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Shafer City Council met November 21 for a regular Council meeting. All members were present.  

 The council opened the meeting discussing a property line adjustment for Pam Aanenson. 

Aanenson owns a couple of pieces of property along Quandam Lane and is looking to have the lot line moved for a sale, to make the parcel 14 acres. Aanenson told the council Maintenance Supervisor Dan Cooper told her the entire property would need to be re-platted at a cost of around $10,000.  Aanenson told the council she checked with other cities and towns and they allow what is called a tie-together.  Aanenson also said she felt disrespected and scolded by the planning commission at a prior meeting about the property.

Aanenson said she was told she would need a $5,000 deposit for the application fee.  

City attorney James Monge told the council he spoke with the county on the matter and was told they do not approve the combination of two lots where one is metes and bounds and the other is platted.

Aanenson claimed there are cities and towns in Chisago County that allow this.

Council member and planning commission member Patty Kowalski asked if they could all get together and work through the matter.

The other option discussed would be to change the city ordinance to allow such combinations.  It was agreed more discussion with the county was needed.  

Engineer Lucas Jones gave a ballpark estimate if the planning commission were to tackle the topic of an ordinance change. Jones guessed around $1,000 to $2,000 total but noted he would need to speak with the city planner first.

The council then heard from Jim Stein of Stein Insurance concerning the city’s insurance renewal.  The council approved the new policy unanimously.

The council then passed a resolution accepting a donation from the Shafer Fire Relief Association of $30,000 for the city’s cut of charitable gambling.

The council then passed a motion to hire Richard Hill as the city’s permanent Treasurer.  Hill was serving as interim.

The council then agreed to refund sales tax collected for water billing from four parcels for the last 3.5 years.  The parcels fell under the exempt list and will be refunded, plus five percent interest.  The motion passed unanimously.

Council adjourned at 7 pm.

 

 

    

    

    

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