BINGEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

December 20, 2005

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Prigel at 7:00 p.m. Council members present: Terry Trantow, Betty Barnes, Randy Anderson, Tim Hearn and Laura Mann. Clerk Jan Brending was present. Attorney Tad Connors was absent. Audience: Timi Keene.

Public Comment
Laura Mann, Bingen
Laura Mann asked when the issue of the Broughton Flume is going to be discussed again.

Jan Brending said it will be on the January 3 agenda. She said that Jason Spadero and Ruth Winner discussed the issue while attending the December 15 open house for the Community Action Plan.

Approval of Minutes – December 6, 2005
Corrections to the draft minutes of the December 6 council meeting were noted as follows:

Page 1, 6^th paragraph, last sentence should read “He said he had directed Brandon Walter to get the fire hydrant installed.”

Page 2, 8^th paragraph, first sentence should read “Betty Barnes said that the front of the Winery Building is dark because of the design of the sidewalks.”

Page 2, add the following paragraph after the 9^th paragraph “Dean Nygaard stated that building codes require lighting on stairways.”

Page 3, 13^th paragraph, add the following sentence “She said she feels that the proposal before the council is about saving a private business money.”

Page 5, 10^th paragraph, first and second sentences should read “City council members and staff discussed the estimate. It was noted that it is better to be high on the estimate than low.”

Randy Anderson moved to approve the minutes as corrected. Laura Mann seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Public Hearing – Proposed 2005 Budget Amendments, Ordinance 05-13-521
Jan Brending presented proposed amendments to the 2005 budget. She noted that this is the second set of amendments submitted to the council. Brending said the audit for 2004 has been completed. She said the auditors have notified the city that all invoices for services and supplies through the end of the year must be paid out of the current year. She said that in the past the city has paid invoices received after the last council meeting in December out of the next year’s budget. Brending said for 2005 the budget will cover 13 months versus 12 months.

Laura Mann moved to approve Ordinance 05-13-521, amending the 2005 budget. Randy Anderson seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Public Hearing – Proposed Ordinance 05-12-520, Providing Utility Rate Discount for Low-Income Seniors and Low-Income Disabled Persons
Jan Brending said the proposed ordinance provides for a 20% discount on the base water and sewer rates for low-income seniors and low-income disabled persons. She said the ordinance has been reviewed by Tad Connors.

Betty Barnes asked if the council had previously discussed applying the discount to only the base water and sewer rates.

Jan Brending said it was discussed at a previous meeting.

Tim Hearn noted that under the definition of a disabled person he would not qualify as he does not use his disability in any of the ways stated.

It was noted that the discount applies to only low-income disabled persons. The city council agreed to add the words “low-income” in front of “disabled persons” any where stated in the ordinance.

Tim Hearn moved to adopt Ordinance 05-12-520, providing utility rate discount for low-income seniors or low-income disabled persons as amended. Randy Anderson seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Proposed Amendment No. 3 – Interlocal Agreement for Operation and Maintenance of Dallesport Wastewater Facilities
Jan Brending said the proposed amendment replaces the word “budget” with “contract fee”.

Betty Barnes moved to approve Amendment No. 3 to the Interlocal Agreement for Operation and Maintenance of Dallesport Wastewater Facilities. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Proposal for Engineering Services – Upgrade of Biosolids Storage Area, Bell Design Company
Jan Brending said the city council authorized the city to move ahead with obtaining a proposal for engineering services for upgrading the biosolids storage area. She said Bell Design Company has provided a proposal for $2,370 for developing the plans and specifications that will be used in the bid process. Brending said Bell Design will provide construction services as requested at an hourly rate. She said the 2006 budget includes the services of an engineer plus the estimated construction costs for the project.

Tim Hearn asked why it is necessary to hire an engineer for this project.

Brian Prigel said the building codes require that the plans be engineered.

Laura Mann asked if the city asked for bids from other engineers.

Jan Brending explained that Washington state law prohibits cities from “bidding” engineering services. She said the city establishes a list of engineers who have submitted a Statement of Qualifications. Brending said the city usually selects an engineer from the list and negotiates a proposal and price. She said that in the case of a large project proposals are solicited and reviewed and then an engineer selected.

