BINGEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

 

May 18, 2004

 

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Prigel at 7:00 p.m. Council members present: Terry Trantow, Betty Barnes, Jeanette Fentie and Randy Anderson. Council Members absent: Laura Mann. Clerk Jan Brending and Legal Counsel Tad Connors were present. Audience: Mildred Lykens, Cliff Montee, Jeff Rogers, Glen Chipman, Frank Childs, John Gotts, Kathy Thomas, John Bryan, Mike Barrier.

 

Public Comment

John Gotts

John Gotts said he has purchased the Vezina property and is interested in developing it through an annexation into the City of Bingen. He said that he is aware that there are concerns about development on the property and would like to meet with the City Council at a future date. Gotts said he would like to provide access to hiking trails in the area and possibly create a park. He said that he would like to see homes designed in the Frank Lloyd Wright theme on the newly created lots.

 

Brian Prigel said he spoke with John Gotts on Friday, May 21. He said he would like to schedule a workshop session with the City Council and Gotts to discuss the technical issues and other concerns related to the property. Prigel said development of the property would require annexation and most likely a development agreement. Prigel said the two most critical issues are access and drainage. He said that in addition it will be necessary to look at how water and sewer will be provided to the development.

 

Jeanette Fentie asked Gotts if he had purchased two parcels. Gotts said he purchased one parcel of approximately 55 acres and that under county zoning he would be allowed 2 homes on the property. Gotts said he would like to develop the property by annexing into the city.

 

The City Council set Tuesday, June 1 at 5:00 p.m. for a workshop session to discuss the potential development.

 

Mike Barrier, Bingen

Mike Barrier said he has written a couple of letters to the City regarding the development of a quiet zone – preventing train whistles from being blown within the city limits of Bingen. Barrier urged the City Council to begin investigation into the process immediately and to stop the train horns in Bingen.

 

Brian Prigel said that he believes that in time a quiet zone could be developed in Bingen. He said the City has two crossings which would require top-quality gates and other amenities. Prigel said the gates that will be installed at Maple Street are estimated to cost $250,000 and would not meet the requirements for a quiet zone. Prigel said the issue will be on the City’s long-range planning. He said it is a good goal but the City has a ways to go.

 

Approval of Minutes – May 4, 2004

Jan Brending noted that page 5, 1st paragraph the word “chief” should be added after “Brian Prigel said the police…” and that in the last sentence of the 1st paragraph the word “chive” should read “chief.”

 

Betty Barnes said she would like to see a statement added to the page 5 at the end of Laura Mann’s comments “Brian Prigel recommended the Bailey’s contact the PUD or appropriate utility regarding any trees that are growing into utility lines.”

 

Betty Barnes moved to approve the minutes of the May 4 council meeting as amended. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

 

Glen Chipman, Interim Emergency Management Director

Glen Chipman said he is the interim emergency management director for Klickitat County. He said his regular job for Klickitat County is as chief financial officer. Chipman said he will be working to update the county’s emergency management plan, develop a county-wide communications plan, and look at the structure of emergency management in the county.

 

Brian Prigel said it is important to work with the public works directors, police chiefs and fire chiefs.

 

Sign Application – Bad Seed Cider House

Jan Brending presented a sign application for the Bad Seed Cider House. She said the business will be located where Mother’s Market was. Brending said the sign will replace the existing painted-over sign on the building. She said the sign meets the City’s ordinances.

 

Jeanette Fentie moved to approve the sign application by Bad Seed Cider House. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

 

Public Hearing – Short Plat Application – John Bryan

John Bryan, representing K2J1H Properties LLC provided information to the City regarding a proposed short plat for what would eventually be 5 parcels. He said two pieces of property would be developed with 2-unit townhomes creating four parcels. Bryan said that at the present time there are no plans for developing the 5th parcel.

 

Kathy Thomas said she owns the house at the end of Bridgeview Court. She is concerned about parking provisions for new development that is accessed off of Bridgeview Court. Thomas said that Bridgeview Court has only a 20-foot easement. She said she does not want to have to act as the parking police to keep people from parking along the easement or in the roadway.

 

Brian Prigel said the preliminary map shows a proposed structure within the existing roadway.

 

Bryan said the drawing has been altered so that the building is no longer encroaching on the easement.

 

Jan Brending noted that the City has adopted an ordinance requiring two independently accessible parking spaces per dwelling unit. She said the proposed lots meets the minimum lot sizes within the Residential 2 zoning.

