BINGEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
 

October 4, 2005

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Prigel at 7:00 p.m. Council members present: Terry Trantow, Betty Barnes, Barbara Hylton and Laura Mann. Members Absent: Randy Anderson. Clerk Jan Brending and City Attorney Tad Connors were present. Audience: Timi Keene, Penny White Morris, Tim Hearn, Steve See, Jesse Burkhardt, Ruth Winner.

Public Comment
Ruth Winner, Gorge Heritage Museum
Ruth Winner said she applauds Laura Mann for her decision regarding the log flume located at Daubenspeck Park. Winner read from the bylaws of the Gorge Heritage Museum. She said the Museum would like to have the flume for display and interpretative purposes. Winner said she will also be making a presentation to the city council in the near future regarding a proposal for the museum.

Betty Barnes said the city council had been told that the Gorge Heritage Museum was not interested in the flume.

Ruth Winner said that was a decision made several years ago and the museum would now like the flume.

Brian Prigel said the decision on the flume is not a done deal. He said the city council can reconsider their decision. Prigel said he feels the current location of the flume is not a good situation. He said he would like to delay any discussion of the issue until the board of Broughton Lumber Company has met and decided what they would like to do.

Barbara Hylton said she feels there may be the same risk liability of having the flume located at the Gorge Heritage Museum as there may be with it located in the park.

Brian Prigel said yes it is possible that the same risk liability would be present; however the environment is a little different.

Betty Barnes said she would like to revisit the decision.

The council agreed to reconsider the decision at a future council meeting after the board of directors of Broughton Lumber Company has met.

Barbara Hylton, Bingen
Barbara Hylton said she is concerned about debris coming through the water lines that is blocking the screens in her faucets. She said she has brought this to the city’s attention in the past.

Brian Prigel said it is scale build up on the lines. He said that he can discuss the issue with staff and see if the lines in that area of town need to be flushed.

Barbara Hylton said the debris seems to be more noticeable in recent weeks.

Betty Barnes, Bingen
Betty Barnes noted an article in the recent “Municipal Research News” publication regarding maintenance of parking or planting strips. She said the article referenced a court case that supported a decision that owners of property adjacent to a street or highway are responsible for those lands up to the center of the highway, including the responsibility for destroying noxious weeds. Barnes asked if the city would have to adopt an ordinance or if the state statute stands by itself.

Tad Connors said the city will need to adopt an ordinance to implement the state statute.

Approval of Minutes – September 20, 2005
Laura Mann moved to approve the minutes of the September 20 council meeting. Barbara Hylton seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Public Hearing – Rural Loan Fund Program – Mountain Home Biological
Brian Prigel opened the public hearing to hear testimony regarding the application by the City of Bingen to the State of Washington in the amount of $50,000 for a Rural Washington Loan Fund project on behalf of Mountain Home Biological.

Brian Prigel provided information regarding the Rural Washington Loan Fund program (see memorandum dated September 29, 2005 – “Public Hearing – Rural Washington Loan Fund”.

Steve See, Mountain Home Biological, provided a brief overview of the business. He said the company supplies science products to schools. See said the business has an option to buy and build a new building on property located east of Big River Diner. He said the project would double the business’ square footage and allow them to hire additional employees. See said the funds from the loan would be used to purchase the land and for working capital.

Tim Hearn asked if the funds from the loan have to be spent in Bingen.

Jan Brending said yes; although the business is currently located in the county at the Port of Klickitat, the proposal is to purchase land in Bingen east of Big River Diner and to construct a new building.

Tim Hearn asked if the business will have any concerns with the concrete plant located immediately adjacent to the property.

Steve See said they are aware of the adjacent business. He said the business is mainly a shipping and processing business with very little walk-in traffic.

Terry Trantow moved to approve Resolution 2005-004 authorizing submission of an application for a Rural Washington Loan Fund grant in the approximate amount of $50,000 and authorizing the city mayor to enter into an agreement for such funds. Barbara Hylton seconded the motion. The motion passed with the following vote: Anderson – Absent, Barnes – Aye, Hylton – Aye, Mann – Abstain, Trantow – Aye.

Sign Application – Auto Suds Car Wash
Jan Brending reviewed the sign application submitted by AJ Kitt representing Auto Suds Car Wash. She said the sign will be located on the roof of the building and will require a building permit. Brending said engineering will be required before the building permit is approved. She said the top of the sign is 26 feet from the ground. She said the overall sign is approximately 12 feet by 4 feet and meets the city’s sign ordinance.

Barbara Hylton moved to approve the sign application for Auto Suds Car Wash. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Community Action Plan Update – Hiring of Consultant
Brian Prigel said the City of Bingen received eight proposals in response to the City’s request for proposals for updating its Community Action Plan.  He said he, Betty Barnes, and Jan Brending reviewed and ranked the eight proposals. Prigel said interviews were conducted with the top two ranking companies. He said he is recommending hiring Cogan Owens Cogan. Prigel noted that both of the companies would do a good job but feels Cogan Owens Cogan is a better fit with our community.

