Shafer, Minnesota

2026

The City Council will discuss new ordinances regarding cannabis retail hours and the city fee schedule. The body will also review requests for chickens at a specific residence and liquor license fees for Shafer Days.

• Ordinance 2026-7-2: Regulating hours of operation for cannabis retail sales
• Ordinance 2026-7-1: Fee Schedule
• Resolution 2026-7-6: Accepting $500 donations each from Shafer Contracting and PLC for Shafer Days
• Resolution 2026-7-5: Approving and waiving the temporary liquor license fee for SFFD Shafer Days
• Request regarding chickens at 30775 Reflection Ave (Paisley Carty)

2026

The Shafer City Council will hold a public hearing on a conditional use permit for Lakes Area Manufacturing and consider resolutions accepting donations for Shafer Days and approving a temporary gambling permit for the fire department. The council will also discuss a moratorium on data centers and a request to join the Planning Commission.

• Public hearing for Lakes Area Manufacturing CUP 30410 Regal Ave
• Resolution accepting Just Cuz Chrome donation of $250.00
• Resolution accepting FD Relief and Gambling donations totaling $1,063.16
• Resolution approving temporary gambling permit for SFFD
• Discussion on moratorium on Data Centers and Planner Fees

Commission Committee

The Planning Commission approved the consent agenda and minutes with a 3-0-0 vote. It approved a conditional use permit for Lakes Area Manufacturing at 30410 Regal Ave and forwarded it to the council, also by a 3-0-0 vote. The commission voted 3-0-0 to request a quotation from ISG Engineering to research suitable city property for a data center. The meeting was adjourned with a unanimous vote.

• Approved Consent Agenda and minutes (3-0-0)
• Approved Conditional Use Permit for Lakes Area Manufacturing at 30410 Regal Ave (3-0-0)
• Requested quotation from ISG Engineering to study city property for data center (3-0-0)
• Adjourned meeting (3-0-0)

Commission Committee

The Shafer Parks Commission approved the consent agenda and a $2,000 purchase of wood chips for Willow and Buffalo Ridge Parks, both unanimously (3-0-0). It then unanimously denied park funds for a proposed dog park and splash park. The discussion of a National Night Out event was tabled for future consideration.

• Approved consent agenda (3-0-0)
• Approved purchase of 100 yards wood chips up to $2,000 (3-0-0)
• Denied park funds for dog park and splash park (3-0-0)
• Tabled National Night Out discussion

2026

The Shafer City Council will discuss budget updates presented by City Treasurer Richard Hill. It will consider amending the National Night Out council meeting date to August 4. The council will vote on Resolution 2026-6-4 to adopt primary election judges. Additional reports and public hearings are scheduled.

• Budget updates discussion by City Treasurer Richard Hill
• Amend National Night Out council meeting date to August 4
• Resolution 2026-6-4 adopting primary election judges
• Public hearing
• Open hearing to the public

2026

The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, budget line‑item changes, a change of the August 4 council meeting to August 5, the resolution adopting primary election judges, and a three‑year Intermedia telephone service contract. The new phone contract includes a monthly fee of $90.16 and a $389.56 hardware cost. The 2025 census reported a population of 1,195, a decline of 12 residents from 2024.

• Approved consent agenda (5-0-0)
• Approved budget line‑item changes (5-0-0)
• Amended council meeting date to August 5, 2026 at 6:00 pm (5-0-0)
• Adopted Resolution 2026-6-4 appointing primary election judges (5-0-0)
• Approved Intermedia three‑year phone contract ($90.16/month, $389.56 hardware) (5-0-0)
• Adjourned meeting at 6:26 pm (5-0-0)

Commission Committee

The Shafer City EDA commission unanimously approved the consent agenda and the minutes from the May 12, 2026 meeting. They also unanimously moved the scheduled August 11 meeting to Thursday, August 13. The meeting was adjourned unanimously at 6:08 p.m.

