BINGEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
 

March 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, Barbara Kubitscheck and Laura Mann. Clerk Jan Brending and Attorney Tad Connors were present. Audience: Jesse Burkhardt.

Public Comment
Laura Mann, Bingen
Laura Mann thanked the city staff for placing a picnic table and trash can near the playground equipment at Daubenspeck Park.

Mann noted that there is a large scratch on the big slide that needs repaired.

Betty Barnes, Bingen
Betty Barnes said there is a camper trailer located on Jefferson Street that is illegally parked. She noted that Gerald Olson on Humboldt also has a number of illegally parked vehicles.

Betty Barnes reminded staff that the “stop ahead” lettering at the intersection of Ash and Humboldt still needs to be done.

Terry Trantow, Bingen
Terry Trantow asked when the Jefferson Street Bridge recommendations will be brought to the council.

Brian Prigel said he hopes to have something available at the April 5 meeting.

Approval of Minutes
City Council members recommended that the Clerk Treasurer train the Deputy Clerk to take minutes in case she is unable to attend a council meeting.

Memorandum of Understanding – Bingen, Fordyce Water Association and Rural Community Assistance Corporation
Brian Prigel provided background information to the City Council. He said the council has previously agreed to provide assistance to the Fordyce Water Association in accepting a grant from the Washington Department of Health for the development of a small system water management plan. Prigel said the grant cannot be provided directly to Fordyce and has to go through a municipality. He said Bingen will be providing oversight services in grant administration and the hiring of a consultant to assist in writing the water plan. Prigel said the memorandum of understanding covers the responsibilities of the entities involved in the process.

Barbara Kubitscheck asked if Fordyce Water Association is paying a fee to the City for providing the services.

Brian Prigel said the city will be reimbursed for salaries and benefits and direct expenses related to the project. He said it is estimated that the project will take approximately 30 hours of the clerk treasurer’s time.

Betty Barnes moved to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Bingen, Fordyce Water Association and Rural Community Assistance Corporation. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Local Agency Railway Agreement – WSDOT and Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway Co.
Brian Prigel said the agreement is a standard WSDOT agreement that governs how the funding for the gate installation on Maple Street will be handled. He noted that the agreement calls for a 75% local agency and 25% railway split for repairs or replacement of the structure if it is damaged and costs cannot be recovered from the responsible party. Prigel said it is a policy decision for the Council to accept the split. He noted that it is very difficult to get these types of things changes with the railroad. Prigel said that if the gates are not installed at Maple it will not be possible to establish a “quiet zone” in Bingen. He said gates will also have to be installed at Walnut Street to obtain a “quiet zone.”

It was noted that the agreement provided for negotiation of cost obligations when the equipment becomes obsolete and needs replaced.

Randy Anderson moved to approve the Local Agency Railway Agreement. Barbara Kubitscheck seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Dallesport Treatment Plant Agreement Amendment No. 2
Jan Brending said the proposed amendment to the Dallesport Treatment Plant agreement covers some minor corrections dealing with the budget process. She noted that a statement has been added that allows the City to request payment of costs for operating and maintenance earlier than is normally paid by the County. Brending said she intends to reconcile the fund twice a year to ensure that the fund does not have a negative ending cash balance at the end of the year.

Randy Anderson moved to approve Amendment No. 2 to the Dallesport Treatment Plan Agreement. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Interlocal Agreement – Klickitat County EDA Grant Funding
Jan Brending said the interlocal agreement covers the EDA grant of $25,000 for 2005.

Barbara Kubitscheck moved to approve the Interlocal Agreement with Klickitat County for EDA grant funding. Randy Anderson seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Well Rehabilitation and Water Management Plan Consultant – Recommendation
Brain Prigel provided a recommendation to city council regarding the hiring of a consultant to assist the city with well rehabilitation and the development of a water management plan (see memorandum dated March 15, 2005 – Well Rehabilitation and Water Management Plan Consultant(s) – Recommendation).

He said the City is recommending that the team of Golder Associates and Anderson Perry Associates be hired to work on the project and that the Council authorize the Mayor to negotiate a contract with a not to exceed price of $56,000.

