BINGEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
April 18, 2006
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Prigel at 7:00 p.m. Council members present: Betty Barnes, Laura Mann, Terry Trantow and Tim Hearn. Council members absent: Randy Anderson. Clerk Jan Brending and Attorney Tad Connors were present. Audience: Ruth Winner, Wil Schuemann, Petra Redchuk, Janet Tschanz, Brandon Walter.
Public Comment
Wil Schuemann, Bingen
Wil Schuemann provided photographs of falls within the Dry Creek area. He said
he would like to see a hiking trail along Dry Creek (see memorandum from Wil
Schuemann dated April 18, 2006 “Resurrecting the Dream of the Creation of a
Hiking (Nature) Trail Along Dry Creek”. Schuemann said the upper falls about ¼
mile up the creek. He said there was a previous proposal to link the trail to
others in the area.
Tim Hearn asked how long the creek runs.
Wil Schuemann said the creek trickles year round.
Tim Hearn asked if Schuemann has talked to other landowners about a trail.
Schuemann said there are complex ownership issues. He said that Meadows at one time had proposed to give the land to the city of Bingen as a park.
Tim Hearn asked if the city can put in a trail over private property.
Brian Prigel said if the landowners give permission. He said the city will contact landowners to see if they are interested in the idea of a trail along Dry Creek.
Tim Hearn said he likes the idea.
Approval of Minutes – April 4, 2006 Council Meeting
The following corrections were noted to the April 4 city council meeting
minutes:
Page 3, 10th paragraph should read as follows: “Brian Prigel said a construction fence will need to be used and the city and contractor will have to work with the museum to make sure the building is protected from vandals and the elements.”
Page 4, 7th paragraph, 2nd sentence should read as follows: “He said the police committee has several recommendations regarding the interlocal agreement for law enforcement services.”
Page 4, 12th paragraph, 2nd sentence should read as follows: “He said it is hard to see that one option is riskier over the other.”
Page 5, 3rd paragraph should read as follows: “Randy Anderson asked that the police committee check with other law enforcement agencies to see if they would be interested in providing law enforcement services if Bingen decided to back out of the agreement with White Salmon.”
Page 5, after 3rd paragraph insert following new paragraph: “Betty Barnes said she thought that was a good idea because Tad’s previous recommendation that when negotiating there are other options than just White Salmon.”
Page 6, 5th paragraph, 2nd sentence should read “She said the Deputy Clerk works 20 hours a week and the Bingen Wastewater Treatment Plan Manager works 24 hours a week although at this time he is working 30 hours a week due to being down one employee.”
Betty Barnes moved to approve the minutes of the April 4 city council meeting as amended. Tim Hearn seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Laura Mann said she would like to volunteer to serve on the Anderson Perry Scholarship committee.
Public Hearing – Renewal of Franchise Agreement,
Charter Communications
Brian Prigel said the city is in the process of renewing its franchise
agreement with Charter Communications, Inc. who provides cable services in
Bingen.
Jan Brending introduced Petra Redchuk and Janet Tschanz with Charter Communications.
Petra Redchuk and Janet Tschanz provided information regarding issues cable providers are facing including federal legislation. Charter Communications is asking that due to pending legislation a shorter term for the agreement be provided and that the “equal protection” language be changed to address potential state or federal legislation. It was noted that cities do have the opportunity for a public, education and government (PEG) channel although some cities ask for only an education and government (EG) channel. The city is required to run the channel.
Jan Brending asked if the city can contract out the running of the channel. Charter Communications said yes.
Betty Barnes asked what happens if the city asks for the channel but doesn’t use it. Charter Communications said that if the city was not using the channel then Charter would most likely ask for it back.
Tim Hearn asked how the city can get programming out of Olympia or Seattle so that the area can receive news dealing with Washington state issues.
Petra Redchuk said there are broadcasting rules that make getting network channels out of the Seattle area costly.
Jan Brending asked if the NW news channel is available through Charter. Petra Redchuk said yes. Brending noted this covers some of the Washington state news.
