BINGEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
November 6, 2006
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Prigel at 7:00 p.m. Council members present: Terry Trantow, Tim Hearn, Laura Mann, and Betty Barnes. Clerk Jan Brending and Attorney Tad Connors were present. Audience: Ruth Winner, Bruce Brending, Jesse Burkhardt.
Public Comment
Ruth Winner, Gorge Heritage Museum
Ruth Winner said she has appreciated working with the city on the museum. She said the electrician has put the outlets in on the back wall. Winner said the museum board has suggested it would be nice to have an electrical outlet on the outside wall. She said the public works crew has a power washer but it is electrical and couldn’t be used when the museum walls were cleaned and painted. Winner asked if the city is interested in installing an outdoor outlet on the northwest corner of the building. She said Welllman’s instructions for completing the interior wall have been carried out.
Laura Mann asked if the roof is leaking. Ruth Winner said no, there is not water getting into the building.
Jan Brending said she is obtaining a quote from Brown Roofing to repair the roof where the chimney was removed.
Ruth Winner said 2 access doors have been constructed to provide access to the crawl space. She said screen wire has been installed to prevent bugs from getting in.
Brian Prigel said he thinks an outlet would cost approximately $100 to $175. He said that if the conduit and wiring is suitable for an outdoor outlet than it would be fine. Prigel said if the electrician has to run additional wiring it will cost more.
Betty Barnes moved to allow the mayor discretion in authorizing an outdoor outlet if $250 or less. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Terry Trantow, Bingen
Terry Trantow presented information to the city council regarding a proposal regarding the Wilhelm Suksdorf house located at 525 W. Lincoln. He said that Jeff Rogers, the owner, intends to tear the house down. Trantow said that Rhoda Love has proposed that the building be saved and possibly moved to the museum. Trantow said that Suksdorf is Washington’s most famous botanist. He said the center of the house is the original structure and is what is worth saving. Trantow said that if the council is interested in seeing the structure saved and moved to the museum property he could find out what it would cost to move it and how much money the botanists could come up with.
Brian Prigel said he thinks it is a worthwhile goal and that the city should offer some level of support.
Laura Mann said the idea sounds great but it is important to find out the costs. Mann asked who will maintain the building.
Terry Trantow said he feels the structure is usable. He noted that Wilhelm Suskdorf’s collection is housed as Washington State University.
Brian Prigel said that if the facility was opened up to the public it could possibly house a display about Suksdorf.
Terry Trantow said there are some items at the Gorge Heritage Musuem.
Betty Barnes said she believes the city has a goal of protecting historical sites and landmarks. She said if there is an outside group who can take the lead than that would be preferable. Barnes said that she thinks the city’s community action plan supports this type of project.
Terry Trantow said that additional information is needed.
Brian Prigel said information regarding the size of the structure, the footprint, condition, etc. is needed.
Tim Hearn moved that the city go on record as to being interested and supportive of the proposal. Laura Mann seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Approval of Minutes – October 17, 2006
Corrections to the October 17 minutes were noted as follows:
Page 7, 8th paragraph should read as follows: “Ruth Winner said she feels that item #8 finishing the interior of the north wall can be done by museum volunteers.”
Page 7, 9th paragraph should read as follows: “Betty Barnes said that she believes the building is the city’s responsibility but feels that the purchase of a new heater for the downstairs area may fall under the museum’s responsibility.
Laura Mann moved to approve the minutes as amended. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Appointment of City Council Member
Brian Prigel said the city has received one letter of interest from Sandi
Dickey.
Ruth Winner noted that Sandi Dickey could not attend the council meeting due to her father being in the hospital.
Laura Mann moved to table the decision on the appointment of a council member until Sandi Dickey could be present. Tim Hearn seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Water Bill Adjustment Request – Charter Family Trust
Jan Brending presented a request from the Charter Family Trust for a
decrease in their water bill due to a water leak that has now been repaired.
Laura Mann suggested providing a $100 credit. Jan Brending said that water overage is $1.05 per 1000 gallons and suggested the credit should equal $99.75.