Barbara Kubitscheck asked if the consultant could look at the Maple Street well while they are here. Brian Prigel said he can check into having the consultant “tv” both the Maple Street and Reservoir wells. He said location of the pumps and timing will be issues to consider.

Laura Mann moved to authorize the mayor to enter into contract negotiations with the team of Golder Associates and Anderson-Perry Associates for well rehabilitation and the development of a water management plan for a cost not to exceed $56,000. Barbara Kubitscheck seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.

Fire Equipment Reserve Fund – Budget Request
Jan Brending requested the city council authorize a budget amendment of $300.00 in operating transfer from the Current Expense Fund to the Fire Equipment Reserve Fund. She said that an unanticipated expense related to taxes on the fire truck occurred and the funds are needed to cover the expense. Brending said the amendment will be included in a broader budget ordinance amendment at a later date.

Betty Barnes moved to authorize an operating transfer of $300.00 from the Current Expense Fund to the Fire Equipment Reserve Fund. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Grant Application – Assistance to Firefighters Grant
Jan Brending said the grant application process is now open for the 2005 Assistance to Firefighters Grant. She said the fire department would like to apply for a grant that would help purchase SCBAs and provide for an air filling station in the fire hall. Brending said the fire department estimates the cost of the equipment to be $81,700. She said the standard local match is normally 20% but the City could go as low as 10%. Brending recommended using a 20% match.

Laura Mann moved to authorize applying for an Assistance to Firefighters Grant for SCBAs and an air filling station with a 20% local match to be provided.  Barbara Kubitscheck seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Mayor’s Update
CDBG Funding Alert
Jan Brending provided an Action Alert from the Association of Washington Cities regarding President Bush’s proposal to combine grant programs including CDBG into one and provide less funding. She said the City of Bingen has benefited directly from the CDBG program including funding for the treatment plan and the new reservoir. Brending said the city will be applying for a CDBG planning grant for the development of its capital improvement plan.

There was consensus by the council that a letter should be written identifying concerns regarding the proposal.

Daubenspeck Park
Brian Prigel said there is an old fountain located in the park that has a plaque on it dedicating it to a specific individual. He said the City has received a letter from the son of the individual who is interested in obtaining the plaque if the fountain is removed. Prigel said he will be contacting the individual and asking for the history of the fountain and possible suggestions.

Randy Anderson suggested that if the fountain is removed the plaque could be donated to the Gorge Heritage Museum.

Stonecliff Annexation
Brian Prigel reported that the “special advisory committee” will be meeting on March 17. He said it is his goal to make representatives from other agencies aware of the potential scope of the development that could occur within the proposed annexation area. Prigel said the property would be annexed into White Salmon with the application of R1 zoning that would allow for 5,000 square foot lots. He said that in conversations with White Salmon council members he does not believe they understand the ramifications of approval of the annexation at this time. Prigel said that once the annexation is complete and a subdivision application is accepted by the City of White Salmon the ordinances that are in place at that time will govern approval or denial of the development. He said White Salmon has no restrictions for development on steep slopes.

The city council discussed the potential of development on the steep slopes east of Dry Creek and immediately above Bingen.

Laura Mann asked if the City has the authority to address the visibility issues of the development.

Tad Connors said the city can address both objective and subjective concerns including the visibility of any proposed development.

Betty Barnes said it is important that the mayor have direction from the city council regarding  concerns about the proposed annexation.

There was consensus of city council that the overall concerns are with emergency services access and evacuation, density, runoff, stability of slopes and the visibility of development in the area east of Dry Creek above Bingen.

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 15, 2005. The council by unanimous vote does approve for payment the following list: warrants 6594 through 6624 totaling $9,870.42 and   payroll warrants 6197 through 6213 totaling $8,641.20 and manual warrants 501032 totaling $14,266.26 for a total of $32,777.88: Current - $8,488.32; Street - $1,031.27; Water - $1,242.19; Sewer - $885.94; Treatment Plant - $2,778.81; Dallesport Treatment Plant - $4,085.09; Dallesport Billing Trust Fund - $14,266.26.

At 9:20 p.m. the Council adjourned.

Jan Brending                                                            Brian Prigel
City Clerk                                                                Mayor