BINGEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
 

July 18, 2006

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Prigel at 7:00 p.m. Council members present: Terry Trantow, Betty Barnes, Tim Hearn, Randy Anderson and Laura Mann. Clerk Jan Brending and Attorney Tad Connors were present. Audience: Larry Murphy, Frenchie Vezina, Jesse Burkhardt, Norm Deo, Mike Wellman, Heith England, Kevin Cronin, Lisa Jacobs. Dave Landgren.

Public Comment

Larry Murphy, Bingen

Larry Murphy asked if any information had been found out about the sewer lines near his home.

Brian Prigel said that the tree on Lincoln Street across Murphy’s house will be removed because it is causing problems with the sewer line in that area.

Jan Brending noted there is a main line that runs between Cliff Montie’s home and Larry Murphy’s home. She said she believes that is the line where the homes above on Bridgeview Court have tied into.

Brian Prigel said additional information is still being collected.

Norm Deo

Norm Deo said he would like to improve a property he owns on Cedar Street by tearing down the existing home and replacing it with a double-wide manufactured home. He said he has spoken with the building official about what will be needed to meet building codes. Deo said he would like confirmation that he will be able to place the manufactured home on the property even though it is more than 10 years old.

Jan Brending said Washington State passed legislation several years ago that prevents discrimination against manufactured home unless the ordinances apply across the board to all residential development. She said the only way the city can prevent manufactured home older than 10 years old is to have an ordinance that also applies to stick building homes that could be moved from one location to another. Brending said that the manufactured home must meet building code requirements such as snow and wind loads. She noted that most of the restrictions in the city’s manufactured home ordinance are no longer valid due to state law.

Tad Connors said he will review the state statute.

Randy Anderson said he feels comfortable in allowing the placement of the manufactured home as long as the building official signs off on it.

Approval of Minutes – July 3, 2006
Laura Mann moved to approve the minutes of July 3, 2006. Tim Hearn seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Public Hearing – Variance Request, John and Kathy Thomas
Jan Brending reported that the public hearing for the variance request has been postponed. She said John and Kathy Thomas have requested the postponement said that additional information can be submitted. Brending said the variance request will be re-noticed with a public hearing scheduled for August  15.

Dry Creek Proposal – Stonecliff Development/John Gotts
Brian Prigel provided an overview of the proposal submitted by John Gotts/Stonecliff Development (see memorandum dated July 7, 2006). He said the proposal consists of several land exchanges for an easement to use the Bingen Reservoir Road as emergency egress for approximately 10 homes.

Lisa Jacobs said she is representing John Gotts. She said that engineers have looked at the grade associated with the Bingen Reservoir Road and believe that a 7% grade road would be feasible.

Frenchie Vezina said that the grade is 15% at the highest point but could be dropped by 4 to 5%.

Brian Prigel asked if the easement would be for emergency egress only. Lisa Jacobs said yes.

Brian Prigel said the idea is to discuss the proposal in broad concepts at this point and not to get into the details of the easement language.

Dave Landgren said the Landgren family is not interested in doing anything with the proposal at the present time.

Laura Mann asked Landgren how he feels about the idea of a park. Landgren said three family members are involved with the property and it was quite a discussion.

Randy Anderson said he is concerned that the emergency egress will become a road over time.

Lisa Jacobs explained how the road would be developed for access to the property.

Brian Prigel said that Stonecliff Development has been discussing the development of the property they own. He said the proposal has been revised significantly and they will be looking for direction from the city in the near future.

Jan Brending noted that Kevin Cronin has purchased an easement for a portion of the Dry Creek property owned by Frenchie Vezina.

Kevin Cronin said no money was exchanged for the easement. He said he is in favor of the concept of park in the Dry Creek area and would like to see it work.

Laura Mann said she believes it is important for the police and fire departments to look at the idea of the emergency egress road. She said it needs to be determined if emergency vehicles would be able to use the road.

Brian Prigel noted that a development agreement that would be developed as part of an annexation would provide the council some flexibility in connection with its ordinances.

Terry Trantow said that if the proposal moves forward he is concerned about parking. He said the reservoir needs to be accessible by the city.

Brian Prigel said he believes the trail and park would have minimal use at any given time with minimal parking needed.

Brian Prigel recommended that the city give a tentative agreement on the access easement in exchange for land for the park.

Tim Hearn said he supports the proposal.

