2026 Advisory Commissions

WHEREAS it is the responsibility of the City Council to designate certain annual appointments as a matter of compliance with State Statute(s) and customary to designate certain other appointments as desirable;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that City Council for the City of Starbuck does hereby designate and approve the following Appointments for 2026:

 

Acting Mayor Dane Christensen
MN Mayor’s Association Gary Swenson
City Attorney – Civil Matters Tom Jacobson
Swenson Lervick Syverson Trosvig Jacobson Cass Donahue, PA 
City Attorney – Criminal Prosecution Neil Nelson
Obenland Roth & Nelson Law Offices
City Attorney – Employment Matters Kristi Hastings / Joshua Heggum
Pemberton, Sorlie, Rufer & Kershner PLLP
City Engineer Widseth Smith Nolting; Nick Koos 
City Assessor Pope County Assessor
City Auditor Conway, Deuth & Schmiesing, PLLP 
Building Official Rick Holt
Data Practices Compliance Official Joan Kerkvliet, Clerk/Treasurer
Data Practices Responsible Authority Joan Kerkvliet, Clerk/Treasurer
Emergency Management Director Mitch Johnsrud, Police Chief 
Fire Relief Association Gary Swenson (statutory)
Joan Kerkvliet, Clerk/Treasurer
Public Health Officer -
Certified Food Protection Manager		 Tiffany Holten

 

Committee Appointments:

Airport Committee  1. Ted Razink, Committee Member
2. Tom Beuckens, Committee Member
3. Craig Lindblad, Airport Committee Only
4. Joan Kerkvliet, Clerk/Treasurer
5. Gary Swenson, Mayor
City Beautification and Blight Committee  1. Mary Baukol
2. Dane Christensen
3. Mitch Johnsrud, Police Chief
4. Charleen Drewes, Administrative Assistant
5. Community Member - Open
Community Center Committee 1. Tiffany Holten - Deputy Clerk/Kitchen Mgr.
2. Mary Baukol
3. Joan Kerkvliet, Treasurer
4. Community Member - Open
Finance Committee 1. Joan Kerkvliet, Clerk/Treasurer
2. Gary Swenson, Mayor
3. Dane Christensen
4. Tiffany Holten, Deputy Clerk
Park & Recreation Committee 1. Kris Goracke
2. Hobo Park Manager
3. City Beach Manager
4. Dane Christensen
5. Tiffany Holten, Deputy Clerk 
Personnel Committee 1. Kris Goracke
2. Gary Swenson
3. Joan Kerkvliet, City Clerk/Treasurer (Advisory) 
Public Safety / Emergency Preparedness
Committee		 1. Kris Goracke
2. Mitch Johnsrud, Police Chief
3. Doug Noyes, Fire Chief
4. Randy Peterson, Water/Wastewater Supt.
Economic Development Committee 1.  Gary Swenson, Mayor
2. Chris Taffe
3. Jon Haavig
4. Joan Kerkvliet, Clerk/Treasurer
Streets Committee                                             1. Chris Taffe
2. Mike Erickson
3. Randy Peterson
4. Community Member - Open
Water and Sewer Committee                        1. Randy Peterson - Water/Wastewater Supt.                                                                                  
2. Chris Taffe
3. Gary Swenson

 

Liaison Appointments:

 

Fire Department Mayor, Gary Swenson
Chamber of Commerce Mayor, Gary Swenson
City / School Board Kris Goracke
Communications/Tech. (previously cable TV) Dane Christensen

MEETINGS: Regular meetings of the City of Starbuck City Council shall be held on the Second Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Starbuck Community Center. Any regular meeting that falls upon a holiday shall be held on the next following Tuesday at the same time and place. Special meetings shall be called as needed by the Mayor or two Council Members. Emergency meetings may be called by the Mayor or two Council Members in situations that warrant immediate attention and action. All meetings, including special and adjourned meetings, shall be held at Starbuck Community Center, unless the City Council decides otherwise at a prior meeting. Changes in meeting dates, times, and locations will be posted on the door of the City Hall building.

All City Council meetings are subject to the Open Meeting Law and agendas will be posted at City Hall. In cases of emergency meetings, all reasonable attempts will be made to notify Council Members. The Open Meeting Law may not apply in meetings concerning matters of personnel.

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER: The official newspaper for the City of Starbuck shall be the Pope County Tribune.

OFFICIAL ONLINE MEDIA SITE: www.starbuckmn.gov

OFFICIAL CITY FINANCIAL INSTITUTION / DEPOSITORY:
 Eagle Bank of Starbuck, MN shall be designated as the official City financial institution / depository. Glenwood State Bank and Lowry State Bank as additional depositories.

The following shall be authorized agents to endorse checks, sign orders for payment of money and complete other transactions at the official City depository: Mayor: Gary Swenson, Councilman: Chris Taffe, and Clerk/Treasurer: Joan Kerkvliet.

The City Clerk/Treasurer shall from time to time, ascertain that adequate security as required by the laws of the State of Minnesota, is furnished by such depository to protect the City’s deposited funds against financial loss.

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEMBERS: The City of Starbuck City Council Members appointed by the City Council to the Planning and Zoning Commission shall be: Gary Swenson.

Other Planning and Zoning Commission Members shall be:
     Michelle Knutson – Chair
     Brett Bowser – Vice Chair
     OPEN
     Bonnie Rasche
     Cody Blevins 

AND BE IT YET FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and/or City Clerk/Treasurer are hereby authorized to execute any documentation necessary to the implementation of this Resolution.

     APPROVED THIS 12TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2026
     AMMENDED THIS 9TH DAY OF MARCH, 2026


     ________________________________________
     Gary Swenson, Mayor

     ________________________________________
     Joan Kerkvliet, City Clerk/Treasurer