Laura Mann moved to provide a $99.75 credit to the Charter Family Trust for water overage charged due to a leak that has been repaired. Tim Hearn seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Public Hearing – 2007 Proposed Revenue Budget and
Proposed Ordinance 06-10-531, Determining the Amount to Be Raised by Advalorem
Taxes for the Year 2007
Jan Brending presented information to the city regarding the proposed 2007
revenue budget. She said the proposed budget includes a 1% increase in property
taxes which equates to $1,595 in additional property taxes. Brending noted that
the city’s water fund is in a recovery period due to the rehabilitation of the
city’s two wells. She said the water fund’s reserves have been depleted.
Brending noted that she had informed the budget committee that the city may have
to increase its water rates again sometime during 2007.
Jan Brending noted that a full discussion of the city’s water system and status will be on the agenda for the November 21 council meeting. She said the discussion will include the city’s water rights, purchase of White Salmon water, and water planning.
Tim Hearn said that he did not see in the minutes of the joint city council meeting where he had asked about how the use of PUD Cliffs Trust water would affect the need for Bingen’s water rights. Jan Brending said there are two areas of the minutes – page 4 where Hearn asked about how the options would cover growth in White Salmon and on page 6 where Hearn asked if White Salmon will need Bingen’s water rights if White Salmon gets water rights from the PUD.
Tim Hearn moved to approve Ordinance 06-10-51, Determining the Amount to be Raised by Advalorem Taxes for the Year 2007 and Proposed Resolution 2006-006, Regarding Property Tax Increase. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Robert Nako Request, Refund for Surplus Fire Truck
Brian Prigel provided a review of the latest e-mail sent by Robert Nako. He
said he had a telephone conversation with Nako the day after the council’s last
meeting.
Tad Connors said the council should consider the refund as a nuisance stopper. He said it is possible that Nako could sue us in California, federal court or in Washington. Connors said the council should decide whether or not the issue is worth the headache.
Brian Prigel said he knows of one person in Hood River who would be interested in purchasing the truck.
Tad Connors asked if the city can sell the truck for more than it was previously sold.
Brian Prigel said he is not sure.
Betty Barnes said she is doubtful that the city could get $3,500 from the person in Hood River.
Tim Hearn said he talked to Ken Bailey about the truck and Ken said there is a lot of interest in it.
Brian Prigel said Ken Bailey said the truck drives fine but should not be driven to California.
Betty Barnes asked if refusing to refund the payment is worth the city’s reputation.
Tad Connors said there is no impact on the city’s reputation.
Laura Mann said the city could offer to refund the money but if Nako doesn’t pay the outstanding repair bill than that money will be deducted from the refund.
Brian Prigel said he recommends that the city let the issue ride for awhile. There was consensus of the city council to not refund the payment to Robert Nako for the surplus fire truck.
Sewer Easement, Dickey Farms
Tad Connors said Dickey Farms proposes to provide an easement to the city
for a sewer line that runs from the Park Bluff Apartments to Highway 14. He said
the sewer line serves the Park Bluff Apartments, Auto Suds Car Wash and
Winderemere. Connors said Dickey Farms wants $250 for the easement and wants the
city to agree to maintain the culvert where Dry Creek crosses onto Dickey’s
property.
The city council discussed the maintenance of the Dry Creek culvert. Tad Connors said he can write a letter to Dickey Farms stating the city agrees to maintain the culvert.
Tim Hearn moved to accept Dickey Farm’s proposal for the sewer line easement with payment of $250 and writing a letter stating the city will maintain the Dry Creek culvert. Laura Mann seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Mayor’s Update and Council Update
Highway 14 Sewer Project and Depot/Maple Streeet Sewer Project
Brian Prigel reminded the water/sewer committee that a meeting with White
Salmon, Washington Department of Transportation and the Army Corps of Engineers
has been scheduled for November 8 at 1:30 p.m.
Jan Brending noted the meeting will be held at city hall and not the fire hall.
Sign Ordinance
Brian Prigel said several members of the business community will meet
together and work on the sign ordinance on Thursday, November 9 at 9:00 a.m. at
Bingen city hall.
