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Shafer City Council met July 2 for a regular meeting.  All members were present with Attorney James Monge and Finance Director Drew Hill absent.

In new business the council was thanked by a group from Beyond the Yellow Ribbon organization.  Beyond the Yellow Ribbon chair Cory Boogaard presented the council with a proclamation and street signs as a thank you for the city's support. (see photo)

Council reviewed the six month trial code enforcement. In January, the council agreed to hire outside Building and Zoning Inspector Jack Kramer for ordinance enforcement.  Kramer had written 42 violations over the last six months as well as 12 letters to property owners.  Total cost for hiring Kramer came to $1,725.  Council member Brad Swenson then made a motion to extend the contract with Kramer six more months, the motion passed unanimously.

The council agreed to change the August meeting from August 6 to August 5 to accommodate National Night Out.

The council was told the HR Committee made hiring recommendation for a full time position.  The HR committee is recommending the city hire Andre Meyers for the open public works position.  The council passed the hiring unanimously.

In the engineer's report, city engineer Lucas Jones told the council a wastewater infrastructure needs survey is needed every two years to encourage cities to evaluate  existing plans.  Contact info, age of collection system, a breakdown of debt service costs are collected.  Jones told the council they should proactively apply for the Project Priority List for its collection system which would allow to potentially qualify for government funding.
 
In the public works report, supervisor Dan Cooper told the council the new tractor has been picked up and the bucket should be done by the end of July.  Cooper also said he new truck has been ordered and is expected later this year.

Cooper said he would like to purchase a degreaser product and dump it into the lift station #2.  Cooper explained the station builds a grease mat that is about five inches thick and floats freely in the lift station.  Cooper is worried the mat will plug the floats causing damage.  The cost of a degreaser is $2,695.00.  

Cooper then told the council he would like to purchase insect killer and treat for boxelder bugs himself.  The council currently uses Bug Meister for insect control.  

Cooper then broke some bad news to the council about water rate increases.  Cooper said the Minnesota Department of Health will be raising annual state connection fees from $6.36 to $9.72 per connection.  This is a 53 percent increase.  Cooper told the council the rates will be passed along to the city in 2020 and was telling the council so they can plan for it in budget meetings.

 Cooper said Fahrner will begin microsurfacing Buffalo Ridge on July 17.

 Cooper then told the council the parks commission approved spending up to $9,000 to rehab the hockey rink including replacing broken boards. The council agreed to look more into the subject.

 The council adjourned at 7:57 p.m.

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