By Anne Thom

What should have been a joyous occasion for Stacy turned into a more somber event on Tuesday night at the final City Council meeting of this year. The first item on a very short agenda was for City Clerk Sharon Payne to swear in Mayor-elect John Daher and new council members Barbara Avalos, Tony Olivolo and Richard Schultz.

As the meeting was about to called to order by outgoing Mayor Michael Carlson, Schultz stepped forward and asked to address the council before the meeting began. In a grief stricken voice, Schultz announced that due to the death of his wife, he felt he would not be able to serve. A murmur of sympathy went through the small group gathered in the audience. Schultz's wife Teri Asmus-Schultz had been killed on Dec. 21 on I-35 near County Road 14 when she had lost control of the vehicle she was driving and it crossed the median and hit a semi-truck. The council and those in attendance expressed their greatest sympathy to Schultz and his family in this difficult time.

Schultz's decision now leaves the council seat vacant for Mario Schlecht Jr. if he will accept. Payne offered her sympathy and thanked Schultz. She then advised the council she will contact Schlecht regarding the seat as soon as possible. The new council is to convene on Jan. 9.

Following this news, the council continued to try to wrap up any outstanding issues. Chisago County Deputy Cliff Sheppeck stopped by to tell the council he really had no issues to close out for the year and the council indicated the same to Sheppeck.

The Stacy Bar and Grill is finally complete. The council moved to finalize the project this month.

As reported previously, the Kramer Brothers withdrew their application for a conditional use permit (CUP) for expansion of their business in the General Business District. The council however learned that City Attorney Peter Grundhoefer had not received the notice to withdraw the application for the CUP. Mayor Carlson therefore moved to deny the application when Payne advised the council that if they took no action tonight, the CUP would be approved by default. Daher noted this was also a request by Kramer for a variance and the council moved to and approved denial of the CUP and variance.

Closing the meeting after only 45 minutes, Carlson thanked both the council and the citizens of Stacy saying "It's been an interesting four years." And advising the new members to "bring a bottle of aspirin."

Added Councilmember Mel Aslakson, "...and a cushion." The council was adjourned for the year and for another chapter in Stacy city history.