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Shafer City Council met August 19 for a regular meeting council member Nick Brehm was absent.

Council began the meeting by unanimously waiving a $35 usage fee for city hall for an August 27 meeting with residents and the Sheriff’s Office concerning city issues involving law enforcement.

Council then accepted gambling donations from CHOPS Inc. who runs the pull tabs and e tabs at the Shafer Saloon.  The donation was for $6,980.

Council then accepted Shafer Days donations from Virga Chiropractic for $100, and Bloom Lake Barn for $750.

Mayor Paula Hanson began a discussion addressing the three properties  with current Conditional Use Permits (CUP) attached that have been in question recently. Hanson stated the Creamery property, which has a CUP designating it as a recycling center, has not been utilized for that purpose for several years. Additionally, the “Cowboy House” has a CUP that permits the existence of first-floor apartments, which is not being violated. 

The only CUP subject to potential reconsideration by the city would be that of a storage lot, given that there are some existing violations. 

Mayor Hanson emphasized that revoking the CUP would require careful deliberation, as conversations with other municipalities and the attorney have indicated that the revocation process could incur significant expenses to the city. Hanson expressed skepticism about the owner’s willingness to clean up the properties, asserting that any  costs would ultimately be borne by the city's taxpayers. 

Councilmember Marilyn Anderson expressed her wishes to table revoking the CUP until the city has legal advice and documentation, but to proceed with obtaining a cost analysis regarding the expenses associated with the cleanup, along with a timeframe of one month for the delivery of the results. 

A motion to table revoking the CUP and getting the quotes for a cost analysis in one month.

A motion to hire Brad Swenson as the new city Public Works Director at a pay rate of $38/hour, authorizing a credit card account, and since he served on council for eight years prior, to give him credit for time served as a Council member.  A motion to increase his tome off by Mayor Hanson, seconded by Councilmember Anderson, passed unanimously.

Dan Cooper resigned from his position as the Director of Public Works effective August 29, 2025. Cooper submitted a Water, Wastewater, and Zoning Administrator Advisor agreement to the council. This agreement between Cooper and the Shafer City Council, stipulates that he will respond to calls, emails, and text messages from the council and staff seeking advice and/or guidance at an hourly rate of $75, with a minimum engagement of 15 minutes per phone call. He will invoice the city on a monthly basis, providing documentation of the contacts made and their respective reasons.

A motion to approve  Cooper’s proposal for specialized water services passed unanimously.

Council adjourned at 6:23pm.

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