BINGEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
April 4, 2006
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Prigel at 7:00 p.m. Council members present: Betty Barnes, Randy Anderson, and Tim Hearn. Council members absent: Laura Mann, Terry Trantow. Clerk Jan Brending and Attorney Tad Connors were present. Audience: Ruth Winner, Jesse Burkhardt, Barbara Hylton.
Public Comment
Barbara Hylton, Bingen
Barbara Hylton said she is concerned that the bushes at 310 W. Franklin
that have grown out into the right-of-way are narrowing the road width of
Franklin and blocking the stop sign at Franklin and Walnut.
Brian Prigel said he will have staff look at the area and if the bushes are impeding traffic flow a letter will be written to the property owners requiring the bushes to be cut back.
Ruth Winner, Gorge Heritage Museum
Ruth Winner said that progress on the flume is underway.
Approval of Minutes – March 21, 2006
Corrections to the March 21 minutes were noted as follows:
The date at the top of page 1 should be changed from March 7 to March 21.
Page 5, first paragraph should read as follows: “Randy Anderson suggested that in the future the position be offered up to council members in case there is one who would like to volunteer for the position.”
Randy Anderson moved to approve the minutes of the March 21 council meeting. Betty Barnes seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Engineering Proposal, South Maple Street Project –
Anderson Perry & Associates, Inc.
Brian Prigel said the city has obtained a proposal from Anderson Perry &
Associates to provide preliminary and construction engineering for the South
Maple Street project. He said the firm is familiar with the project and is o the
city’s professional services roster.
Jan Brending provided a new breakdown on proposed budget costs associated with the project. She said the construction costs are estimated to be $664,804 including the costs of the new gates and signalization at the railroad crossing. Brending said in addition, the project will include a new concrete crossing for the railroad. She said engineering costs are estimated to be $74,200 for Anderson Perry & Associates. Brending said this is less than that proposed in the grant application to the Transportation Improvement Board.
Randy Anderson asked why item 16 in the scope of work included language that project description drawings may contain discrepancies and omissions and will not necessarily represent “exact” field conditions.
Brian Prigel and Jan Brending said it is not possible to locate or depict “exact” field conditions and this is common language used by all engineers.
Tim Hearn moved to approve a contract with Anderson Perry & Associates, Inc. to provide design engineering and construction engineering services for an amount not to exceed $74,200. Randy Anderson seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Banner Proposal, Steuben Street – Signs and Designs
Melanie Denton with Signs and Designs presented a proposal for the purchase
of banners to be installed on the banner poles of the new lights on Steuben
Street. She presented a proposed design with several options of letter color and
size.
Betty Barnes noted that the design selection went through the Bingen Business Committee.
Jan Brending noted that the Bingen city council had asked that the design be proposed by the Bingen businesses.
The city council decided to use black block lettering for the banners and added the word “Washington” underneath “Bingen” at the bottom of the banner.
Betty Barnes moved to authorize the final design and layout and purchase of 50 banners from Signs and Designs for $4,390 plus shipping and taxes. Randy Anderson seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Daubenspeck Park Electrical Improvements – Proposal
Brian Prigel provided information to the city council regarding proposed
electrical improvements for Daubenspeck Park (see memorandum dated March 31,
2006). He said the city has been discussing providing these improvements, as
requested by the Huckleberry Festival Committee, for a number of years.
Jan Brending said one option to funding the entire project is to pay for it was excise tax funds. She noted that excise tax funds can only be used for capital improvement projects. Brending said the electrical improvements to Daubenspeck Park would qualify as a capital improvement.
Council members discussed options for expanding electrical improvements to other areas in the park.
Brian Prigel noted that the conduit to be placed underneath Humboldt Street will be sized so that it can handle additional improvements in the future.
Barbara Hylton asked if the city charges for uses of the park where electrical services are used.
Brian Prigel said not at the present time.
Tim Hearn said that he thinks the city should consider in the future charging people who use the park.
Betty Barnes moved to authorize the entire proposal as identified in the March 31 memorandum for electrical improvements to Daubenspeck Park and sizing the conduit under Humboldt Street to provide for additional improvements in the future with funding to come from the Excise Tax Fund. Randy Anderson seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Extension of Franchise Agreement – Charter
Communications, Inc.
