BINGEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

 

June 1, 2004

 

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Prigel at 7:00 p.m. Council members present: Terry Trantow, Betty Barnes, Jeanette Fentie, Laura Mann and Randy Anderson. Council Members absent: Laura Mann. Clerk Jan Brending and Legal Counsel Tad Connors were present. Audience: Mildred Lykens, Ruth Winner, Michael Wellman, Nan Wimmers.

 

Approval of Minutes – May 18, 2004

Terry Trantow noted that “Vizena” should be spelled “Vezina”.

 

A change was requested on page 2, 2nd to last paragraph should read: “Kathy Thomas asked how many bedrooms each townhouse unit would have.”

 

A change was requested on page 3, last paragraph, last sentence should read: “He said Linda Jones, Mayor of White Salmon, hopes to make a decision within the next two weeks.”

 

Jeanette Fentie moved to accept the minutes of May 18 as amended. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.

 

Sign Application – State Farm Insurance

Jan Brending said a sign application has been submitted by Mike Cole for the State Farm Insurance office at 1000 West Steuben. She said the proposed sign meets the City’s ordinance requirements and that cumulative signs at 1000 West Steuben do not exceed the maximum amount of signage.

 

Randy Anderson moved to approve the sign application for State Farm Insurance at 1000 West Steuben as submitted. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

 

Public Hearing – Short Plat, Glenn Taylor

A preliminary short plat map was presented to the City Council for dividing property located at 900 W. Steuben into two lots.

 

Betty Barnes moved to give preliminary approval to the short plat with the following requirements:

 

·        A subdivision guarantee is required

·        Call out the ¼ ¼ section in the heading description

·        Spell check the document

·        Call out the sewer easement (which is within the west 24’ road and utility easement)

·        Verify and call out all water, sewer and other utility easements

·        Correct and rerecord the easement with the City of Bingen for the fire hydrant in the southwest corner of the property.

 

Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

 

Final Short Plat – Dickey Farms

A final short plat map was presented for Dickey Farms, Short Plat 2004-01. Jan Brending said that the short plat had been amended as required by the Council and that a subdivision guarantee was also submitted.

 

Betty Barnes moved to approve the final short plat for Dickey Farms, Short Plat 2004-01. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

 

Highway 14 Project – Update and Status

Brian Prigel said that all of the paving on the project has been completed. He said the contractor is in the process of raising manholes, valves, and drain inlets. Prigel said items that need to be completed are the installation of crosswalks, striping, landscaping and final review of the irrigation.

 

Mike Wellman said the City has come up with a solution for stabilizing the trees in downtown. He said steel poles will be bolted to the tree grates with strapping around the trees. Wellman said City employees will begin stabilizing the trees this week.

 

Brian Prigel said the project is facing a shortfall of funding. He said that the City has received notification that an additional $200,000 of federal funds will be added by WSDOT.  Prigel said he has asked Klickitat County EDA for additional funding. He said that at the last EDA meeting, additional funding to the maximum extent possible was being recommended to the Klickitat County Board. Prigel said in addition, he spoke with the Executive Director of the Washington Transportation Improvement Board who has also offered some additional funding. He said that he, Jan Brending, and WSDOT are tracking funding and expenditures very closely as the project is coming to a close. Prigel said he does not believe the risk to the City is very high because of the additional assistance coming from Klickitat County, WSDOT and the Transportation Improvement Board. He noted the City may have to contribute some additional funds from its community development fund.

 

Brian Prigel noted that with the recent rain several areas of Highway 14 experienced some minor flooding due to storm drains being paved over. He said the storm drains have been uncovered and that WSDOT is looking at areas where there might be concerns.

 

Prigel said WSDOT will be conducting a traffic study and count in the area once the traffic light at the bridge is installed.

 

Prigel noted that a couple of planter areas were not planted. These areas have no irrigation and were not scheduled for planting. It was noted that it could be possible to plant these areas with drought-resistant plants.

 

Prigel said people at the Klickitat County EDA meeting were very complementary of the project and the changes that have taken place.

