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by MATT SILVER

Shafer City council met August 18 for a regular meeting.  All members were present.

The meeting began with the city’s engineering firm IGM representative Brian Hiles speaking about manganese testing results.  The city had tested months ago as have most Minnesota cities and were awaiting results from the Minnesota Department of Health.  Hiles told council the state issued a health risk advisory for two of Shafer’s three wells.  The state’s recommendation is for 100 micrograms per liter, the baseline for infants and 300 parts per billion for over one year old.  Well number 1 2026 results show 182 micrograms per liter, and well number two has 148 micrograms per liter.  The city’s well number three (the newest well) came in at 61 micrograms per liter.

Hiles then gave a brief rundown on the well’s history.  Well number one was drilled in 1967 (59 years old) and is 375 feet.  Well number two was drilled in 1995 (31 years old) and is 445 feet.  Well number three was drilled in 2006 (20 years old) and is 438 feet.  Hiles pointed out that the average age of a city’s well is around 30 years.  

Hiles said MDH recommends taking action to reduce the levels of manganese below 100 micrograms per liter.  The state recommends either replacing the wells or building a water treatment plant.  

The state started providing grants in 2025 through the Drinking Water Revolving Fund to help cities address manganese and emerging contaminants.  The grants can provide up to 50 percent of project costs with a maximum of $3 million.

Council member Marilyn Anderson asked Hiles if drilling a new well would fall under the grant status.  Hiles said it would and told the council the cost of a new well would range around $800,000 to $1 million.  

Shafer maintenance supervisor Brad Swenson asked Hiles if the city would drill a new well and cap well number 1 and 2. “Definitely an option” Hiles responded.

Hiles told the council the grant money is only guaranteed 1 1/2 years. “It may stick around, but nothing is promised at this time” he added.

Council agreed to wait until the end of September to see where Shafer ends up on the priority list for replacing a well, before deciding on what action to take.

Council then unanimously agreed upon the preliminary budget for 2027.  Council set the levy for $655,927.  General levy will be $366,427, road & bridge $90,000, fire department $78,000, equipment fund $40,000, parks $30,000, EDA $3,000 and improvements bonds of $48,500.  Late year’s levy was $607,340.  

Council then set a truth-in-taxation public hearing for December 1 at 6pm.

Council next accepted from the Shafer Fire Gambling Relief a donation for $905.68.

Swenson next told council he has priced out new chains and swings for all Shafer parks.  Swenson said he thought the few quotes he received were quite high. He added that he spoke with Chisago County parks department and was given a different retailer to try.  

Swenson told council he had received quite a few calls regarding the trail closed signs on sections of the Swedish Immigrant Regional Trail.  Swenson said the county is resurfacing the trail which will take anywhere from three to four weeks.

Council next voted and approved water rate increase proposals.  Council member Nick Brehm told council he would be in favor of the first option of a 3.62 percent increase.  with a base fee of $70.07 up from $67.05.  Council passed the increase unanimously.

Council adjourned at 6:46pm.

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