BINGEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
 

March 7, 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: Ruth Winner, Etta Hepner, Judy Farrell, Jesse Burkhardt, Bruce Brending.

Public Comment
Tim Hearn, Bingen
Tim Hearn said that he is forwarding a concern by the Port of Klickitat regarding a telephone pole in the right-of-way on South Maple Street near SDS. He asked if the pole is going to be moved as part of the Maple Street project.

Brian Prigel said it will be looked at when the project is designed and engineered.

Approval of Minutes – February 21, 2006
Corrections to the February 21 council meeting minutes were noted as follows:

Page 2, 4^th paragraph should read as follows: “Betty Barnes said that because the city council only meets twice a month it ties up businesses who are trying to get their signs approved and installed.”

Page 2, 5^th paragraph, change the word “though” to “thought”.

Page 2, 9^th paragraph, change the word “of” to “if”.

Page 2, 11^th paragraph, 2^nd sentence, delete the word “about”.

Page 2, add the following 2 paragraphs after the 16^th paragraph:

            “Randy Anderson asked why the city council was not informed.

Brian Prigel said he did not think at the time that it was important.”

Page 3, 11^th paragraph, change the word “was” to “wants”.

Page 7, 12^th paragraph, change the last word “lose” to “loose”.

Page 7, 13^th paragraph, 1^st sentence, change to read “Betty Barnes asked if the fire hydrant at the corner of Walnut and Humboldt had been installed.”

Betty Barnes moved to approve the minutes of the February 21 city council meeting as amended. Laura Mann seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Public Hearing – Proposed Ordinance 2006-002-523, Adopting Bingen Municipal Code 2.06, Appointment of City Officials and Department Heads
Brian Prigel opened the public hearing on proposed ordinance 2006-002-523.

Jan Brending noted that the language requested by Tad Connors has been inserted into the proposed ordinance in section 2.06.010. She said the language was inserted after the reference to RCW 35A.12.090 and says “except in those instances where qualifications for the office or position have been established by ordinance.”

A council member suggested that the language in 2.06.030 might need to be reworded if the appointment was that of city clerk.

Jan Brending said the appointment or removal in writing is not signed by the city clerk but is only filed with the city clerk for record keeping purposes.

Tad Connors said that by filing the document with the city clerk it becomes an official document.

Laura Mann moved to approve Ordinance 2006-002-523, Adopting Bingen Municipal Code 2.06, Appointment of City Officials and Department Heads. Randy Anderson seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Broughton Flume
Etta Hepner, Gorge Heritage Museum, provided on overview of the issues related to the Broughton Flume located in Daubenspeck Park. She said she was without words when she heard that the flume was going to be removed from Bingen. Hepner thanked Laura Mann for her dissenting vote on moving the flume. She said the mayor and city council has listened to the public about the desires to keep the flume in Bingen. Hepner said the council will hear from Ruth Winner about how the flume can be preserved and displayed.

Ruth Winner introduced Judy Farrell who assisted in taking pictures for the presentation. Winner provided a handout to the city council showing several options for flume placement, sign design, pedestal design, fence design, ground cover design, possible flagpole, etc. She said she would like the city council to look through the options and indicate their preferences on the attached worksheet. Winner said she wants the community to be proud of the flume as a community landmark.

Brian Prigel suggested that it might be appropriate for putting signage on the sides of the flume that can be read from the highway so motorists can understand what is located in the park.

Ruth Winner also suggested a highway historical marker signage could direct motorists to the park.

Laura Mann said she thinks the current location of the flume is fine. She said she has concerns with moving the flume and then possibly having to move it again.

Brian Prigel said he agrees. He thinks it is very visible where it is located.

Randy  Anderson said he likes the idea of having it over Willow Street because he has a memory of driving under it.

Terry Trantow said he likes the current location and also likes the idea of one or more flags.

Brian Prigel noted that the installation of a lighted flagpole will increase the cost.

Ruth Winner said there was committee involvement in developing the options.

Laura Mann asked what kinds of comments were provided by the committee.

Winner said that most people like the flume where it is currently located.

Brian Prigel said he is not sure that fencing the flume will stop vandalism.

Terry Trantow said that he thinks if the flume is made more attractive and raised a little higher than the vandalism will stop.

Laura Mann said she is not really in favor of fencing because it takes away from the flume.

Etta Hepner thanked the council for its work on the flume. She provided a review of upcoming exhibits at the museum including honoring local fire and police departments.

Council members provided Ruth Winner their worksheets and she will bring back the results later in the meeting.

