BINGEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

 

June 15, 2004

 

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Prigel at 7:00 p.m. Council members present: Terry Trantow, Betty Barnes, Jeanette Fentie, Laura Mann and Randy Anderson. Clerk Jan Brending and Legal Counsel Tad Connors were present. Audience: Mildred Lykens, Ruth Winner, Michael Wellman.

 

Approval of Minutes – June 1, 2004 – Regular and Special Workshop

Laura Mann noted that on page 2 of the regular council meeting minutes under the Highway 14 Project – Update and Status, 6th paragraph that the following sentence be added: “It was noted that it could be possible to plant these areas with drought-resistant plants.”

 

The Council asked that on page 3 of the regular council meeting minutes, 1st paragraph that the word “is” be added in the second sentence between “it” and “possible”.

 

The Council asked that on page 3 of the regular council meeting minutes, 3rd paragraph that the word “Highway” be added before the word “project.”

 

Betty Barnes moved to approve the minutes of the June 1, 2004 regular council meeting. Laura Mann seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

 

Laura Mann moved to approve the minutes of the June 1, 2004 special workshop. Jeanette Fentie seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

 

Gorge Heritage Museum

Ruth Winner provided an update to the City Council on the maintenance and repairs that are being done at the Gorge Heritage Museum (see written update provided by Winner).

 

Mike Wellman said he would like to complement Winner for her hard and diligent work at the Museum. He said that she has tried to get things done at a minimal cost. Wellman said that he feels the improvements that have been made are good. He noted that work still needs to be done.

 

Brian Prigel said the Museum building belongs to the City. He said he feels it is the City’s responsibility to maintain the building. Prigel said he also complements Winner on her work. He said the north wall of the basement still needs some work and that the City will be providing an engineer’s estimate. Prigel said Winner is seeking some grant funds for the north wall and other improvements.

 

Brian Prigel said the Gorge Heritage Museum is asking that the City of Bingen pay the plumbing and electrical bills for the work completed in the basement (approximately $1000.00 for electrical and $1500.00 for plumbing).

 

Laura Mann said she feels the City should pay for the upgrades to the building.

 

Jan Brending noted that $2300 could be used from the building construction and maintenance fund with the remainder coming from Current Expense – Facilities.

 

Betty Barnes moved to pay the electrical and plumbing bills for the Gorge Heritage Museum. Laura Mann seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

 

Sign Application – Ya Ya Bento

Jan Brending said she added an agenda item to the agenda. She presented a sign application from Russ Woolsey for Ya Ya Bento at 216 W. Steuben (within patio area adjacent to Northshore Bar & Grill). She said the application consists of a vinyl banner type sign to be applied to the fence divider and a sandwich board sign that will be located on private property and not within the right-of-way.

 

Betty Barnes moved to approve the sign application for Ya Ya Bento. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

 

Highway 14 Project – Update and Status

Brian Prigel said the crosswalks are in the process of being installed. He said the process is taking a little bit longer than originally anticipated. Prigel said he thinks they look good and has heard nothing but good comments. He said they do show up at night. Prigel said the striping downtown should be started next week. He said KLB should begin work on the punch list and is anticipating on being out of Bingen by July 2. Prigel said some issues still remain to be resolved including sidewalks on the north side of downtown. He said that most of the trees have been staked.

 

Betty Barnes said she thinks the staking is very unobtrusive and that it looks good.

 

Mike Wellman said the City has spent about $1000 in materials and another $1000 in labor. He said he is hopeful that the root balls of the trees will stabilize.

 

Laura Mann asked how long the trees will need to be staked. Brian Prigel said approximately 1 to 2 years.

 

Brian Prigel noted that are several drainage issues that WSDOT will be looking at including Oak, Maple, Alder and Cherry Street. He said it is possible that addressing these issues could slow down the installation of crosswalks.

 

Jan Brending said a request for additional funding has been made to Klickitat County. She said the Board of Commissioners has not yet made a decision on the amount. Brending said that once the amount from the County is determined she will be providing information to the State Transportation Improvement Board who will determine at that time home much additional funding they will contribute. Brending said when the additional funding has been determined she will provide an update to the Council with the possibility of seeking additional funds from the City’s community development fund.

