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 Shearer stated that she wants the clerk to put more complete discussion in the minutes. The Clerk reported that she had talked to Pam James at Municipal Research about doing the minutes and was told not to put in all the discussion, but the highlights and the motions that were on the table.
Council person Fred made a motion to approve the minutes as read. Council person Ronica McCoy seconded it.
The Water Bacteriological Analysis was satisfactory for the month of February.
Guest present –
Citizens present – Verna Foley, Randy Gentry, Sharon Shantie, and Sue Wharton
Randy Gentry was here and stated that he had a water leak during the months of evaluation, and would like a new evaluation amount. Now it is evaluated at $24.00 per month. The council agreed to let the Clerk make an adjustment of 2,310 gallons instead of 4,983 the monthly charge will be $21.00 for sewer.
Ronica brought up the evacuation of the alley behind the Shantie barn. Mayor Darcy asked if he should leave as he didn’t want anything that could cause a conflict of interest for the city. Keith Wharton was put in as Mayor Pro Tem.
Ronica stated that she went and looked at where the alley
lays and was comfortable with proceeding with the vacation. Katherine stated that she was not in favor of
vacating at this time; because; when a new tax evaluation is done it will make
the land worth a whole lot more which would mean the town would get a lot more
money for the land being vacated. Sharon
Shantie was present and said she didn’t understand the reasoning for the
decision. The pros and cons were
discussed. Keith asked
Mayor Darcy was called back in and put into the mayor status.
Councilman Fred had sent the council a copy of a grant that
was available from the Salmon Recovery Board that the town can put in for fish
friendly projects along the
Ronica stated that the ordinances have been copied to electronic copies. We are working on the Resolution at this time. This is being done by Ronica and the clerk.
The new bar and grill was discussed. Katherine contacted the Walla Walla County Health Inspector and asked if they needed a grease trap or not. She stated at this time they didn’t need a grease trap. They need to insert a grease trap before they install a range. We received our specs from Orenco. Keith stated that we need to discuss our building and remodeling permits that would cover things like this. Ronica stated that she had talked to the health dept also.
Gene installed the new street signs. Some aren’t packed in yet because of the weather.
We need to order more toppers as some of the old ones are cracked.
Katherine wants signs for the compost site.
The council discussed what should be done with the branches, leaves & etc. every year.
A plan is needed.
Gene asked for signs of no sledding at cemetery.
The clerk asked the council if the fee of $3.00 should be raised for Mace Matheny sewer monthly charge also like the other entire customer. Katherine stated his tank be rated like all other sewer customers as it has fluids running into it. The council all agreed yes.
Sue Wharton asked if there are any septic tanks in town that aren’t hooked into the city.
The answer was, yes.
Ruth made a motion Fred seconded to estimate and average for #71 Gordon. They approved the estimate and average.
Clerk asked if the council understood the letters sent out by clerk about the Sewer monthly tank fee raise and the sewer re-evaluation.
The clerk asked about Acct. #71, Gordon once in a lifetime leak for a 23l, 900 gallon leak if she could only charge them for 5,000 gallons. Katherine made a motion to approve this. Fred White seconded it. Motion carried.
The council agreed and if need be that I could use the next month’s usage for the sewer re-evaluation.
Randy Gentry asked if there is anything that could be done for his monthly tank charge for his second tank. He is charged $20.00 at this time. Katherine stated to charge them $19.00 instead.
Keith addressed the way the city can know what is going on for new buildings, remodels and new businesses. He showed the council of a new pre building permit form that he drew up and set a fee of around $10. The council would have to approve it before it goes to the county. Also for a new business license fee to be paid to the city. We probably would have to set up an ordinance if we wanted to adopt these.
It can be used to help protect the landowner down the road. This is just a proposal. The Growth Management plan needs the city to have rules to back up their plans. It will protect us and add value to our town. Katherine stated she was worried about our growth and that the application permits proposals are too strong.
Sue Wharton stated that she knew there was money left from the Pendleton bike. Maybe a doggy station might be needed for dog owners from some of this money. Maybe we need an ordinance for dog owners for our parks to pick up their waste.
Ronica talked of getting another covered picnic area. Katherine brought up that we should honor our Sheriff that was shot while on duty years ago.
The bills were looked over and discussed.
Treas. Report read:
Katherine Shearer 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 #3207 – 3229, totaling $7,590.52 were approved and
paid on
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Mayor Darcy Linklater Clerk/Treas., Candice Harrison