BINGEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
September 7, 2004
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Prigel at 7:00 p.m. Council members present: Terry Trantow, Randy Anderson, Jeanette Fentie, Betty Barnes and Laura Mann. Clerk Jan Brending and Attorney Tad Connors were present. Audience: Wade Seaborn, Tim Hearn, John Deo, and Norm Deo
Public Comment
Randy Anderson, Bingen
Randy Anderson said he has noticed that Bad Seed Cider House has a sign
strapped to the City’s tree and stakes. He said he really doesn’t think it
should be located in the sidewalk area.
Brian Prigel said he does not believe that the City’s ordinances prevent temporary signs from being placed within the sidewalk areas. He said that the business is being required to provide engineering for the installation of the sign. Prigel said he will check with the building official regarding the status of the building permit for the sign. He said that he hopes the business will complete the building permit process and issue will be resolved.
Betty Barnes, Bingen
Betty Barnes asked if the Joslyn House requested permission to locate its
new sign in a different location than originally proposed to the City. She said
she believes it was located further west to then the original location of the
sign.
Jan Brending said she was not contacted by the owner prior to the sign being installed.
Approval of Minutes – August 17, 2004
The following corrections were noted to the August 17 minutes:
Page 1, 6th paragraph, 1st line, last word, change from “tso” to “to”.
Page 2, 3rd paragraph, last line, change “took” to “take a look”.
Page 3, 2nd paragraph, 2nd line, change “City of Bingen help pay of” to “City of Bingen help pay for”.
Page 3, 2nd paragraph, last sentence change to read as follows and add additional paragraph: “He noted that this would add a new overhead power pole.” New paragraph – “Randy Anderson said adding a new overhead power pole goes against the City’s ordinances.”
Page 4, 1st paragraph, add new first sentence as follows: “Randy Anderson asked about the status of the well rehabilitation project.”
Page 4, 5th paragraph, 3rd line, replace the word “as” with “at”
Page 4, 6th paragraph, 2nd line, delete the word “the” prior to Bingen.
Page 4, 9th paragraph, 1st line, replace the word “the” with “that”.
Page 4, 10th paragraph, last line, delete the word “that” after “tolls”
Page 4, 11paragraph, 1st line, change the word “ideal” with “idea”.
Page 5, 6th paragraph, last line, change the word “working” to “work”.
Proposed Short Plat – Versatile Supply Inc. (Norm Deo)
Norm Deo said he is proposing a 3 lot short plat on property east of and
adjacent to Big River Diner, north of Steuben. He said his goal is to move the
majority of his Versatile Supply operation to other property that he owns. Deo
said two of the proposed lots will be located in a commercial zone with the
third located in the aggregate resource zone. He said that he realizes that for
the third parcel to be developed commercially a zone change would be needed.
Jan Brending noted that prior to final approval a name for the private driveway providing access to lots 2 and 3 would be required.
Norm Deo said the private road currently exists but that he would provide a name on an updated map.
It was noted that items needed prior to final approval of the short plat is verification of access to lots 2 and 3, naming the private road, a subdivision guarantee, and plat number.
Brian Prigel said he recommends that preliminary approval be given for the proposed short plat.
Randy Anderson moved to give preliminary approval to the proposed short plat submitted by Versatile Supply Inc. for three lots on property located immediately east and adjacent to Big River Diner and north of Steuben. Laura Mann seconded the motion which passed with the following vote: Anderson – Aye, Fentie – Aye, Barnes – Aye, Mann – Aye, Trantow – Abstain.
Proposed Boundary Line Adjustment – Versatile Supply,
Inc. (Norm Deo)
Norm Deo said that a portion of the parking for the Big River Diner is on
property owned by Versatile Supply. Deo said he is proposing a boundary line
adjustment which would allow Big River Diner to purchase the land on which its
parking lot currently sits on in addition to purchasing more land for additional
parking.
Brian Prigel said the residential parcel to the north and east of Versatile Supply and Big River Diner is not likely to be used for residential because of the geography of the lot. He said that he thought it would be better as a commercial lot and possibly for parking.
Norm Deo said he agrees but at the present time is not pursuing that. He said access to the residential lot through land to be acquired by Big River Diner will be provided through an easement. Deo noted there is no access to the residential lot off of Humboldt Street.
Brian Prigel said he recommends preliminary approval of the boundary line adjustment with clarification of access to the residential lot.