Barbara Hylton said she liked the way Cogan Owens Cogan’s proposal flowed better than Barney & Worth.  She asked why there is such a short period of time for conducting the update.

Brian Prigel said he feels it is important to finish the public input prior to the holidays. He noted that would not be the end of the work. Prigel said it is possible that an additional workshop could be held in December. He said the process proposed is fairly standard and it helps that the City already has a Community Action Plan.

Barbara Hylton said she feels it is important to have two public meetings to give the public more options so that if they cannot attend one then they can try and attend the second.

Brian Prigel said he likes the idea of having two meetings and has discussed it with Cogan Owens Cogan.

Terry Trantow said it is possible that the public meetings could be held at the Gorge Heritage Museum. Jan Brending noted that the meeting space downstairs is not ADA compliant. She said there are a couple of locations in Bingen that she will see if they are available.

Betty Barnes moved to authorize the mayor to sign a contract with Cogan Owens Cogan for updating the Community Action Plan with an amount not to exceed $15,000. Barbara Hylton seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Mayor’s Update
Well Rehabilitation
Brian Prigel noted that Jim Bailey has submitted a summary of the well rehabilitation work (see “Technical Memorandum – Summary of Well Rehabilitation Work” dated October 4, 2005). Prigel said he has not discussed the results with Brandon Walter, Public Works Superintendent.

Jan Brending said it is her understanding that Brandon Walter and Jim Bailey will be discussing the results and will order the pumps and other necessary equipment within the next two weeks. She said once the equipment is received, Holt Drilling will come back in to install the pumps.

Brian Prigel said that it appears the estimated output of the wells will meet the City’s winter demands. He said that after the pumps are on line then the city will move into the next phase and begin looking at its long-term needs.

Barbara Hylton asked if there are any concerns with the water moratorium in White Salmon.

Brian Prigel said the city has a contract that allows Bingen to purchase up to 25% of the water produced in the well field. He said there is a wildcard with the Department of Health and Department of Ecology’s concerns related to the City of White Salmon’s water rights issue. Prigel said the agreement with White Salmon needs to be reviewed and updated. He said Bingen will not know what its long-term needs are until the water plan is complete.

Barbara Hylton asked if there are any grant funds for educating the public about conservation.

Jan Brending said she is not aware of any grant funds. She said the Department of Health provides free brochures to be mailed to the public. Brending said the city has mailed these brochures out in the past. She said that in addition, she uses the June newsletter, which covers the “Water Quality Report”, to provide education about water and sewer issues. Brending said there are some additional educational tools the city can use to address conservation.

Barbara Hylton asked if the city is going to consider a reduced rate for the elderly and low-income. Jan Brending said she will provide information to the city when it considers proposed rate increases for water and sewer.

Betty Barnes said she would like a breakdown of costs related to the well rehabilitation project when it is complete.

Correspondence
Brian Prigel noted the city council has copies of several letters that have recently gone out addressing issues raised by council members.

Candidates Night
Brian Prigel noted that the “Candidates Forum” is scheduled for October 6. He recommended all candidates attend even if they are running unopposed.

Terry Trantow Donation
Barbara Hylton thanked Terry Trantow for his donation towards the purchase of a pet waste disposal system for the park.

Tribal Trust Property
Jan Brending said she has identified an individual and address so that a letter of concern can be written regarding the status of the tribal trust property located at Pine and Humboldt.

Audit
Jan Brending said she has provided the city council with a copy of the “Entrance Conference” for this year’s audit. She noted that the auditors are conducting a single-year federal audit. She said the “accountability” audit for the last several years will be conducted either next year or the year after.

Joint Minutes
Laura Mann asked if there will be written minutes from the joint council meeting on September 22. Jan Brending said yes.

Building Official Services
Brian Prigel noted that Hood River County will be making a presentation on October 18 to the city council regarding building official services. Prigel said the council will then discuss and take action on the proposals at its November 1 meeting.

Betty Barnes
Betty Barnes asked if the property at 205 E. Franklin still has garbage and stuff stored in the right-of-way. Jan Brending said she will write a letter to the property owner.

Klickitat County EDA Projects
Jan Brending recommended the city council begin discussing proposals for submission to Klickitat County for EDA grants at its November 1 meeting.

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 October 4, 2005. The council by unanimous vote does approve for payment the following list: warrants 7007 through 7034 totaling $52,019.85 and   payroll warrants 6388 through 6399 totaling $14,717.88 for a total of $66,737.73: Current - $6,752.92; Street - $2,034.96; Water - $2,299.82; Sewer - $1,147.14; Treatment Plant - $3,502.75; Dallesport Treatment Plant - $3,101.96;  Water Construction & Maintenance - $47,898.18.

At 8:05 p.m. the Council adjourned.

Jan Brending                                                            Brian Prigel
City Clerk                                                                Mayor