 

Cliff Montee asked if the City is aware of any potential development for the property located below Bryan’s.

 

Jan Brending said the property has sold and the city currently has a building permit application on file. She noted the property owner has discussed the possibility of dividing the property into two lots.

 

Kathy Thomas asked how many bedrooms each townhouse unit would have. Bryan said the units will either have one or two bedrooms.

 

The City Council discussed whether the proposed land division is a short plat or subdivision. The City attorney will review the city’s ordinances for a determination.

 

The City Council did not give preliminary approval to the plat until the following issues are addressed or provided:

 

·        Preliminary short plat map that provides the information as required in the City’s subdivision ordinance

·        Subdivision guarantee

·        How lot #5 will be accessed

·        How storm water runoff will be handled and how water and sewer connections to the property will be provided

·        A site plan that shows two independently accessible parking spaces per dwelling unit

·        Consider establishing a road maintenance agreement with all current owners of property accessed by Bridgeview Court (the agreement should be noted on the plat and recorded)

·        A copy of the road easement for Bridgeview Court

·        Confirm the location of the City’s water and sewer line and other utility easements

 

Public Hearing – Short Plat Application – Jeff Rogers

Jeff Rogers said a boundary line adjustment for his property on Lincoln Street was recently completed. He said that he now wants to divide the upper lot into three parcels. Rogers said the property is zoned as Single-Family Residential.

 

City Council reviewed how the lots would be accessed and noted that drainage on these properties might be an issue when they are developed.

 

Randy Anderson moved to give preliminary approval to the short plat submitted by Jeff Rogers. Betty Barnes seconded the motion. The motion carried with the following vote:

 

Anderson – Aye           Barnes – Aye               Fentie - Aye

Mann – Absent Trantow – Abstain

 

Highway 14 Project – Status and Update

Brian Prigel said the irrigation system has been pressured tested and passed. Prigel said paving has begun and that all work will be suspended downtown until the paving is completed.

 

Jan Brending provided a document to the City Council showing the designed locations of benches and garbage cans in the downtown area. Brian Prigel said there may be some limited spaces where benches could be placed up against the building. He said that it will be necessary to talk to business and property owners first.

 

Mayor’s Update

Bingen-White Salmon Police Department

Brian Prigel said the police chief of the Bingen-White Salmon Police Department is retiring. He said a series of interviews were held. Prigel said two candidates remain – one from the department and one from the Seattle area. He said Linda Jones, Mayor of White Salmon, hopes to make a decision within the next two weeks.

 

Gorge Games

Brian Prigel said Gorge Games is setting up a local steering/advisory committee for the Gorge Games to be held in July.

 

Speed Limit Signs at East End of City

Brian Prigel said he reviewed the speed limit signs at the east end of the city. He said the signs are correct. Prigel noted that the first sign coming into Bingen notes that a 25 mile per hour speed zone is ahead.

 

Klickitat County Scenic Area Guide

Terry Trantow said he recently saw a copy of a guide for Klickitat County that made no mention of the Gorge Heritage Museum. He said he was disappointed in how Bingen was represented.

 

Audit

Brian Prigel reported that the State Auditor has been in the offices completing a single-year audit for 2003.

 

WSDOT Appreciation

Betty Barnes suggested that the City write a letter to the Governor of Washington expressing thanks for the help that Chuck Rushenberger has provided to the City. She said she is very appreciative for his efforts on the Highway 14 project. Barnes said that Rushenberger listened to the City’s concerns and addressed them.

 

Brian Prigel said that he is thankful for all of the WSDOT employees who have been involved with the Highway 14 project.

 

Jeanette Fentie said she also feels that the recognition is appropriate.

 

Treasurer’s Report

Jan Brending presented the treasurer’s report for April 2004.

 

Betty Barnes moved to accept the April 2004 treasurer’s report. Randy Anderson seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.

 

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 18, 2004. The council by unanimous vote does approve for payment the following list: warrants 5991 through 6021 totaling $13,518.66, manual warrant totaling $13,555.85 and payroll warrants 5898 through 5913 totaling $7,201.93 for a total of 34,276.44: Current - $10,679.54; Street - $894.32; Community Development - $155.34; Water - $1,563.42; Sewer - $1,051.31; Treatment Plant - $3,484.21; Dallesport Treatment Plant - $2,892.45; Dallesport Trust Fund - $13,555.85.

 

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

 

 

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City Clerk                                                                    Mayor