Laura Mann asked if other local engineers are on the list. Brending said she is not sure if Taylor Engineering or Tenneson Engineering are on the list. She noted that the Request for Statement of Qualifications was mailed to them in early 2005. Brending said Seaborn Engineering in Hood River is on the list and that most of the engineering firms are out of the area and are not interested in such small jobs.

Terry Trantow moved to accept the proposal by Bell Design for engineering service for upgrading the biosolids storage area. Betty Barnes seconded the motion. The motion carried 4 to 1 with the following vote: Anderson – Aye, Barnes – Aye, Hearn – Nay, Mann – Aye, Trantow – Aye.

Proposed Resolution 2005-007, Establishing 2006 Salary Schedule
Jan Brending said the proposed resolution establishes the 2006 salary schedule. She noted the schedule provides for a 2.5% cost of living increase which is included in the 2006 budget.

Randy Anderson moved to adopt Resolution 2005-007 establishing 2006 salary schedule. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Proposed Resolution 2005-008, Establishing Compensation for Volunteer Firefighters
Jan Brending said the proposed resolution establishes compensation for the volunteer firefighters. She said she does not have anything official that established the department’s compensation. Brending said the resolution provides for an increase in the compensation, noting that it places Bingen in line with surrounding cities.

Laura Mann moved to adopt Resolution 2005-008, establishing compensation for volunteer firefighters. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Proposed Agreement – City Attorney
Jan Brending presented the proposed agreement for the city attorney. She said that Tad Connors has reviewed the agreement and proposed compensation. Brending said the agreement provides for a $15.00 per hour increase in civil and criminal cases and a $20.00 per hour increase in cases that are at the Superior Court and higher level.

Corrections to the agreement were noted as follows:

Item 3, delete the number 4 from word “request4ed”.

Item 5, delete the number 9 from word “9of” and add comma between the word “him” and the word “and”.

Item 7, add the word “an” between “$100.00” and “hour” and change the word “agreed” to “agrees”.

Item 9, change the word “agreed” to “agrees”.

Laura Mann said that the agreement does not provide for specific term limits. The council agreed to change the second paragraph of item 7 to read “This agreement and compensation amount shall be reviewed at least annually by the City Council of the City of Bingen.”

Randy Anderson moved to approve the agreement as corrected for the city attorney. Laura Mann seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Proposed Agreement – Legal Representation of Indigent Persons Entitled to Representation at Public Expense
Jan Brending said the city council previously discussed whether or not it should go out to bid for hiring an attorney for legal representation of indigent persons. She said at that time it was decided that Tad Connors would negotiate with Annala, Carey, Baker & Thompson who currently provides the service. She said the proposed agreement provides for a $50.00 per month increase in payment for the years 2006 and 2007.

It was noted that in two areas of the agreement the word “centers” should be changed to “cents.”

Terry Trantow moved to approve the agreement for legal representation of indigent persons entitled to representation at public expense. Randy Anderson seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Proposed Agreement – Washington Gorge Action Programs, Youth Center
Jan Brending presented a proposed agreement for assistance to the Washington Gorge Action Programs youth center in return for keeping public areas in the city neat and orderly. She said the amount of $3,000 is included in the 2006 budget. Brending said the language in the agreement was written by Tad Connors and is the same language used in 2004 and 2005.

Laura Mann moved to approve the agreement with Washington Gorge Action Programs. Tim Hearn seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Proposed Agreement – City of White Salmon Pool
Jan Brending presented a proposed agreement for providing the City of White Salmon $1,000 towards operation and maintenance of the city pool which is used by the residents of Bingen.

Laura Mann said she feels the amount provided to White Salmon should be increased because the pool is used as much by Bingen residents as the youth center is.

Laura Mann moved to amend the proposed agreement to provide $3,000 towards the operation and maintenance of the White Salmon pool. Tim Hearn seconded the motion. The motion carried 4 to 1 with the following vote: Anderson – Aye, Barnes – Aye, Hearn – Aye, Mann – Aye, Trantow – Nay.

