Shafer Council green lights new impound lot

Shafer City Council met August 20 for a regular meeting. Council members Brad Swenson and Nick Brehm were absent.

The meeting opened with a public hearing with PLC Towing owner Missy McMurray speaking to the council. McMurray is seeking approval for a conditional use permit to establish a vehicle towing and impound lot on two properties at the end of Industrial Drive in Shafer.

Council then passed the CUP on the condition the property has a contingency plan in case of a pollutant risk to the wetlands nearby. PLC must provide a contingency plan within one year.

Council then accepted donations for Shafer Days from J. Hempel Construction ($400), Lucky 8’s Grill ($25), and Superior Marine ($100).

Sheriff Brandon Thyen gave the council a rundown of the past year’s emergency calls and patrol time in Shafer. The contract presented for 2025 has increased and due to Swenson and Brehm being absent the council then tabled voting on the upcoming contract.

Council then approved by recommendation from treasurer Richard Hill to transfer from the general fund $37,000. $15,000 will go to the public safety gambling fund, $15,000 to road maintenance and repair, and $7,000 to the sewer fund.

Council then agreed to hold its next budget meeting August 29 at 6 p.m.

Council then passed a resolution accepting donations from the fire relief and gambling for $1,193.16.

Council member Nick Brehm has asked the council for a leave of absence. Brehm will be away until the end of October but will try to make any meetings he is in town for. Council approved the leave of absence unanimously.

City clerk Valerie Fox passed out nine applications for city engineering firms. Council is to review the applications and return with suggestions and comments.

In the public works report, maintenance supervisor Dan Cooper presented his budget priorities for 2025.

Cooper also told the council that black mold was found near the furnace in city hall. Cooper was asked what type of maintenance was done on the HVAC system. Cooper told council filters are changed every six months. The furnace was installed in 2019 with a one year warranty. Cooper had a local HVAC company come take a brief look at the situation and was told there was a blockage in the drain system of the furnace. Council instructed Cooper to immediately contact an abatement company to determine the source of the mold and to begin removing it. Mayor Paula Hanson said she is extremely displeased with city employees being exposed to such a dangerous substance.

City clerk then told the council there are three names on the November ballot for the council position. They are Marilyn Anderson, Patty Kowalski and Rebecca Henderson.