The City Council discussed the need for a document from Big River Diner regarding the proposed boundary line adjustment. Tad Connors said it would be helpful to have an affidavit by Big River Diner accepting the proposal and noting that the property will then become a portion of the lot owned by Big River Diner.
It was noted that at the time a deed is recorded it will reflect the gain of the property to Big River Diner and the loss to Versatile Supply.
Laura Mann moved to preliminarily approve the boundary line adjustment submitted by Versatile Supply. Randy Anderson seconded the motion. The motion passed with the following vote: Anderson – Aye, Fentie – Aye, Barnes – Aye, Mann – Aye, Trantow – Abstain
Depot Street Paving – Engineer’s Report and Proposal
Seaborn Engineering provided a report and proposal to the City Council regarding
paving of Depot Street (see report dated September 2, 2004).
Brian Prigel noted that the Public Works Department has spoken to the buyers of the Mansfield’s building about the loading dock located on Depot Street. He said all but two feet of the dock will be removed with the new owners making the cuts and the public works’ crew removing the materials.
Brian Prigel said he recommends the proposal be adopted and the county be authorized to begin the work as soon as possible.
Randy Anderson moved to accept the engineer’s report and proposal for Depot Street paving. Betty Barnes seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Mayor’s Update
SR35 Bridge
Brian Prigel said he attended the Regional Transportation Council meeting in
Camas, Washington and provided an update on the SR35 Bridge project and how
important it is to Klickitat County. He said no new information on funding has
become available. Prigel said he has finalized a letter to local agencies
requesting support for increased tolls to provide additional funding for
continuing the project. He said RTC staff is willing to come and make
presentations to local agencies regarding the project.
Upcoming Budget Work
Jan Brending said work on the 2005 budget will begin within the next month.
She said that as part of the budget rate increases for water and sewer will be
presented. Brending also noted that she is working with Brandon Walter in
developed a cross connection control program for the city. She said the biggest
issue for the program is how to pay for retrofits for existing problems.
Joint Council Meeting – September 14
Jan Brending reminded the council that a joint council meeting between
Bingen and White Salmon is scheduled for Tuesday, September 14 from 6:00 p.m. to
8:00 p.m. at the Park Center.
Decorative Light Pole – Banner Holders
Brian Prigel noted that several of the banner holders on the decorative
light poles in downtown Bingen have been damaged. He said it appears that trucks
and large recreational vehicles are hitting the poles at certain locations,
including Guler Oil, Mansfields, 400 W. Steuben, Eagles, and the southwest
corner of Walnut and Steuben. Prigel said the city is exploring option to deal
with the problem.
Subdivision Ordinance Workshop
Jan Brending suggested that a special workshop is needed to finish the work
on the draft subdivision ordinance due to the level of activity at the Council’s
regular council meetings. It was agreed to schedule a special workshop session
for continuing work on the draft subdivision ordinance on Tuesday, September 28
at 6:30 p.m.
Highway 14 – Crosswalks
Brian Prigel noted that Bingen’s crosswalks were recently featured on the
front of “Oregon Contractor” a weekly report on construction projects in the
northwest.
Post Office Public Notice Posting
Betty Barnes said she contacted the Postal Service’s consumer affairs
departments regarding concerns that the City’s agendas and public notices were
not being posted in a timely manner at the Bingen Post Office. Barnes said the
department would make a suggestion to the Bingen Postmaster to provide the City
Clerk a key to the bulletin boards to make the posting easier.
It was suggested that posting the agendas and public notices in a window at City Hall might also make the information more available.
Fire Siren
Brian Prigel reported that the fire siren has been mounted on top of City
Hall and we are working to get the telecommunications and electrical connections
completed.
Payment Box
Brian Prigel said he is working with the Public Works Department to install
the utility payment box in front of City Hall.
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
September 7, 2004. The council by unanimous vote does approve for payment the
following list: warrants 6206 through 6241 totaling $$72,118.50, manual warrants
6204 - 6205 totaling $105.53, and payroll warrants 6003 through 6015 totaling
$$18,945.63 for a total of $91.170.06: Current - $62,124.80; Street - $5,868.78;
Community Development - $921.00; Water - $4,683.51; Sewer - $1,643.64; Treatment
Plant - $9,608.14; Dallesport Treatment Plant - $6,320.19.
At 8:50 p.m. the Council adjourned.
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City Clerk
Mayor