Jan Brending said the extension of the franchise agreement will expire on
March 31. She said the extension will run until December 31, 2006. Brending said
the agreement should be renewed sooner than December 31 but she did not want to
have to bring another extension back to the city council if for some reason
there was a delay.
Brending noted that a public hearing is scheduled for April 18 at 7:00 p.m. She said notice will run in the newspaper for two weeks, has been posted at City Hall and the Post Office and will be included in a newsletter that will go out on April 10.
Randy Anderson moved to approve the extension of the franchise agreement with Charter Communications, Inc. to December 31, 2006. Tim Hearn seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
White Salmon Civil Service Commission – Appointment to
Vacant Position
Brian Prigel said the city has received one letter of interest and that is
from Barbara Hylton. He said the position is appointed by the mayor. Prigel said
he is appointing Barbara Hylton to fill the vacant position on the White Salmon
Civil Service Commission. He said he thinks Hylton will do a good job.
Betty Barnes asked Tad Connors a question about the MRSC information related to meeting less than monthly. The MRSC information was provided to city council members by city staff.
City council members and the city attorney discussed how often the civil service commission should meet and can the civil service commission pass a local rule to meet less often than once a month.
Barbara Hylton said she feels there should be regular meetings of the civil service commission.
Gorge Heritage Museum, Repair of Basement Wall –
Discussion
Brian Prigel said he has met with Mike Wellman about the repair of the
basement wall at the Gorge Heritage Museum. He said he is proposing a process in
which the city would hire a contractor to short up the chimney and north wall to
excavate the basement wall. Prigel said this will allow better access for
Wellman to determine what is necessary to replace/repair the wall. He said the
city will ask the contractor to submit a proposal based on hourly rates and time
and material versus a lump sum fee due to the unknowns of the projects. Prigel
said Wellman will then provide drawings for the city to use in obtaining a
building permit and moving ahead with the construction of the wall.
Barbara Hylton asked if the city has considered security issues when the basement is opened up.
Brian Prigel said a construction fence will need to be used and the city and contractor will have to work with the museum to make sure the building is protected from vandals and the elements.
Betty Barnes moved to moved ahead with the project using Mike Wellman volunteer hours for the engineering work and securing bids for construction work through the small works roster process. Randy Anderson seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Anderson Perry & Associates Scholarship Process –
Discussion
Jan Brending said she has worked with the counseling department of Columbia
High School to come up with an application and criteria for the $400 one time
scholarship from Anderson Perry. She said she does not have information about
the number of graduating seniors who reside in Bingen. A committee made of the
high school counselor, the mayor, and one council member will review
applications and make the selection.
Randy Anderson moved to authorize the selection process and to proceed in taking applications. Tim Hearn seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Traffic Flow, South Ash Street – Discussion
Brian Prigel said city council members have received copies of the minutes
of the meeting where the city council previously approved making South Ash
Street one-way.
Tim Hearn said he is opposed to making South Ash Street one-way.
Brian Prigel said it will take a motion to change the previous decision of the city council.
Betty Barnes said she would like to proceed with making South Ash Street one-way.
Downtown Benches – Discussion
The discussion about the downtown benches was tabled to the April 18 city
council meeting.
Interlocal Agreement for Law Enforcement Services –
Presentation of Police Committee Review
Randy Anderson reviewed the issues discussed by the police committee. He
said the police committee has several recommendations regarding the interlocal
agreement for law enforcement services. Anderson said the police committee feels
the police chief position should be covered by the civil service. He said the
committee also feels the White Salmon Civil Service Commission should be more
active in meeting and have a more active role such as addressing complaints from
the police officers.
Brian Prigel said he agrees that the civil service commission should have more regular meetings. He said that he believes it is appropriate to cancel a meeting due to a lack of business. Prigel said notices of the meetings and cancellations should be posted.
Randy Anderson said the police committee recommends that minutes of the civil service commission be provided to the city council.
Randy Anderson said the police committee does not recommend using an employment contract for hiring the police chief. He said the committee is concerned about a contract being open ended and the financial risk it may provide.
Jan Brending said that hiring a police chief through the civil service commission could have the same financial risks as using an employment contract.
Tad Connors agreed. He said it is hard to see that one option is riskier over the other. Connors noted that an employment contract is more flexible.
