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Shafer City Council met October 17 for a regular meeting.  Council member Nick Brehm was absent.  The new start time for council is 6 p.m.

In new business, the council agreed on pay for election judges for 2024 (there will be three elections in that year).  The council agreed to pay election judges $10 per hour and head election judge $11 per hour.  

The council then passed a motion by council member Brad Swenson to raise the water and sewer rates two percent.  The two percent is calculated on the per 1,000 gallons fee.  The rate change will take effect in January 2024.  The motion passed unanimously.

Sam Ashkar then spoke to the council.  Ashkar is a part owner of Home Town Internet. Ashkar was requesting funds to improve internet to the city of Shafer.  Ashkar pointed out Franconia Township, Amador Township, Chisago County, Stacy, and Almelund have agreements in place to have Home Town Internet come into their communities.  Mayor Paula Hanson told Ashkar the city was not in a good spot because the budget has already been set.  Council member Swenson added Frontier and Midco have never asked for funding and this is “concerning.” The council agreed to send a questionnaire out with water bills to guage residents’ interest in Home Town Internet.

The council then passed a resolution accepting $1,099 as the city share of charitable gambling revenues.  

Next, resident Mitch Gebauer voiced his displeasure with a property near his home at 17629  302nd St. Gebauer said the yard and home looks like a junkyard and the garage is an eye sore.  Gebauer told the council  he is contemplating selling and moving to get away from the property mentioned.

Zoning Administrator Dan Cooper told the council he has issued quite a few vehicle citations but it hasn’t been 60 days (that is the length before the Sheriff’s Office will take the next step.) 

The council informed Cooper to stay on top of the issue.

In the public works report, maintenance supervisor  Cooper told the council a few homeowners along Reed Avenue have complained about trees at the rear of their properties.  The trees are located on the city’s utility easement. City engineer Lucas Jones added the city does not own the trees and is not responsible for their removal.  The council voted to not do anything with tree removal.

Cooper then presented three quotes for new HVAC for the public works building.  Money was allocated in last year’s budget for the HVAC.  Lakes Area Heating came in at lowest cost of $9,300 with Aerotek coming in at $11,300.  Engineer Jones told the council he will work with Cooper to make sure all of the info needed is supplied.

Also allocated in the budget last year was money for the purchase of new tractor tires.  $3,800. The council approved the extra $400 in added new costs unanimously.    

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