Council members expressed an interested in obtaining more news related directly to Washington state. It was suggested that programming might be available via tape that could be shown on the local education and government channel.
The council agreed that information should be included preserving the city’s right to have either a public, education and government channel or just an education and government channel. The council agreed to a time period of 5 years with an option for renewal. It was noted that the agreement would include a clause of notification 36 months prior to expiration.
Tim Hearn suggested the agreement be brought back to the council at the next meeting. Jan Brending asked if it could be brought back in a month. The council agreed.
Wil Schuemann asked if the agreement includes termination language. Petra Redchuk said yes.
Tad Connors will review the proposed agreement. Jan Brending will provide information on the public, education and government access channels and how government programming can be obtained from Washington.
Land Exchange Proposal – Wil Schuemann
Tad Connors said an appraisal of both parcels involved in the proposed land
exchange would need to be completed. He said that the values of the parcels
would need to be compared and if unequal a monetary exchange would also be
required. Connors said the city will need to decide to surplus the parcel it is
trading but that it can dispose of the parcel as the city thinks is best for the
public’s interest.
Brandon Walter, Public Works Superintendent, said he did not see any issues with the proposed land exchange.
Tim Hearn and Terry Trantow said they looked at the two pieces of property in question.
Terry Trantow noted that there are two draws that have been bermed up so that water drains into Dry Creek. He said the berms will need to be maintained.
Wil Schuemann said the reason he would like to do the land exchange is to see the idea of a trail realized. He said he would like to put the proposed land exchange on hold until the trail issue can be reviewed.
There was a consensus of the city council to table the land exchange proposal until a future date.
Betty Barnes asked if Wil Schuemann still intends to cover the costs of the proposed land exchange.
Wil Schuemann said up to this point.
Land Acquisition
Brian Prigel said the city has a long-term proposal for use of the park area
and adjoining city property that has been identified in the city’s community
action plan and it’s downtown revitalization plan. He said the property proposed
for purchase has been identified as key to the city’s future development in the
area. Prigel said the property owner of the two single-wide trailers at 405 W.
Humboldt approached the city to see if it was interested in purchasing the
property.
Tad Connors said the purchase price of the two parcels is $185,000 with the property owner paying the title insurance and excise taxes, closing fees split between the property owner and the city, and property taxes prorated between the two parties. He said the property owner would like to close next week. Connors said there are tenants in each trailer with lease agreements. He said one expired in August and the second expires in June.
Brian Prigel said the city has dealt with tenants of property it has purchased in several ways. He said the tenants of 400 W. Steuben were offered relocation assistance. Prigel said that when the city purchased the second parcel on Willow Street the tenants were given one year to relocate.
The city council discussed tenant/landlord issues. It was recommended the tenants be given one year to relocate. Brian Prigel suggested that a final determination on tenant issues can be discussed at a later date. Brandon Walter raised the issue of maintenance.
Tim Hearn moved to purchase the two parcels located at 405 W. Steuben for $185,000. Laura Mann seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Proposed Resolution 2006-001, Authorizing Interfund
Loans
Jan Brending said Resolution 2006-001 provides for two interfund loans from
the Treatment Plant Capital Replacement Fund and the Sewer Reserve Fund to the
Community Development Fund for a total of $185,000. She said the resolution
provides for repaying the loans over three years at the average interest rate
being earned by the State Investment Pool.
Laura Mann moved to adopt Resolution 2006-001 authorizing interfund loans to the Community Development Fund from the Treatment Plan Capital Replacement Fund and the Sewer Reserve Fund in the amount of $185,000 and setting repayment and interest calculations. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Downtown Benches – Discussion
Tim Hearn said he would like to table discussion of the downtown benches
until the Highway 14 project is closed.
Jan Brending noted that the project itself is complete. She said it is the financial side of the project that has not closed.
Brian Prigel said it was agreed that city council members would identify what changes they would like to see in the benches.
Laura Mann said she is not for turning the benches around but would prefer to see backless benches purchased and used to replace the benches where there are concerns. She said the benches with backs could then be placed in the park. Mann said she has noted three benches that could be fixed: at the corners of Walnut, Willow and Oak near the old All Sports Pizza building.
