• No action yet on final design of a new lighthouse for Starbuck Marina

By Kris Goracke

Reporter

Progress on the Starbuck Marina Lighthouse advanced with the approval of a $24,000 bid by Ferguson Brothers Excavating during the Starbuck City Council’s regular monthly meeting. While the design and placement approval are not yet finalized, the council decided to move forward, as the $25,000 fund from FEMA must be spent this year to avoid forfeiture.

Due to budget constraints, the council is considering a design similar to the previous lighthouse. The council has been working toward replacing the lighthouse since it was destroyed in a May 2022 storm. Initially, the council sought input and design from Widseth. At the regular July 2023 city council meeting, Gene Boul showcased a proposed design of the Starbuck Marina Lighthouse, which included a catwalk for the public to enjoy lake views. The estimated cost for the lighthouse was $187,000, with additional fees for design, inspection, testing, and permits. At that time, council member Dane Christensen remarked, “This is a bit more than we had anticipated. We should have public input before moving ahead.” The council agreed and tabled the decision until a public meeting could be held.

Mayor Gary Swenson has maintained that no Starbuck city dollars will be used for this project. However, when Hanson Communications offered a matching amount of $10,000 last year, the council agreed they could not pass up the financial opportunity to match the dollars. At the end of 2023, the city had $75,000 in total revenue for the project, including the matching fund from Hanson Communication and the $13,000 raised and donated by the Starbuck Men’s Veteran Auxiliary. The $75,000 and the city’s matching $10,000 bring the total funds raised to $85,000.

Other than the approval of the excavating bid, formal action has yet to be taken on the lighthouse, as approval from Pope County Soil and Water is still needed before the project can begin.

Nick Koos, representing Widseth, provided the council with an update on the 2020 Road Project. “The final numbers are ready to go through with the city. Once that has been completed, the city can begin the process of public hearings regarding assessments on the project,” he said.

Starbuck homeowner Austin Enstad asked the council to consider making the alley a through-way on his residence block. “I work for a towing business, and having a through-way alley would make access to my property easier,” he stated. Water and Sewer Supervisor Randy Peterson pointed out that there is currently a fire hydrant on the west side, which is too close if there were an alley. He also commented that the issue of water runoff would need to be considered. The council voted to table the discussion on the request until Peterson had time to research the possible project.

Although Starbuck Chief of Police Mitch Johnsrud was not in attendance, city clerk Joan Kerkvliet shared with the council Johnsrud’s request to increase the hourly wage for part-time officers. “When the council increased the wages for city employees and officers, the part-time officers were not included in that request. Officer Johnsrud is asking the council to increase the hourly rate from $23.34 to $30,” states Kerkvliet. “Before voting on this, I want to hear more from Officer Johnsrud. We need more reasoning as to why to increase the wage before taking action,” said council member Steve Gorder. The council voted to table the request until Officer Johnsrud could present his request to the council.

Starbuck firefighter Paul Hippe requested a disbursement of the Public Safety Grant funds, suggesting that other Minnesota cities have chosen to provide funds from this grant to their fire departments. In December, Starbuck received a $60,000 Public Safety Grant, which is at the city’s discretion to spend. The grant has a broad appeal as to what it can be spent on as long as it falls under the public safety umbrella. 

“Do you have anything the fire department would like to use the money for?” asked Christenson. “At this time, we do not have specifics,” noted Hippe. The council voted to table the discussion until Starbuck Fire Chief Doug Noyes could present a specific amount and plan for the money.

Tom Beuckens updated the council on behalf of the Starbuck Airport Committee, which has successfully secured a MnDOT State Grant of $80,000 for a compact loader and brush cutter for the airport. The committee members, including Jason Doscher, Craig Lindblad, Ted Razink, and Beuckens, have been instrumental in this effort. The grant covers 90% of the cost of purchasing the equipment. Beuckens emphasized the importance of the cutter in maintaining clear landing areas, especially during the summer when overgrowth can obscure the lights on the landing strip. The council commended Beuckens and the committee for securing the grant and their work.

In other business:

•Approved raising the pay for election judges from $13 to $15 an hour.

•Approved contract business with a council member.

•Approved the adoption of the Pope County All-Hazard Mitigation Plan.

•Approved the election judges for 2024

•Accepted a donation from Samuelson’s Drug for the Starbuck Police Department.

•Approved a public hearing for a variance request to install a single-family well and septic drain field on parcel #27-0590-600.

•Accepted a donation from Gary Swenson for the labor cost of $2,500 in the construction of a 14’6”x 24’ garage at the airport.

•Accepted a donation from Tom and Ann Beuckens for the electrical cost of $4,000 for the garage at the airport.

•Discussed and voted to place old city equipment on an online auction.