Dry Creek Trail and Stonecliff Development Proposal
Laura Mann said she would like to discuss the Dry Creek trail issue at the
meeting on November 21.
Jan Brending noted that Lisa Jacobs would like to be present for that discussion but will not be available until the first meeting in December.
Laura Mann said she would like the city to write a letter to Stonecliff asking for more information and not discuss the issue again until the information is provided.
Tim Hearn said he wants to see where the proposed road would be located. He asked if Stonecliff has to provide the city with information.
Tad Connors said they don’t have to but that it can be a condition of the city considering the proposed easement.
Tim Hearn asked if the city can say it does not want to meet within them until they can present information.
Terry Trantow said Stonecliff is asking for access.
Laura Mann said that unless they have access over the Landgren property they cannot get to the Bingen property. She said that she wants to know specifically what the city is considering when the city talks to Stonecliff.
Brian Prigel said the city could discuss just the Dry Creek park/trail potential at the first meeting in December or view the proposal from Stonecliff as a whole.
Brian Prigel said the council should talk about whether a park or trail along Dry Creek is feasible or even desirable.
Betty Barnes asked how the city council feels about the idea of a trail along Dry Creek.
Tim Hearn said he wants it.
Terry Trantow said he trail would be nice but he does not think it is worth it.
Betty Barnes said she would like to wait to discuss it until more facts are provided on the proposed annex including getting a concrete definition of what the road would be used for.
Tim Hearn said he wants to know where the road will be located.
Brian Prigel said that the last drawing of a road drawn by an engineer showed the road of having an average of 30% grade.
Laura Mann said that at least three council members have expressed getting more information before the discussion of the proposed easement takes place.
Betty Barnes said she does not see the benefit of the trail or park to the city.
Brian Prigel said that based on a consensus of the council, a letter will be sent to Stonecliff that the city is not interested in discussing the proposal until a credible and reliable proposal is submitted.
Tree Lighting
Betty Barnes asked if the electrical outlets in downtown have been tested.
She said the business owners are interested in seeing the tree lights go up.
Brian Prigel said public works staff will be testing the outlets.
Mountain Logging
Tim Hearn said that Butch Clark with Mountain Logging has asked him to meet
with Clark to discuss some issues he has with the city. Hearn said he would like
another council member to attend the meeting.
Jan Brending said she is aware of at least one issue Clark might have with the city and suggested it might be helpful to have Dean Nygaard the city’s building official present at the meeting.
Betty Barnes asked if Clark has met with the mayor.
Brian Prigel said no.
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 6, 2006. The council by unanimous vote does approve for payment the
following list: warrants 7950 through 7994 totaling $33,721.16; manual warrants
7948 and 701053 totaling $14,576.92, and payroll warrants 6749 through 6759
totaling $17,819.04 for a total of $66,117.12: Current - $21,200.53; Street -
$3,170.25; Community Development - $15.08; Water – $4,148.42; Sewer - $2,528.70;
Treatment Plant - $7,170.55; Dallesport Treatment Plant - $7,853.38; Water
Construction and Maintenance - $3,155.13; Sewer Construction and Maintenance -
$3,800.00; Dallesport Trust Fund - $13,075.08.
Executive Session
At 9:05 p.m. Brian Prigel announced that the city council will go into
executive session for 15 minutes to discuss potential litigation.
At 9:20 p.m. the council resumed regular session and announced that city council will go back into executive session for an additional 10 minutes.
At 9:30 p.m. the council resumed regular session.
Schuemann Land Exchange
Terry Trantow moved to reconsider the decision the city council made on a
proposed land exchange with Wil Schuemann. Laura Mann seconded the motion and it
carried with the following vote: Barnes – Aye, Hearn – Abstain, Mann – Aye,
Trantow - Aye.
Laura Mann moved to send a letter to Wil Schuemann stating the city council has reconsidered the proposed land exchange and has decided not to enter into the exchange due to the difficulty of putting a price on the two parcels. Tim Hearn seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
The council adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
Jan Brending
Brian Prigel
City Clerk
Mayor