Brian Prigel noted that more information and more time is needed for a final decision to be reached.

Terry Trantow said he is concerned that even for emergency access the road is very steep.

Brian Prigel noted that in a development agreement associated with annexation the city could exceed its standards.

Laura Mann said she is of the opinion that the city should pursue the proposal. She said she is not opposed to development on the property as long as it addresses concerns. Mann reiterated that it is important for the police and fire departments to review the proposal.

Tim Hearn moved to move forward with the concept of providing an emergency egress easement for property to provide for a park and trail along Dry Creek. Laura Mann seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.

Randy Anderson said he would like to have more input from the public and property owners.

Brian Prigel noted that the city is not bound to anything at this point but is moving the concept forward.

Kevin Cronin said he believes it is his property that would be impacted the most. He said he thinks the concept is great.

Brian Prigel noted that it has been suggested that the park be named for one of the Suksdorfs.

Tad Connors said he would like to see proposed language from Stonecliff Development regarding the allowed uses of the emergency egress, how many homes the easement would serve and future use if any.

Gorge Heritage Museum – Update and Recommendations
Mike Wellman provided an overview of what was found when the north basement wall was excavated at the Gorge Heritage Museum. He said that he has identified 3 options for repairing the wall. Wellman said that at the present time he recommends putting a new footing under the north wall and carrying it around to the east and west sides to tie them together structurally. He said the concrete would extend up to the under the upper floor joints and would allow for backfilling to make sure water drains away from the north wall.

Brian Prigel said the recommended option would allow repair of the north wall making the building water tight and structurally sound without impeding future development. He said the city can pursue the construction of a full depth wall or the recommendation by Wellman.

Ruth Winner said she has received no comments from board members on the issue.

Brian Prigel noted that the funding for the project comes from Klickitat County. He said the EDA board provided funding for repair of the wall not for ADA access or further improvements.

Tim Hearn said that he would like to go with the original plan and repair the north wall.

Betty Barnes asked what option is most structurally sound. Mike Wellman said that they are all the same.

Betty Barnes asked what the best long-term fix is. Mike Wellman said that he believes a long-term fix needs a long-term plan. He said that he believes is recommendation is a good repair.

Laura Mann said that for an additional $10,000 the museum could not be gaining much space.

Jan Brending said that she hopes to present a proposal in the future for the city to hire an architect to address the long-term plans for the museum building including expansion of the building and providing ADA access. She said she believes it is the city’s responsibility to provide ADA access. Brending said the architect would work with both the city and the museum to develop a plan. She noted that the plan could then be used for writing grant applications.

Tim Hearn moved to accept the recommended option proposed by Mike Wellman. Terry Trantow seconded the motion. The motion carried 4 to 1 with the following vote: Anderson – Aye, Barnes – Nay, Hearn – Aye, Mann – Aye, Trantow – Aye.

Public Hearing – Proposed Ordinance 06-05-526, Amending BMC 17.60.06 Front Yard Projections and BMC 17.60.080 Rear Yard Projections
Brian Prigel provided an overview of the proposed ordinance. He said the ordinance amendments the requirements for projections into front yards and rear yards. Prigel said the amendments would allow covered, but not enclosed, projections into the front yard up to 20% of the front yard. He said in addition, the amendments allow uncovered decks and similar projections to project into the rear yard up to 10 feet of the setback.

Jan Brending noted that two corrections need to be made to 17.06.060 A. She said that there are two uses of the word “rear” which should read “front”.

Randy Anderson moved to adopt Ordinance 06-05-526 amending BMC 17.60.06 Front Yard Projections and BMC 17.60.080 Rear Yard Projections as amended. Terry Trantow seconded the motion. The motion carried 4 to 1 with the following vote: Anderson – Aye, Barnes – aye, Hearn – Nay, Mann – Aye, Trantow – Aye.

Public Hearing – Proposed Six Year Street Plan, Resolution 2006-003
Brian Prigel said that the Six-Year Street Plan is primarily a tool required by the state to identify projects with state and federal funding. He said the plan does not lock the city into specific projects and that projects can be added and reprioritized at any time.

