BINGEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

April 20, 2004

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Prigel at 7:00 p.m. Council members present: Laura Mann, Terry Trantow, Betty Barnes, Randy Anderson and Jeanette Fentie. Clerk Jan Brending and Legal Counsel Tad Connors were present. Audience: Louis Geschwint, Mike Wellman, David Spratt, chuck Ruhsenberger, Mildred Lykens, Jesse Burkhardt, Bruce Bullick.

Approval of Minutes – April 6, 2004

Betty Barnes said she would like the minutes in the last paragraph of the discsussion about Highway 14 Project to include that concerns were expressed about safety issues related to the pavers being disturbed and that the 3^rd paragraph of the Highway 14 Project discussion, should read “….design and color to use.”

Terry Trantow moved to adopt the minutes of April 6 with the proposed amendments. Laura Mann seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Boy Scouts – Flag Display

Bruce Bullick said he is the flag chairman for the Boy Scouts in the area. He said it has been a struggle for the Boy Scouts to display their flags in the downtown area of Bingen due to the highway project. Bullick said the flags are the only source of funding for the area Boy Scouts. He said they have been waiting patiently to find out how flag display will be handled with the revitalization. Bullick said it is now becoming a problem and that they have even lost some of the participating businesses.

Brian Prigel said he thinks the flag display is a good effort that needs to be accommodated.

Mike Wellman said that there are several options that could be considered including removable bases that clamp to the tree wells or holes in the sidewalks.

Bullick said the Boy Scouts would like to see a location for a flag in front of every business on both sides of the streets.

Jan Brending asked Bullick if he would like locations on the north side of the Highway all the way down to Big River Diner. Bullick said that would be great.

Brian Prigel asked staff to present a solid proposal with costs at the next council meeting.

Highway 14 Project – Status and Progress

Chuck Ruhsenberger, Washington State Department of Transportation, introduced himself and provided a brief explanation of WSDOT’s participation and responsibilities with the Highway 14 project.

The City Council, staff, and Chuck Ruhsenberger, discussed issues with the project including pavement repair before new asphalt is laid down, when paving can occur, and completion of the irrigation and sidewalks downtown. It was noted that there is a safety issue with the pavers being pulled up and not replaced appropriately.

The City Council stated that it is important that the contractor and subcontractors take advantage of good weather whenever possible to get the job finished as soon is feasible.

Ruhsenberger said the contractor’s current schedule shows that pavement repair could begin as soon as May 1 and that completion of the irrigation and repair of the sidewalks will begin next week.

Fire Truck Purchase Award

Louis Geschwint provided information to the council members regarding the bids received for the purchase of a new fire truck (see memorandum dated April 20). Three bids were received for the purchase of the fire truck. Louis Geschwint said that because of irregularities in the low bidder’s bid documents it was considered non-responsive and is recommending to the Council that the bid be awarded to Emergency One.

Laura Mann moved to award the purchase of the fire truck to Emergency One. Tad Connors noted that the award was not made to the low bidder because the bid was materially defective because the bid did not satisfy the requirement as to single source manufacture and because the bid contained omissions and numerous exceptions while lacking information sufficient for the city to adequately assess the consequences of those omissions and exceptions and was therefore non-responsive.  Betty Barnes seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Brian Prigel thanked the members of the fire deparment and the committee who worked on developing the bid package. He said the purchase of the fire truck is a 30-year investment. Prigel noted that the purchase will deplete the City’s fire department reserve fund and that it will be necessary to rebuild the fund for future purchases.

Mayor’s Update

Subdivision Ordinance

Laura Mann asked that the subdivision ordinance be scheduled on the agenda and completed prior to working on the sign ordinance. This was agreed to by the Council

Public Works Department Update

Mike Wellman said that he was been working with his staff to improve efficiency within the department including having staff work four 10-hour shifts each week and moving personnel around to better support the different areas of the department. Wellman said a treatment plant operator and one other person is always available during each day of the week. He said he has had excellent response from staff to the changes.

Wellman noted that the public works department has been helping out at the Gorge Heritage Museum. He said the changes made by the museum have made a huge improvement. Wellman said that Ruth Winner has done a good job.

A tour of city facilities was scheduled at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 4.

SR35 Columbia River Bridge Crossing

Brian Prigel said that federal funding was requested to complete the environmental impact statement and it appears that $800,000 has been included in the federal budget. He noted that the local community will have to come up with $200,000 match. Prigel said he will be talking to the Port of Hood River to see if some of the tolls funds can be used for the match.

Prigel noted that the Columbia River Gorge Commission has no development guidelines for the river.  He said that he attended a workshop for the development of guidelines. Prigel said he is concerned with the draft guidelines that were developed. He said he believes that some of the guidelines are contradictory and is especially concerned that a bridge if built to the recommendations would double in cost. Prigel said he intends to write some comments. He said that he understands the intent of the guidelines an din most part agrees with the intent not with the specifics.

Port of Klickitat Ribbon Cutting

Brian Prigel said he attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new building at the Port which will house Insitu.  He noted that Insitu is ramping up employment. Prigel said the average pay for an Insitu employee is three times the average Klickitat County pay. He said that Insitu also contracts work to local vendors in the Gorge.

Bingen Entryways

Laura Mann asked if the City has give any thoughts about what it wants to do at the entrances of the City.

Brian Prigel said that it is an issue the council should revive and talk about.

Betty Barnes noted that she has reviewed some of the documents developed by the City including the Community Action Plan and the Downtown Revitalization Plan. She said it is really good to look at the documents and see what has been completed.

Hood River Bridge Closures

Jeanette Fentie said some businesses have expressed concern about the upcoming nightly bridge closures. She said that it is being suggested that periodic openings of the bridge be allowed throughout the night. Fentie said the closures are likely to cause hardships for both businesses and employees.

Brian Prigel said that it may be difficult to provide periodic openings because of the nature of the work that is happening at night. He said whole sections of the bridge will be removed with new sections put back in. Prigel noted that the contractor for the Port of Hood River hopes to complete the project in less time than is allotted.

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 April 20, 2004. The council by unanimous vote does approve for payment the following list: warrants 5939 through 5968 totaling $18,739.73, manual warrants 501020 totaling $15,277.61 and payroll warrants 5867 through 5938 totaling $7,513.49 for a total of $41,530.83: Current - $4,808.09; Street - $2,050.35; Water - $2,702.25; Sewer - $904.89; Treatment Plant - $3,522.93; Dallesport Treatment Plant - $2,024.26; Water Construction and Maintenance - $10,240.45; and Dallesport Billing Trust fund - $15,277.61.

At 9:09 p.m. the Council adjourned.

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City Clerk                                                                    Mayor