BINGEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
October 19, 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: John Deo, William Maley, Matt Riley, Norman Deo.
Approval of Minutes – September 14, and 28, and
October 5, 2004
The following corrections were noted to the September 28 minutes:
Page 1, Betty Barnes was absent from the September 28 meeting.
The following corrections were noted to the October 5 minutes:
Page 4, Mayor’s Update – Fire Department, last paragraph, add the following to the first sentence “in spite of being hit by a hurricane.”
Randy Anderson moved to approve the minutes of the September 14, September 28, and October 5 council meetings. Laura Mann seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Pubic Hearing – Proposed Short Plat, William Maley
William Maley said that he has amended his proposed short plat after his
variance request for reduced lot width was denied by the City Council. He said
he is proposing to short plat a parcel of approximately 15,170 square feet
located on Bridgeview Court into two lots – one approximately 6,000 square feet
and the second approximately 9,000 square feet. Maley said a house is currently
under construction and would be located on lot 1. He said both lots are accessed
off of Bridgeview Court.
Jan Brending noted that the proposed short plat meets the zoning requirements which require a minimum lot size of 6,000 square feet.
Jeanette Fentie said she is concerned with storm water runoff from both State Route 141 down Bridgeview Court and off the second lot.
William Maley said he feels that the construction of Bridgeview Court will handle regular water runoff from State Route 141.
Jan Brending noted that when building permits are requested for this area, storm water drainage plans are required to be submitted.
Laura Mann moved to give final approval to proposed short plat 2004-007, William Maley. Betty Barnes seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Final Short Plat Approval – Versatile Supply, Norm Deo
Norm Deo said he is proposing to divide a parcel of approximately 2 acres
into three lots of 0.49 acres, 0.70 acres, and 0.70 acres. He said the two
northern lots will be accessed by a private road named Stone Road that has a 60
right-of-way easement. It was noted that equipment owned by Rapid Ready Mix to
the east sits within the eastern 30 feet of the right-of-way easement. A letter
was submitted by Rapid Ready Mix that they are aware the equipment is within the
right-of-way.
Randy Anderson moved to approve the final short plat 2005-006, Versatile Supply (Norm Deo). Laura Mann seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 to 0 with the following vote: Anderson – Aye, Barnes – Aye, Fentie – Aye, Mann – Aye, Trantow – Abstain.
Public Hearing – Proposed 2005 Revenue Budget and
Advalorem Tax
Jan Brending presented the proposed 2005 revenue budget to the City Council.
She said she met with the Mayor and the Budget Committee (Randy Anderson and
Laura Mann) to discuss certain revenue shortfalls in the operating funds
including general, street, water, sewer, and treatment plant funds.
Brian Prigel said the general and street funds are supported by the same revenue, primarily taxes and intergovernmental revenue. He said that there has been little increase in revenue for many years while expenditures have increased due mainly to inflation. Prigel said the Budget Committee considered a number of new revenue sources including utility taxes on water, sewer and garbage and increasing the sales tax in Bingen from 7% to 7.5%.
Jan Brending noted that Bingen is one of only four cities in the State of Washington that has not adopted the additional 1/2 percent sales tax. She said the other three cities are Stevenson in Skamania County and Asotin and Clarkston in Asotin County. Brending also noted that only three counties have not adopted the 1/2 percent sales tax which including Klickitat, Skamania and Asotin Counties. She said the City of White Salmon adopted the 1/2 percent sales tax in 2003. Brending said adoption of the sales tax could bring in an additional $50,000 to the City which would allow a higher percentage of property taxes to be dedicated to the street fund.
Brending said that without additional revenue in the general and street funds expenditures will have to be cut including such things as striping crosswalks and parking spaces on streets other than Steuben that have not been done for several years. She said that even with the influx of funds it is not likely that the City will be able to return to its program of paving two blocks every year. Brending said it is possible that paving could occur every two years prioritizing the roads in town.
Jeanette Fentie and Betty Barnes expressed concern about increasing the sale tax. It was noted that the businesses have been put through a lot with the downtown revitalization and that the economy has not been good for the past few years. Concern was expressed about the possible impacts a sales tax increase might have on some businesses especially those that sell higher priced items.
