TOWN OF
Council members present were Fred White Katherine Shearer, Ronica McCoy, Richard Ells and Keith Wharton. .
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Darcy Linklater
Council person Katherine made a motion to approve the minutes as read. Councilman Richard Ells seconded it.
The Water Bacteriological Analysis was satisfactory for the month of January.
Guest present – Lisa Naylor, Chuck Reeves (Co. Co. Com.)
Citizens present – Verna Foley, Jill Wood, Sidney Eaton, LaDonna Brabant, Sue Wharton, and Don Jackson.
Lisa Naylor explained the stimulus funds that were received by RC & D and is targeted in fuel reduction project in our private landowner forest. This will help the landowner with a cost share program with 75% returned to the landowner. That means the landowner would be responsible for 25%.
She showed the council examples of a fuel reduction
project. She explained a National Fire
Plan. The intent of this is to fire safe
your property. $100,000 is set aside for
Chuck Reeves was present and brought Levee Sheets for Co.
Co. There are 2 funds that can be used for this type of work with the infrastructure
fund would probably being the one that our city hall repair would come under. One comes from the real estate market. The issue of our project of repairing our
building may come through grant fundings.
He stated that our request was not rejected and it is still on their
list. Starbuck could have levied for a
higher amount.
Mayor Linklater brought up the Shantie letter and asked
council person Shearer if she looked into
Mayor Linklater appointed Mayor Pro Tem Keith Wharton to take over the meeting so that the council can discuss the Darver RV Dump Site. Mayor Darcy left the building.
Sidney Eaton stated that he thought there was a conflict with council person McCoy. Council person McCoy stated that she has nothing to do with Darver Tackle, that her husband helps Darver but does not work there.
Council person Shearer asked if the property of Darver Tackle was in Darcy’s name and if they were married. Verna Foley stated that it was in her name and they were not married. Shearer stated that Darver Tackle is being undercharged.
Don Jackson stated that he is confused why Darver should be charged a fee. The last council approved of them having the RV dump with no additional fee. Don stated that he would pay the $50 fee if the Town needed it that bad. Mayor Pro-Tem Wharton stated that the reason we needed to raise our monthly sewer fee $3.00, was for repairs to the sewer plant. Sue Wharton stated that Darver should not be singled out and that every business should be charged. Don stated that he felt it was a service that this town welcomed as there was dumping of sewage from travel trailers in the past along roads before this was put in.
Mayor Pro-Tem Wharton stated that he did research and found that when the RV Park was put in, it was inspected and approved by Clark Posey of Co. Co. He also stated that we operate with a conditional use permit. It could cause us problems later down on the road. Fred made a motion to make a yearly rate of $50 per year be charged to Darver Tackle. Katherine Shearer seconded it. Council persons Ronica McCoy, Richard Ells and Keith Wharton opposed. The motion was denied.
The issue of Darver Tackle being charged a flat fee of $50 per month for sewer was brought up and discussed.
Katherine stated this should not be this way. Councilman Fred made a motion to start charging everyone equally according to our Sewer Ordinance #142-1. Ronica seconded it Motion carried. Katherine stated that if anyone wants a discount they need to come before the council to make a request and she wants to re-do the sewer ordinance.
Mayor Darcy was asked to come back in.
Shearer stated that she thinks we should round-up the sewer rate as we are losing money.
Sue Wharton asked since she has a leak when she fixes it; can she get re-evaluated? Council stated to come to council and ask after their water leak is fixed.
Ronica brought the bids for new street signs made by the penitentiary. If the council approves this she would get them ordered. Posts can also be ordered. Ronica made a motion to order the street signs @ $378.84 and posts were $137.74. The money would come out of the monies from the bike people from Pendleton... Was seconded by Richard Ells. Motion carried.
The Mayor stated that he needs to approve any purchase for the town.
Sue Wharton reported on the Conditional Use Permit and it is the job of the council to go by the rules of the conditional use for a new business. We should have a form for any new businesses to fill out to inform the council. We need to write a new ordinance that covers this. The new business of bar & grill was discussed of how they should be charged for sewer as they need to install a grease trap. Sue thought we should apply these rulings that are in the Conditional Use Plan. The council should also approve a set back for new construction. We need to be careful of what we approve. Katherine stated she will go talk to Richard Hendrickson about this.
Ways & Means: Treas. Report read.
Council person Ronica made a motion to pay the bills. Council person Richard Ells seconded it. Motion carried.
The Clerk reported that Evergreen Rural Water is working with us and helping us put a Water Plan together and if we can show that we are trying to help ourselves by raising our rates in case of major repairs, we would sure have a better chance of funding if need be. We need to update our water ordinance to install back-flow valves in all new home meters from now on. David Tyzs stated he thought we should install back-flow valves in existing meters that could pose a threat. She asked the council to be thinking of this and we will need to act on this in the near future as there will be a water system inspection in the next few months done by the state. Tyzs thought that a backflow valve cost around $300. The Clerk also explained that we should be put money into our investment fund for repair and replacement. Tyzs told her that other entities choose an amount such as a dollar per meter per month for each year for each fund.
Richard made a motion for $1.00 from Water fund and $1.00 from the Sewer fund to be put in Investments of repair and replacement each year. Ronica seconded it Motion carried. The monies from the Water Fund will be invested soon for the last year. The sewer monies will be started next year as the raise of sewer rates just started this year.
Sue stated we need to be careful of the approving of plot plans for building permits.
What do we do about issuing building permits while they are working on their new Condition Use Plan?
The clerk read a letter she wrote and included the hours that she put in for the last 3 months.
The clerk stated that she would like to call for an audit, if any council person feels that there is something being done in error with the way that she keeps the books. The council is agreement of not to call in an auditor at this time.
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 say claim.”
Vouchers #3190 – 3206, totaling $5,039.79 were approved and
paid on
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Mayor Darcy Linklater Clerk/Treas., Candice Harrison