At the regular November Starbuck City Council meeting, Water and Sewer Superintendent Randy Peterson updated the council on the identification of water service lines. This update was part of an ongoing effort to comply with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), which require public water systems to inventory all service connections within their distribution systems, as outlined by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

The Starbuck report categorized service lines into three types: lead, galvanized, and unknown. Below is a chart from the MDH website detailing the classifications:

Galvanized Requiring Replacement

A galvanized service line is or was at any time downstream of a lead service line or is currently downstream of a “Lead Status Unknown” service line. If the water system is unable to demonstrate that the galvanized service line was never downstream of a lead service line, it must presume there was an upstream lead service line. 

Non-Lead

The service line is determined through an evidence-based record, method, or technique not to be lead or galvanized requiring replacement. The water system may classify the actual material of the service line (i.e., plastic or copper) as an alternative to classifying it as “Non-lead.” 

Lead Status Unknown or

Unknown

Where the service line material is not known to be lead, galvanized requiring replacement, or a non-lead service line, such as where there is no documented evidence supporting material classification.

The water system may classify the line as “Unknown” as an alternative to classifying it as “Lead Status Unknown,” however, all requirements that apply to “Lead Status Unknown” service lines must also apply to those classified as “Unknown.” Water systems may elect to provide more information regarding their unknown lines as long as the inventory clearly distinguishes unknown service lines from those where the material has been verified through records or inspection.

The city used inspection data collected during the 2014-meter replacement project to compile its water service line inventory. As of October 1, 2024, the inventory identified three lead service lines and 38 galvanized lines. Additionally, 295 service lines were classified as unknown, and 374 were determined non-lead. The service line inventory is publicly available, and people can check the materials for their service by visiting the Lead Inventory Tracking Tool (LITT) at https://maps.umn.edu/LSL/.

Letters were mailed to Starbuck property owners whose service lines were identified as lead, galvanized, or unknown. In an earlier report, Nick Koos from Widseth informed the council of potential state and federal funding opportunities available in 2026 to cover the cost of replacing the portion of the lead service line owned by the property owner. All funding would pass through the City of Starbuck and certain state and federal construction requirements must be met to be eligible for these funds.

Residents were encouraged to carefully review the letters and contact the city office with any questions or concerns.

In a brief report from Starbuck Fire Chief Doug Noyes, he informed the council that the department had received a $40,000 ARMER Grant from the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management. This grant will purchase 20 new Motorola radios, covering most of the $43,719 total cost.

Next, City Clerk Joan Kerkvliet reported that the city had received a grant of $6,038.50 from Pope County to help fund the treatment of invasive species in the Hobo Park Marina. The treatment was completed this past fall.

In addition to these updates, the council addressed unpaid blight penalties. They voted unanimously to send the unpaid fines to the property tax roll, adding a 10% interest charge. A total of 11 properties were cited for violations in three specific areas:

1. Vehicles that are unlicensed or inoperable.

2. Junk or loose debris on properties.

3. Grass or weeds exceeding a height of eight inches which is considered a nuisance.

The total amount of the fines was $1,320.

The council reviewed Michael and Andrea Nadeau’s request to be annexed out of the city limits. In an email to the city, Andrea Nadeau explained, “We purchased 27-0590-600 last year and will be building a home there in the spring of 2025. We want to annex out of the city, as we do not have any city services such as sewer or water on this property.”

Before the council meeting, the Starbuck Planning and Zoning Committee met to discuss the request.  The committee’s recommendation to the council was to deny the request. During the council meeting, Council Member Dane Christensen expressed his support for the committee’s recommendation, stating, “I support the planning and zoning’s recommendation.” Following this, Council Member Steve Gorder motioned to deny the request, which Council Member Mary Baukol seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

In his report, Mayor Gary Swenson informed the council that he had recently attended a Minnewaska School District work session focusing on the Lakes Area Enrichment Center daycare.

Earlier in October, at the Minnewaska School District’s regular meeting, the school board acknowledged receiving a letter from the Lakes Area Enrichment Center. The letter expressed the center’s interest in merging its childcare programs with the Minnewaska Area School District, citing inflation as a significant challenge. The center also requested that the school district take on a more active leadership role in managing the daycare program.

At the meeting, Superintendent Chip Rankin emphasized the critical need for childcare in the community. He stated, “The demand for daycare far exceeds the supply. If quality child care isn’t available, the community suffers. We see fewer people in the workforce, fewer families moving to our area, and fewer children in our schools. This is a community-wide issue.”

Mayor Gary Swenson invited Kris Goracke to update the council on a recent community meeting about Starbuck Lakeshore Park. Goracke shared that ten people attended the meeting, with at least ten others expressing interest but unable to attend the November 8 gathering. “At the meeting, we brainstormed and discussed the many positive aspects of our park, areas we would like to see improved, and potential new additions for the future,” Goracke said.

Goracke then proposed the community group’s idea of decorating the park for Christmas to the council. “I know there isn’t much time, and I’m not sure if we can make it happen, but we hope to invite community members to help decorate the park on Saturday, December 7, at 10 a.m., following our second meeting scheduled for 9 a.m. that same day to be held at the Starbuck Chamber of Commerce Office.  We are also asking if people are willing to donate Christmas lights, extension cords, or decorations to contact me” Goracke explained.

After discussing the proposal, the council approved the plan, allowing the community group to proceed with the decorations. The council also suggested that Goracke meet with Randy Peterson to review the park layout and identify areas where electrical outlets could be utilized.

In new business, the council:

• Approved sending the non-payment of admin citations for blight/fire calls to tax rolls at 10% interest

• Approved resolution no. 2024-28 accepting an anonymous donation toward the Starbuck Marina Lighthouse fund for $2,000

• Approved resolution 2024-29 accepting the November 5, 2024 election results

• Tabled the new cannabis ordinance

• Approved resolution no 2024-30 accepting a memorial donation from the Meyer family for the Starbuck Marina Lighthouse Fund in memory of Bob Friesen

• Approved the annual inter-fund transfer from Hobo Park for 2024

The council then closed the regular meeting for a closed meeting to discuss the AFSCME union contract.

After the closed session, the regular council meeting resumed. Mayor Swenson announced that the council had discussed the union contract, which included salary increases of 5% for 2025 and 2.5% for 2026 and 2027. He noted that all city employees are part of the AFSCME union, except for the three full-time police officers whose contract negotiations are still ongoing.  The council voted unanimously to approve the contract.