BINGEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
 

August 16, 2005

 

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Prigel at 7:00 p.m. Council members present: Terry Trantow, Randy Anderson, Barbara Hylton, Betty Barnes and Laura Mann. City Clerk Jan Brending and City Attorney Tad Connors were present. Audience: Tim Hearn, Jim Bailey.

 

Public Comment

Council Member Comments

Barbara Hylton asked if landowners bordering Highway 14 had been contacted about cleaning up the weeds along their property. Council members asked that a letter be sent to the landowners suggesting they clean the property up along Highway 14 in time for Huckleberry Festival.

 

Betty Barnes noted that some kids helped out in cleaning up the landscaping in White Salmon. She suggested that a similar opportunity might be available to Bingen.

 

Terry Trantow noted that shrubs and plant growth are blocking the site line at the intersection of Alder and Jefferson.

 

Barbara Hylton asked if all of the repairs have been taken care of at the park restrooms. Jan Brending said she will check with Brandon Walter to make sure the bathrooms are in good condition.

 

Barbara Hylton said there is an abandoned car on blocks at the intersection of Humboldt and Maple Streets.

 

Tad Connors said a letter has been sent to the car owner. Jan Brending noted that the vehicle has been tagged for the second time today.

 

Betty Barnes said the “Stop Ahead” sign looks great.

Approval of Minutes – August 2, 2005
The following corrections were noted to the minutes of August 2:

Page 1, 1st paragraph, change “Laura Mann Hylton” to “Laura Mann.”

Page 2, 8th paragraph, change first sentence to read: “Brian Prigel reviewed a memorandum from Tom Hons regarding the need to upgrade the concrete stub walls for the biosolids area at the Bingen Plant.”

Page 3, 1st paragraph, change first sentence to read: “Brending said small and attractive assets are those items under $5000 that are small and easily taken without notice ….”

Laura Mann moved to approve the minutes of August 2, 2005 as amended. Barbara Hylton seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Well Rehabilitation Status Report and Recommendations
Jim Bailey, Golder Associates, made a presentation to the city council regarding the well rehabilitation process. He said a well assessment has been completed on both wells including video inspection, review of historical data and a baseline pumping test. Bailey said that there is biological fouling occurring in each well. He said it appears there is a pump motor lodged in the bottom of the Dry Creek Well and that the bottom of the Park Well is partially collapsed.

Jim Bailey said well rehabilitation to date has included an initial cleaning including brushing of the casing and high pressure water jetting.  He said impulse generation and additional surging and pumping has also been done on the Park Well. Bailey said most of the water being produced in each well is coming from the bottom. He said he is recommending deepening the Dry Creek well approximately 30 to 50 feet to try and remove the pump motor in the bottom and deepening the Park well up to 50 feet.

Jan Brending said the city has received a quote from M-K Drilling who has an air rotary rig in the area. She said mobilization costs and drilling up to 100 feet would be approximately $10,000. She noted this is considerably cheaper than the quote provided by Holt Drilling.

Barbara Hylton moved to authorize entering into a contract with M-K Drilling to deepen both wells up to a cost of $10,000 without tax. Randy Anderson seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Randy Anderson asked if Jim Bailey will video tape the wells after the drilling. Bailey said yes.

Laura Mann asked if there are any problems in protecting the Dry Creek well since the pump house roof has been removed.

Jim Bailey said the well is sealed.

Jan Brending said the city’s consultant is continuing to work on the city’s water plan.

Public Hearing – Proposed ½ Percent Sales Tax  Increase, Ordinance 05-05-513
Jan Brending said the only written comment received is from Eric and Diana Greene owners of the Josyln House. She said the comment is in favor the proposed ½ percent sales tax.

Randy Anderson said that he feels the city’s decision in identifying the funds for community development projects only has helped in the public’s view of the proposed increase.

Laura Mann said she is in support of the proposed increase. She said that as a local contractor it makes no difference in the business.

Barbara Hylton said she feels that the public recognizes that it is necessary for the City to have funds to revitalize the city and to provide for upkeep and maintenance of the community.

Brian Prigel said he has heard support for the city to continue what we have been doing but not necessarily direct support of the sales tax increase.

Betty Barnes said the city clearly has not heard from the businesses this year as they did last year.

Betty Barnes moved to approve Ordinance 05-05-513, Implementing Additional Sales and Use Tax. Barbara Hylton seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Jefferson Street Bridge – Review of Specifications and Engineer’s Estimates
Jan Brending presented an e-mail and engineering report from Bell Design for the Jefferson Street Bridge replacement. The e-mail identify three options for replacing the bridge and guard rails.

Betty Barnes said she would like to see the city keep things as simple as possible.

Barbara Hylton moved to authorize going to a small works roster bid using the case 1 scenario presented by Bell Design Company. Terry Trantow seconded the motion.  The motion carried with the following vote: Anderson - Aye, Barnes – Aye, Hylton – Aye, Mann – Abstained, Trantow – Aye.

Brian Prigel asked the City Council if was okay to offer space to the contractor for building the bridge at the city shop. The city council agreed to offer space at the city shop for construction of the bridge.

Mayor’s Update
Joint Council Meeting
Brian Prigel said a tentative joint council meeting has been scheduled for September 15 at 6:00 p.m. He said Klickitat County Building Department for providing building services to both cities.

Electrical Work – Daubenspeck Park
Brian Prigel said that unfortunately the electrical work at Daubenspeck Park can not be completed before the Huckleberry Festival. He said because of time constraints caused by the well rehabilitation and the PUD not being able to do their share of the work until later it will have to wait. Prigel said he wants to move forward with the improvements but that it will be necessary to do it in the fall/early winter.

The city council suggested contacting the Huckleberry Festival Committee to see if they can contribute any funds towards the 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 16, 2005. The council by unanimous vote does approve for payment the following list: warrants 6907 through 6932 totaling $47,302.23 and   payroll warrants 6343 through 6359 totaling $12,225.58, and manual warrants 501037 and 90566 for a total of $12,453.76: Current - $9,113.93; Street - $1,738.20; Fire Fund - $34.31; Street Construction and Maintenance - $660.00; Water - $17,753.91; Sewer - $1,048.08; Treatment Plant - $5,309.06; Dallesport Treatment Plant - $3,604.63;  Water Construction & Maintenance - $20,330.00; Dallesport Billing Trust Fund - $12,419.45.

At 8:35 p.m. the Council adjourned.

Jan Brending                                                            Brian Prigel
City Clerk                                                                Mayor