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Shafer City Council held a regular meeting April 15. All members were present. 

The meeting started with a public hearing about sign regulations and a public hearing for the Shafer Saloon for liquor sales.  No one spoke on either topic.

In new business, Council member Nick Brehm made a motion to adopt a sign regulation ordinance that passed unanimously.

The council then passed a fee schedule unanimously.

Accepted donations from the Shafer Fire Rescue gambling fund for $72.84.

Kathy Jackson, gambling manager from Chops spoke to the council.  Jackson said Chops, which has applied to be Shafer Saloon’s new gambling organization, has a five star rating with the state. Her company supports arts and music in the schools. In Chisago County, Chops annually donates $5,000 to Family Pathways and over $3,000 to the Chisago Lakes Achievement Center.  Jackson was requesting permission to hold gambling at Shafer Saloon.  She added that Chops will donate 30 percent after taxes to the city and that the Shafer Fire Department would be the direct recipient.  She submitted all the paperwork and is slated to start on May 1.   

Nick Brehm made a motion to accept the application which was passed unanimously.

Accepted donations from the fire relief of $20,000.  

Shafer Saloon’s off-sale liquor permit also passed, as well as a site permit for an event on April 24 and 25.

Kent Roessler of Kenroe Inc. spoke to the council about a Shafer Meadows second addition. His company would  like to move forward with development of 83 homes with the exact footprint approved in 2006.  

Brehm asked what size the homes were. Kent explained they would develop the land and sell to other builders.  The project would be laid out exactly like the first addition of Shafer Meadows. “This would save us a lot of time and money. We could potentially begin this summer building homes.  We would work with city engineers and the attorney.” Roessler said. Patty Mattson made a motion to move to the planning commission. All passed.

Greg Converse, who owns a farm along Shady Avenue, asked about run-off and holding capacity.  When the ponds have been released, they have washed out his culverts. He said he used to have one 18 inch culvert and now has two 36 inch culverts. “I addressed it last time when they were developing Buffalo Ridge, I have been flooded out multiple times prior after the developments.” he stated.    

Mitch Gebauer of Regal Avenue spoke on the property across the street from his home on Regal Avenue.  He said there are vehicles all over the place all times of the night. “There is an unfinished garage, the home is an eyesore.  We do not have issues with the individuals, just the blight of the property. Something has to change.” Gebauer said.  There is nothing the city can do to enforce fencing according to council member Brehm.  Easements on two sides limit fencing.  Gebauer asked about changing the ordinance to force clean-up and the council told him that even if they did pass an ordinance the property would be grandfathered in.

Brehm said the council has spent hours upon hours discussing this with our attorney.  They said they will send another letter next week asking the homeowner to clean up the property.    

Council adjourned at 6:48pm.

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