Jan Brending noted that the additional tax on a $10.00 item would be five cents. She said that in speaking with the City of White Salmon it was generally felt that the additional sales tax did not have an impact on the amount of sales.
Brending noted that the adoption of a utility tax on water and sewer and possibly garbage would not bring in is as much revenue as the sales tax and would have a more direct impact on the citizens who live in Bingen particularly given a proposed water and sewer rate increase.
Terry Trantow said that he could support a sales tax increase because he believed it would be spread over a larger group of people.
Norm Deo, owner of Versatile Supply, said the City will have to bite the bullet at some point. He said that the adoption of a sales tax increase will not have a big bearing on his business.
Matt Riley said he feels the largest impact of the sale tax increase would be to the construction of new buildings and structures within the city limits of Bingen. He said the sales tax burden on a new building can get quite large.
Jan Brending said she is looking for some direction from the City Council regarding the proposed sales tax increase. She said that if the majority of the council is opposed to the increase then it didn’t make sense to schedule it for a public hearing.
There was agreement of the City Council to schedule the proposed sales tax increase for a public hearing. Brending noted that information regarding the proposed increase would be mailed to all residents of Bingen and to all business owners.
Brian Prigel said that in addition to the revenue shortfalls in the general and street funds, there are shortfalls in the water and sewer funds.
Jan Brending said the budget committee is recommending increases to the water and sewer rates and to the amount that is transferred from the sewer fund to the treatment plant fund. She said that she will be pursuing developing a capital improvement/facilities plan that will be submitted to the City Council in 2005 for review and adoption. Brending said the plan will help the City determine what facilities need to be improved or replaced over the next five to six years. She said without the plan it is difficult to know where to set water and sewer rates in future years to provide funding for necessary improvements.
Brending noted four pressing water improvements including the replacement of the gas chlorination system, rehabilitation of the city’s water wells, rehabilitation of the older reservoir and the replacement of a 2 inch water line coming in from White Salmon that serves approximately 10 homes along Bridgeview Court and Lois Lane. She said the proposed water rate increases will not pay for all of these projects.
The City Council reviewed the proposed water and sewer rate increases. Discussion took place regarding the amount charged for water overage. It was noted that the City of Bingen currently pays $0.92 per 1000 gallons of water purchased from White Salmon and that the proposed rates do not cover that cost.
The City Council agreed to move forward with a public hearing on the proposed water and sewer rate increases making a change that increases the proposed overage charge of $0.70 per 1,000 gallons of water used less than 100,000 gallons to $0.95, and for gallons over 100,000 changed from $1.05 to $1.45 per 1,000 gallons.
Brending noted that the public hearing will be scheduled for November 16 and that information regarding the proposed water and sewer rate increases will be mailed to all water and sewer customers and property owners.
Ordinance 04-06-502 and Resolution 2004-002 –
Advalorem Tax
Jan Brending presented proposed ordinance 04-06-502 and Resolution 2004-002
regarding property tax levy increases for 2005. She said state law only allows
the total tax levy collected (excluding new construction and improvements) to
increase by 1% and that both an ordinance and resolution providing for the
increase are required. She said the increase in property taxes for 2005 will be
$1,536 or a total levy amount of $155,083. Brending noted this amount does not
include new construction or improvements.
Terry Trantow moved to adopt Ordinance 04-06-502 and Resolution 2004-02. Randy Anderson seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Small Works Roster Award – Tree Removal
Jan Brending said the City issued a request for bids for the removal of a
tree located in the right-of-way at the western edge of Ken’s Automotive and
Towing. She said two bids were received Treeman for $535.00 and Columbia Tree
for $850.00
Brian Prigel recommended the work be awarded to Treeman.
Betty Barnes moved to award the small works roster work for tree removal to Treeman with the low bid of $535.00. Jeanette Fentie seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Treasurer’s Report
Jan Brending presented the Treasurer’s Report for September 2004.
