By Hannah Trainor

Reporter

The 2025 Starbuck City Council meeting opened after the swearing-in of Mayor Gary Swenson, council member Mary Baukol and council member Kris Goracke.  The three were elected in the general election in November.

Jared Swanson addressed the council, sharing his hopes for the city implementing Kortni’s Kloset at Starbuck City Beach. Kortni’s Kloset was created after the Botzet family tragically lost their 6-year-old daughter, Kortni, to a drowning accident in May of 2010. The closets, first installed in Douglas County beaches provide life jackets of various youth sizes for anyone to take, keep, use, and return.

Swanson shared that his family became involved with this cause through their daughter’s annual craft sale. “As far as I got involved, my now 12-year-old girl and her friend create handmade items and sell them at a craft fair.  And each year, whatever money they make, they donate. After they had the sale, my wife and daughter happened to hear an interview on the radio about Kortni’s Kloset and instantly, my daughter said, “That’s where I want my money to go to,” said Swanson.

The family’s involvement extends beyond their daughter’s initiative. Jared and his wife, Katie, have also embraced the cause, offering financial support and practical assistance. They have volunteered to contribute to the construction costs of the closets. Additionally, the couple has already purchased life jackets to equip both Starbuck and Glenwood beaches.

“Did you say people can take a life jacket and return it or not?” asked Swenson.

“That is correct. You can either take and keep or use and return. The life jackets are there for people to use or have,” answered Swanson.

Each closet will have 16 life jackets in four different youth sizes. The goal is to have the closets ready by this year’s lake season.

After hearing Swanson’s presentation, council member Chris Taffe commented, “I think it’s nice—very nice.” The other council members echoed this support. The council unanimously voted to place the life jacket closet at the city beach.

At this time, the regular meeting was closed to open a public hearing on Ordinance #113. The  revision would remove the requirement for a license needed for the sale of THC and allow for the sale of THC products at liquor stores and establishments licensed for liquor sales. Chuck Peterson of Minnewaska Liquors addressed the council, thanking them for moving it forward.

This will go into effect 30 days after the publication of the amended ordinance.

Patty Glomstad, owner of Water’s Edge, came before the council to ask about having live music over Heritage Days Weekend. Council members approved the bands performing until midnight on Thursday, July 3rd, and Saturday, July 5th.

Starbuck Police Chief Mitch Johnsrud presented his report with December service calls. “We had a slight decrease in December with 149 calls versus November’s 188,” said Johnsrud. 

He then went on to ask for an increase in pay for Starbuck’s part-time police officers. “What we have done in the past is follow the union.  I would like to see them at Step 1, which is $34.40/hour, and they would follow that step so they are comparable to our full-time,” stated Johnsrud.  The council voted unanimously to approve the part-time wages at Step 1.

Starbuck Water and Sewer Superintendent Randy Peterson provided an update on the water treatment plant renovations and water tower repairs. The estimate to complete this project is $476,000 for the plant upgrade and tower redo.  

“For future planning, Nick Koos and I looked at the northeast corner of town, starting where the highway project left off and working east. We are looking at about 12 blocks that we looked at that we should start planning for,” said Peterson.

“Is that just for water and sewer?” asked Swenson.  

“It is for water, sewer, storm, streets, and curb–everything that the 2020 project–a rebuild extended from the highway project,” said Peterson.

As this is a preliminary discussion, the council approved a work session to discuss and get more information.

Christensen asked if there was an update on the identified lead lines.  “All the reports are now down at the state, so we just wait for the next step,” said Peterson. 

City Clerk Joan Kerkvliet reported that the audit for this year would cost more than last year, coming in at $24,450.   “The outdoor AED is installed at Starbuck Beach.  It is set to go, and there will be some training on how to use it,” she said.

Representing the airport committee, Tom Beuckens brought a proposed lease agreement to the council. “We have people interested in leasing hangar space in Starbuck, but we don’t have it.” He went on to say, “This airport is in such a good spot about recreation and amenities in

Starbuck…people could stay and overlook Lake Minnewaska in these hangars.” The council approved the lease agreement. 

