BINGEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
January 3, 2006
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Prigel at 7:00 p.m. Council members present: Terry Trantow, Betty Barnes, Randy Anderson, Tim Hearn and Laura Mann. Clerk Jan Brending and Attorney Tad Connors were present. Audience: Jesse Burkhardt, Ruth Winner, and Jason Spadero,
Oaths of Office
Oaths of Office were administered for Brian Prigel, Terry Trantow, Randy
Anderson, Betty Barnes, and Laura Mann.
Public Comment
Tim Hearn, Bingen
Tim Hearn said that he received an anonymous phone call regarding conditions
at the Youth Center. He said the caller said the Youth Center was not fit for
kids, was dirty and was not being run very well. Hearn said that he visited the
Youth Center after the phone call and found it to be pretty clean. He said that
there were approximately 12 kids at the Center with about half of them working
on homework with adult assistance. Hearn said he was impressed at how things
were being done.
Betty Barnes said she was impressed that Tim Hearn took the time to look into the issue.
Ruth Winner, Gorge Heritage Museum
Ruth Winner thanked the Bingen City Council for making the repair of the
north wall of the museum the city’s priority request for Klickitat County EDA
funding.
Brian Prigel said it would be helpful to have Ruth Winner attend the presentations to the EDA Board. Jan Brending noted that the presentations are scheduled for January 12.
Laura Mann stated that John Mann met with Ruth Winner and looked at the basement wall. She said that John Mann feels that $17,000 would cover the wall and drainage.
Approval of Minutes – December 20, 2005
Laura Mann moved to approve the minutes of the December 20, 2005 city
council meeting. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously
passed.
Interlocal Agreement – Klickitat County, Adult
Correction and Detention Facility
Tad Connors said there are no significant changes in the proposed interlocal
agreement with Klickitat County for jail services. He said the fees remain the
same for 2006 as they were in 2005. Connors said there is some controversy
regarding the payment of medical costs related to prisoners arrested by Bingen’s
officers but the case is not a Bingen case. Connors said state law provides that
the arresting agency is responsible for any medical costs that might come up
during imprisonment. He said that MRSC is working on this issue and there might
be a legislative solution in the future.
City council members and staff discussed the issue of paying for medical costs for prisoners. Tad Connors did note that the City can try to recover the costs.
Betty Barnes moved to accept the draft interlocal agreement with Klickitat County for adult correction and detention facility. Randy Anderson seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Fuel Tax Grant Distribution Agreement – Transportation
Improvement Board, South Maple Street Project
Brian Prigel provided an overview of the South Maple Street project which
will include reconstruction of the road surface, sidewalk on the east side, new
railroad crossing, landscaping and street lighting. He said the agreement before
the city council provides for the distribution of funds for the initial design
phase of the project. Prigel said he hopes to work with Klickitat County for
possible funding assistance for the project.
Laura Mann suggested that a crosswalk on Lakeview Blvd. be provided connecting the proposed new sidewalk to the walking path that the Port of Klickitat has developed.
Randy Anderson moved to approve the agreement with the Transportation Improvement Board related to the South Maple Street Project. Betty Barnes seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Klickitat County EDA Proposals – Discussion of
Possible Second Proposal
Brian Prigel said that the City is allowed to submit two proposals for EDA
funding. He said however, that in the last few years the second priorities have
not been funded by the county.
City council members discussed the options for a second proposal and made the decision to submit only the request for funding for repair/replacement of the north basement wall of the Gorge Heritage Museum.
Broughton Flume
Jan Brending said that after the city council’s last discussion regarding
the Broughton Flume several organizations and Broughton Lumber Company have
expressed interest in the flume. She said both the Gorge Heritage Museum and the
Gorge Interpretative Center (Stevenson) would like to have the flume for display
and interpretation. Brending said she also received a phone call from Cam Thomas
of Broughton Lumber who said Broughton would like to have the flume back if the
city no longer wants it. She said Broughton would like to display the flume at
its future development at the old Broughton mill site. Brending said she has
spoken to Jason Spadero who also said that Broughton would like to have the
flume back. She noted that Jason Spadero spoke to Ruth Winner at one of the
city’s Community Action Plan open houses.
Brian Prigel said the reason the issue of the flume was raised is that he feels it is neglected and not interpreted. He said there are other entities that could display and interpret the flume better than the City of Bingen. Prigel said moving the flume is not necessarily a pressing issue. He said that it is an attractive nuisance where it currently is located. Prigel said that ultimately if Broughton Lumber develops a resort at the old Broughton mill site he feels that is where the home of the flume should be.
Terry Trantow provided some history of how the flume came to the City of Bingen. He said that when Broughton decided to dismantle the flume the company asked the Cities of White Salmon, Bingen and Stevenson if they wanted a section of the flume. Trantow said Bingen said yes if they could receive one of the metal portions. He said the city received the flume in 1987 or 1988. Trantow said there is probably no paper trail related to the flume except possible in past city council minutes.
