BINGEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
June 5, 2007
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Prigel at 7:00 p.m. Council members present: Terry Trantow, Betty Barnes, Tim Hearn, and Laura Mann. Council members absent: Sandi Dickey. Clerk Jan Brending and Attorney Tad Connors were present. Audience: Ruth Winner, Jim Donnelly.
Public Comment
Betty Barnes, Bingen
Betty Barnes
announced that she will be using a digital voice recorder at the city council
meetings if the council members do not object.
There were no objections.
Tim Hearn, Bingen
Tim Hearn reported that the Lyle community has built a skate park at the old
elementary school. He noted that it is already getting a lot of use.
Jan Brending said she will try to get some pictures of the skate park and information on how much it cost.
Approval of
Council Meeting Minutes – May 15, 2007
Laura Mann moved to approve the minutes of the May 15 city council meeting.
Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Small Works
Roster Bid – Street Striping and Pavement Markings
Jan Brending reported that the city has received two bids for the street
striping and pavement marking project: Asphalts Complete, Inc. at $2,875.63 and
Apply-A-Line at $8,867.68.
Jan Brending said one of the items on the Asphalts Complete bid needs to be clarified because it is lower than other sections but will require more paint.
Brian Prigel recommended authorizing a contract with Asphalts Complete upon clarification of the one bid item. He said that the bid will remain low bid even after clarification.
Betty Barnes moved to award the Street Striping and Pavement Marking contract to Asphalts Complete pending clarification of the bid. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Equipment Bid –
Truck Service Body
Jan Brending reported the city has received two bids for the truck service
body for the new public works truck: Pacific Truck Colors at $10,523.75 not
including tax of $789.28 which will need to be paid by the city and Terex
Utilities at $18,693.18 including taxes.
Jan Brending recommended accepting the bid by Pacific Truck Colors.
Tim Hearn moved to accept the bid for the truck service body by Pacific Truck Colors at $10,523.75. Betty Barnes seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Gorge Heritage
Museum – Flume Lighting Request
Ruth Winner provided a review of the flume location in Daubenspeck Park and
the lighting of the flag. She said she has obtained two free poles to be used
for lighting and free installation of the poles. Winner said the rental of
equipment for the trenching would be split between the city and SDS Lumber. She
said SDS will pay for the electrician to handle the flume lighting and the city
would pay for the electrician for lighting the basketball court, if the city
decides to do that work.
Ruth Winner said she is requesting city authorization for the trenching for the flume lighting, connecting to the electrical panel box at the restrooms, and for the city to assume the monthly electrical cost.
Laura Mann asked how tall the poles are.
Ruth Winner said she is not sure but probably the same as others in the area.
Jan Brending noted that any work not done by the city and paid for by the city will need to be done through the small works roster bid process.
Betty Barnes said it would be nice to coordinate the flume lighting and basketball court lighting in one effort.
Betty Barnes moved to accept the proposal for flume lighting and basketball court lighting in concept and to determine where the poles would be located at the next meeting. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Gorge Heritage
Museum – Use of Facility
Tad Connors noted that he has received a copy of a proposed “facility use
policy” adopted by the Gorge Heritage Museum. He said the policy addresses use
of the facility by others than the West Klickitat County Historical Society,
i.e. Gorge Heritage Museum. Connors said the lease between the city and the
museum says the facility is to be used only by the museum. He said the city
should authorize use of the museum by others in writing and possibly set some
limits on the use.
Brian Prigel said if the city’s risks are covered by the museum’s insurance than there probably is not a problem.
Laura Mann said she feels that the facility should not be used by others until the city gives its approval.
Betty Barnes said she agrees.
Tim Hearn said he would like a formal request from the museum board.
Brian Prigel asked Tad Connors if there is a risk to the city if others are using the facility.
Tad Connors said yes. He said he does not believe an amendment is needed for the lease but that the city should provide written consent.
Jan Brending suggested writing a letter to the museum board asking for a current certificate of insurance.
Laura Mann asked if there are lots of events scheduled.
Ruth Winner said she is not sure.
The city council agreed to write a letter to the museum board clarifying what is in the lease and asking for a current certificate of insurance.
Tad Connors noted that in a document dated May 23 there is a reference that ADA issues are soley the responsibility of the city. He said he does not believe that is correct.
Stop Grant
Proposal
Tad Connors provided a review of the STOP
(Services-Training-Officers-Prosecutors) Formula Grant. He said Klickitat County
is eligible for $45,000. Connors said the program was previously run by Programs
for Peaceful Living until the City of Goldendale took it over. He said $5,000 is
proposed to go to White Salmon ($3,000) and Bingen ($2,000). He said a small
match will be required.
