NORTHERN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS SPECIAL MEETING – 1:00 pm Monday, August 24th, 2026. Northern Town Hall, 445 Town Hall Road NW, Bemidji, MN.
PRESENT: Supervisors Jess Frenzel, Gary Barnard, Mike Kelly, Curt Blumhagen, and Rhonda Dockendorf. Administrator Chris Lahn and Clerk Isabelle Schmetzer.
MINUTES:
VISTORS:
NEW BUSINESS – 1:00
1) Township Administrator Self Review – Administrator Lahn cited his top accomplishments and work to be the advancement of the Northern Township Wastewater Project from concept to implantation readiness; Successfully navigated the Township incorporation process; Led response and recovery efforts following the June 21st storm event; Led ordinance updates and zoning administration post-JPB separation; Improved public communication and transparency; Helped secured LGA funding.
The Board notes that Administrator Lahn has had incredibly success in all areas but especially during the June 2025 storm and in the incorporation of Northern Township into a City. Administrator Lahn has shown exceptional abilities in gathering information for the Board and residents during these events as well as communicating along the way. Administrator Lahn brings in a fresh perspective and a desire as well as ability to accomplish tasks.
2) Opportunities for Growth and Future Challenges - For future changes to Northern and the Administrators roll, the Board plans to focus on Execution of wastewater construction phase; Transition from Township to City; Continued ordinance modernization and enforcement consistency; Managing growth and development pressure; Sustaining funding and financial planning stability; City clerk transition; Legal enforcement issues.
As Northern navigates these future changes, the Board wants to ensure growth continues without compromising the community’s priorities. The Board also expressed interest in using staff to their fullest abilities and improving communication between staff and the Board. Board Member Kelly noted that, during times of change, decisions are not always fully communicated to the Board.
3) Contract Changes - Administrator Lahn presented proposed contract changes to the Board, including increasing his employer health insurance contribution from $1,000 to $1,500 and reimbursing subscriptions for AI tools used to complete work for Northern.
Board Member Kelly raised questions regarding Administrator Lahn’s severance package and its purpose. The Board also discussed increasing vacation days and cost-of-living adjustments for all employees, as well as ways to provide AI subscriptions for office use without requiring reimbursements or revisiting funding at future meetings.
The Board decided to postpone decisions on the matter until August 24th, 2026, board meeting. There, they will produce a plan to take further action on editing and renewing Administrator Lahn’s contract.
Next Meeting – The next regular meeting will be held Monday, August 24th, 2026.
With no further business forthcoming, the regular meeting was adjourned at 2:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted: Approve:
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Isabelle Schmetzer, Clerk Jess Frenzel, Chairman