• Approved Consent Agenda (5-0-0)
• Approved May 12, 2026 minutes (5-0-0)
• Amended August meeting date to Aug 13 (5-0-0)
• Adjourned meeting at 6:08 p.m. (5-0-0)

2026

The Shafer City Council unanimously approved the consent agenda and repealed and replaced sections 510.01‑510.16 of the city code that imposed a local lodging tax. It also approved three resolutions to accept donations totaling $1,263.31 and granted a cannabis retail business registration for North South Cannabis at 16440 Lake Blvd. All actions were carried out with a 5‑0‑0 vote.

• Approved consent agenda (5-0-0)
• Repealed and replaced lodging tax sections 510.01‑510.16 (5-0-0)
• Accepted FD Relief and gambling donation of $263.31 (5-0-0)
• Accepted Ole’s Crossroads and J. Olson Construction donations of $500 each (5-0-0)
• Approved cannabis retail business registration for North South Cannabis at 16440 Lake Blvd (5-0-0)

2026

The Shafer City Council will consider repealing a local lodging tax and accepting donations for community events and a cannabis retail business registration.

• Ordinance repealing lodging tax
• Accepting $263.31 in donations
• Accepting $1,000 in Shafer Days donations
• Approving cannabis retail registration at 16440 Lake Blvd

2026

The council unanimously approved a new liquor license for The Saloon at 30220 Redwing Ave after required documentation and checks. They also unanimously authorized the city engineer and ISG to apply for an Intended Use Plan to seek a grant for a manganese treatment plant. The council approved overtime pay for the Public Works Department to accelerate pothole patching. Routine items, including the consent agenda and adjournment, were approved unanimously.

• Approved new liquor license for The Saloon (30220 Redwing Ave) – unanimous 4-0-0
• Approved motion to move forward with ISG to apply for Intended Use Plan for manganese treatment grant – unanimous 4-0-0
• Approved Public Works Department overtime for pothole patching – unanimous 4-0-0
• Approved consent agenda items (2026-5-5 Council Minutes, 2026-5-11 Parks Minutes, 2026-5-12 EDA Minutes, Accounts Payable) – unanimous 4-0-0
• Motion to adjourn passed – unanimous 4-0-0

2026

The Shafer City Council will hold a public hearing for a liquor license application at 30220 Redwing Ave and discuss funding opportunities for manganese treatment with an ISG representative.

• Public hearing: Liquor license for The Saloon, Deanna Pedersen
• Discussion: Manganese treatment funding opportunities
• Consent agenda: Approval of meeting minutes and accounts payable

Commission Committee

The Shafer City EDA meeting opened with Chair Patty Mattson calling it to order. The commission unanimously approved the consent agenda and the minutes from the April 14, 2026 meeting. The meeting was then unanimously adjourned. No other actions were decided.

• Approved consent agenda and minutes (4-0-0)
• Adjourned meeting (4-0-0)

Commission Committee

The Shafer Parks Commission unanimously approved the consent agenda from the April 27 meeting. They also approved purchases for the Kids Day event on June 13, authorizing up to $300 for prizes, $50 for game supplies, and $300 for food. The meeting was adjourned at 6:24 pm.

• Approved consent agenda (2026-4-27 minutes) – unanimous 3-0-0
• Approved purchase of prizes up to $300, game supplies up to $50, and food up to $300 for Kids Day – unanimous 3-0-0
• Adjourned meeting at 6:24 pm – unanimous 3-0-0

2026

The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included prior meeting minutes. It also unanimously adopted a resolution granting a gambling premise permit for The Saloon and the Shafer/Franconia Fire Department. The council approved up to $20,000 for spray‑patch repairs on Buffalo Ridge Road and up to $10,000 (plus $2,000 for tools) for an asphalt hot box purchase. All votes were 5‑0‑0.

• Approved consent agenda (2026-4-21 & 2026-4-27 minutes) – 5-0-0
• Approved Resolution 2026-5-1 granting gambling premise permit for The Saloon and Shafer/Franconia Fire Department – 5-0-0
• Approved up to $20,000 for Buffalo Ridge road spray‑patch repairs – 5-0-0
• Approved up to $10,000 for asphalt hot box purchase and $2,000 for tools – 5-0-0

2026

The Shafer City Council will consider a gambling premise permit for The Saloon and review reports from the attorney, engineer, public works, and clerk. The meeting will also cover consent agenda items and a public hearing.

