BINGEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
August 3, 2004
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Prigel at 7:00 p.m. Council members present: Terry Trantow, Randy Anderson, Jeanette Fentie, and Laura Mann. Council members absent: Betty Barnes. Clerk Jan Brending and Attorney Tad Connors were present. Audience: Tim Hearn, Mildred Lykens, Wade Seaborn.
Public Comment
Laura Mann, Bingen
Laura Mann said she was told about a forklift that was seen driving down the
sidewalks. Brian Prigel said he was aware of the situation and will be talking
to the business owner.
Approval of Minutes – July 20, 2004
The following corrections were noted for the July 20 minutes:
Add “Jeannie Wellman” as a member of the audience.
Page 4, 1st paragraph under “Mid-Columbia Family Medical Services”, 1st sentence – delete “said”
Page 4, 2nd paragraph under “Mid-Columbia Family Medical Services, 1st sentence – change to read “Laura Mann moved to authorize the reduce in the Mid-Columbia Family Medical Services billing in the amount of $500.00 based on historic practice and noting that a policy on the issue is needed as soon as possible.”
Laura Mann moved to approve the minutes of July 20 as amended. Jeanette Fentie seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Short Plat Approval – Glenn Taylor
Jan Brending said Glenn Taylor has submitted his short plat for final
approval. She noted that all requirements previously noted in the preliminary
approval have been satisfied. Brending said the old easement for the fire
hydrant has been vacated and a new one with the correct location has been
recorded. Brending also noted that the private driveway between McDonald’s and
the Glenn Taylor property has been named “Taylor Way” with the approval of the
McDonald’s Corporation.
Terry Trantow moved to approve the final short plat for Glenn Taylor. Laura Mann seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Engineering Proposal – Seaborn Engineering
Brian Prigel said he has asked Seaborn Engineering to submit a proposal for
engineering services for the paving of Depot Street. He said the city has
approximately $30,000 total (including the $25,000 Klickitat County grant) to
spend on the project. Prigel said the goal of the project at this time is to fix
the pot holes and bad sections and to have a fire lane on Depot Street. Prigel
said the paving would be done by Klickitat County with prep work done by city
crew. He said Seaborn has submitted a proposal for $3,900 to develop a design
report and estimated costs of $2,300 for construction assistance.
Randy Anderson asked how wide would the fire lane be. Prigel said he would like to get a 24 foot fire lane. He said there is some pavement that is only 20 feet wide and for now is likely to stay that way.
Prigel noted that the city will be looking at the loading dock behind Mansfield’s and that it will probably be removed. He also noted that drainage is an issue particularly behind Mansfields. Prigel said the intended areas of work would be the block behind Mansfields, the approaches at Walnut and Alder and patching utility cuts including at Maple Street and at Guler’s card lock.
Prigel said he is asking for authorization from the council to enter into a contract with Seaborn Engineering. He said it is important to get going on the project as Klickitat County would like to pave in early September.
Tad Connors said he has some concerns with some of the language in Seaborn’s General Terms and Conditions included with their proposal.
Jeanette Fentie moved to accept the Seaborn Engineering proposal with the contract language to be worked out by Brian Prigel, Tad Connors, and Seaborn. Randy Anderson seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Mayor’s Update
Six-Year Street Improvement Program
Jan Brending noted the city council has received a draft copy of the
Six-Year Street Improvement Program. She said a public hearing will be scheduled
at the council’s next meeting.
Brian Prigel explained to the city council the six-year street plan is a document required by the state for planning purposes particularly related to state and federal funding opportunities. He said it is the City’s yearly look at upcoming projects that might be taking place with a priority established by the council.
Council members asked that the Jefferson Street Bridge replacement be added to the program with a pretty high priority.
State Auditor’s Exit Interview
Brian Prigel said council members should have received notification about
the state auditor’s exist interview scheduled for August 6 at 11:00 a.m. He said
this is a new procedure for the auditor’s office – that exist interviews are
usually held with the mayor and city clerk treasurer. Prigel said it is
important that a quorum of city council members not be present as that
constitute a meeting.
Jan Brending noted that Betty Barnes plans on attending the exit interview. Terry Trantow said he would also attend.
Water/Sewer Line Break – Depot Street
Jan Brending reported that a water and sewer line were hit by Burlington
Northern Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF) workers today while doing construction work
for a new tower. She noted that city crew took care of the water and sewer line
breaks.
Brian Prigel noted he believes there are some opportunities to work with BNSF to clean things up on Depot Street. He said he has also heard that Amtrak may want to make some improvements to the station.
Regional Transportation Council Meeting
Brian Prigel said he will be meeting with RTC on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. He
said an update on the Port of Hood River bridge redecking project will be
presented.
Highway 14 Project
Brian Prigel said that the contractor continues to clean up some loose ends
on the project. He noted the city will also have a few things to take care of
before the end of summer.
Laura Mann said that a possible solution to the “backwards” benches is to replace them with benches that don’t have any backs.
Jan Brending said that is a possibility that could be done after the project closes – possibly next summer. She said the benches could not be sent back and replacements ordered at this time. Brending said the benches with backs could be used in other areas of the city including the park.
Subdivision Ordinance Workshop
The city council and staff continued working through the subdivision
ordinance. The council requested copies of the existing and proposed Klickitat
County road standards.
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, 2004. The council by unanimous vote does approve for payment the
following list: warrants 6142 through 6176 totaling $30,579.21, manual warrants
6141 totaling $3,923.00, and payroll warrants 5973 through 5989 totaling
$26,845.02 for a total of $61,845.02: Current - $11,978.09; Street - $3,580.76;
Community Development - $1,616.93; Water - $17,965.17; Sewer - $3,828.11;
Treatment Plant - $6,976.99; Dallesport Treatment Plant - $15,401.18.
Executive Session
At 9:10 p.m. Brian Prigel announced the City Council will meet in executive
session to discuss personnel issues for 20 minutes.
At 9:30 p.m. city council resumed regular session and announced they will continue the executive session for an additional 10 minutes.
At 9:35 p.m. city council resumed regular session.
At 9:40 p.m. the Council adjourned.
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City Clerk
Mayor