BINGEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
August 2, 2005
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Prigel at 7:00 p.m. Council members present: Terry Trantow, Randy Anderson, Barbara Hylton and Laura Mann. Council members absent: Betty Barnes. City Clerk Jan Brending and City Attorney Tad Connors were present. Audience: Tim Hearn, Karen Jostad, Jon Madian, John Bryan, James Klein.
Approval of Minutes – July 19, 2005
The following corrections were noted to the minutes of July 19:
Page 3, 3rd paragraph, 1st sentence should read: “Randy Anderson moved to approve the drive through clearance sign with no banner and no other emblems including the “Speedy Arch”.
Page 4, 3rd paragraph should read: “Brandon Walter said the city can purchase two 4’ x 10’ plates at a cost of $1,500. He noted that the city can use the plates for other things after the bridge replacement is completed. Walter said the plates will arrive the day after the order is placed. He said he could have the plates in place on Thursday.”
Laura Mann moved to approve the minutes of July 19, 2005 as amended. Randy Anderson seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Short Plat Final Approval – Jon Madian and John Bryan
Jan Brending said the short plat before the city council was given
preliminary approval July 6, 2004. She said the supporting documents include an
easement for parking for lot 2 on lot 1, covenants and restrictions, and a road
maintenance agreement for the private road “Bridgeview Court.” Brending said the
main difference between the preliminary short plat and the final short plat is
that the required parking for lot 2 is being provided on lot 1 through an
easement.
Jan Brending said it has been brought to her attention by the city attorney that the city’s zoning ordinance specifically states “For dwelling units in an R2 district there shall be two independently accessible off-street parking spaces on the same lot as the dwelling unit(s), or attached thereto, or made part thereof, for each housekeeping unit in the dwelling.” Brending said it appears that a variance will be required to allow the parking for lot 2 to be located on lot 1.
Tad Connors, city attorney, agreed that a variance would be necessary.
Jan Brending said the earliest a public hearing could be held on a variance request would be September 6 due to the noticing requirements.
Council members discussed the revised short plat. Terry Trantow will provide some specific comments on minor technical changes that are needed on the plat. The plat shall show parking for both lot 1 and lot 2.
A public hearing for a variance request and final approval of the short plat will be scheduled for September 6.
Interlocal Agreement with Klickitat County for
Emergency Management Services
Jan Brending said the interlocal agreement before the city council is the
latest version provided by Klickitat County. She said the council also has
copies of comments from Tad Connors to Tim O’Neal of Klickitat County.
Tad Connors reviewed the changes that have been made to the interlocal agreement and reviewed the two comments he has made to Klickitat County.
Barbara Hylton said she is concerned with the language in B1(4) which discusses the duties of the coordinator for the department. She said it appears that the coordinator could increase staff at any time.
It was noted that the executive board, made up of the mayors of the three cities and the three county commissioners, would have to approve any proposal to increase staff.
Laura Mann said that a budget was not included with the proposed interlocal agreement. The city council agreed to request that a formula be included in the agreement addressing how the costs of running the department are to be split between the different entities. The city council agreed to suggest the use of population for calculating the cost split.
Other additions the city council agreed to suggest include:
· Review clause for the interlocal agreement
· When does the agreement go into effect
· How monies are to be returned to the city for purchases of property or equipment to which the city contributed towards if the city elects out of the interlocal agreement
The city council requested that a budget be provided separating out the operation and maintenance of the budget from grant components such as the purchase of equipment, completion of the emergency management plan, etc.
Request for Authorization for Engineering Services –
Upgrade to Concrete Stub Walls for Biosolids Area at Bingen Wastewater Treatment
Plant
Brian Prigel reviewed a memorandum from Tom Hons regarding the need to
upgrade the concrete sub walls for the biosolids area at the Bingen plant. He
said the request is to hire an engineering firm to review the existing biosolids
area and determine the feasibility and options for upgrading the walls so they
are higher to help contain the biosolids.
Randy Anderson asked why it is necessary to hire an engineer. Brian Prigel said engineered drawings and specifications are needed to bid out the work on the small works roster. It was clarified that when a building permit application is submitted the company doing the work will not need to get additional engineered drawings.