 

Mayor’s Update

Washington State Transportation Commission

Brian Prigel said he made a presentation at a Washington State Transportation Commission meeting in Vancouver last week. He said he provided an update on the Highway 14 project and how it is affecting potential economic development. Prigel said he let the Transportation Commission know that although projects on Highway 14 are not congestion relieving projects they are still very important.

 

Downtown Revitalization

Brian Prigel said three new commercial buildings will be constructed in Bingen over the summer. He noted that it is possible that the marina development will begin in the fall. Prigel said the developer and the Port are in the process of updating the agreement which had expired.

 

Prigel said that is also possible that development at the old mill site at the Port could happen in the future.

 

Prigel said that after the Highway project is completed it would be a good time for the City to reevaluate its long-term goals.

 

Jeanette Fentie said she would like to the see the quiet zone included in the City’s long-term goals. She said that it would be an enhancement to the community without the train noise.

 

Prigel said it will be important to prioritize things when the City considers its long-term goals.

 

Police Chief

Brian Prigel said he met with Linda Jones, Mayor of White Salmon. He said he has not heard whether she has made a decision or not. He reminded the Council that even though Bingen has an agreement for law enforcement services with White Salmon, the mayor of White Salmon has the final decision on hiring.

 

Regional Transportation Council

Brian Prigel announced that the Regional Transportation Council will meet at the Port, tomorrow afternoon.

 

Fireworks

Brian Prigel reported a meeting is scheduled for Friday, June 4 – 9:00 a.m. to discuss the 4th of July at the Port property.

 

Draft Subdivision Ordinance Workshop

The City Council continued review of a draft subdivision ordinance dated July 25, 2003.

 

The following changes were made to the draft:

 

·        Page 32, 16.28.020. A.  – add “of” between “violation” and “the”

·        Page 33, 16.28.050 A. -  change to read as follows: “No lots are to be reduced below the minimum lot size for the applicable zoning district.”

·        Page 33, 16.28.050.C. – change to read as follows: “Lots shall have an access easement of a minimum width of 15 feet to a public street.

·        Page 34, 16.28.060.B.1. – change to read as follows: “Sheet sizes for the final boundary line adjustment map shall be 18” x 24”.”

·        Page 34, 16.28.060.B.4. – change to read as follows: “The assessor’s lot number and a description of the adjusted area and a subdivision guarantee from a title company;”

·        Page 34, 16.28.060.B.6. – change to read as follows: “Dimensions of original and adjusted lots;”

·        Page 34, 16.28.060.B.7. – change to read as follows: “Names of boundary line adjustments, short plats, and subdivisions abutting the subject property;”

·        Page 34, 16.28.060.B.9. – delete

·        Page 34, 16.28.060.B.10 – renumber to 9

·        Page 34, 16.28.060.B.11 – renumber to 10 and change to read as follows: “Signature blocks for City approval of boundary line adjustments.”

·        Page 35, 16.28.080 – renumber as 16.30.010 Lot Consolidation Review

·        Page 35, 16.28.080.A. – change to read as follows: “The applicant shall submit a map and narrative, which clearly describes the existing lots proposed for consolidation.”

·        Page 36, 16.32.040.A.1. – change to read as follows: “Streets shall connect to a) all approved stub streets which abut the development site; and b) where required to an existing street which abuts the development site.”

·        Page 37, 1632.040.A.3. – change to read as follows: “When cul-de-sacs and permanent dead-end streets are allowed, they shall be limited to 200 feet of street length and no more than 12 dwelling units.:

·        Page 37, 16.32.040.B.1. – provide for revised language

 

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 June 1, 2004. The council by unanimous vote does approve for payment the following list: warrants 6022 through 6040 totaling $9,954.53, and payroll warrants 5916 through 5927 totaling $23,636.12 for a total of $33,590.65: Current - $6,953.64; Street - $4,132.07; Community Development - $267.30; Water - $7,841.15; Sewer - $2,392.29; Treatment Plant - $6,168.29; Dallesport Treatment Plant - $5,835.91.

 

At 9:15 p.m. the Council adjourned.

 

 

 

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City Clerk                                                                    Mayor