't stop.
I would move that we deny the proposed ordinance... It doesn't change this situation cuz it's not retroactive. Um so, again, it's the enforcement piece of it is difficult.
I think it's important that the residents know that the cost to to correct the special election that we were supposed to have in the courts with Mr. Ruby was $5,250.
Ordinances & Resolutions (14)
Agenda item for a proposed road paving project
Governing document, being amended for final plats, and referenced for noise and firearm ordinances
Document undergoing review with concerns about a proposed 9.9% levy increase
Discussed as needing to be established or clarified for gravel road paving projects
Ordinance detailing city fees and regulations for various services and park uses
Mentioned as a potential future action for addressing firearm carry in parks
Proposed ordinance regarding animal noise nuisance, ultimately denied by the council
Policy approved by the council
Previous meeting record that was corrected regarding an annual county support amount
Collection of routine items, approved with amendments
Ordinance to streamline the final plat approval process
Financial expenditures approved by the council
Specific section of city code regarding firearm possession, discussed for its implications in city parks
Document added to the consent agenda from Councilman Swenson