Betty Barnes said she would like to add a fourth bench to the list: the one at Oak Street in front of the Bingen Superette.
Brian Prigel asked staff to provide information to the council on the cost of replacing four benches with backless benches at the next council meeting.
Betty Barnes said she has been approached about the idea of starting a business committee who could report to the city about business issues in Bingen.
Brian Prigel said he thinks it is a good idea.
Disposal of Brush and Yard/Garden Debris
City council members and staff reviewed the memorandum provided by staff
dated March 31, 2006 “Options for Brush and Yard/Garden Debris.”
Terry Trantow said that he thinks it is important to limit the number of bags of debris.
Laura Mann asked if it was possible to work with the garbage company in addressing the issue.
Jan Brending said she will check with Bingen Garbage Service to see if they have any ideas on the issue.
Betty Barnes said that if the city provides a service it should be on a quarterly basis.
Brian Prigel suggested that maybe twice a year would be appropriate.
The issue will be brought back to the council with additional information.
Mayor’s Update and Council Member Comments
Police Committee
The city council reviewed the police committee recommendations for
amendments to the interlocal agreement for law enforcement services.
Betty Barnes said that she believes the use of a panel in the selection of hiring a police chief will make the role of Bingen’s mayor stronger. She said she is also concerned that in some cases the mayor (either Bingen or White Salmon) may have a conflict of interest and suggested the interlocal agreement add language if there is a case of conflict of interest the role would be moved to mayor pro tem.
Jan Brending noted that the language in the committee’s suggested amendments is very broad allowing the two cities to work together to come up with the appropriate language and methods that would strengthen the role of Bingen’s mayor.
The city council discussed the role of the civil service commission.
Laura Mann moved to adopt the proposed recommendations by the police committee and forward them to the City of White Salmon. Betty Barnes seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Jan Brending noted that Bingen has requested a joint police committee meeting.
Museum Parking
Terry Trantow asked that when the city does striping this summer that the
diagonal parking be included in front of the museum.
West Klickitat County Parks and Recreation Committee
Jan Brending said a group of people have been meeting for approximately a
year to discuss the possibility of developing a parks and recreation district
for west Klickitat County. She said a survey will be coming out in early June to
determine what kinds of parks and recreation services people in the community
want. Brending said the survey will be distributed in areas to include Lyle,
Glenwood and the Mt. Adams valley area.
Parking in Front of Bad Seed Cider
Betty Barnes said the city needs to make sure the no parking area in front
of the garage at Bad Seed Cider is striped.
Creek/Ditch – West of Park
Tim Hearn asked who is responsible for the creek/ditch area immediately west
of the park.
Brian Prigel said the boundary line between the city’s property and Dickey Farms runs along this creek/ditch area.
Jan Brending said some of it is Dickey Farms property and some of it is City property.
Highway 14 Project
Jan Brending said she continues to follow-up on the financial closing of the
Highway 14 project. She said the main issue is reconciling the billing for WSDOT
services and in particular those associated with preliminary engineering and
right-of-way.
Ruth Winner, Gorge Heritage Museum
Ruth Winner said she has been out of town. She asked about the status of the
museum basement wall repair.
Jan Brending said the city is developing a small works roster bid that should go out in the next few weeks.
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 18, 2006. The council by unanimous vote does approve for payment the
following list: warrants 7476 through 7509 totaling $19,210.91; manual warrants
501045 totaling $13,199.26; and payroll warrants 986559 through 986576 totaling
$13,234.92 for a total of $45,645.09: Current - $9,753.51; Street - $2,558.56;
Community Development - $2,195.00; Water - $5,891.17; Sewer - $2,432.62;
Treatment Plant - $3,122.15; Dallesport Treatment Plant - $6,492.82; and
Dallesport Billing Trust Fund - $13,199.26.
At 9:15 p.m. the Council adjourned.
Jan Brending
Brian Prigel
City Clerk
Mayor