Appointments made for various committees for the upcoming year are as follows:

•Dane Christensen was elected Acting Mayor. 

•Airport Committee and Streets –Ted Razink, Tom Beuckens, Mike Erickson, Joan Kerkvliet, and Gary Swenson. 

•City Beautification & Forestry Committee: Joan Kerkvliet, Gary Swenson, Kris Goracke, Vic Vatthauer, and Ron Feigum. 

•City Beautification Enforcement Sub-Committee (e.g., blight patrol) – Mary Baukol, Dane Christensen, Mitch Johnsrud, and Charleen Drewes. 

•Community Center Committee –Lori Vaadeland, Mary Baukol, Joan Kerkvliet, and Tiffany Holten. 

•Finance Committee – Joan Kerkvliet, Gary Swenson, Dane Christensen, and  Tiffany Holten. 

•Park & Recreation Committee – Dane Christensen, Hobo Park Manager, Mike Erickson, Kris Goracke and Tiffany Holten. 

•Personnel Committee – Chris Taffe and Gary Swenson. 

•Public Safety/Emergency Preparedness Committee – Kris Goracke, Chris Taffe,  Mitch Johnsrud, Doug Noyes, and Mike Erickson. 

•Economic Development Committee – Gary Swenson, Chris Taffe, Dan Jahn, Mary Baukol,  Jon Haavig, and  Joan Kerkvliet. 

•Water and Sewer Committee – Randy Peterson, Chris Taffe, and Gary Swenson.

Council member Goracke questioned why the airport committee did not have a council member. After little discussion, it was decided to appoint Gary Swenson to the Airport and Streets Committee.  

“What are the expectations of being on the committee?” inquired Goracke.  “Well, I think if you are a council member, you should be expecting to attend the meetings,” said Swenson.

“I am speaking of the committees.  Tom reports on the airport at the council meetings, and I see the other committees on the agenda. I am just wondering what responsibilities do I have to the committees. Do we ever meet? Is there a purpose for the committee?” asked Goracke.

“In the past, the committees have met on an as-needed basis,” said Kerkvliet.

“Is there anything written down about the organization or expectations of these committees?” asked Goracke. “Just when you need us,” Baukol replied.

In new business, the council voted on Resolutions #2025-02 and #2025-03, involving a contract with a council member.  One was for auto services to allow Chris Taffe to bid on jobs, and the second was for Mary Baukol for advertise goods/services.    Goracke questioned the contracts, asking what work was being done.  “I have repaired squad cars that have been damaged, and I have worked on fire trucks with competitive pay and approval from insurance companies,” said Taffe.  “And Baukol provides some items for Hobo Park,” said Swenson.  “Have we looked elsewhere?  I know Mitch Gosseling also has a similar business and is a firefighter,” asked Goracke.

Clarifying the purpose of the contract, Kerkvliet said, “Yes, we do bids; the contract is just to allow these two to bid on jobs.”  With that, the council approved the two resolutions.

In new business, the council:

•Approved Resolution #2025-01 designating the 2025 Annual Appointments

•Approved Resolution #2025-02 Contract with a council member, a contract between the City and council member Taffe of Precision Auto Body for auto services

•Approved Resolution #2025-03 Contract with a Council Member, a contract between the City and council member Mary Baukol of Mary Baukol Advertising for goods/services

•Discussed the Approval of Amended Ordinance #113 – Business Regulations- Sale of Products Containing THC

•Approved Resolution #2025-04 – Authorize Publication of Summary Ordinance for Revisions of Ordinance #113 – Business Regulations – Sale of Products Containing THC

•Approved Resolution #2025-05, Accepted a donation from the Starbuck Fire Dept. Relief Association of $500.00 for an outdoor AED unit to be placed at Starbuck Beach

•Approved Lawful Gambling Permits for the Veterans Auxiliary on May 23 and August 29, 2025.

The next regular city council meeting is at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 10 at the Starbuck Community Center.