Laura Mann moved to approve the agreement with the City of White Salmon as amended. Betty Barnes seconded the motion. The motion passed with the following vote: Anderson – Aye, Barnes – Aye, Hearn – Aye, Mann – Aye, Trantow – Abstain.

Timi Keene noted that the City of White Salmon is looking at replacing the roof of the pool house and other improvements.

Brian Prigel asked if the White Salmon is submitting any pool related projects to Klickitat County for EDA funding. Timi Keene said nothing related to the pool is on the list.

Treasurer’s Report – November 2005
Jan Brending presented the treasurer’s report for November 2005.

Laura Mann moved to approve the treasurer’s report for November 2005. Tim Hearn seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Mayor’s Update
Metering System Request
Brian Prigel said the Public Works Department has presented a request for purchase of a wireless radio read system. He presented the proposal and background material (see memorandum to Mayor Brian Prigel from Jan Brending and Brandon Walter dated December 16, 2005). The proposal would provide a complete wireless radio read system and 20 wireless radio read meters for $11,405.80 (not including tax) with a savings of $5,788.20.

Jan Brending said the city needs to lock into the purchase by the end of the year to obtain the savings. She said she met with the company that provides Master Meters. Brending said the city has been considering converting to a touch read system for the last six years but has not really begun implementation of the system. She said that by purchasing the wireless read system it provides the impetus for the city to work in a systematic way to convert all meters. Brending said the system will provide additional information to the city including whether the meters are leaking, backflow problems and tampering. She said that the city crew will be able to manually enter data from meters that have not been converted to the radio read so that it will eliminate the data entry task in the clerk’s office.

The city council discussed how much it would cost to convert the entire system. The city council requested information on how much it would cost to purchase wireless radio meters in bulk to accelerate the conversion process.

Tim Hearn asked Randy Anderson if he was comfortable with the system. Randy Anderson said he is familiar with the system and is comfortable with authorizing the purchase.

Randy Anderson moved to authorize the purchase of the wireless radio read system and 20 wireless radio read meters at the price of $11,405.80 plus tax and to have Brandon Walter submit a proposal for bulk radio read meter purchases for the next budget process. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.

Dallesport Water System
Brian Prigel said he toured the Dallesport water system with city and port staff. He said that Brandon Walter, Micheal Robarge and Dianne Sherwood will work together to provide a list of job duties and time commitment required to manage the system. Prigel said there is a not a lot to the system and that it is potentially a good thing for the City of Bingen. He said that Mike Robarge would be the person in charge with the downside that it could be spreading Mike a little thin.

Guler Oil Lease
Laura Mann asked when the Guler pumps will be moved out of Depot Street. Jan Brending noted that Tad Connors is working on a draft lease with Guler Oil. She said that when the city purchased the property from the railroad it had agreed to provide Guler with a 10-year lease.

Brian Prigel said that he has met with Norm Guler and that Guler is looking at future plans for Guler Oil that would not include pumps on Depot Street.

Letter to E. Jefferson Residents
Jan Brending said the city has been having problems with a number of illegally parked vehicles – mostly trailers – parked in the 100 block of East Jefferson. She said she wrote a letter to the residents and property owners reminding them that trailers of any kind, recreation vehicles, and neglected vehicles can not be parked within the right-of-way. Brending noted the letter does not supersede any enforcement actions required by the city’s ordinance.

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 December 20, 2005. The council by unanimous vote does approve for payment the following list: warrants 7187 through 7215 totaling $26,105.87 and payroll warrants 6459 through 6474 totaling $9,287.73 and manual warrants 501041, 7186, and 900569 totaling $17,202.05 for a total of $52,595.65: Current - $8,098.91; Street - $1,882.90; Community Development - $5,466.00; Street Construction and Maintenance - $1,318.12; Water - $5,672.07; Sewer - $1,711.11; Treatment Plant - $5,987.81; Dallesport Treatment Plant - $2,046.68; 1973/1995 Water/Sewer Bond Redemption - $4,500.00; Water Construction and Maintenance - $3,210.00; and Dallesport Billing Trust Fund - $12,669.95.

At 8:40 p.m. the Council adjourned.

Jan Brending Brian Prigel
City Clerk Mayor