February 17, 2023 at 3:11 p.m.
Shafer City Council briefs...
The council was then informed that there was an opening on the East Central Regional Development Council. The Chisago County spot had been held by former mayor Kevin Stenson of Lindstrom. The council agreed to consider filling the spot and would discuss at a later meeting.
The council then passed a resolution acknowledging donations from the Shafer Fire Gambling Fund in the amount of $548.78.
The council was then told Emily Carlson has applied for the open Shafer Days/Events committee. The council approved Carlson unanimously.
The council then passed a quick deed for a property in Shafer that was now in a family trust. In 2010, a portion of the property was taken for a road project but was never officially recorded. The home needs the quick deed recorded before a sale can take place.
In old business, the water meter replacement, one remaining home that has not had its water meter replaced was sent to the county. The county finally got back to the city and said unless there are young children or vulnerable adults residing at the home, they can not condemn the home. The council agreed to keep sending notices to the homeowner with the hope of resolving the issue.
In the engineer’s report, city engineer Lucas Jones told the council he spoke with KLM who oversaw the water tower project about the crooked letters. Jones told the council the cost to fix the lettering would be cheaper if the city waited a year for the paint to fully cure. Otherwise if done sooner, it would require sandblasting.
Jones then told the council he had a conversation with a company interested in taking the vacated cell antennae area on the water tower. He would let the council know more as the talks progress.
In the public works report, Cooper told the council his part-time employee has given his two week notice. The council agreed to advertise the opening immediately.
Cooper told the council a water meter sampler has gone bad and the cost for a new one would be around $2,500. The council agreed for Cooper to get quotes.
Cooper then told the council the city has set up a new 24 hour hotline for emergencies and complaints. The new phone number: (651) 257-4726 is now active. Cooper told the council he was having trouble addressing resident’s complaints when he never heard them.
The council was then told the Board of Appeals will hold its meeting at City Hall on April 12 at 6 p.m.
The council then heard from a couple of residents at the end of the meeting. Laura Johnston who resides on 300th was there asking about water quality in the city. Johnston told the council she had spoken with her doctor and it was decided the quality of city water was causing hair loss. Johnston was asking if there was an outside tester other than the one the city uses yearly that could give an “honest test”. Cooper told Johnston the city has an elevated level of manganese and iron. He added the council directed him to pump from well 3 because that has the lowest mineral levels. Johnston then asked how the city could charge such “Outrageous prices” while at the same time poisoning it’s residents.” Mayor Paula Hanson quickly responded “The city is not poisoning anyone.” Johnston then changed the subject and asked what the city will do about snowmobiles racing down the streets of Shafer.
Hanson told Johnston to call the Sheriff’s Office. Johnston said there is no police presence and “the city is the wild wild west.”
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