Shell Lake council reorganizes; four alderpersons sworn in and Ken Schultz elected council president

Shell Lake Mayor Rowie Hansberger called the re-organizational meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. on April 15, 2025. City Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer Andrew Eiche administered the oath of office to newly elected alderpersons Terry Severson, Stephen Smith, Tom Rasmussen and Rob Anderson.

The reorganizational session established the council’s committee assignments for the coming term. Mayor Rowie Hansberger named the membership and chairs for standing committees: Executive/Human Resources (Chair: Rowie Hansberger; members Mike Andrews, Stephen Smith, Terry Severson, Ken Schultz), General Administration (Chair: Mike Andrews; members Tom Rasmussen, Steve Byrd, Rob Anderson), Financial Administration (Chair: Stephen Smith; members Steve Byrd, Mike Andrews, Terry Severson), Park and Recreation (Chair: Terry Severson; members Ken Schultz, Dan Harrington, Tom Rasmussen), and Public Works (Chair: Ken Schultz; members Dan Harrington, Stephen Smith, Rob Anderson). The mayor also announced board and advisory assignments including the Airport Management Committee (city rep Steve Byrd), Zoning Board of Appeals appointee Bill Smith, Plan Commission members Greg Kittelsen, Greg Schindeldecker and Daniel Diekman, Library Board (council rep Rob Anderson), and Fire Association council reps Mike Andrews and Terry Severson. Mitch Brown was named City Forester and Weed Commissioner, and Andrew Eiche, Rowie Hansberger, Stephen Smith, Tom Rasmussen and Mike Andrews were listed for Board of Review consideration.

The council adopted official city designations announced at the meeting: Washburn County Health & Human Service Director as Health Officer, Spooner Advocate as the official newspaper, Shell Lake State Bank as the official depository, Nate Carlson as City Assessor and Kathy zumBrunnen as City Attorney.

On formal motions, Alderperson Stephen Smith moved, with Rob Anderson seconding, to nominate Ken Schultz as the council’s City Council President. After the ballots were closed, the council elected Ken Schultz by unanimous vote of members present. Smith then moved, seconded by Schultz, to select Tom Rasmussen as the city council alderperson assigned to the Shell Lake Plan Commission; that motion carried unanimously. Smith later moved, seconded by Rasmussen, to adjourn; the meeting adjourned at 5:46 p.m.

The re-organization meeting established the council’s leadership and committee structure for the coming term and completed routine designations and appointments. City Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer Andrew Eiche signed the meeting record.