 

Treasurer’s Report – May 2004

Jan Brending presented the Treasurer’s Report for May 2004. Terry Trantow moved to accept the report. Randy Anderson seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

 

Water System Well Rehabilitation Improvements

Mike Wellman provided a draft request for proposals for rehabilitation improvements to the City’s Dry Creek and Park wells. He said the Park Well is producing approximately 45 gallons per minute and the Dry Creek Well 100 gallons per minute. Wellman said it is his goal to bring the wells back up to 200 gallons per minute.  He said the pumps will be pulled one at a time to seek how they look. Wellman said the wells will be surged and cleaned with new pumps, piping and wring installed. He said the City has budgeted $20,000 for the project.

 

Brian Prigel asked the Council for approval to solicit bids for the water system well rehabilitation improvements.

 

Laura Mann moved to authorize the solicitation of bids for the water system well rehabilitation improvements. Betty Barnes seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

 

Randy Anderson asked how the water break occurred at the east end of town. Wellman said that a sign was being installed and the line was hit. He noted that a locate was completed but the line was mis-marked because no locater wire was installed with the plastic line. Wellman said two additional valves that no one knew about were found in the process.

 

Mayor’s Update

Fireworks

Brian Prigel said directing people to Bingen Point last year to set off fireworks was very successful. He said there were no fires in Bingen on the 4th of July. He said he hopes this year will go as smoothly. Prigel said the Sheriff’s Office, Bingen, White Salmon and the Port are working together and need a joint budget. He said he is asking approval for a minimal expenditure of up to $250.00.

 

Jan Brending asked the Council whether a display ad about the celebration should be run for two weeks or one week. The Council agreed the display should be run the week prior to the 4th of July.

 

Council members noted that the display ad and brochure should note that alcohol is prohibited at Bingen Point.

 

Laura Mann moved to approve a budget for the celebration of ¼ of the costs up to $300.00 Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

 

Brian Prigel said he hopes the event will continue to grow with the possibility of having a mid-afternoon barbeque and music next year.

 

Klickitat County Board of Health

Brian Prigel said a member of the Board of Health is appointed representing all three cities in Klickitat County. He said the County would like to know if Bingen would like the current member to continue representing the three cities.

 

There was consensus by the City Council that the current representative continue on the Klickitat county Board of Health.

 

Building Codes

Brian Prigel said the City will be moving from the Uniform Codes to the International Codes effective July 1. He said a ordinance will be presented to the Council in July.

 

Truck Parking – Highway 14

Brian Prigel said he was anticipating complaints from truck drivers once the striping was completed in the area of McDonald’s. He said trucks have been parking along the highway during the construction phase of the project but once striping was completed there is no truck parking. Prigel said the City has received one complaint to date.

 

Chief of Police

Brian Prigel said he attended a retirement event for Ned Kindler on Friday. He said it was a good send off.

 

Prigel said Richard Cortese from Clyde hill has been hired as the new chief. He said that he believes Cortese is qualified and will do a good job. Prigel said Cortese was not his first choice but that he will do a good job. He said he will be asking him to attend a city council meeting once he starts work.

 

Randy Anderson noted that the agreement between the cities requires the Chief to update the council not less than quarterly.

 

Brian Prigel said he does not like requiring staff to attend the council meetings unless there is a real reason.

 

The Council said they would like to have the new chief make a presentation to the council after he has been here 3 to 6 months.

 

Draft Subdivision Ordinance

The City Council agreed to hold a special workshop session on June 29 at 6:30 p.m. to continue work on the draft subdivision ordinance.

 

Vouchers

Vouchers audited and certified as required by RCW 42.24.080 and expense reimbursement claims certified as required by RCW 42.24.090 as of this date June 15, 2004. The council by unanimous vote does approve for payment the following list: warrants 6042 through 6072 totaling $180,322.80, manual warrants 6041 and 501022 totaling $658,956.67, and payroll warrants 5928 through 5941 totaling $6,654.10 for a total of $845,933.57: Current - $55,065.36; Street - $976.92; Community Development - $2,298.95; Street Construction and Maintenance - $645,572.13; Water - $999.17; Sewer - $945.02; Treatment Plant - $2,115.46; Dallesport Treatment Plant - $2,378.16; 1973/1995 Water/Sewer Bond Redemption - $15,055.00; Public Works Trust Fund Loan – 4107,152.86; and Dallesport Billing Trust Fund - $13,384.54.

 

At 9:05 p.m. the Council adjourned.

 

 

 

___________________________________              ___________________________________

City Clerk                                                                    Mayor