TOWN OF STARBUCK

200 Main Street

P. O. Box 276

Starbuck, WA  99359

April 12, 2011

 

Council members present were Katherine Shearer, Ronica McCoy, Richard Ells and Keith Wharton. Fred White was absent.

 

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Darcy Linklater.

 

Council person Shearer wants a correction to be made in paragraph #23; that Randy Gentry be charged for the monthly tank charge of $19.00 for his second tank.  With this correction, the minutes stand as read.

  

The Water Bacteriological Analysis was satisfactory for the month of March.

 

Guest present –                                                                                              

 

Citizens present – Sharon Shantie, Doris Matheny.

 

Doris asked why a private sewer could not be hooked to the town’s sewer system.  Katherine explained the reasons as mandated by the state are why this could not be done.

Doris stated that her sewer system has not been maintained.  Katherine stated that it has been maintained by the town as needed but she will come and inspect it tomorrow.

 

Sharon Shantie asked what the concerns were and why the alley can’t be vacated behind her barn.   Council person Shearer stated that she didn’t want to vacate because of the study being done on the set back levee for flooding issues.  Councilman Wharton stated that money wise; the future property revaluation shouldn’t be an issue as it wouldn’t change the worth of the evacuated property that much. We could use the assessed value or the market value.  He just wants to make sure that the town would never need the land.   There was much discussion about the idea of vacating city property.  Sharon stated that in 2007 an alley was vacated between Naedene Shearer and Ralph Taylor and asked how that was different from this situation?  Wharton stated that we want to make sure it doesn’t deny any public access to certain areas.  Councilperson McCoy stated that that she could see no reason why the alley couldn’t be vacated.  Councilman Ells stated he could not see any reason why the alley should be vacated and to leave it the way it is.   

  Keith stated that the council really needs to sit down and discuss the pros and cons. He asked Sharon if the council came up with a policy about using the property after it’s been vacated; would she have a problem with that.  Katherine stated that this is what the vacation’s process states in the previous vacations; that the Town can use the vacated property if there is an emergency.  Sharon stated that the alley behind the post office that has been vacated is not accessible to emergency vehicles.  Katherine stated that is the reason that they have to be careful with what is evacuated.  Keith asked Sharon if she would be willing to put something together about the proposed vacancy with reasons why.

 

It was discussed of paying the clerk for extra hours for scanning.  The Clerk reported that she has completed the scanning of the ordinances, resolutions and the cemetery deeds & permits and is now working on the receipts and disbursements. There is quite a bit of scanning left to do.    

Council person Shearer made a motion to pay the Clerk for the extra hours for scanning @ the $10 per hr rate.  Ronica seconded it motion carried.  Hopefully we can get a grant to cover these expenses as it is required by the state.

 

Katherine wants a thank you put in the Water bills thanking Carol Wildman and all the volunteers who helped with organizing the Oregon bike ride through Starbuck.  The club in turn donated us $1500.  With these monies the town purchased the new street signs, so thank you to Council person Ronica and Eugene for getting the new street signs put up.

Eugene fell off the ladder when he was putting up street signs.  He needs to fill out a report. 

 

The backflow valves were discussed.  Darcy explained that some of these are going to be mandated by the state.  By a state mandate, the Clerk sent out a questionnaire asking citizens about their private water systems.  She will be sending out a Water Consumer quality report in the next W, S & G billing.

 

The resolution #117 was looked over and discussed concerning the Cross-Connection Control policy.             

 

Katherine stated she took her sewer cert. test and passed on April 8.  She stated that the town owes her $50 for the application fee and $85 for the cost of taking the test, with a total of $135.  She said she will turn in the receipts.

 

It was discussed that the town needs a new backpack sprayer.  Katherine stated that she purchased a drill for our maintenance supplies.  Darcy discussed getting a pump for our sewer system.  

 

Katherine reported that 6 tanks had to be pumped in the last month.  She also stated that they checked the pre-treatment collection tank and it might need to be pumped.

 

To build the doggie system at the park was discussed.

 

Councilman Wharton made a motion to adopt Resolution #117.   Council person McCoy               seconded it.  Motion carried.

 

The bills were looked over and discussed.

  

Treas. Report read:

 

Ronica made a motion to pay the bills.  Was seconded by Richard Ells.  

Motion carried.

 

As there was no further business the meeting was adjourned.  Motion carried.

 

“I, the undersigned, do hereby certify under penalty of perjury that the claim is a just, due and unpaid obligation against The Town of Starbuck, and that I am authorized to certify to said claim.”

 

Vouchers #3230 – 3260, totaling $9,561.85 were approved and paid on 04/12/11.

 

 

__________________________________     _________________________________

Mayor Darcy Linklater                                    Clerk/Treas., Candice Harrison