• Resolution 2026-5-1: Gambling premise permit for The Saloon at 30220 Redwing Ave
• Approval of 2026-4-21 and 2026-4-27 Council and Parks meeting minutes
• Accounts Payable list
• Attorney's Report
• Engineer's Report

Commission Committee

The Shafer Parks Commission voted unanimously to rent a bounce house and a dunk tank from Froggy Hops for the National Night Out event on August 4, 2026. It also approved purchase of three warming‑house signs for $120.00 and denied a request to loan the cotton‑candy machine to the Rotary. Additional actions included adopting a butterfly theme for the bike rack and walking trail and tabling a study of park sign costs.

• Approved rental of bounce house and dunk tank from Froggy Hops (5-0-0)
• Approved purchase of three warming house signs for $120.00 (5-0-0)
• Denied Rotary's request to borrow cotton candy machine (5-0-0)
• Adopted butterfly theme for bike rack and walking trail (5-0-0)
• Tabled investigation of park sign costs (no vote recorded)
• Approved consent agenda (5-0-0)
• Adjourned meeting (5-0-0)

2026

The Shafer City Council meeting will include a presentation of the 2025 audit by Oberloh & Oberloh. Council members will consider the Shafer/Franconia Fire Department demo invoice. A representative for Shafer Days and a report on potholes in front of Emily Jos will also be discussed. The council will receive updates from the attorney, engineer, public works, and clerk reports.

• Oberloh & Oberloh 2025 Audit Presentation
• Shafer/Franconia Fire Dept Demo Invoice
• Shafer Days – Mike Olmschenk representing
• George Warren – potholes in front of Emily Jos
• Public hearing and open hearing to the public

2026

The Shafer City Council unanimously approved the consent agenda, the 2025 city audit, and a $39,506.67 payment to Franconia Township for fire cleanup costs. It also approved the logistics and funding for the Shafer Days celebration, including street closures, use of city assets, and up to $1,660 for event supplies.

• Approved consent agenda (2026-4-7 Council minutes, 2026-4-8 BOA minutes, 2026-4-14 EDA minutes) – unanimous 4-0-0
• Approved 2025 city audit – unanimous 4-0-0
• Remitted $39,506.67 to Franconia Township for fire cleanup from gambling donations fund – unanimous 4-0-0
• Approved Shafer Days event use of hay wagon, city insurance, closure of 305th St to Redwing Ave, and public works parking lot for market and parade – unanimous 4-0-0
• Approved use of City Hall for historical display, city land for bounce house, road‑closure signs, vendor‑spot paint, and up to $1,660 for trash receptacles, portable toilets, and advertising – unanimous 4-0-0

Commission Committee

The commission approved the consent agenda and the minutes from the 2026-01-13 meeting with a 5‑0‑0 vote. They also voted to adjourn the meeting at 6:10 p.m. unanimously. Additionally, the commission decided to invite the owners of Ole’s Crossroads, The Saloon, and Nancy Hoffman to the next meeting to discuss grant opportunities for new businesses.

• Approved consent agenda and 2026-01-13 minutes (5-0-0)
• Adjourned meeting at 6:10 p.m. (5-0-0)
• Will invite Ole’s Crossroads, The Saloon, and Nancy Hoffman to next meeting to discuss grant opportunities

Commission Committee

The Shafer City Council voted to adjourn the April 8, 2026 meeting. The motion was moved by Councilmember Mattson, seconded by Councilmember Anderson, and passed with a unanimous 5-0-0 vote. No other substantive actions were taken.

• Adjourned meeting (5-0-0)

2026

The Shafer City Council will hold a public hearing on Ordinance 2026-4-2, which amends city code regarding accessory buildings, and will consider a new fee schedule. The meeting also includes consent agenda items and reports from city departments.

