BINGEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
February 1, 2005
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Prigel at 7:00 p.m. Council members present: Terry Trantow, Randy Anderson, Betty Barnes, and Laura Mann. Clerk Jan Brending and Attorney Tad Connors were present. Audience: Wil Schuemann, Cliff Montie, Marilyn Winter, Tim Hearn, Jesse Burkhardt, John Newman, Roy Barnes, Joy Olson, Sandy Locke, Ruth Winner, Stanley Dickey, Paul Poknis.
Public Comment
Wil Schuemann, Bingen
Will Schuemann provided the City Council with a memorandum and map dated
January 30, 2005. He said he is interested in trading property with the City of
Bingen. Schuemann said he is concerned with the proposed annexation and
development by Stonecliff Development. He said the trade of property will help
prevent anyone from using the road to the City reservoir and to his property as
an access road to property to the north.
Brian Prigel said there are some questions about the language for the easements in the area.
Terry Trantow said he does not think Stonecliff Development could use the easement for access purposes. He said he would be interested in what the title company’s opinion is.
Tad Connors said he will review the issues and talk to the title company.
Laura Mann, Bingen City Council Member
Laura Mann said she is concerned about an impending water shortage and a dry
summer season. She said she believes it is important to make people aware of the
community fire plan that was recently developed, particularly pages 22 and 23 of
the plan. Mann said property owners should be aware of the need to clear brush
away from their homes and property to aid in fire protection.
Brian Prigel said a newsletter will go out in the next few months and information could be included in it to highlight the issues.
Marilyn Winter, Bingen
Marilyn Winter asked if the city could do anything about a tattered American
flag that is being flown at property in Bingen.
Brian Prigel said he does not think the City can do anything about it since it is being flown on private property.
Approval of Minutes – January 18, 2005
Amendments to the January 18, 2005 minutes were noted as follows:
Page 3, top of page, first sentence should read “… steps, terrace, platforms, porches, decks and similar projections within the front yard.”
Page 3, 10th paragraph should read “City council members… that the ordinance was not too restrictive or too overboard.”
Randy Anderson moved to approve the January 18, 2005 minutes as amended. Laura Mann seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Public Input – Fireworks
Brian Prigel said the city is seeking input on whether fireworks should be
banned, partially banned or fully allowed in the city limits. He said the city
council has reviewed this issue in the past and decided against a ban on
fireworks. Prigel said when a concerned citizen raised the issue again after
July 4, 2004 the city council agreed to review the issue again.
Prigel noted that the Washington State Legislature has passed a law that requires bans on fireworks to go into effect one year after adoption. He said if the City Council chooses to ban fireworks the ordinance would not affect fireworks in 2005.
Brian Prigel read three letters into the record which support banning fireworks. The letters were submitted by Jeanette Fentie, Gloria Hayes, and Charles & Carlie Escher.
Tim Hearn, Bingen
Tim Hearn said he is in support of banning fireworks as long as there is
place such as the Port property where people are encouraged to set off
fireworks.
Roy Barnes, Bingen
Roy Barnes showed the City Council remains of fireworks that were being set
off in the City Hall parking lot on New Year’s Eve. He said that he has had to
remove burning rockets off of his property. He thinks it is too much to ask of
the citizens to have to police their property during the 4th of July
and New Year’s Eve to protect their property from fireworks.
Marilyn Winter, Bingen
Marilyn Winter said she agrees with banning fireworks. She said there are
children using fireworks without parental supervision.
Cliff Montie,
Bingen
Cliff Montie asked if there are alternatives to banning fireworks including
stronger fines related to fires that are started due to fireworks.
Brian Prigel said it is difficult to tell someone that they can sue for damages after their property has been lost in a fire.
John Newman,
Bingen
John Newman said that he feels an ordinance banning fireworks is 50 years
too late. He said that 12 years ago a bottle rocket started a fire in the ball
field next to the Bingen School. Newman said that with the dry windy conditions
in the summer it is a disaster waiting to happen. He said he strongly supports
finding a way to deal with the issue.
Terry Trantow said he still has concerns with a complete ban of fireworks. He noted that the City has no control of the sale of illegal fireworks.
Brian Prigel noted there are two properties in Bingen which are tribal lands held in trust. He said illegal fireworks have been sold on those properties in the past.
There was consensus of the City Council to hold a work session on the previously worded ordinance that banned all fireworks. The work session will be scheduled February 15.
Husum/Fordyce
Water Management Plan Assistance
Brian Prigel said the Husum and Fordyce Water Systems have asked for
assistance from the City in developing a small water system management plan for
the Fordyce Water System. Prigel provided background information (see memorandum
dated January 28, 2005).
