BINGEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
March 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, Barbara Kubitscheck and Laura Mann. Clerk Jan Brending and Attorney Tad Connors were present. Audience: Jesse Burkhardt, Gary Beeks.
Oath of Office
Brian Prigel administered the oath of office for Barbara Kubitscheck
appointed as City Council Member.
Public Comment
Betty Barnes, Bingen
Betty Barnes asked if the “stop ahead” lettering was going to be done at the
intersection of Humboldt and Ash. Jan Brending said she will check with the
Public Works Department on the status of the lettering.
Betty Barnes asked when the paving of Depot Street will be scheduled. Staff said they will check with Klickitat County to see when the paving will be scheduled.
Betty Barnes asked if the City will be writing a formal letter to Senator Maria Cantwell regarding the Bush administration proposal related to BPA rates.
There was consensus of the city council to have staff write a letter to Senator Cantwell expressing opposition to the proposal regarding BPA rates.
Randy Anderson, Bingen
Randy Anderson asked when the chip site will be cleaned up. Staff said they
will check with Tim Hopkinson, Klickitat County to identify a firm date.
Approval of Minutes – February 15, 2005
Amendments to the draft minutes of February 15, 2005 were noted as follows:
All references to “Barbara Kubitschek” should be changed to “Barbara Kubitscheck”.
Page 3, 5th paragraph, last sentence, change “Binge” to Bingen”.
Page 3, 10th paragraph, last sentence should read as follows: “Anderson said he would like to see the City formally object to the rate increase by submitting a letter to the congressional delegation.”
Randy Anderson moved to approve the minutes of February 15, 2005. Laura Mann seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Public Hearing – Ordinance 05-04-512, Banning the
Discharge of Fireworks in the City Limits of Bingen
Brian Prigel provided background information on the proposed ordinance which
would ban the discharge of fireworks within the city limits of Bingen. He said
the city council has considered a similar ordinance in the past but did not
approve the ordinance. Prigel said that in response to comments from citizens
the City Council is again considering the ban.
Gary Beeks, Bingen
Gary Beeks said he is disturbed by the proposed ordinance. He said he can
understand and sympathize with the concern of other residents. Beeks said the
ordinance would ban the use of all fireworks including sparklers and pop-its. He
said he believes the ordinance goes beyond the complaints received by the city.
Beeks said he is against a total ban of fireworks. He said that most legal
fireworks are not air borne and should not be banned. He said that if fireworks
are contained in a person’s yard then they should not be a problem.
Gary Beeks said he believes that most citizens in Bingen are not aware that the city is considering such a ban. He said that he knows a notice was published in the newspaper but he feels that most people don’t read the “public notices.”
Jan Brending noted that in addition to this public hearing the City Council held an informal public input session several weeks ago which was published in the newspaper through the use of a display ad. She said that in addition to publishing a public notice or display the city also posts the public notice at City Hall, the Bingen Post Office and on the City’s web site.
Gary Beeks said that he has quit going to the Port property to set off fireworks because he feels that it is not a safe environment with such a lot of people setting of fireworks in a small area.
Brian Prigel said that when the city considered passing a similar ordinance several years ago it tried to address differentiating between types of fireworks. He said enforcement becomes a significant issue.
Betty Barnes thanked Gary Beeks for coming and providing comment to the city council. She said she understands his frustration. Barnes said that unfortunately most laws are passed in response to those who abuse their common sense. She said that she has spoken to Linda Jones, mayor of White Salmon, who said it is likely that White Salmon will pass a similar ordinance if Bingen’s passes.
Randy Anderson asked if the city council could consider defining aerial fireworks and those that are used on the ground.
Tad Connors said the city can choose to define those items it would like to ban and those that would be allowed. He said there are issues on how to write the definitions and how to enforce such an ordinance but the city has the right to draw lines if that is what it wants to do.
Randy Anderson moved to table action on the proposed ordinance to the March 15 meeting to review additional options.
The motion died for lack of a second.
Barbara Kubitscheck noted that word “his” on page 3 of the ordinance under B. Standards for public fireworks displays. (2) should be removed. She noted that on page 6 of the ordinance the reference to ($25,00) should be changed to ($25.00).
Tad Connors said the following language should be added on page 4 at the end of the section labeled C. Public display employee compensation insurance – Liability insurance. “The requirements of this section include applicant compliance with RCW 70.77.285 and RCW 70.77.295, as now or later amended.”
Tad Connors said the following language should be added on page 6 after the seconded sentence of the section labeled C. Sale of Consumer Fireworks. “At a minimum, the applicant must be licensed pursuant to RCW Chapter 70.77 and shall comply with RCW 70.77.270 as now or later amended.”
