BINGEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
 

November 1, 2005

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

Public Comment

Ruth Winner, Gorge Heritage Museum
Ruth Winner said the city will receive a letter from the Gorge Heritage Museum expressing an interest in the disposition of the flume located in Daubenspeck Park.

Ruth Winner again requested the city consider the repair of the north wall of the museum as its top priority for Klickitat County EDA grant funding. She said she is in the process of getting an estimate for the repairs.

Brian Prigel noted that the dates for considering proposals for Klickitat County EDA funding have been pushed back.

Brandon Walter, Bingen Public Works Department
Brandon Walter provided on update on the Jefferson Street Bridge project and the well rehabilitation. He said Spring Hill Construction will be arriving this week to begin forming and pouring the bridge sections. Walter noted that beginning Friday, November 4 the bridge will be closed so it can be removed and the abutments inspected.

Brian Prigel said a discussion took place with the city’s engineer and contractor and it was decided that it was necessary to inspect the abutments to make sure that additional work was not needed prior to setting the concrete deck in place.

Randy Anderson asked who will set the handrails on the bridge. Prigel said the contractor will do the work.

Brandon Walter said the city has received the specifications for the pumps and will be obtaining bids next week so the equipment can be ordered. He said Coburn Electric has installed a new electrical vault at the Dry Creek well. The pump house has been removed from the Dry Creek well.

Randy Anderson asked if the electrical services for the Park well will be upgraded. Brandon Walter said that upgrades are not needed at this time.

Brian Prigel said that when the city upgrades the electrical services for Daubenspeck Park it will look at the services in the area of the Park well but that nothing is needed at this time to get the well running again.

The city council and staff discussed the possibility of needing a different contractor other than Holt Drilling to install the pumps. Jan Brending noted that she is having Jim Bailey review all of the billing from Holt Drilling.

Barbara Hylton asked if the city has advanced Holt Drilling money. Jan Brending said no the company has billed for work provided.

Barbara Hylton asked how long it will take to get the pumps up and running. Brandon Walter said it could be as long as three weeks or longer depending on how long it takes to order the equipment and get a drilling company back in town to install the pumps.

Approval of Minutes – October 18, 2005
Changes to the October 18 minutes were noted as follows:

Page 3, 5^th paragraph should read as follows: “Laura Mann speaking for Mann Made Constructions said the proposed building will look very similar to the metal buildings that have been built at Bingen Point for the Port of Klickitat.”

Terry Trantow moved to approve the minutes of October 18, 2005 as amended. Barbara Hylton seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Public Hearing – Proposed 2006 Revenue and 2006 Property Taxes
Jan Brending presented information regarding proposed 2006 revenue. She said the proposed revenue budget includes the proposed increases of 1% in property taxes, water and sewer rate increases, and proposed fees for certain types of land use applications.

Jan Brending said the city is proposing a 1% increase in the city’s property tax levy which equates to an additional $1,579 in property tax revenue coming to the city. She said state laws require the city adopt both an ordinance and resolution providing for the 1% tax increase.

Laura Mann moved to approve Ordinance 05-08-516, Determining Amount to Be Raised by Advalorem Taxes for Year 2006 and Resolution 2005-05, Regarding Property Tax Increase for 2006. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Proposed Utility Rate Discount for Low-Income Seniors or Disabled Persons
Jan Brending presented information to the city council regarding several options for providing a utility rate discount for low-income seniors or low-income disabled persons.

Barbara Hylton said she is adamant that the city provide a utility discount for low-income seniors and low-income disabled persons. She suggested that a 20% discount would be appropriate.

Linda Schneider, Washington Gorge Action Programs, provided information regarding the energy assistance program administered through Washington Gorge Action Programs. She said the GAP could provide assistance to the city by having residents apply using the same form that is used for energy assistance. Schneider said that if an individual qualifies then the city would be notified of the applicant’s name and address.

Jan Brending said she likes the idea of having the applications go through Washington Gorge Action Programs and the city being notified of those who are eligible. She said that currently there are only five individuals in Bingen receiving energy assistance and one of those recently passed away.

Linda Schneider thought that the maximum number of qualifying individuals would not be more than 15.

There was a consensus of the city council to pursue developing an ordinance that would provide a 20% utility discount on the base water and sewer rates for low-income seniors and low-income disabled persons. A draft ordinance will be brought back to the council in December.

Public Hearing – Proposed 2006 Water and Sewer Rates
Jan Brending presented information regarding the proposed 2006 water and sewer rates. She said the residential base water rate is proposed to go up $1 and the sewer rate another $1. Brending said the water rate increase will bring in an additional $6,618 dollars to the water fund. She said the sewer rate increase will bring in an additional $5,680 to the sewer fund.

Tim Hearn asked if the water and sewer rates will go up again in 2007. Jan Brending said most likely. She said it is the city’s intent to develop a capital improvement plan which will identify upcoming projects and how much they will cost.

Randy Anderson moved to approve Ordinance 05-09-517, Amending Water Rates and Ordinance 05-10-518, Amending Sewer Rates. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Proposed Resolution 2005-006, Setting Fees for Services
Jan Brending said the city has not historically collected for land use applications such as conditional use permits, variance requests, sign applications, etc. Brending provided information that included fees charged by other cities.

The city council discussed the proposed fees. It was suggested that the variance request fee should be set a little higher so that people would think about the types of applications that are submitted.

Betty Barnes moved to amend proposed Resolution 2005-006 by changing the fee for a variance request to $150. Barbara Hylton seconded the motion. The motion carried 4 to 1 with the following vote: Anderson – Aye, Barnes – Aye, Hylton – Aye, Mann – Aye, Trantow – Nay.

Barbara Hylton moved to approve Resolution 2005-006, Setting Fees for Services as amended. Laura Mann seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Mayor’s Update
The Winery
Brian Prigel said Tom Reser has hired an architect to assist in the remodel of the old Winery building. Prigel provided information to the city council. He noted that Reser would like to redesign the entrance and sidewalk on Steuben Street and is also requesting the use of Depot Street to provide emergency access.

Brian Prigel said additional information is needed before the council can make a decision about the request including contacting Washington Department of Transportation. He said the request will be on the city’s agenda at the next council meeting.

Training and Travel
Laura Mann said she would like the budget to include travel for the clerk treasurer when attending conferences and training that pertain directly to the position.

Budget Committee
A budget committee meeting was scheduled for Thursday, November 10 at 6:30 p.m.

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 November 1, 2005. The council by unanimous vote does approve for payment the following list: warrants 7071 through 7092 totaling $24,689.09 and   payroll warrants 6420 through 6430 totaling $15,367.32 and manual warrants 7066 through 7070 totaling $3,29.80 for a total of $40,386.21: Current - $17,047.38; Street - $1,799.31; Water - $2,598.70; Sewer - $1,128.23; Treatment Plant - $4,200.01; Dallesport Treatment Plant - $4,779.73; Water Construction and Maintenance - $8,832.85.

At 8:55 p.m. the Council adjourned.

Jan Brending                                                            Brian Prigel
City Clerk                                                                Mayor