Nowthen City Council — Transcript
Thursday, September 17, 2026
Civility and Conduct in Council Meetings
Council Member Conduct and Resident Property Dispute
Outdoor Ice Rink Renovation and Partnership Proposal
Veterans Memorial Project Funding and Design
Fire Station Concrete Paver Replacement
Votes (3)
Potential Agreement for Ice Rink Renovation with Elk River Youth Hockey Association
Dissent: One unspecified council member voted 'Nay' against tabling the motion.
Moved by Council Member Rainville [29:05] · Seconded by Council Member Bryan [29:10]
The Elk River Youth Hockey Association presented an updated proposal for the ice rink, offering to cover installation, tear-down, snow removal, and the cost of necessary three-phase electrical infrastructure. Council members debated the lack of a clear return on investment for residents, insurance liabilities, access to city property for a Zamboni, and the need for a comprehensive formal contract defining responsibilities and potential termination. A compromise on public access hours (e.g., Wednesday 4-7 PM and weekends) was discussed, and the association expressed frustration with moving goalposts.
Veterans Memorial Project Funding and Design
Dissent: Council Member Rainville had advocated for additional city funds from park dedication fees, though did not explicitly dissent on the tabling motion.
Moved by Council Member Glazer [43:24] · Seconded by Unknown [43:40]
Morgo's donation of $6,000 was acknowledged, bringing the project close to its estimated cost. Council Member Rainville requested an additional $10,000 from park dedication fees as a buffer for potential tariff increases and landscaping. However, Mayor Hibbid and Council Member Glazer advocated for continued private fundraising to align with the original goal of minimal city expenditure. A significant debate arose from Council Member Bryan's concern about the memorial's design, specifically its failure to include the Space Force branch of the military, and a request for a future plan to address this omission.
Authorization Replacement of Concrete Paver Fire Station
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Senson [44:40] · Seconded by Council Member Bryan [45:05]
A motion was made to approve the lowest bid for replacing concrete pavers at the fire station, specifically the $11,480 option from Ericson Asphalt and Concrete, which includes 'balls'. Council Member Bryan suggested a future discussion on the city's Request for Proposal (RFP) process, advocating for the involvement of a building official to ensure consistent specifications across bids for similar projects.
Notable Quotes (9)
We are not profiting and making any money from using the ice. We're not charging anybody for ice. We're not bringing in revenue from the ice. We are paying for not some of the project, but all of the project.
What I'm not finding is a return on investment for now then and its residents... I don't see this being a benefit to our residents.
It's not about necessarily return on investment... It's more, you know, if the city is going to spend money, does do the residents benefit? Does the city benefit from it?
Every time I come, I'm asked to come back with a different proposal. Every time I come back, I come back with that proposal as answering your questions and it continues to morph and the goalpost moves every time.
Morgo has now committed $6,000 to support the Veterans Memorial Project.
I would also like to go with what council member Glazer said and not incur the city any additional cost and we target the fundraising just like we've done.
It's very disappointing that we're completely ignoring an entire branch of the the military that's actually hasn't been officially a branch except for the what the last seven eight years but has been doing work for the country for the last 40 years in some way shape or form as part of the air force.
I would make a motion to approve the in the proposed bids to um um have Ericson asphalt and concrete who at least from what my bif focals are reading from the what's been presented to us they are they are the low bidder to um have Ericson asphalt and concrete do the workforce in the city and
is council willing to have a discussion at the October meeting about how we go about sending out a request for a proposal for situations such as this, um, I would suggest if if our staff is not concrete experts, um, whether public works or administration, um, that we bring in our building official who knows all the codes for concrete and can provide have um information on on our feet and so everybody's bidding on the same thing and and we are comparing apples to apples and not apples to oranges.
Ordinances & Resolutions (6)
Agreement completed in December 2023 for a property development creating a fourth lot.
Permit submitted in Spring 2024 for an additional home.
Will be provided in October to formally accept the $6,000 donation for the Veterans Memorial.
A document outlining terms for the Elk River Youth Hockey Association's use of the city ice rink.
Formal agreement required for the Elk River Youth Hockey Association partnership, yet to be drafted.
Document related to fundraising details for the memorial.