Laura Mann moved to pass Ordinance 05-04-512, Banning the Discharge of Fireworks in the City Limits of Bingen as amended. Barbara Kubitscheck seconded the motion. The motion carried 4 to 1 with the following vote: Anderson – Nay, Barnes – Aye, Kubitscheck – Aye, Mann – Aye, Trantow – Aye
Laura Mann thanked Gary Beeks for coming to the public hearing. She said that Beeks has brought up a valid concern about the safety of the Port area for setting off fireworks. Mann said it needs to be better organized in the future to protect people and property.
Gary Beeks said that he felt his testimony was a waste of time.
Betty Barnes said that she is sorry that he felt it was a waste of time. She said the city did hear from others who are supportive of banning fireworks. Barnes said these decisions are not easy for the council and that not everyone will be happy with the decision.
Treasurer’s Report – December 2004 and January 2005
Jan Brending presented the Treasurer’s Reports for December 2004 and January
2005. She noted that there is a negative ending cash balance in the Dallesport
Treatment Plant Fund (operating and maintenance). Brending said that Klickitat
County provides the budgeted monthly payment for operations and maintenance
after the month in which the services have been provided. She said she has been
in contact with the State Auditor’s office regarding this issue. Brending said
the Auditor is aware of the negative balance and has noted the reason why in
their files. Brending said that she will be working with Klickitat County to
ensure there is not a negative ending cash balance at the end of the year.
Randy Anderson moved to approve the Treasurer’s Reports for December 2004 and January 2005. Laura Mann seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Mayor’s Update
Klickitat County Emergency Management Plan Update
Brian Prigel said Klickitat County has been working on an update of its
Emergency Management Plan which covers the entire county including the three
incorporated cities. He said he will be attending a meeting tomorrow with Glen
Chipman who will present the plan update. Prigel said the plan will likely come
before the city council for approval.
Fire Chief Retirement
Brian Prigel reported that Louis Geschwint will be retiring from the fire
department on April 12. He said he would like the city to do something to
commemorate the years of service Geschwint has provided to the city.
Betty Barnes and Barbara Kubitscheck volunteered to assist with the putting together of a reception.
It was suggested that Louis Geschwint be recommended to the Huckleberry Festival Committee as Grand Marshall for the 2005 Huckleberry Festival.
Well Rehabilitation
Brian Prigel said staff will have a recommendation for the hiring of a
consultant to assist with well rehabilitation at the March 15 council meeting.
Barbara Kubitscheck asked how long it will take to get the wells back on line.
Brian Prigel said he hopes that it will take no longer than 3 months. He said Bingen is pulling a lot of water from White Salmon. Prigel said he has asked about the pumping capacity of the White Salmon wells and has been told there is no problem in accommodating Bingen’s water needs.
Prigel noted that White Salmon has received a letter from the Washington Department of Ecology expressing concern about White Salmon’s water rights and the amount of water they are using. He said he has not seen the letter and does not know the specific issues. Prigel said he does not think it will have an affect on Bingen in the short-term – the next six months. He said that he would like to get better information on the bigger picture of water availability and costs.
Randy Anderson asked if a moratorium on water hookups in Bingen would have an affect on Bingen.
Brian Prigel said it might if the City continues to use water from White Salmon. He said Bingen needs to keep an eye on the situation.
Request for Resignation
Brian Prigel said he is not going to resign as has been requested by John
Gotts. He said most of the comments he has received have been supportive. Prigel
said he has not heard anything from White Salmon but he will be keeping an eye
on the issue of the proposed annexation.
Klickitat County EDA Grants
Brian Prigel said the City of Bingen will receive a $25,000 EDA grant from
Klickitat County for enhancements at Daubenspeck Park including the remodel of
the restrooms, enhancement of the irrigation system and upgrading the electrical
utilities. He said the city will work on the restroom remodel and irrigation
first. Prigel said that he hopes that the irrigation project will not be too
disruptive.
Tree Supports
Brian Prigel said he has instructed staff to remove one of the tree supports
off the trees downtown to help make them stronger.
Utility Rates – Senior Discount
Betty Barnes reminded staff that the city council would like to see some
information about providing senior discounts for water and sewer rates.
Jefferson Street Bridge
Terry Trantow said he would like to see information regarding the fixing of
the Jefferson Street Bridge.
Brian Prigel said Bell Design will provide City with engineering services regarding the Jefferson Street Bridge.
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
March 1, 2005. The council by unanimous vote does approve for payment the
following list: warrants 6566 through 6593 totaling $25,801.00 and payroll
warrants 6185 through 6196 totaling $14,603.18 and manual warrants 6562 through
6565 totaling $206.00 for a total of $40,610.18: Current - $10,292.17; Street -
$2,854.76; Fire Equipment Reserve - $13,019.94; Water - $3,103.21; Sewer -
$1,066.45; Treatment Plant - $6,431.04; Dallesport Treatment Plant - $3,770.61.
At 9:10 p.m. the Council adjourned.
Jan Brending
Brian Prigel
City Clerk
Mayor