Proposal for Preliminary Engineering Contract – Maple/Depot Street Sewer Line
Brian Prigel provided a review of the memorandum dated March 1, 2006 related to proposed engineering services for the replacement of a portion or all of the sewer line on Depot Street. He said the need for replacing and upgrading the line comes from the sewer project being done by the city of White Salmon. Prigel said this is the line where there was a sewer overflow in December at the previous location of Bad Seed Cider.

Jan Brending noted that the city will be doing construction work on Maple Street this fall and that at a minimum the replacement/upgrade of the line in that area needs to occur before the road construction. She said she is recommending Frank Childs because he is familiar with the sewer line and the White Salmon project. Brending said Taylor Engineering is on the city’s professional services roster.

Brian Prigel said he would like to recommend engineering the entire line. He said it will provide important information the city needs as to the costs.

Randy Anderson said it is important that the line is upgraded because it is at capacity now and White Salmon will be adding capacity in the near future.

Betty Barnes moved to authorize the mayor to enter into a contract with Taylor Engineering for preliminary engineering of the replacement and upgrade of the sewer line on Depot Street for a contract price not to exceed $6,000. Randy Anderson seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Disposal of Brush and Yard/Garden Debris – Discussion
Brian Prigel provided an overview of the Klickitat County brush recycling sites. He said the sites were funded through grants and designed to help keep brush out of the landfill waste stream. Prigel said the facilities were quite popular and were heavily used. He said some of the facilities, including the one in Bingen, were abused. Prigel said the grant funding has run out and the county has closed all of the sites.

Tim Hearn said he would like to propose that the city offer a site for brush and yard/garden debris on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. He said the site would only be available for Bingen residents and that a fee would be charged. Hearn said that he thinks a lot of the abuse at the Bingen site came from people outside of Bingen and from commercial haulers.

Jan Brending noted the site would have to be staffed and fees collected. It was suggested that payment could possibly be prepaid at city hall and vouchers issued.

Brian Prigel said it is also possible that the city crew could pick up packaged debris once a week instead of having to have a site open on the weekend.

Tim Hearn said the city cannot put out free services and that the service would have to pay for the hourly wages and benefits of the employees.

Betty Barnes suggested the service be provided 3 to 4 times a year.

Options and associated costs for brush and yard/garden debris disposal will be brought back to the city council at the first meeting in April.

Broughton Flume – Results
Ruth Winner said the city council indicated the following preferences: leaving the flume where it is currently located with a path from Willow Street leading to the flume and using the National Scenic Area signage with steel posts.

City council discussed other options including the use of gravel, bark chips, or grass around the flume and whether it should have a fence. There was a consensus to use bark chips around the flume with some type of border and to not have a fence. There was also a consensus not to raise the height of the flume. The city council thought a lighted flagpole was appropriate if Broughton Lumber was going to pay for it.

Laura Mann moved to authorize Gorge Heritage Museum in conjunction with Broughton Lumber Company to move forward with the enhancements for the flume which include leaving the flume in its current location, providing a pathway to the flume, providing bark chips and a border around the flume, using National Scenic Area style signage with steel posts, no use of a fence and investigating the installation of a lighted flagpole. Randy Anderson seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Franchises – Discussion
Brian Prigel said the Charter Communications franchise is up for renewal. He said the city has issued several extensions on the franchise.

Tad Connors provided information to the city on franchises and the renewal process for franchises. He said there are several things the city can address in the franchise including the duration of the franchise, franchise fees, public education and governmental access issues. Connors said one of the things the city cannot do is set rates. He said the city needs to hold a public hearing to hear from the public about how it thinks Charter Communications is doing.  Connors said the city is operating in an informal renewal process.

It was agreed to provide some initial background material to the city council and set a public hearing date for hearing from the public about renewing the franchise.

Brian Prigel said he wants the franchise to require that all new installations of equipment within the rights-of-way come before the city for review and approval.

Etta Heppner offered comments as to franchise agreements noting she was the former regional maanger of Falcon Cable and offered the city assistance if they so desired.

Old Business
Jan Brending said she met with Brix Paving who installed the crosswalks in downtown Bingen. She said the company and the manufacturer of the product are looking at what is happening with the crosswalks. Brending said she has also called Washington Department of Transportation regarding the conditions of the asphalt.  She said engineers from the Vancouver office will be looking at the asphalt. Brending noted they are seeing a similar problem in White Pass.

Mayor’s Update and Council Member Comments
Gorge Heritage Museum Basement Wall Repair
Brian Prigel said an engineer has volunteered his services for engineering and providing specifications for the repair of the Gorge Heritage Museum basement wall. He said he will be working with the engineer to develop a scope of work and an agreement.

