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Shafer City Council met July 2 for a regular meeting.  All members were present.

The council began the meeting passing a resolution accepting donations for Shafer Days in the amount of $400 from PLC Towing, $20 from Grandpa Mike's Pizza and $20 from Robert Hayes Mini Donuts.

Council then approve a resolution accepting a donation from the Shafer Fire Department Relief and Charitable Gambling for $1,758.57.

Council then agreed to set a date for the first 2025 budget meeting on August 7 at 6 p.m.  City finance supervisor Richard Hill told the council they will probably require five to six budget meetings.

Council then discussed Public Safety aid dollars the state allotted in December.  Shafer received $51,156 in total.  Council agreed to put $11,000 towards the Sheriff's Office contract with the city  for patrol hours and another $11,000 towards the fire department.  Councilmember Nick Brehm told the council the fire department will soon need to purchase radios with the state's ARMER radio system. Brehm told the council the department has 14 radios and replacement radios will run around $6,000 each.  Brehm asked the council to consider donating the remainder of the public safety dollars for the purchase of new radios.  The council all agreed the idea was a good idea, but asked Brehm to bring them hard numbers.

Council then had a brief but tense conversation about PERA which is a retirement fund for public employees.  Mayor Paula Hanson asked if PERA monies could be retroactively applied because she was never offered to sign up for it when she was elected.  A few other council members said they were offered it when they were elected.  The council had a letter in their packet from attorney James Monge stating PERA benefits can not be retroactively applied. Council took no action on the matter.

The council then heard from maintenance supervisor Dan Cooper on the subject of a pickleball court.  Cooper told the council he has received one quote for court for $79,717.  Cooper told the council that was only one court and asked the council if they would like the quote to include two courts. Cooper told the council there were some monies in the parks fund to help with the cost of a new court or courts.  Council asked Cooper to get a quote for a sport court and a quote for a concrete court.  If the pricing is good, they could possibly look into building a pickleball court in Diamond Park.

Council adjourned at 7:02 p.m.    

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