• Public hearing on Ordinance 2026-4-2 (Accessory Buildings)
• Ordinance 2026-4-1 Fee Schedule
• Fire code inspection pay rate set at $45.00/hour
• Potholes in front of Emily Jos
• Approval of 2026 meeting minutes

2026

The council approved two ordinances updating the fee schedule and accessory‑building rules, and set a $45‑hour rate for fire‑code inspections. It also revoked the liquor license for Patooie's Shafer Saloon and denied a $300 donation request from the Chisago County Senior Center. Additional actions included moving lodging‑tax administration to the state and approving the consent agenda.

• Approved Ordinance 2026-4-1 Fee Schedule (unanimous 5-0-0)
• Approved Ordinance 2026-4-2 Accessory buildings amendment (unanimous 5-0-0)
• Approved fire inspection pay rate of $45.00/hour for Ed Kubicki (unanimous 5-0-0)
• Revoked Patooie's Shafer Saloon liquor license (unanimous 5-0-0)
• Denied $300 donation request from Chisago County Senior Center (4-1)
• Approved transition of lodging tax collection to Minnesota Dept of Revenue (unanimous 5-0-0)
• Approved consent agenda (unanimous 5-0-0)
• Approved motion to adjourn (unanimous 5-0-0)

2026

The council approved a $12,548 purchase of an Exmark Zero Turn mower for city use. It also allocated $790 for the fire chief’s certification and approved a $1,500 donation for park trail markers. Additional actions included approving a $20,000 donation, a $238.46 donation, a $3,771.30 road‑salt purchase, and the sale of a two‑wheeled tractor with a $12,500 reserve price. All motions passed unanimously with a 5‑0‑0 vote.

• Approved $12,548 Exmark Zero Turn mower purchase (5-0-0)
• Allocated $790 for fire chief certification and HR meeting (5-0-0)
• Approved $1,500 donation for park mile markers and bike rack (5-0-0)
• Approved $20,000 donation for FD Relief and Gambling (5-0-0)
• Approved $238.46 donation for FD Relief and Gambling (5-0-0)
• Approved purchase of 30 tons road salt approx $3,771.30 (5-0-0)
• Approved sale of two‑wheeled tractor with $12,500 reserve (5-0-0)
• Approved payment to Parks Commission members for three events (5-0-0)

Commission Committee

The commission approved the consent agenda and the minutes from the March 13, 2026 meeting by a unanimous 4‑0 vote. A motion to adjourn the meeting was also passed unanimously. No other actions were taken.

• Approved consent agenda and March 13 minutes (4-0)
• Adjourned meeting (4-0)

2026

The Shafer City Council unanimously approved the 2026 Economic Development Strategic Plan. It also approved an amendment to the accessory‑use ordinance, allowing up to two accessory structures per residential lot, a combined floor area of 1,500 sq ft, height matching the principal building, and a 5‑ft setback, and rescheduled the public hearing for April. The council approved a resolution designating City Hall as a Naloxone Access Point and raised the quarterly Minnesota water‑connection fee to $3.81. All motions passed with a 4‑0‑0 vote.

• Approved 2026 Economic Development Strategic Plan (4-0-0)
• Amended accessory‑use ordinance to allow two structures, 1,500 sq ft total, height match, 5‑ft setback; rescheduled hearing to April (4-0-0)
• Approved Resolution 2026-3-1 accepting donations for FD Relief and Gambling (4-0-0)
• Approved City Hall as a Naloxone Access Point (4-0-0)
• Raised quarterly MN water‑connection fee by $1.38 to $3.81 (4-0-0)
• Approved consent agenda (4-0-0)
• Advised council to draft new election‑vote resolution (instruction, no vote)
• Adjourned meeting at 6:33 p.m. (4-0-0)

Commission Committee

The Shafer Parks Commission unanimously approved purchases of a cotton candy machine ($500) and a popcorn machine ($300) for events. It also approved an Easter egg hunt on April 11 at Shafer Meadows Park, a $1,500 donation to the Chisago Lakes Rotary, and a $599 purchase of a miter saw with a reduction of the ice rink size for a skate park. The “kids’ day at the park” event was tabled for future discussion.