Paul Poknis, Fordyce Water System said the system has received a $26,000 grant from the State Department of Health for the development of water plan. He said because the system is a private organization the grant needs to go through a public entity such as the City of Bingen. Poknis said the grant money will cover hiring an engineer to write the plan and cover the City’s administrative costs.
Jan Brending said that the city would be responsible for managing the grant, developing a request for proposal to select a consultant to write the plan, and broad oversight of the completion of the water plan. She said it is estimated that approximately 25 hours of her time is need for administrative purposes. Brending said an agreement with the Fordyce Water System will be needed that outlines the responsibilities of all individuals involved. She noted that Fordyce is also receiving assistance from the Rural Community Assistance Corporation who will assist in preparing the water plan.
Representatives of the Husum Water District were present in support of the proposal. It was noted that Husum has received grant and loan funds from USDA Rural Development for construction purposes. If the water plan is not completed in a timely manner the funds could be lost.
Betty Barnes asked why Husum and Fordyce are requesting assistance from the City of Bingen.
Paul Poknis said he knows Brian Prigel and felt that the City of Bingen would be most receptive to the request.
Randy Anderson moved to proceed in developing an agreement to provide grant administration and oversight of the development of the small water system management for the Fordyce Water System. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Public Hearing –
2004 Budget Amendments
Jan Brending noted that in closing 2004 there were two departments with
unexpected expenditures: the building department spent an additional $94 for
printing of forms and the electrical utility billing for the water department
was $1,666 higher than anticipated.
Brending said the proposed amendments increase the current expense appropriation by $94 and decreases ending cash by $94. The water fund appropriations is increased by $1,666 and ending cash reduced $1,666.
Laura Mann moved to approve Ordinance 05-02-510, Amending the 2004 Budget. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Motorized Foot
Scooter Ordinance – Work Session
Jan Brending said the motorized foot scooter ordinance is similar to the
ordinance adopted by the City of Everett. She said Tad Connors reviewed the
ordinance and added some language including the penalty section.
Tad Connors said that a reference to “electric neighborhood vehicles” needs to be included in 10.30.010 B.
The Council discussed the need to address the use of skateboards, bicycles and other similar devices on the City’s sidewalk. It was suggested that the use of sidewalks would be better addressed in a separate ordinance.
Tim Hearn asked if the proposed motorized scooter ordinance would prevent persons with disabilities from using motorized devices on the streets and sidewalks in Bingen. It was noted that the ordinance includes a clause that states the regulations do not apply to similar vehicles used by a disabled individual.
A public hearing on the proposed ordinance will be scheduled for February 15.
Mayor’s Update
EDA Proposals
Brian Prigel said that Betty Barnes presented the City’s two proposals
before the Klickitat County EDA Board. He said there was no discussion by the
Board about the proposals. He said that the available funds this year has been
increased to $350,000. Prigel said he believes the total requests – including
second priorities – totals approximately $550,000. He said it is likely that all
of the first priorities will be funded with possibly portions of second
priorities.
Stonecliff
Development
Brian Prigel said he has been gathering background information related to
the Stonecliff Development from White Salmon. He said it is still unclear as to
what the property will be zoned as.
Jan Brending noted the City has received a copy of the Petition to Annex but did not receive the referenced attachments/exhibits.
Brian Prigel said review of the proposal is scheduled before White Salmon’s Planning Commission on February 9 and the public hearing before the White Salmon City Council is scheduled for February 16.
Brian Prigel said he is working on the assumption that development on the prominent point above Bingen is of concern to the City.
Laura Mann asked if the concern is the density of the development.
Prigel said that is one concern. He said that housing developed in the canyon area with an appropriate density would be okay. Prigel said the issues remain the same – access, fire control and public safety.
Jan Brending noted that SEPA does not apply to annexation but would apply to the zoning of the property.
Ruth Winner,
Gorge Heritage Museum
Ruth Winner thanked the City Council for includes a request for funding the
replacement of the foundation wall at the Museum to the EDA Board.
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
February 1, 2005. The council by unanimous vote does approve for payment the
following list: warrants 6505 through 6531 totaling $11,957.81 and payroll
warrants 6151 through 6166 totaling $17,498.76 and manual warrants 6504 totaling
$4,051.00 for a total of $33,507.57: Current - $9,104.23; Street - $3,363.92;
Street Construction and Maintenance - $110.00; Water - $4,992.29; Sewer -
$2,619.38; Treatment Plant - $7,029.61; Dallesport Treatment Plant - $5,308.14,
Water Construction and Maintenance - $980.00.
At 9:00 p.m. the Council resumed regular session and adjourned.
Jan Brending
Brian Prigel
City Clerk
Mayor