BINGEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
May 4, 2004
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Prigel at 7:00 p.m. Council members present: Laura Mann, Terry Trantow, Betty Barnes, and Randy Anderson. Council Members absent: Jeanette Fentie. Clerk Jan Brending and Legal Counsel Tad Connors were present. Audience: Mike Wellman, Mildred Lykens, Jesse Burkhardt, Ruth Winner.
Public Comment
Betty Barnes, Bingen
Betty Barnes asked if staff had obtained any information regarding the new quiet zone ruling for train whistles. Jan Brending said yes and the information was provided to Brian Prigel.
Brian Prigel said that he has preliminarily reviewed the information. He said that a quiet zone might be possible if quad-gates are installed at the Maple Street and Walnut Street crossings. Prigel noted that it might be possible to develop a quiet zone without the gates but only after specific studies are completed. Prigel said that two quadrant gates will be installed at the Maple Street crossing this year. He said that the issue should be considered in long-range planning.
Barnes asked if any advertisement has been placed in the local newspaper regarding the need for volunteer firefighters. Brending said not at this time – she is waiting for some information from the fire department.
Randy Anderson, Bingen
Randy Anderson asked if the parking ordinance is being enforced. Jan Brending said a number of letters were written to vehicle owners and most of the vehicles have been moved. She said she has since turned over a list of vehicles violating the ordinance to the police department for enforcement action. Brending noted that there are a number of steps that must take place before a vehicle can be towed.
Randy Anderson asked about the status of building permit for the Richersons. Brending said the permit is being reviewed by the city’s building official and expects to issue a permit by the end of the week.
Laura Mann, Bingen
Laura Mann said she has spoken with Ken and Barbara Bailey about several issues. She said the Bailey’s would like to see the speed limit be 25 miles per hour within the city limits of Bingen. Mann said that the signage for speed limits at the east end of town (where it changes from 35 miles per hour to 25 moving west and 25 miles per hour to 35 moving east) may be incorrectly installed.
Brian Prigel said the City can review the speed limits along Highway 14 and make recommendations to the Washington State Department of Transportation.
Mann asked if crosswalks in the eastern portion of Bingen will be installed across Highway 14. Prigel said there are no plans at this time.
Mann said the Bailey’s are also concerned about a tree that is in the power lines near their property on Steuben. She said the Bailey’s are also interested in making changes to their approach off of Highway 14 at the time paving takes place to help address some drainage issues.
Brian Prigel recommended the Bailey’s contact the PUD or appropriate utility regarding any trees that are growing into utility lines.
Terry Trantow, Bingen
Terry Trantow said he is concerned about the bridge at Jefferson Street across Dry Creek. He said the planks are not in good shape and need to be fixed.
Approval of Minutes – April 20, 2004
Laura Mann suggested the minutes be amended as follows:
Page 2, 3rd paragraph, 1st sentence: “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 …”
Page 2, 10th paragraph, 1st sentence: “Prigel noted that the Columbia River Gorge Commission has no development guidelines for the river.”
Laura Mann moved to approve the minutes as amended. Randy Anderson seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Short Plat 2004-01, Stanley Dickey
A revised short plat map for the Dickey Farms short plat was presented to the City Council. Terry Trantow said that a letter was sent to Dickey noting the corrections that needed to be made. He said the majority were completed but there are still several corrections needed:
· the deed for the Bingen Haus should be referenced in the reference section of the plat, including book and page reference
· the plat needs to show a name for the road easement and a road maintenance agreement is needed
· the legal description needs to be corrected
· a subdivision guaranty is needed.
Mike Wellman said the lines for water and sewer need to be dedicated to the City if the line is to serve more than one facility. He said an easement for utilities is not a dedication.
Dickey will be notified of the corrections and final approval scheduled for a future council meeting.
Ordinance 04-04-500, Off-Street Parking Requirements for Residential Uses
Jan Brending presented an ordinance amendment to the off-street parking requirements for residential uses. She said that when the Council adopted provisions for townhouses it made the decision to require two independently accessible parking spaces for each dwelling unit. Brending said the proposed amendment updates that requirement in another location of the City’s codes.
Brian Prigel suggested that the ordering for 17.64.040 be changed to read “The required space for a residential dwelling unit shall not be less than two hundred square feet per space.”
Laura Mann moved to adopt Ordinance 04-04-500, Off Street Parking Requirements for Residential Uses, with the suggested change. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Highway 14 Project Update
Brian Prigel said that a lot has been happening since the last council meeting. He said the contractor and subcontractors have been working to resolve the irrigation issues. Prigel said that repairs have been made to the sidewalks where concrete and pavers were moved to work on the irrigation. He noted that the first test on the irrigation has failed. Prigel said a letters were written to KLB regarding the status of the irrigation system and about starting up working days on the project. Copies of the letters were provided to council members. Prigel said he is happy to see the contractor working and making progress even though he still has concerns. He noted that working days will begin on May 10.
Prigel said that a change order has been proposed addressing pavement repair along Highway 14 including in the downtown area. He said two proposals were considered for pavement repair where one would grind out sections of downtown and the other provided for grinding the entire roadway out in the downtown area. Prigel said both proposals including grinding and repair specific sections at the east and west ends of the project. He said the proposal to grind out all of the downtown is approximately $20,000 more than the second proposal but would take 4 days less to complete. Prigel said he feels that a better overall product will be achieved with the full grinding and that it is a fair trade-off for $20,000. Prigel said he gave an initial approval to the change order but would like to get a response from the council.