Laura Mann moved to authorize hiring an engineering firm to determine the feasibility and options for upgrading the concrete walls for the existing biosolids area at the Bingen plant. Barbara Hylton seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Proposed Policies – Fixed Asset Policy and Small and
Attractive Asset Policy
Jan Brending explained to the City Council that the auditors have asked the
city to develop a “Small and Attractive Asset Policy.” She said she feels it is
also important to have a fixed asset policy. Brending said small and attractive
assets are those items under $5000 that are small and easily taken without
notice that the item is missing such as cameras, cell phones, guns, electric or
battery operated tools, etc. She said things like chairs, tables, desks,
screwdrivers, etc. would not be inventoried but things such as cameras, cell
phones, radios, pagers, chain saws, weed eaters, electric/battery operated
drills, vehicles, computers, printers, scanners, etc. will be inventoried.
Terry Trantow moved to adopt the “Fixed Asset Policy” and the “Small and Attractive Asset Policy.” Laura Mann seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Department of Health Contract (Fordyce) Amendment –
Extension of Period of Performance and Due Dates
Jan Brending said the amendment to the contract with the Department of
Health contract extends the period of performance and the due dates for the
project. Brending reminded the city council that this is the contract for
managing the development of the Fordyce water plan.
Laura Mann moved to approve amendment #1 of the Department of Health contract for Fordyce water plan. Barbara Hylton seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Mayor’s Update
Well Rehabilitation
Brian Prigel said Holt Drilling is on site and has begun the work on both
the Dry Creek and Park wells. He said it appears that there is an old pump or
some type of equipment in the bottom of the Dry Creek well. Prigel said the
consultant is looking at options for getting the material out of the well.
Jefferson Street Bridge
Brian Prigel said he has not received draft specifications and engineer’s
estimates for the Jefferson Street Bridge replacement.
Parks and Recreation District
Brian Prigel said the City of White Salmon along with the school district
has begun investigating the possibility of starting a parks and recreation
district. He noted that Jan Brending has been attending the meetings
representing the City of Bingen. Prigel said the discussions are a result of the
Park Center being turned back over to the school district after the Pioneer
Center is completed. He noted that the school district actually owns all of the
park where the park center, park facilities, and tennis courts are located in
addition to the ground underlying the swimming pool.
Utility District
Brian Prigel reported that the City of White Salmon in the past has
suggested that a utility district be developed that would cover water, sewer and
stormwater utilities. He said White Salmon is still discussing the possibility
of the option.
Bingen-White Salmon Police Department
Brian Prigel said the Bingen-White Salmon Police Department is seeking new
office space since the Park Center will be turned back over to the school
district. He said the two cities have previously met regarding the option of
developing an emergency management facility that would address long-term needs.
Brian Prigel suggested the City of Bingen could offer 400 W. Steuben as a potential site for both the short-term and long-term office needs for the police department.
There was consensus of the city council to write a letter to the mayor and city council members of the City of White Salmon offering 400 W. Steuben as a potential site for the police department and a willingness to discuss the issue with White Salmon.
Park Improvements
Brian Prigel said that he had hoped to include electrical improvements with
the recent improvements made to the restrooms and irrigation at Daubenspeck
Park. He said because of the increased costs for the improvements already
completed there are no grant funds remaining. Prigel said that he thinks the
city could complete electrical improvements for approximately $6000 to $8000. He
said the city crew would actually do the trenching and putting in the conduit.
Prigel said a contractor would be needed to put in a new electrical panel box
with 220 single phase and 400 amp box. Prigel said the project would include a
new service from the PUD.
Barbara Hylton moved to put out the electrical improvements to bid and authorize the mayor to award a small works roster contract up to $6000 to the lowest responsive bidder. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
The city council suggested contacting the Huckleberry Festival Committee to see if it could contribute towards the cost of the electrical improvements.
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 2, 2005. The council by unanimous vote does approve for payment the
following list: warrants 6883 through 6906 totaling $34,815.91 and payroll
warrants 6332 through 6342 totaling $14,811.25 for a total of $49,627.16:
Current - $8,441.04; Street - $4,417.08; Community Development - $23,189.54;
Water - $2,689.92; Sewer - $1,247.77; Treatment Plant - $5,387.12; Dallesport
Treatment Plant - $3,742.20; Water Construction & Maintenance - $485.49.
At 9:10 p.m. the Council adjourned.
Jan Brending
Brian Prigel
City Clerk
Mayor