BINGEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
August 1, 2006
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Prigel at 7:00 p.m. Council members present: Terry Trantow, Tim Hearn, Randy Anderson. Council members absent: Betty Barnes and Laura Mann. Clerk Jan Brending and Attorney Tad Connors were present. Audience: Bruce Brending, Jim Andring, Wil Schuemann.
Public Comment
Randy Anderson, Bingen
Randy Anderson said he has had a request from Norm Deo
that the variance request that he is submitting be heard sooner than the first
meeting in September.
Jan Brending explained that unfortunately due to public notification and printing of the notice in the newspaper 14 days prior to the public hearing that the hearing cannot be scheduled any sooner than the first meeting in September.
Approval of Minutes – July 18, 2006
Corrections to the minutes of the July 18 city council meeting minutes were
noted as follows:
Page 2, 8th paragraph should read “Randy Anderson said he is concerned that the emergency egress will become a road over time.”
Page 3, 4th paragraph should read “Terry Trantow said he is concerned that even for emergency access the road is very steep.”
Terry Trantow moved to approve the minutes of the July 18 city council meeting as amended. Randy Anderson seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Land Exchange Proposal – Wil Schuemann
Wil Schuemann provided an overview of his proposal for a land exchange (see
memorandum from Wil Schuemann to Brian Prigel dated July 7, 2006).
Jan Brending noted that two weeks prior to this meeting, the Bingen city council voted to move ahead with a concept proposed by John Gotts/Stonecliff Development. She said that the proposal that was accepted in concept by the city council might be prevented if the council moves ahead with the proposed land exchange.
Wil Schuemann said his proposal has been before the city council for 20 months.
City council members and staff discussed the issue of the easement for access to the city’s reservoir property and Schuemann’s property.
Tim Hearn suggested tabling the issue until the city council can hear from Stonecliff Development regarding the proposed land exchange.
Tad Connors asked Wil Schuemann how he feels about the use of the road by Stonecliff Development for emergency access only.
Wil Schuemann said if John Gotts had come and asked him for an easement with any semblance of respect he might have considered it. He said he is opposed for personal reasons to any use of the road for access purposes.
Randy Anderson said he has spoken to two homeowners who were threatened by John Gotts.
Brian Prigel asked if the threats were recent. Randy Anderson said within the last three months.
Wil Schuemann said he felt he was threatened.
Tim Hearn said he has heard that others have felt threatened also.
Wil Schuemann said he believes the city council has an obligation to deal with his proposed land exchange on its own merits.
Randy Anderson moved to authorize the land exchange proposed by Wil Schuemann with the mayor and city attorney having the authorization to adjust the size of the parcels based on the appraisal so that the parcels are equal in value. Terry Trantow seconded the motion.
Tad Connors said he feels that the decision the council may be about to make could be in direct conflict with the decision the council made two weeks prior. He said that Stonecliff Development may have the beginnings of a lawsuit based on that money may have spent on pursuing the “concept” and now it can’t proceed because the city has bargained it away. Connors said he does not know if the lawsuit would get very far.
Wil Schuemann said that John Gotts already thinks he has an absolute right to the easement. He said that Gotts can go ahead and try to force it.
Terry Trantow asked if there is any way to get an absolute clarification about the easement and use of it from the title company.
Wil Schuemann said he has talked to Amerititle. He said he is working on having all the deeds examined and has located an attorney who has dealt with these types of issues.
Tad Connors said he believes the city may need to hold a public hearing regarding the surplus of the land that would be exchanged with Schuemann. He said he will check to confirm whether a public hearing is necessary or not.
Brian Prigel said he is concerned that the city council is committing the city to a land exchange when only three of the five members are present.
Brian Prigel called for the question.
The motion carried 2 to 1 with the following vote: Anderson – Aye, Barnes – Absent, Hearn – Nay, Mann – Absent, Trantow – Aye.
Brian Prigel said he is very uncomfortable with the decision for a number of reasons.
Wil Schuemann noted that Gotts can try and go around the parcel acquired by Schuemann.
Tim Hearn said he does not think it is any easy hike up to the falls.
Interlocal Agreement – Use of Adult Correction
Facility – Review and Action
Tad Connors said there are differences in the contract from last year even
though the changes are not noted in the letter from Klickitat County.
Tad Connors was given discretion to discuss the changes made by Klickitat County with the prosecuting attorney.
Approval of the contract will be put on hold
Treasurer’s Report – June 2006
Jan Brending presented the treasurer’s report for June 2006.
Randy Anderson asked if the Highway 14 project will be closed by the end of the year. Jan Brending said yes.
Randy Anderson moved to accept the treasurer’s report for June 2006. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Old Business
Depot Street Sewer Project – Phase I, Maple Street
Jan Brending provided an overview of the status of the Highway 14 sewer
project and Phase I of the Depot Street sewer project. She said the City of
White Salmon has voted to proceed with redefining the Highway 14 project to
include Phase I of the Depot Street project. She said the White Salmon city
council also voted to have Mayor Roger Holen and Deborah Phillips work with the
Corps of Engineers to determine the appropriate level of federal funding for the
project. Brending noted that Deborah Phillips believes the entire project should
be funded by the Corps of Engineers.
