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Shafer City Council met for their first council meeting of 2021 January 5.  The meeting began with the swearing in of newly elected members Dianne Chmielewski and Brad Swenson.

After consenting agenda the council set their committee appointments list.  Mayor Paula Hanson will sit on: events committee, finance committee, ordinance committee weed inspection, Joint Powers fire department, and civil defense emergency coordinator.  Councilmember Patty Mattson will serve on; cable commission, Highway 8 taks force, Joint Powers library, HR committee, EDA, events committee and parks committee.  Councilmember Brad Swenson will serve on: EDA, street commission, public works committee, and wellhead protection plan team.  Councilmember Nick Brehm will serve on: Highway 8 task force, JP fire department, ordinance committee, finance committee, street commission, planning commission and will serve as assistant mayor. Councilmember Diane Chmielewski will serve on: parks committee, planning commission, and the HR committee.

In the Engineer’s report, city engineer Lucas Jones gave an update on the water tower project timeline.  The city has decided to rehab the tower which includes coating the inside and painting. Jones said the city will be looking for bids from KLM and Badger State and hopes to have them at the by September. Jones said the city sill seek additional funding from the Project Priority List. Currently Shafer rated a five which places them quite low on priorites. Jones said the city will re-apply and try to get a better rating.  Jones said the city should re-apply before April.  Jones told the council there was a bill passed by the state about changing coating materials and the new change would go into effect in 2023 and would raise the cost of the project around $100,000.  Jones said ideally the city would benefit having the project completed the summer of 2022.  The work would come with a one year warranty.

The council then discussed training opportunities for elected officials from the League of Minnesota Cities and the Minnesota Department of Revenue.  Brehm and Chmielewski agreed to virtually attend the Elected Leaders Institute which includes 9 hours of training.  Hanson, Mattson and Brehm agreed to virtually attend the advanced program which is five hours of training. Hanson and Mattson will attend virtually the Board of appeals and Equalization training held by MN Revenue

Jones then told the council the cell tower on top of the water tower will have to be relocated when the water tower work begins.  Nextel/Sprint currently pay the city over $1,500 a month to rent the space.  Jones said he has had a company named Unison inquire about providing a temporary tower location.  Once the schedule is more rigid, Jones said he would get a bid from them.

In the public works report public works director Dan Cooper told the council he was working on a permit renewal for the wastewater treatment ponds.  Cooper told the council the cost of the renewal is $1,240 and they ask the permit be submitted 180 days prior to the July renewal date.  Councilmember Nick Brehm made a motion to approve $1240 for the application which passed unanimously.

Cooper then told the council the rink should be up and running next week barring any warm weather.  Cooper also told the council the city is putting a pleasure rink in Buffalo Ridge.

The council adjourned at 7:34 pm.

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