• Approved consent agenda (2026-1-23 minutes) – vote 5-0-0
• Approved cotton candy machine purchase up to $500 – vote 5-0-0
• Approved popcorn machine purchase up to $300 – vote 5-0-0
• Approved Easter egg hunt on April 11 at Shafer Meadows Park – vote 5-0-0
• Tabled "kids’ day at the park" event for next meeting
• Approved $1,500 donation to Chisago Lakes Rotary – vote 5-0-0
• Approved $599 miter saw purchase and ice rink size reduction for skate park – vote 5-0-0
• Adjourned meeting – vote 5-0-0

2026

The Shafer City Council unanimously approved the consent agenda. The Public Works Director reported that the ice‑skating rink will be closed for the season. The City Clerk noted a loss of gambling tax revenue from Shafer Saloon and outlined the plan to move the city website and email to a .gov domain. The council tabled further action on revoking the Conditional Use Permit for 30250 Redwing Avenue pending review of legal costs.

• Approved consent agenda (5-0-0 vote)
• Closed ice‑skating rink for the season (informational)
• Tabled revocation of CUP for 30250 Redwing Ave (no vote recorded)
• Adjourned meeting (5-0-0 vote)

Commission Committee

The Shafer City EDA commission approved the consent agenda with a 5-0-0 vote. It also approved the Economic Strategic Plan, again unanimously. The meeting was then adjourned at 6:12 p.m.

• Approved Consent Agenda (5-0-0)
• Approved Economic Strategic Plan (5-0-0)
• Adjourned meeting (5-0-0)

2026

The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which covered prior meeting minutes and routine items. They also approved a motion to add an agenda feature to the city’s website, with the feature expected to be available within a few months. The meeting was adjourned at 6:08 p.m.

• Approved consent agenda (unanimous 5-0-0)
• Approved addition of agenda feature to website (unanimous 5-0-0)
• Adjourned meeting (unanimous 5-0-0)

Commission Committee

The commission approved the consent agenda and July 1, 2025 minutes (4‑0‑0). Patti Kowalski was appointed Chairperson and Nick Brehm Vice Chairperson (each 3‑0‑1). The commission amended Chapter 9 to permit up to two detached accessory buildings in the R‑1, R‑1A, and R‑1B zones and to increase the combined square footage to 1,500 sq ft (both 4‑0‑0). The meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m. (4‑0‑0).

• Approved Consent Agenda and July 1, 2025 minutes (4-0-0)
• Appointed Patti Kowalski as Chairperson (3-0-1, Kowalski abstained)
• Appointed Nick Brehm as Vice Chairperson (3-0-1, Brehm abstained)
• Amended Chapter 9 to allow up to two detached accessory buildings in R-1, R-1A, R-1B zones (4-0-0)
• Amended Chapter 9 to increase combined square footage of two accessory buildings to 1500 sq ft (4-0-0)
• Adjourned meeting at 7:05 p.m. (4-0-0)

Commission Committee

The Shafer Parks Commission unanimously approved the consent agenda for the December 15, 2025 meeting. Patty Mattson was appointed Chairperson and Patti Kowalski was appointed Vice Chairperson, each by a 5-0-0 vote. The meeting was then adjourned unanimously.

• Approved consent agenda (5-0-0)
• Appointed Patty Mattson as Chairperson (5-0-0)
• Appointed Patti Kowalski as Vice Chairperson (5-0-0)
• Adjourned meeting (5-0-0)

Commission Committee

The Shafer Wellhead Committee met on Jan 23, 2026 with Brad Swenson and Marilyn Anderson present. Members deliberated on the required Wellhead Protection Plan, noting it must be submitted soon. No formal actions, approvals, or denials were recorded.

2026

The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which covered accounts payable items. They also unanimously voted to hire Drake Siemonsma as a full‑time employee effective immediately. The council adopted Resolution 2026‑1‑1 to accept $269.61 in donations from FD Relief and gambling, allocating 10% of the amount. The meeting was adjourned unanimously.

• Approved consent agenda (accounts payable) – Unanimous 4-0-0
• Hired Drake Siemonsma as full-time employee – Unanimous 4-0-0
• Adopted Resolution 2026-1-1 accepting $269.61 donations (10% allocation) – Unanimous 4-0-0
• Adjourned meeting – Unanimous 4-0-0

Commission Committee

Commission Committee

2026