STARR CREEK ROAD DISTRICT

  In 1984 a petition was circulated to voters in the Starr Creek neighborhood proposing the formation of a special road district under ORS 371 that governs such municipal corporations.  It was supported with a final order by the County commissioners, October 22, 1984.  The boundaries of the district were expanded in 2002 to include the Hideaway extension and Evergreen Drive.

  The district is supported by a tax on the county assessed value of the properties at about 1/10 of a cent per dollar, amounting to nearly $23000/year, our annual budget. The commission is made up of three residents in the district, who are elected by voters in the district for volunteer terms of four years.  For the most part, the commission is mandated by ORS 371 to direct, and control; the repair, construction and maintenance of all the roads within the district’s state ownership. 

Public Zoom meetings are held each month with agendas posted in the kiosk and digitally emailed to subscribers.   To receive the meeting invitations contact ssmith@peak.org. 

  There is a district drive of files that contains meeting proceedings and documents that is open and accessible to the public at:

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1zWBv7KNWWboLuBvgXOMtpChZOd4Qo_xT

During the past two years we have gotten quite a bit done.  Grading and road base work, ditches were cleared and improved in many places.  A culvert was installed.  Gravel roads were treated with lignin, which is hardening the surface as well as reducing dust.  Traffic signs have been installed.  The public kiosk was built for meeting notices.  The roadside maintenance crew has been working on the weeds and brush.

  On the administrative front, we are now holding monthly meetings with  typical agenda content.  An annual budget was approved.  County and State reports were filed while liability insurance was arranged. There is an established drive storage for the district document that is accessible to the public.

Three policies and procedures were enacted through many meetings in discussion.  These are shown below.

 We are looking forward to the coming year’s projects.

Sharre Smith, President
Justen Palmer, Treasurer
Michael Guerriero, Secretary

Published 11/1/2022

Starr Creek Road District
Culvert Installation Policy

1. Culverts installed by residents for their driveways on district property will be maintained as described below, by the homeowner and the district.
2. Residents on the drainage side of roads are obligated to install an appropriately sized culvert, twelve inches in diameter in new installations, at the owner’s expense. Damaged culverts are the responsibility of the resident.
3. Prior to the installation, Residents are required to notify the district by filing a Driveway Permit form. (see drafts in the forms for public use file on the drive)
4. Residents are required to review the work with our contractor of record to see that it measures up to the drainage of the situation.
5. The district will periodically arrange to blow out debris from culverts that are needing this maintenance.

A schematic on culvert installation will be used as a reference for future installations in the district.

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/162SJCw5_mg06ohr-2mRXRb0BueLoV7fa

Herbicide/Pesticide Spray On Starr Creek Road District Public Right Of Way

The SCRD will not contract to use any herbicide/pesticide spray on the public right of way.

Residents who apply herbicide/ pesticide spray on their district property frontage must be certified by state and county authorities. Residents must file a notice of intent form and conform to the procedures listed.

Starr Creek Special Road District maintains the vegetation directly adjacent to the right-of-way.  This is performed to ensure driver safety, visibility, as well as road shoulder and ditch integrity.  Our approach uses mowing, brushing, shovel work, and weed-eating.  

Spraying along the road shoulders is not utilized by this district.  Berries will be tagged “No spray” and minimal pruning will be done during flowering and until after berry season has ended.

Around the 1st of July, the dirt roads will be treated with a dust abatement product called lignin.  Lignin is a by-product of the forestry and pulp industry and is non-toxic to humans and animals.

While we cannot dictate with regard to a property owner’s use of pesticides, spraying the right of way directly adjacent to the property line falls under the authority of the state of Oregon. Anyone who feels they have a specific problem that requires the use of herbicides must fill out the “Intent to spray” form.  The required signs will be provided by the district. You can also contact us about alternatives.

Tree Cutting Policy

The SCRD will maintain safety by removing hazard trees on the right of way. This includes trimming back any branches that impede traffic and pedestrian travel along the road.

Harassment and Bullying Policy

“Starr Creek Road District strives to promote a positive, professional work environment free of physical or verbal harassment, “bullying,” or discriminatory conduct of any kind. Therefore, prohibits elected officials and volunteers from bullying one another or engaging in any conduct that is disrespectful, insubordinate, or that creates a hostile  environment for members of this district for any reason. For purposes of this policy, “bullying” refers to repeated, unreasonable actions of individuals (or a group) directed towards an individual which is intended to intimidate and that creates a risk to the health and safety of the target.

Examples of bullying include:

1. Verbal Bullying: Slandering, ridiculing or maligning a person or his/her family; persistent name calling which is hurtful, insulting or humiliating; using a person as butt of jokes; abusive and offensive remarks.

2. Physical Bullying: Pushing; shoving; kicking; poking; tripping; assault, or threat of physical assault; damage to a person’s work area or property.

3. Gesture Bullying: Non-verbal threatening gestures.

4. Exclusion Bullying: Socially or physically excluding or disregarding a person in work-related activities. In some cases, failing to be cooperative and working well with others may be viewed as bullying.

5. Cyber Bullying: Any act perpetrated through online channels which damages a person’s character, exposes private information, or otherwise harasses another individual is illegal and may be subject to legal action. Residents in the SCRD who have experienced bullying in violation of this policy, who have witnessed an incident of bullying, or who have credible information about an incident, are expected and should bring the matter to the attention of  a member of the board as soon as possible. If the conduct in violation of this policy is found to have occurred the board will take prompt, appropriate action, and anybody found to have violated this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment and legal action. This applies to all elected officials and volunteers as well.