BINGEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
 

June 19, 2007

 

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Prigel at 7:00 p.m. Council members present: Terry Trantow, Betty Barnes, Tim Hearn, Laura Mann, and Sandi Dickey. Deputy Clerk Dena Riggleman and Attorney Tad Connors were present. Audience: Ruth Winner, Etta Hepner, and Judy Farrell.

 

Public Comment
Etta Hepner, Gorge Heritage Museum
Etta Hepner read a letter she was submitting requesting that the City of Bingen table any discussion of any matter relating to the West Klickitat County Historical Society or the Gorge Heritage Museum until after their next board meeting scheduled for June 27, 2007.

Betty Barnes said she believes this is not a new issue but one the museum committee to over a year ago.

Approval of Council Meeting Minutes – June 5, 2007
Terry Trantow moved to approve the minutes of the June 5 city council meeting. Tim Hearn seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Approval of Special Council Meeting Minutes – June 10, 2007
Laura Mann requested that several comments that Tad Connors made be included in the minutes in the fourth paragraph and the sixth paragraph. Laura Mann moved to accept special meeting minutes with additions added. Tim Hearn seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Gorge Heritage Museum - Flume and Basketball Court Lighting Request
Laura Mann motioned to table the flume and basketball court lighting request until the next council meeting. Betty Barnes seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-2 with the following vote: Barnes-Aye, Dickey-Aye, Hearn-Nay, Mann-Aye, Trantow-Nay.

Request for Reduction on Sewer Overage - Skyline Hospital
Brian Prigel discussed the issue that Skyline had sewer overages due to the irrigation meter not working and the water rerouted through the main meter. Laura Mann moved to send a letter to Skyline to approve the reduction in sewer overage after seeing proof that the problem has been fixed. Sandi Dickey seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Request for Reduction on Sewer Overage - Port of Klickitat
Brian Prigel discussed the issue that the Port needed to irrigate new landscaping so they added a reduction meter to their side of the meter to show how much water was actually used to irrigate landscaping versus how much went in to the sewer. Betty Barnes moved to award a reduction with the city seeing a permanent resolution with the Port installing an irrigation meter. Terry Trantow seconded motion and it was unanimously passed.

Treasurer’s Report- May 2007
Betty Barnes motioned to table the report until Jan Brending could be present to clarify the budget. Laura Mann seconded motion. The motion carried 4-1 with the following vote: Barnes-Aye, Dickey-Aye, Hearn-Nay, Mann-Aye, Trantow-Aye.

Mayor’s Update and City Council Comments
Loud Vehicles
Tim Hearn said he is concerned about loud cars in Bingen causing problems and would like to see the police listen and give tickets for squealing tires and reckless driving.

Terry Trantow said Bruce Brending had previously spoken to the city council and said that giving tickets has done any good in White Salmon to curb the issue.

Betty Barnes suggested mentioning the issue at the next joint police committee meeting.

Gorge Scenic Area
Brian Prigel discussed the recent workshop that he attended about the Old Broughton Mill site.

Depot Street Construction
Brian Prigel reported that construction on the Deport Street sewer project might not start till late summer due to City of Bingen not receiving a permit from BNSF yet.

Maple Street Construction
Brian Prigel said that himself, Jan Brending, Diane Sherwood and Jason Spadero met onsite to finalize the design for the Maple Street project with an intersection probably being added into the project. Construction probably will not be started till next spring.

Wilcox and Flegel
Brian Prigel said Wilcox and Flegel has received the SEPA check list and will be starting their construction project after obtaining a building permit.

Terry Trantow said he is concerned that the Gorge Heritage Museum sign on Maple Street will get lost or stolen during construction.

Traffic Count
Brian Prigel said the Klickitat County Road Department called with traffic counts for the railroad crossings with Walnut Street averaging 373 daily and Maple Street averaging 624 daily. He said the counts were taken for a week and a half.

4th Of July
The city council discussed the upcoming 4th of July celebration held at the Port. There was a concern about not having enough security at the Port and celebration almost being canceled. Brian Prigel asked for council approval to help pay for the security as has been done in the past. Laura Mann moved to pay for Bingen’s portion of security for the celebration. Tim Hearn seconded motion and it was unanimously passed.

Betty Barnes announced she has started the 4th of July fund raiser for the Bingen Fire Department with the proceeds going towards a new thermal imaging camera.

Lyle Skate Park
Tim Hearn asked if anyone has gotten a chance to see Lyle’s new skate park. Betty Barnes and Sandi Dickey said they saw it on their way to Goldendale to sign up for council elections.

New Police Chief
Brian Prigel announced that Bruce Brending was sworn in on June 18th as Chief of Police. Brian stated that there was a big crowd in attendance.

Fund Raiser- West Klickitat County Historical Society
Ruth Winner announced the upcoming house tour fund raiser for the West Klickitat County Historical Society.

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 19, 2007. The council by unanimous vote does approve for payment the following list: checks 8935 through 8962 totaling $173,644.15 and payroll checks 8916 through 8934 totaling $11,387.89 and manual warrants 8913-8915 totaling $15,056.97 for a grand total of $200,089.01. Current - $62,927.29; Street - $2,102.63; Street Equipment Reserve - $335.23; Water – $2,831.70; Sewer - $715.14; Treatment Plant - $5,780.14; Dallesport Treatment Plant – $4,054.02; 1973/1995 Water/Sewer Bond Redemption - $14,200.00; Public Works Trust Fund Loan - $107,142.86.

The council adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

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City Clerk                                                                    Mayor