Shell Lake council hires part-time police chief with one-year probation, permits winter pickup-home use and approves shoreland plantings grant

The Shell Lake City Council on Dec. 8 unanimously approved several personnel and operational measures. The council approved hiring Patrick Kraetke as the city's new part-time Chief of Police, with a one-year probationary period to begin when he is available in mid-March 2026. The hiring motion was introduced by Ken Schultz and initially proposed a six-month probation; Stephen Smith moved to amend the probation to one year, the amendment passed on a roll-call vote with all council members voting yes, and the amended hiring motion then carried unanimously.

Council members also approved an operational request allowing Public Works Director Mitch Brown to take the city pickup truck home during the winter inspection period, from Nov. 1 through March 31. Schultz presented the request and Tom Rasmussen seconded; council members voted unanimously in favor. During the Public Works report, Brown cautioned that plowing a gravel road after the first snowfall would cause road damage and said, "Salt/sanding is useless if done when the temperatures are too cold and experiencing high winds." That operational guidance framed the rationale for approving home take-home access so the director can inspect roads promptly.

On financial and administrative business, the council approved vouchers numbered 1444–11551 and heard a budget status report from Stephen Smith. The council also approved the appointment of election inspectors, adding Tom Rasmussen to the "Independent" category, and passed a grant resolution authorizing Shell Lake Shoreland Native Plantings. All of these motions carried by unanimous vote.

The meeting concluded at 8:25 p.m. after Ken Schultz moved to adjourn and Tom Rasmussen seconded. No additional dates for follow-up reports were set for these items in the meeting minutes.