Laura Mann moved to accept the September 2004 Treasurer’s Report. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Mayor’s Update
Hotel/Motel Tax
Brian Prigel said the City has been approached by Don Struck with a proposal
to divide the county’s hotel/motel tax receipts up between the three cities with
the funds designed to go towards supporting the chambers of commerce.
The City Council expressed general support for the idea but would like some additional information.
SR 35 Bridge Presentation
Brian Prigel said Dale Robins will present information regarding the SR35
Bridge study at the November 1 meeting (the meeting will take place on Monday
due to the election on Tuesday).
Community Wildfire Protection Plan
Brian Prigel said Jim Hulbert will present the Community Wildfire Protection
Plan to the City Council at is November 1 meeting.
Emergency Management Facility – 400 W. Steuben
Brian Prigel said several representatives from a number of agencies,
including Bingen, White Salmon, Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office and Skyline
Hospital met over a month ago to discuss the possibility of developing a
multi-agency emergency management facility. Prigel said that the possibility of
developing such a facility at 400 W. Steuben was discussed. He said additional
meetings have taken place with support from the City of White Salmon for 400 W.
Steuben as a possibility for a new location for the Bingen-White Salmon Police
Department.
Brian Prigel said he and Mayor Linda Jones are requesting authorization to develop a scope of work for the hiring of an architect to develop a preliminary site plan, floor plan and initial feasibility study based on the needs of the police department, Washington State Patrol, the City of Bingen and possibly the ambulance department of Skyline Hospital. He said the plan would address such things as phasing and how much facility could be developed on the site. Prigel reminded the council that the original vision for 400 W. Steuben included a community center, city hall, community services facility and a new post office. Prigel noted that it is not likely that the Klickitat County Sheriff’s west-end office would relocate to a facility at 400 W. Steuben as offices are planned for them in the new Pioneer Center in White Salmon.
Jan Brending said she is recommending that the cost of the study/plan be split between the two cities. She said that even if the facility is not built immediately or White Salmon decides not to relocate its police department offices to the site it will provide good information for the city to use in developing the site and seeking future funding. Brending said the City would not have to repay White Salmon for any costs associated with the preliminary study if they chose not to relocate the police department to White Salmon.
Norm Deo suggested to the City Council that they should consider what is the best use of the property located at 400 W. Steuben.
There was consensus that a scope of work be developed and brought back to the City Council for approval.
Fire Bell
Brian Prigel said the Bingen Volunteer Fire Department owns an old fire bell
that they would like to locate at the western edge of the parking lot in the
center of the parking spaces.
The city council agreed that it was a good idea.
Fire Truck
Brian Prigel said the fire department is now ready to surplus its old fire
truck. He said Louis Geschwint has received information that the truck could be
worth over $5,000. Prigel said he is recommending that the City attempt to sell
it itself through publication and on E-bay before paying someone to help assist
in selling the truck for a commission.
Bad Seed Cider House
Randy Anderson said that the temporary signs are still being used at Bad
Seed Cider House. He said he would like to see an additional letter sent to them
referencing Bingen Municipal Code 15.12.070 regarding violations of the sign
ordinance which provide for a fine of $100 per day of that violation continues.
Jan Brending noted that Dean Nygaard, the city’s building official, spoke to an employee of Bad Seed Cider House who explained that they have been having trouble hiring an engineer. Brending said Nygaard had suggested to the employee that a letter needed to be written to the City explaining the situation.
There was agreement that a letter from legal counsel needed to be sent to Bad Seed Cider House regarding the temporary placement of signage.
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 19, 2004. The council by unanimous vote does approve for payment the
following list: warrants 6301 through 6327 totaling $26,682.39, manual warrants
6300 and 501027 totaling $13,468.12, and payroll warrants 6043 through 6062
totaling $9,126.07 for a total of $49,276.58: Current - $10,373.68; Street -
$1.938.81; Community Development - $15.00; Water - $4,697.86; Sewer - $1,663.58;
Treatment Plant - $8,569.71; Dallesport Treatment Plant - $8,373.61; 73/95
Water/Sewer Bond Redemption - $176.21; and Dallesport Billing Trust Fund -
$13,468.12.
At 9:30 p.m. the Council adjourned.
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City Clerk
Mayor