Brending said since the White Salmon city council meeting she met with Wil Keyser and representatives from the Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Indian Affairs regarding the status of the Highway 14 project. Brending said the Corps of Engineers indicated that no additional federal funding will be available for the project as the original funding was provided as a line item in the federal budget. She said the Corps agrees that the project could be redefined and that any federal funds remaining from the current contract could be used for Depot Street.
Brending said that at the present time there is approximately $300 thousand remaining in federal funds but the Highway 14 project is expected to incur additional costs due to rock.
Jan Brending recommended that the city council authorize a letter from the mayor to the City of White Salmon asking that all remaining federal funds (after completion of the Highway 14 project) be used to cover the costs of Phase I of the Depot Street sewer project and that any remaining costs of the project not covered by federal funding be split 75/25 between the two cities.
Brian Prigel asked if a change order can be made to the current contract White Salmon holds. Jan Brending said she does not know – that would be question to pose to Washington State Department of Transportation. Brending said it is also important to get a written commitment to redefining the project and using remaining federal funds from both the Corps of Engineers and WSDOT.
The city council agreed that Brian Prigel write a letter to the city of White Salmon using Brending’s recommendations.
Mayor’s Update
Jim Andring, Bingen-White Salmon Police Department
Brian Prigel recognized Jim Andring in attendance from the Bingen-White
Salmon Police Department.
Jim Andring commended the city council for a very professionally run council meeting.
Fire Siren
Brian Prigel reported that the fire siren is now working.
Surplus Fire Truck
Brian Prigel said the surplused fire truck will be traveling to the northern
California in the next week.
Open Staff Positions
Brian Prigel said he has conducted interviews for two open staff positions.
He noted that he will be reviewing personnel polices and possibly making some
recommendations to the council for changes. Prigel noted that the interviewees
for the wastewater operator position are comfortable with pay cuts but benefits
are very important.
Prigel said the city is down to one person in the public works department. He said Esteban Sanchez is a very hard worker and he recently increased his salary by 3 steps.
Public Parking – 400 W. Steuben
Brian Prigel said the signage at 400 W. Steuben has been installed and the
wheel stops will be installed soon.
Pam Moore Property
Tim Hearn said that he was contacted by Pam Moore about a large hole that
was dug alongside her driveway for a water line installation. Hearn said the
hole is still open and that a pine tree in the vicinity is now dead and leaning
towards the power lines.
Jan Brending said she will contact the City of White Salmon regarding the installation of any water lines in the area and have the situation corrected.
Mountain Home Biological
Tim Hearn said he thought that all utility lines had to be underground for
new structures.
Brian Prigel said that only the new lines have to be underground. The ordinance does not require that existing lines to poles have to be undergrounded.
Last Friday
Tim Hearn said he and Betty Barnes attended Last Friday on July 28. He said
he was quite impressed. Hearn said businesses need to be encouraged to use the
public parking at 400 W. Steuben.
Snow Removal
Tim Hearn said he would like to plan now for snow removal this winter.
Brian Prigel said he can meet with the public works superintendent and crew in October to determine what the council would like to see done.
Tim Hearn said he has concerns about how the snow is plowed and how much time is wasted in snow removal.
Skateboard Park
Jim Andring said he has been encouraging some of the young skateboarders to
talk to the city regarding the need for a skateboard park.
A discussion took place about the possible location for a skateboard park.
Relay for Life
Sign
Brian Prigel asked that the public works crew be instructed to take down the
“Relay for Life” sign in from of Hunsaker gas station.
ATV Usage
Terry Trantow said there are several families in his neighborhood riding
ATVs on the streets with children who are not wearing helmets.
Jim Andring and Bruce Brending said they will look into the issue.
Confirmation of
Appointment of Public Works Superintendent
Brian Prigel said that the city received approximately 5 applications that
were qualified for the Public Works Superintendent position. He said he has
interviewed David Spratt and is asking the city council to confirm his
appointment of David Spratt as Public Works Superintendent. Prigel said David
Spratt is a certified water operator, has worked for the City of White Salmon
and lives here in Bingen. He said that he believes David Spratt will do an
excellent job. Prigel said it has been determined that there is not a conflict
for David to serve as both fire chief and public works superintendent for the
city.
Randy Anderson asked if David Spratt is certified as a wastewater operator. Brian Prigel said no.
Tim Hearn asked if Prigel thinks Spratt is well-qualified. Prigel said yes. He said he feels Spratt is the best choice for the long-term benefit of the city.
Randy Anderson said he thinks David Spratt will do a good job.
Randy Anderson moved to confirm the appointment by Mayor Brian Prigel of David Spratt to the position of Public Works Superintendent. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
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
August 3, 2006. The council by unanimous vote does approve for payment the
following list: warrants 7727 through 7759 totaling $14,567.31; manual warrants
7724 through 7725 totaling $4,711.00; and payroll warrants 6662 through 6677
totaling $18,134.55 for a total of $37,412.86: Current - $7,578.43; Street -
$4,788.00; Community Development - $26.00; Fire Fund - $33.00; Water –
$5,300.12; Sewer - $2,484.10; Treatment Plant - $6,659.22; Dallesport Treatment
Plant - $6,419.99; Water Construction and Maintenance - $3,174.00; Sewer
Construction and Maintenance - $950.00.
At 8:20 p.m. the council adjourned.
Jan Brending
Brian Prigel
City Clerk
Mayor