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Shafer City Council met June 20 for a regular meeting. Council member Patty Kowalski was absent.

In new business, the council heard from Sam Ashkar of Home Town Internet, who addressed council requesting funds to bring Home Town Internet to Shafer.  Mayor Paula Hanson informed Ashkar ARPA funds in Shafer are already spoken for to be used on other projects.  Council member Brad Swenson added allocating funds for another internet provider is not in the best interest of the city.

The council then went into a business item, and passed a resolution designating authorized signatures for depositories.  

The new owner of the Shafer Saloon (now Patooie’s Shafer Saloon) has applied for a liquor license.  Owner Jamie Alsaker said the public hearing wouldn’t be until July 18. City clerk Valerie Fox told Alsaker another option would be to request a special meeting which could be one week earlier.  Cost of the meeting change would be $500 to be paid by Alsaker.  Alsaker agreed and the new public hearing will be July 11 at 6pm at City Hall.  

In unfinished business, Fox told the council there was still one water meter yet to be replaced.  

In the engineer’s report city engineer Lucas Jones told the council the city is awaiting seed germination at the water tower site.  Jones said Osseo Construction, the general contractor on the project, removed and poured a new  pad. The old one was damaged during construction.  

Jones was asked by the Street Commission to perform a street rating update.  Jones agreed to compile the list for a future meeting.

Council member  Swenson asked if there were any updates to the lettering on the tower. Jones said Osseo replaced the lettering the way it was prior to the tower being painted.   If the City wants lettering redone, Jones suggested they should wait until fall so they don’t have to sandblast. The lowest quote is $14,000. If they are not requesting sand blasting the project would cost between $11-$12,000.

Council member Swenson inquired about the coating on the inside of the tower. There is some discoloration and what looks like rust. Jones said it is debris that broke free and some manganese. Jones said during the upcoming warranty review it will get addressed at that time. 

In the public works report, maintenance supervisor Dan Cooper told council he had a quote for a Kerf cutter, a valve exerciser and a hydrant adapter for $7521.64.  Cooper reminded the council  funds for the equipment will come out of the ARPA account.  The council passed the request 4-0.

Cooper told the council Shafer has received a wastewater pond capital equipment replacement grant for $13,125.  The city will have to match $4,375 of that to receive the grant.  That would also come out of the ARPA funds.

The council then agreed to spend $865 to fix the lettering on City Hall which has come loose and is falling off.

Council adjourned at 7:51 p.m.

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