Terry Trantow moved to approve Resolution 2006-003 adopting the Six Year Street Plan. Betty Barnes seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Depot Street/Maple Street Sewer Project – Update and Recommendation
Brian Prigel said that the joint water sewer committee is recommending to each city council that contingent upon funding availability that the Depot Street Sewer Project – Phase I move ahead. He said that the committee agreed that White Salmon would be responsible for 75% of the funding with Bingen responsible for 25%. Prigel said that White Salmon hopes to use federal funding remaining on the Highway 14 sewer project. He said he asking for the city council to authorize moving head with development of bid documents and advertising the project contingent on funds available from White Salmon.

Randy Anderson said it is important to keep this moving forward as time is of the essence. He said there is need to come up with a way to do this project.

Tad Connors said he received an e-mail from Deborah Phillips, attorney for White Salmon, that the project should be entirely funded by the Corps of Engineers.

Tim Hearn moved to authorize moving ahead with the development of bid documents and advertising the project contingent upon availability of funding from White Salmon. Randy Anderson seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Laura Mann asked what happens if White Salmon does not agree to the funding. Brian Prigel said the city can call an emergency meeting.

Mayor’s Update and Council Member Comments
Joint Police Committee Meeting
Randy Anderson said he will not be able to attend the joint police committee meeting on Thursday.

Jan Brending said she does not believe a meeting has been scheduled as she has not received any confirmation back from White Salmon. She said she will follow up with White Salmon to determine when the meeting is going to be held.

Randy Anderson said he would like to recommend identifying an alternate for the police committee so that if one council member can not attend the alternate can step in.

Betty Barnes volunteered to serve on the police committee as an alternate.

Tim Hearn requested that a Bingen police committee meeting be scheduled so he can address some concerns.

City Wells
Tim Hearn asked if the city has entered into a discussion with someone about the purchase of a well.

Brian Prigel said the city is looking at the possible purchase of water rights and well. He said the city’s consultants are reviewing data including water quality and existing rights.

Burnt House – E. Steuben
Jan Brending said the owner of the house that burnt down on East Steuben has submitted a demolition permit.

Public Works Staffing
Brian Prigel said that the water department is being overseen by Tom Hons. He said that a broad range of applications have been submitted – some with experience. Prigel said he expects to conduct an interview with one particular person in a few days and possibly then interview a couple of others. He said he has several options of either hiring a wastewater operator or hiring someone to directly replace Brandon Walter. Prigel said he is leaning towards replacing Walter directly.

Betty Barnes noted that she has heard that White Salmon has offered Esteban Sanchez a job.

Jan Brending noted that White Salmon currently has no job openings.

Brian Prigel said he will be looking at merit increases this month and will also be looking at the salary schedule in conjunction with the budget process.

Shrubbery in Right-of-Way
Tim Hearn said that the landscaping at the corner of Walnut and Steuben is blocking the site line.

Laura Mann said there are some trees at Cherry and Humboldt that need to be pruned back.

Ash Street Signage
Betty Barnes asked why the one-way signage has not been installed. Jan Brending said she had intended to work with Brandon Walter to get the signs ordered before he left but it didn’t happen. She said she will work with Esteban to determine what types of signs and how many are needed to sign South Ash Street as one-way. Brending said it not as easy as just putting up one one-way sign.

Betty Barnes said the city council authorized the signage in April and it should have been completed by now.

Brending said sometimes it is a matter of priorities as to what gets done and apologized that the signage had not been ordered yet.

Laura Mann said she did not think Brending needed to apologize and was amazed at the amount of work that gets done by the city’s five employees.

Fire Department Donations
Betty Barnes said the fire department has received $618.94 in donations from different businesses.

Camping – West Franklin and Willow Street
It was reported that individuals are camping and/or living in a travel trailer and van located at the northeast corner of Franklin and Willow.

Jan Brending said she will write a letter to the property owners.

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 July 18, 2006. The council by unanimous vote does approve for payment the following list: warrants 7688 through 7723 totaling $22,849.21; manual warrants 7384 through 7686, 501048, 100007-100008 totaling $45,286.00; and payroll warrants 6646 through 6661 totaling $14,054.35 for a total of $82,189.56: Current - $57,788.91; Street - $2,509.36; Community Development - $36.05; Police Car Reserve - $4,196.83; Water – $2,421.96; Sewer - $1,558.77; Treatment Plant - $5,565.48; Dallesport Treatment Plant - $3,762.28; Water Construction and Maintenance - $3,679.92.

At 8:45 p.m. the council adjourned.

Jan Brending                                                            Brian Prigel
City Clerk                                                                Mayor