Betty Barnes moved to authorize Tad Connors to move forward for the city with the STOP Formula Grant proposal. Laura Mann seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Old Business
Steuben Street Crosswalks
Brian Prigel said the city has been working with StreetPrint to have the
crosswalks repaired.
Jan Brending said the repair was originally scheduled to begin on June 25. She said she requested Brix Paving to reevaluate the crosswalks because of the wear over the winter. Brending said Brix is having a representative from StreetPrint come in and review the crosswalks so the project will not begin on June 25.
Tim Hearn said that he would like to be present when the review takes place. Hearn said the WSDOT maintenance manager is concerned that the pavement will break up if it is reheated again.
Brian Prigel and Jan Brending reviewed the previous meeting held with representatives from WSDOT and StreetPrint. Prigel said WSDOT has had no concerns about the pavement breaking up if the repairs are made.
Depot Street
Sewer Project
Jan Brending reported that the pre-construction meeting was held with Nutter
Corporation today. She said the city does not have a BNSF permit for the east
end portion of the line that runs through BNSF property. Brending said Nutter
will delay starting the project until the permit is received because they want
to work from the east to the west.
Wilcox & Flegel
Jan Brending reported that Wilcox & Flegel have submitted a building permit
for the demolition and reconstruction project at Guler Oil. She said the project
will likely be taking place at the same time as the Depot Street sewer project.
Mayor’s Update
and City Council Comments
Gorge Commission Recreation Workshop
Brian Prigel reported that he participated in the Gorge Commission
recreation workshop addressing a proposed plan amendment to the Scenic Area
Management Plan. He said the Commission is looking for and clarifying issues
related to the proposed amendment. Prigel noted there is another upcoming
workshop where public comment will be taken.
Jan Brending said the city has received notification of the workshop.
Betty Barnes said she heard that Brian Prigel did a very nice job staying with the official opinion of the city council.
Steuben Street
Electrical Outlets
Jan Brending said that after she gets back from vacation she will be
developed a small works roster bid to hire some to look at and fix the
electrical outlets on Steuben Street.
CDBG Planning
Only Grant
Jan Brending reported the city has received notification that its
pre-application for a planning only grant was accepted and that it can now
submit a funding application. She said she will develop the application with
assistance from Anderson Perry. Brending said the application will be for
$24,000 to assist in completing a water system plan.
Bingen Wastewater
Treatment Plant Award
Jan Brending said the city has received notification that it is receiving a
2006 Outstanding Wastewater Treatment Plant award. She said a representative
from the Department of Ecology will present the award at the city’s July 3rd
city council meeting.
The city council asked that Tom Hons be present at the meeting.
Water
Conservation
Laura Mann noted that the City of White Salmon has adopted a water
conservation ordinance that is in effect now.
The city council discussed the city’s current emergency water conservation plan and White Salmon’s conservation ordinance.
Jan Brending said she intends to provide information in the city’s June newsletter regarding water conservation and the city’s emergency water conservation plan.
The city council agreed the newsletter should take a strong stand on water conservation due to the lack of rain.
Water Odor/Taste
The city council discussed the recent concerns by citizens regarding water
odor and taste. Jan Brending noted the city has been receiving a number of calls
and is current referring them to David Spratt and tracking the names and
addresses. She said the city received a phone call over the weekend from Big
River Diner about the problem. Brending said David Spratt investigated the issue
and determined that it was due to a filter not being changed.
Tim Hearn reported that the filter had in fact been recently changed.
Brian Prigel said the east-end lines probably need to be flushed.
Volunteer Fire
Department
Betty Barnes reported that the fire department will be using the 4th
of July celebration at Bingen Point to raise funds for a thermal-imaging camera.
Betty Barnes asked that the June newsletter include information about the need for volunteer firefighters.
Roy Barnes also noted he had a problem with a “sewer” odor and taste at his residence.
Police Chief
Tim Hearn asked if the results of the testing for the police chief have
released.
It was noted that there was a recent newspaper article on the results.
Jan Brending said all three candidates passed with Bruce Brending first, Jim Andring second, and the applicant from Asotin third.
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 June
5, 2007. The council by unanimous vote does approve for payment the following
list: checks 8870 through 8912 totaling $80,658.24 and payroll checks 8855
through 8867 totaling $18,962.07 and manual warrants 8853-8854 and 8868-8869
totaling $3,814.91 for a grand total of $103,435.22. Current - $53,388.33;
Street - $3,008.04; Community Development - $5,407.25; Street Construction and
Maintenance - $11,314.45; Water – $4,995.71; Sewer - $1,940.31; Treatment Plant
- $18,115.87; Dallesport Treatment Plant – $5,265.26.
The council adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
__________________________________
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City
Clerk Mayor