BINGEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
 

February 15, 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: Barbara Kubitscheck and Robert Vanderkloot.

Public Comment
Laura Mann, Bingen
Laura Mann asked if benches and trash cans are available to place in the City park.

Jan Brending said there are no benches or trash cans left over from the Highway project. She said there may be one bench and possibly a garbage can that is being stored at Public Works that could be used in the park near the playground equipment.

Betty Barnes asked if the City is still considering the possibility of replacing the benches that face the sidewalk along Steuben with “backless” benches. She said the issue of the “wrong way” benches still exits.

Brian Prigel said the city can not do anything with the benches until the project is completely closed out which will not happen until late spring/early summer.

Jan Brending said that once the project is closed the City can evaluate its Community Development Fund and reevaluate its priority for those funds which could include replacing some the benches with similar ones that do not have a back allowing an individual to face either direction.

Brian Prigel said he will discuss the issue of placing any surplus benches or trash cans the city might have in the City park.

Approval of Minutes – February 1, 2005
Corrections to the minutes were noted as follows:

Page 1, Jeanette Fentie was not present as a council member.

Page 4, 6^th paragraph, last sentence should read as follows: “He said it is likely that all of the first priorities will be funded with possibly portions of second priorities.”

Laura Mann moved to approve the minutes of February 1, 2005 as corrected. Betty Barnes seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Council Position Vacancy
Brian Prigel said the City has received one letter of interest and resume for the vacant council position. He said Barbara Kubitscheck has applied for the position.

Barbara Kubitscheck said she is interested in governmental programs and has worked for several public agencies in the past. She said she has worked with the Eagles and participated in other volunteer efforts. Kubitscheck said she has the time to commit to being a council member and feels that she would be an asset to the City.

Betty Barnes moved to appoint Barbara Kubitscheck to the vacant council position recently held by Jeanette Fentie. Randy Anderson seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Jan Brending noted that Barbara Kubitscheck, along with Betty Barnes, will run for the “short-term” on this year’s ballot. She said that the other three positions held by Laura Mann, Randy Anderson, and Terry Trantow along with the Mayor are all up for election this year.

Public Hearing, Ordinance 05-03-511, Motorized Foot Scooters and Other Wheeled Recreational Vehicles
Brian Prigel opened the public hearing for Ordinance 05-03-511, Motorized Foot Scooters and Other Wheeled Recreational Vehicles. The City Council held a workshop at its last meeting regarding the ordinance.

A correction to the proposed ordinance was noted on page 2, Section 1, 10.30.010 (B), last sentence should read “For purposes of this chapter, …or neighborhood electric vehicles (RCW 46.61.688(1)(c)).”

Terry Trantow moved to adopt Ordinance 05-03-511, Motorized Foot Scooters and Other Wheeled Recreational Vehicles with the noted correction. Randy Anderson seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Resolution 2005-001, SR35 Bridge
Brian Prigel provided some background information on the proposed SR35 Bridge. He said the proposed resolution states some of the history and facts regarding the proposed bridge and its current status. Prigel said the adoption of the resolution would show the City’s support for increasing the bridge toll on the Hood River Bridge and setting aside the increase in a dedicated bridge replacement fund.

Jan Brending noted that the title of the resolution should be changed to read “Resolution 2005-01 A Resolution of the City of Bingen Relating to Proposed SR-35 Bridge”.

Randy Anderson moved to approve Resolution 2005-001 A Resolution of the City of Bingen Relating to Proposed SR-35 Bridge. Laura Mann seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Ordinance Workshop - Fireworks
Brian Prigel said the ordinance was drafted in 2003 that banned all fireworks within the city limits of Bingen. He said that is the current proposed ordinance.

Council members discussed the issue of making sure the ordinance provides that both the fire department and the police department can enforce the ordinance.

Council members also suggested the need for additional language in the penalty section of the ordinance.

It was noted that the ordinance does not ban the selling of fireworks in Bingen. Discussion took place regarding the sale of fireworks on tribal lands.

Betty Barnes moved to schedule a public hearing on the proposed ordinance with additional language addressing enforcement and penalties. Randy Anderson seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Mayor’s Update
Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD)
Brian Prigel said the Council has been invited to attend the annual meeting of the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District. He said the meeting will be held Thursday, February 17 at Insitu at the Port of Klickitat. Prigel said this is an opportunity for council members to see the Insitu facilities.

Stonecliff Development Annexation
Brian Prigel said council members have been provided a copy of a letter/e-mail he received from Wil Keyser, City of White Salmon. He said White Salmon has proposed a change in direction in addressing the proposed annexation by Stonecliff Development. Prigel said Wil Keyser is proposing that an advisory committee be developed which would include representatives from both local and state agencies including the City of Bingen to look at the issues associated with development of the property being proposed for annexation.

Prigel said he has not met with Keyser or Mayor Linda Jones to discuss the annexation because the meetings have all been cancelled. He said that he and 2 Bingen council members tried to attend the White Salmon Planning Commission meeting scheduled for February 9 but it was cancelled at the last minute.

Prigel said the original annexation hearing scheduled for February 16 was moved to March 2 but that date has now been cancelled.

Prigel said he feels Keyser’s proposal is a big step in the right direction. He said that he is not sure that the process will address the question of whether or not the public wants to see a big development on the hillside above Bingen.

Well Rehabilitation Request for Proposal
Brian Prigel noted that the Request for Proposals for well rehabilitation has been released. Proposals are due to the City by March 4.

Klickitat County EDA Funding
Brian Prigel said the City of Bingen will receive $25,000 for its park improvements which include new irrigation system, electrical improvements and bathroom improvements.

Fire Chief Retirement
Brian Prigel said Louis Geschwint has notified the City that he intends to retire from the fire department on April 12. He said that he would like to do something to honor his service to the City. Jan Brending said she will contact David Spratt and set something up.

Jail Contract
Tad Connors said Bingen and White Salmon have come to an agreement with Klickitat County regarding the jail contract and that it is now ready for Brian Prigel’s signature.

Bonneville Power Administration Rates
Randy Anderson said he is concerned about the proposed energy budget which would allow BPA to raise its rates by approximately 20%. He said this increase would have a significant impact on business in the Northwest. Anderson said he would like to see the City formally object to the rate increases by submitting a letter to the congressional delegation.

Brian Prigel said he agrees that it is something to be concerned about.

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 15, 2005. The council by unanimous vote does approve for payment the following list: warrants 6533 through 6560 totaling $18,683.63 and   payroll warrants 6167 through 6182 totaling $10,420.64 and manual warrants 6532 and 501031 totaling $13,567.39 for a total of $42,671.66: Current - $8,306.70; Street - $1,028.81; Water - $8,362.66; Sewer - $828.44; Treatment Plant - $4,923.48; Dallesport Treatment Plant - $5,804.18, Dallesport Billing Trust Fund - $13,417.39.

At 8:20 p.m. the Council resumed regular session and adjourned.

Jan Brending                                                            Brian Prigel
City Clerk                                                                Mayor