Ruth Winner asked whose responsibility is care of the flume. Brian Prigel said the city of Bingen.
Brian Prigel said that he feels for the flume to be properly displayed additional artifacts and interpretation is needed.
Betty Barnes said she agrees that the city is not equipped to be interpreters and keepers of a historical piece like the flume. She said it is the city council’s duty to determine what the best solution is. Barnes said she does not buy that the flume is only a part of Skamania County’s history. She said it was brought to Bingen for a reason so it is now part of Bingen’s history and Bingen’s responsibility. Barnes said she feels the Gorge Heritage Museum gets passed over for a lot of things. She noted that the Gorge Interpretative Center already has a portion of the flume and that the Gorge Heritage Museum would really like to have it.
Jason Spadero said there were only two metal sections of the flume. He said the rest was made of wood and has fallen apart. Spadero said Broughton Lumber Company will hold a board meeting next Monday and the flume will be discussed by the board. He said the only reason Broughton Lumber Company would want the flume is to display it at the future development at the Broughton mill site.
Betty Barnes asked how long before the redevelopment of the mill site takes place. Spadero said it could be a long way out.
Betty Barnes suggested that the museum could act as a trustee for the flume.
Laura Mann said she does not understand the city’s concerns about the current location of the flume. She said she feels it acts as a gateway to the city. Mann said she doesn’t think other artifacts are needed to display the flume.
Ruth Winner suggested that signage could be developed explaining the flume and where it came from. She referenced some interpretative signage that has been placed at Drano Lake.
Brian Prigel said that if the flume was to be left in the park it should be cleaned up and painted and signage developed identifying its history.
Terry Trantow said he feels the park is a better location than the museum. He said he supports returning the flume to Broughton Lumber Company at the time they redevelop the mill site.
There was a consensus of the city council that the flume remains in the park with maintenance and signage to take place. The possibility of elevating the flume was discussed which could help prevent anyone from climbing on the flume.
Tim Hearn asked Ruth Winner if she wants the flume to be located at the museum. Winner said not necessarily but she would like to see it stay in Bingen.
Betty Barnes said she would like to see the signage at the park reference where the museum is located and that more history about the flume and logging industry of the area can be found there.
Brian Prigel said he thought that was a good idea and that the signage could also describe how Daubenspeck Park came to be.
Mayor’s Update
Sewer Line – Depot Street
Brian Prigel reported that last weekend the city had a problem with the
sewer line that runs along Depot Street. He said the line was at capacity and
backed up into Bad Seed Cider. Prigel said he and the city crew worked to get
the line clear and the business cleaned.
Brian Prigel said this sewer line is going to continue to give the city problems due to poor installation, increasing flows and infiltration. He said the city needs to address the inflow and infiltration along with maintenance. Prigel said upsizing the line will need to be coordinated with the City of White Salmon as it is the line providing service for White Salmon.
Mark Scowden Resignation
Brian Prigel reported that Mark Scowden has resigned from the city. He said
the city will be advertising for a full-time wastewater treatment plant
operator. Prigel said he will meet with the city crew to ensure that coverage at
the Bingen plant is provided.
Well Rehabilitation
Jan Brending reported that the pumps for Dry Creek and Park wells will be
installed on January 23.
Tim Hearn asked if the city has considered drilling another well to provide water. Brian Prigel said yes, options will be identified in the city’s water plan to deal with increased water needs.
Electrical Outlets – Downtown
Brian Prigel reported that the city has experienced some problems with a few
of the electrical outlets in the tree wells. He said it appears that the heavy
snow and water has had some affect.
Betty Barnes noted that some of the outlets were buried when she was assisting in putting the lights up.
Brian Prigel said the city crew will look at the outlets this summer to determine an appropriate remedy.
It was suggested that some of the outlets should be raised.
Police Reporting
Tim Hearn asked if the city receives a report from the police department.
Brian Prigel said he receives a report and that he will make it available to the
council.
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
December 31, 2005. The council by unanimous vote does approve for payment the
following list: warrants 7217 through 7232 totaling $162,896.40 and payroll
warrants 6475 through 6487 totaling $14,915.53 and manual warrants 7216 totaling
139.00 for a total of $177,950.93: Current - $23,709.12; Street - $2,559.16;
Street Construction and Maintenance - $140,643.41; Water - $2,275.52; Sewer -
$1,374.00; Treatment Plant - $3,798.08; Dallesport Treatment Plant - $3,591.64.
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 January 3, 2006. The council by unanimous vote does approve for payment the following list: warrants 7233 through 7235 totaling $769.25: Current - $613.30; Street - $16.34; Water - $16.33; Sewer - $16.33; Treatment Plant - $49.00; Dallesport Treatment Plant - $57.95
Executive Session
Brian Prigel announced the city council will enter into executive session
for 20 minutes to discuss a real estate issue.
The city council resumed its regular session at 8:55 p.m.
At 9:00 p.m. the Council adjourned.
Jan Brending
Brian Prigel
City Clerk
Mayor