Mike Wellman said that he has discussed the proposals with WSDOT. He said that doing sections of repair in downtown could result in a patchwork quilt and might be a real mess. Wellman said he feels the pavement repair needs to be done and it needs to be done properly to get the full live of the pavement.
Terry Trantow asked if there are any concerns with infrastructure delays.
Wellman said he will be attending a meeting in Vancouver on Wednesday to discuss the work and utilities will be addressed. He said it is important to make sure utilities are protected especially manholes and valve boxes.
Randy Anderson asked if the grinding could be done at night. It was noted that grinding will likely take place during the day with paving back at night.
Laura Mann said that she thinks the full grinding proposal is a great idea because it take less time and provide for a better surface.
Betty Barnes said she thinks of it as an investment for the City.
The City Council provided a consensus for the change order to do full grinding of the downtown area with pavement repair to occur in specific areas in the east and west ends of the project.
Prigel noted that he has told WSDOT that new pavement is not to be installed until the irrigation passes pressure testing.
Laura Mann asked why pink ribbons have been tied to some of the trees. Prigel said that some of the trees have moved and that in some locations the staking system may be inadequate.
Mike Wellman said he has met with Dave Rodin, WSDOT landscape architect and discussed the issue. He said all of the trees need to be stabilized. Wellman said he is working with WSDOT to identify an acceptable method for stabilizing the trees.
Funding
Brian Prigel said that there is currently a financial shortfall of approximately $200,000 to $250,000. He said that he will be discussing the issue of funding at the Regional Transportation Committee meeting this week. Prigel said that in the past the funding partners have committed verbally to making sure that all the funding necessary to complete the project is available. He said that he does not have all the answers at the present time but hopes to provide an update soon. Prigel said the original contingency fund was very narrow. He said the City did very well with federal and state grants. Prigel said the shortfall is not a big issue and he feels that it can be overcome. He said that WSDOT will hopefully pick up some of the costs related to the pavement repair and paving. Prigel said the project has been driven in large part by himself and the City. He said that the project would not have been a priority with WSDOT.
Benches
Betty Barnes asked when will the City address bench installation. She said the direction the benches are facing is an issue because people are laughing about the fact that they are installed “backwards.”
Brian Prigel said that he does not want to redesign things until the project is done. He suggested that the remainder of benches not be installed until the project is completed. Prigel said that the council needs to look at all the issues.
Betty Barnes asked if plans showing the planned locations could be provided to the council.
Flag Holders
Mike Wellman provided a proposal to the City Council for installation holes in the concrete curbs for holding flags provided by the Boy Scouts. He said the holes would be installed in the curbs and would be cored all the way through. Wellman said there are several options for capping the holes.
Brian Prigel said a location for a flag should be provided for each storefront preferably at a tree well if possible.
Terry Trantow suggested coordinating the location of the holes with the Boy Scouts. Wellman said he will work with the Boy Scouts.
Betty Barnes moved to authorize the Public Works Department to core holes in the curb at each storefront at a tree well or as close as possible. Randy Anderson seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Brian Prigel said he still feels the holes need to be capped or plugged because of safety concerns.
Mayor’s Update
SR-35 Bridge – National Scenic Area Guidelines
Brian Prigel said that after a complete review of the proposed guidelines for the SR-35 Bridge he provided comments to the Columbia River Gorge Commission. Prigel said the guidelines adopted by the Commission are nothing too onerous and include guidelines for historical elements, viewing areas and pedestrian facilities. He said the outcome was good.
Randy Anderson said that at the last meeting for the SR-35 Bridge he was under the impression that the process would not move forward until tribal involvement was addressed. He that funds for the project appear iffy and it will be 10 years at a minimum before the bridge could be constructed.
Fire Truck Purchase
Brian Prigel said the bid has been awarded to Emergency One and the contract and purchase order signed.
Bingen-White Salmon Police Chief
Brian Prigel said the police chief of the Bingen-White Salmon Police Department is retiring at the end of May. He said applications were reviewed by himself, Linda Jones and Chris Mace. Prigel said interviews were conducted with four individuals and second interviews have been scheduled. He said that under the law enforcement agreement between the two cities the Mayor of White Salmon has the authority to hire the police chief with input from the City of Bingen
Betty Barnes asked if any individuals from the department are being considered for the position. Prigel said yes and that a second interview has been scheduled with the individual.
Downtown Garbage Cans
Betty Barnes noted that some of the garbage cans downtown are overflowing and need to be emptied. Jan Brending noted that at the present time the Public Works Department will empty the cans. She said she will notify Mike Wellman.
Bingen Business Association Meeting
Betty Barnes noted that the Bingen Business Association will meet at the Bingen Station on May 17 at 6:00 p.m.
Gorge Heritage Museum
Brian Prigel said he visited the Gorge Heritage Museum last Friday. He said it is looking really good but still has a way to go. Prigel said that Ruth Winner will be keeping the city apprised of projects and issues.
Treasurer’s Report
Jan Brending presented the Treasurer’s Report for March 2004.
Randy Anderson moved to accept the March 2004 Treasurer’s Report. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
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 May 4, 2004. The council by unanimous vote does approve for payment the following list: warrants 5970 through 5990 totaling $$28,429.32, manual warrants 5969 totaling $3,104.00 and payroll warrants 5883 through 5897 totaling $25,183.29 for a total of $28,277.29: Current - $7,293.34; Street - $8,600.94; Street Construction and Maintenance - $19,514.90; Water - $5,812.87; Sewer - $3,540.01; Treatment Plant - $6,747.33; Dallesport Treatment Plant - $5,197.22.
At 9:05 p.m. the Council adjourned.
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City Clerk Mayor