Tim Hearn said that some law enforcement officers think the civil service commission is obsolete. He noted that Bruce Brending is in favor of keeping the civil service commission.
Betty Barnes said that if the civil service commission met on a regular basis there would be fewer problems.
Betty Barnes said the agreement includes language that the mayor of White Salmon will consult with the mayor of Bingen. She asked if there is any recommended language requiring the mayor to consult with the city council. Barnes said she would like to see a five person panel or something similar to use in the selection of the police chief.
Randy Anderson said the police committee is recommending that the two city police committees meet jointly on a quarterly basis.
Tad Connors said he thinks that is a good idea. He believes the cities will have a more effective voice through the police committees.
Randy Anderson asked that the police committee check with other law enforcement agencies to see if they would be interested in providing law enforcement services if Bingen decided to back out of the agreement with White Salmon.
Betty Barnes said she thought that was a good idea because Tad’s previous recommendation that when negotiating there are other options than just White Salmon.
Betty Barnes asked if the city receives a copy of the police department’s proposed budget.
Jan Brending said she obtains a budget from White Salmon in order to build Bingen’s budget. She said she has not provided the itemized budget to the budget committee in the past but can.
Betty Barnes said she would like the entire council to receive a copy of the police department’s budget.
Randy Anderson asked that a joint committee meeting be scheduled with the White Salmon Police Committee.
Disposal of Brush and Yard/Garden Debris – Review of
Options and Discussion
Tim Hearn requested that the discussion of disposal of brush and yard/garden
debris be postponed until April 18.
Old Business
Highway 14 Project
Randy Anderson asked about the status of closing out the Highway 14 project.
Jan Brending said she has contacted WSDOT. She said if she does not get an appropriate response then she will have Brian Prigel contact WSDOT directly.
Mayor’s Update and Council Member Comments
SR 35 Bridge
Brian Prigel said he met on Thursday with staff from Senator Murray’s office
to discuss the SR35 Bridge project. He said there is federal funding available
in the 6-year transportation program for completion of the environmental impact
statement. Prigel said additional funding is being sought. Prigel said that
those in attendance asked the staff from Senator Murray’s office to drive across
the bridge.
Police Committee
Jan Brending said she would like to speak to the committee about possible
concerns in how compensation is addressed in the interlocal agreement.
Betty Barnes asked why it was not being discussed with the city council.
Jan Brending said she would be willing to do that but thought that was why the council had established a committee.
The police committee will meet on Thursday, April 13 at 5:30 p.m.
Water/Sewer Committee
The water/sewer committee will meet on Thursday, April 13 at 6:30 p.m.
Broughton Flume Project – Required Building Permits
Betty Barnes said she thinks it is appropriate that the city pay for any
building permits that will be required for the Broughton Flume project.
Betty moved to have the city pay for building permits associated with the Broughton Flume project. Tim Hearn seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Employee Hours Worked
Betty Barnes asked how many hours each employee works.
Jan Brending said that two of the seven positions are part-time and the rest are full-time working 40 hours a week. She said the Deputy Clerk works 20 hours a week and the Bingen Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager works 24 hours a week although at this time he is working 30 hours a week due to being down one employee.
Proposed Land Exchange – Wil Schuemann
Tim Hearn asked if any of the council members have walked the property that
is part of the proposed land exchange by Wil Schuemann.
Brian Prigel said he has not been up in the area in recent years.
Randy Anderson said that one of the original reasons Schuemann wanted to do the land exchange was to prevent access through his property to the property north.
Jan Brending noted the proposed land exchange will be scheduled on the April 18 agenda.
Executive Session
At 9:10 p.m. Brian Prigel said the city council will go into executive
session to discuss real estate for 10 minutes.
At 9:20 p.m, the city council resumed regular session.
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
April 4, 2006. The council by unanimous vote does approve for payment the
following list: warrants 7440 through 7475 totaling $31,551.23; manual warrants
7438 and 7439 totaling $945.41; and payroll warrants 986548 through 986558
totaling $13,539.48 for a total of $46,036.12: Current - $10,977.30; Street -
$2,475.02; Water - $19,270.59; Sewer - $1,372.28; Treatment Plant - $4,271.44;
Dallesport Treatment Plant - $7,669.49.
At 9:25 p.m. the Council adjourned.
Jan Brending
Brian Prigel
City Clerk
Mayor