Well Rehabilitation
Brian Prigel said the wells have been tested and the city is waiting for results from its consultant.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator
Brian Prigel said interviews have been completed. He said he has received a recommendation from staff which he will support.

Police Committee
Randy Anderson noted that Betty Barnes has declined to serve on the Police Committee. He said he will volunteer to serve in her place.

Dickey Farms
Randy Anderson said that Stan Dickey has suggested the city may want to consider the opportunity of drilling a well on Dickey Farms property for additional water to serve the city.

Brian Prigel said that it can be added to the mix of options the city can consider in the future.

Laura Mann asked if White Salmon has made a request to the city of Bingen related to water rights.

Brian Prigel said White Salmon is in the process of trying to acquire additional water rights. He said it is his feeling that Bingen is not willing to give up any of its water rights at this time.

Randy Anderson suggested that the water/sewer committee should review the water plan. She asked who is on the committee. Randy Anderson said he serves on the committee. Tim Hearn volunteered to serve on the committee with Randy Anderson.

Committees
Tim Hearn asked what committees does the city have.

Brian Prigel said at the present time there is a budget committee, police committee, and a water/sewer committee.

Jan Brending noted that in the past committees have been established for a specific issue.

Two-Hour Parking
Tim Hearn said he has received some complaints from businesses that individuals are parking along Steuben for more than two hours.

Jan Brending said the city can write a letter to business and property owners asking them to direct employees not to park in 2-hour parking areas. She said the city of White Salmon has recently sent out a similar letter.

Employment Contract – Police Chief
Laura Mann said she feels the mayor and city council should review any proposed employment contract White Salmon might enter into with the future police chief. She said she believes such a contract will have financial implications on Bingen.

Laura Mann suggested that Brian Prigel talk to Roger Holen about any employment contract for the future police chief.

Brian Prigel said he thinks that is the best approach at this time.

Open Pubic Meetings Act
Betty Barnes provided city council members with a letter from the Washington Attorney General’s Office responding to a question raised about the Open Public Meetings Act.

Staff Position
Tim Hearn said he spoke to Brandon Walter about whether or not the city has enough public works employees. He said that Walter said the city could use one more employee. Hearn said he agrees and that it may only be needed in the summer time.

Brian Prigel said it is possible that an additional employee is needed at times. He said he is a little hesitant at the present time to propose hiring an additional staff member due to budget issues.

Park Committee
Tim Hearn asked if the city has a park committee.

Jan Brending said not at the present time.

Brian Prigel asked if Hearn would like to see a park committee established.

Tim Hearn said possibly next month.

Street Committee
Terry Trantow said it might be helpful to have a street committee to review the six-year street plan.

Fourth of July
Tim Hearn said he would prefer the city begin looking at the 4^th of July celebration earlier this year than it did last year. He suggested that a meeting be scheduled in May.

Brian Prigel said he agrees. He said this will be the first year that fireworks will be prohibited in Bingen.

Betty Barnes said she has been in contact with an individual about providing music for the event. She suggested that music should be scheduled in the afternoon and quitting at dusk.

Brian Prigel asked council members to think about the 4^th of July celebration and it will be placed on the agenda earlier this year.

Executive Session
Brian Prigel announced at 9:25 p.m. the city council will enter into executive session for 10 minutes to discuss real estate issues.

The city council resumed its regular session at 9:35 p.m.

Lease Agreement – Wilson Oil dba Wilcox & Flegel
Laura Mann moved to authorize the mayor to sign a lease agreement for use of Depot Street by Wilson Oil dba Wilcox & Flegel. Randy Anderson seconded the motion. The motion carried 4 to 1 with the following vote: Anderson – Aye, Barnes – Aye, Hearn – Nay, Mann – Aye, Trantow – Aye.

Police Committee Meeting
The police committee will meet on Tuesday, March 14 at 7:00 p.m. at city hall.

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 7, 2006. The council by unanimous vote does approve for payment the following list: warrants 7360 through 7393 totaling $14,677.35; manual warrants 7359 totaling $30.00; and payroll warrants 6537 through 6547 totaling $13,278.48 for a total of $27,985.83: Current - $12,925.43; Street - $2,150.52; Water - $2,806.34; Sewer - $1,304.64; Treatment Plant - $2,231.38; Dallesport Treatment Plant - $6,567.52.

At 9:40 p.m. the Council adjourned.

Jan Brending                                                            Brian Prigel
City Clerk                                                                Mayor