BINGEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
 

June 7, 2005

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Prigel at 7:00 p.m. Council members present: Terry Trantow, Betty Barnes, Barbara Hylton and Laura Mann. Council members absent: Randy Anderson. City Clerk Jan Brending was present. City Attorney Tad Connors was absent. Audience: Tim Hearn.

Public Comment
Betty Barnes, Bingen
Betty Barnes asked if anyone had noticed an increase in the noise coming from SDS Lumber mill. She said she has noticed louder than usual noise coming from the vicinity of the mill. It was suggested that it might be railroad freight cars hitting together.

Betty Barnes asked if Sprint was required to get a building permit for the work that they did on W. Lincoln. Jan Brending said that utility work does not require a building permit and the City does not have a review/permitting process for utility work.

Betty Barnes said the additional structures installed by Sprint have caused a sightline problem at the intersection of W. Lincoln and Highway 141.

Jan Brending said she will look into the issue and contact the police department and have them review it also.

Laura Mann, Bingen
Laura Mann asked if Bell Design has started the work on the Jefferson Street bridge.

Brian Prigel said he will check with them on the status of the contract and bid specifications.

Barbara Hylton, Bingen
Barbara Hylton asked who is responsible for the grass located in the rights-of-way. She said that the east end of town is looking pretty shabby. Hylton said that if property owners are not going to take care of the problem then the city should.

Brian Prigel said it is a policy decision of the city as to who’s responsibility the maintenance of the right-of-way is.  He said that homeowners should be given the opportunity to plant landscaping in the right-of-way if it is maintained. Prigel said he believes property owners should be responsible for the maintenance of the right-of-way to the edge of the pavement.

Barbara Hylton suggested property owners could be notified about cleaning up the areas around their property.

Barbara Hylton said she has noticed a number of unlicensed junk vehicles, boats and motor homes parked along the streets in Bingen that need parking enforcement.

Jan Brending asked city council members to call her with information regarding vehicles that they believe are in violation of the city’s parking ordinance. She said she will obtain the necessary information from the vehicle and forward the information to the police department.

Jan Brending asked permission to write letters to registered owners of vehicles that are in violation of the parking ordinance. She said the letters would not supercede any enforcement requirements of the ordinance but would be in addition to those requirements. Brending said that she and the police chief believe the letters will assist in getting compliance with the ordinance. She said she intends to have the letter translated in Spanish.

The city council authorized Brending to write the letters as long as it is clear that they are not to take place of any enforcement requirements in the parking ordinance.

Jan Brending noted that “no parking” signs will be placed on Walnut Street. She said she has had a couple of calls from residents in the area about the problem.

Approval of Minutes – May 17, 2005
Changes were noted to the May 17 council meeting minutes as follows:

Page 2, 12^th paragraph, change the word “owns” to “manages.”

Page 3, 1^st paragraph, change the word “sets” to “sits.”
Page 5, 14^th paragraph, change the word “safe” to “save”.
Page 6, 3^rd paragraph, change the word “know” to “knows.”
Page 7, 10^th paragraph, change the last sentence to read “He said the Huckleberry Festival Committee had previously mentioned that they were willing to help – he didn’t know if it was with some money or with help in-kind.”

Barbara Hylton moved to approve the minutes of the May 17, 2005 city council meeting as amended. Betty Barnes seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Well Rehabilitation – Award of Bid for Well Driller
Brian Prigel provided information to the City Council on the results of the well rehabilitation bid process (see memorandum titled “Well Rehabilitation Bid Results” dated June 7, 2005).

Barbara Hylton asked if the consultant has provided information about the increase in water production after rehabilitation.

Brian Prigel said the consultant will not provide a specific number but hopes to get the wells to produce at least 50% of their original production.

Laura Mann moved to award a contract to Holt Drilling for well rehabilitation. Betty Barnes seconded the motion. The motion carried 3 to 1 with the following vote: Anderson – Absent, Barnes – Aye, Hylton – Nay, Mann – Aye, Trantow – Aye.

Treasurer’s Report
Jan Brending presented the Treasurer’s Report for April 2005. She noted that the Highway 14 project has not been closed. Brending said she is working with WSDOT to reconcile their billing and to reconcile the entire project’s costs and funding packages. She said she expects the project to be closed in July.

Brending said she noted the city council would like to discuss employee insurance benefits and a possible increase in the sales tax. She said she is scheduling a meeting with employees to get their input on insurance benefits. Brending said the staff’s recommendations will be presented and discussed with the Mayor who can then present information to the city council. Brending said she will schedule a discussion of a possible increase in the sales tax at the first council meeting in July. She said that if the council wants to adopt the extra ½ percent sales tax she will recommend it be set aside for capital improvements for current expense departments and the street department.

Laura Mann moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report for April 2005. Barbara Hylton seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.

Mayor’s Update
Amtrak
Brian Prigel said Jesse Burkhardt has written a letter to the two cities regarding federal funding for Amtrak. He said the letter notes that federal funding for Amtrak is scheduled to be cut. Prigel said Burkhardt is asking the city to send a letter to federal legislators asking for support of Amtrak funding.

The city council agreed to have the Mayor send a letter of support for Amtrak funding to federal legislators.

Emergency Management Planning
Brian Prigel said interviews were held by Klickitat County for the position of Emergency Management Coordinator. He said the county interviewed 2 people from the local area and 5 from out of town. Prigel said he has not heard what the results of the interviews were.

Brian Prigel said all three cities have some concerns about entering into an interlocal agreement related to emergency management planning and the creation of an emergency management department. He said the city is required to adopt an emergency management plan either by itself or in conjunction with other entities. Prigel said the main issues are budgetary and the loss of control and authority to some degree within Bingen city limits. Prigel said he feels it is important for the city to have information about all options that are available before making a decision on the current proposal.

The city council agreed a meeting between the mayors, fire chiefs, and police chief of Bingen and White Salmon should take place to discuss concerns and options for emergency management planning.

Fire Hydrant Information
Brian Prigel noted that the fire department has provided some information on the status of fire hydrants and repair/maintenance that needs to take place.

Park Enhancements
Brian Prigel said the restroom remodel and irrigation enhancements have been completed.

Downtown Trees
Brian Prigel said the public works crew has removed one of the supports from the trees to help make the trees stronger.

Depot Street Paving
Brian Prigel said the paving of Depot Street is scheduled to begin June 20.

Work Session – Sign Ordinance and Use of Sidewalks
The City Council scheduled a special work session for June 16, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. to address the sign ordinance and use of sidewalks.

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 7, 2005. The council by unanimous vote does approve for payment the following list: warrants 6764 through 6802 totaling $43,719.61 and   payroll warrants 6272 through 6282 totaling $15,532.99, and manual warrant 6763 for $8,307.48 for a total of $67,560.08: Current - $8,003.75; Street - $3,084.79; Parks Construction and Maintenance - $23,127.48; Water - $14,181.22; Sewer - $1,328.51; Treatment Plant - $5,936.76; Dallesport Treatment Plant - $8,647.13; Water Construction and Maintenance - $3,250.44.

At 9:05 p.m. the Council adjourned.

Jan Brending                                                            Brian Prigel
City Clerk                                                                Mayor