BINGEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
May 15, 2007
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Prigel at 7:00 p.m. Council members present: Terry Trantow, Sandi Dickey, Tim Hearn, Laura Mann. Council members absent: Betty Barnes. Clerk Jan Brending and Attorney Tad Connors were present. Audience: Ruth Winner, Jason Spadero, Dean Myerson, Shamae & Craig Juris, Tim O’Neill, Janice Leis.
Public Comment
Laura Mann, Bingen
Laura Mann thanked city
staff for cleaning up the park last week.
Tim O’Neal and
Craig Juris, Klickitat County Prosecutor’s Office
Tim O’Neal introduced himself and Craig Juris. Tim O’Neal said he likes to
visit with the different entities in the county.
Craig Juris reported that a vehicle was located in the water at the marina about 40 feet out. He said that the vehicle was discovered by Skamania County officers who were scuba diving in the marina. Juris said a body was discovered in the vehicle.
Tim O’Neal said that an autopsy has not been completed and the body has not been identified.
Tim O’Neal said he wanted to compliment the city on its choice of attorney. He said Connors quickly identifies the issues and gets to the point.
Craig Juris said he is very happy with the Bingen White Salmon Police Department officers and the work that he gets from them. He said the young officers seem willing to learn.
Tim O’Neal said the prosecutor’s office offer mediation services to citizens. He said the service is particularly used by “warring” neighbors.
Approval of
Minutes – May 1, 2007
Corrections to the minutes of the May 1 city council meeting were noted as
follows:
Page 2, 11th paragraph should read as follows: “Brian Prigel said the city has not awarded the contract for the Depot Street sewer project as the city of White Salmon has not made a decision on Bingen’s requests related to a proposed interlocal agreement for funding.”
Terry Trantow moved to approve the minutes of the May 1 city council meeting as amended. Sandi Dickey seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Land Exchange
Proposal – SDS Lumber, Jason Spadero
Jason Spadero provided an overview of a land exchange proposal between SDS
and the city. He said SDS has acquired property from BNSF north of the railroad
tracks. He said that a portion of one of the city’s buildings falls within SDS
ownership. Spadero said he would like to clean up the ownership through a land
exchange. He said SDS hopes to move its retail sales facility to land that is
owned by SDS located east of Maple and south of the railroad tracks.
Brian Prigel asked how soon SDS is looking at moving the retail facility.
Jason Spadero said the company is looking at the feasibility.
Tim Hearn said he would like to see the ownership cleaned up.
Terry Trantow and Laura Mann said they support the proposal.
Laura Mann moved to obtain a survey of the proposed land exchange with the costs split between SDS Lumber and the city. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Public Hearing,
Proposed Ordinance Amending BMC 6.04, Dogs
Brian Prigel announced the public hearing for a proposed ordinance amending
Bingen Municipal Codes 6.04 related to dogs running at large.
Tad Connors said that in December the city adopted an ordinance amending the code dealing with multiple dogs from the same household that are running at large. He said that at the request of council the proposed ordinance amends the code so that a single dog running at large for the second or subsequent time within a six-month period would be a misdemeanor.
Jan Brending said that language in the ordinance should be changed making the ordinance effective July 1st. She said this would allow time for information to be presented to the public through the June newsletter.
Tim Hearn moved to adopt Ordinance 07-02-537 making it effective July 1. Laura Mann seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Request for Water
Overage Reduction – Janice Leis
Brian Prigel said the city has received a number of requests for reduction
in water overage billing due to leaks. He said that many times leaks are
determined when the city completes the winter reading in April. He said the city
has an unwritten policy that billing is reduced upon documentation that the leak
has been found and fixed.
Brian Prigel said that the case of the overage at property owned by Janice Leis is unusual in that no leak has been located. He said the meter was tested and found to be running correctly.
Jan Brending provided the council with a memorandum identifying the average usage for the Leis property. She said that based on the usage it is likely that some of the irrigation is running through the meter. She recommended that if the council were to approve the meter reduction that the gallons used to calculate the billing should be 64,123 gallons.
City council and Janice Leis discussed the water system for the Leis property and surrounding properties and possible problems.
Brian Prigel asked Janice Leis for permission for the city crew to do some testing on the line to determine what is running through the meter.
Janice Leis said that would be fine. She noted there is a capped pipe on the system that she would like to understand what its purpose is.
Tim Hearn moved to approve the request for water overage reduction and to use 64,123 gallons for calculating the billing. Laura Mann seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Water Overage
Reduction Request – Jorge Pulido
Jan Brending provided information to the council regarding the request by
Jorge Pulido. She recommended that if the council were to approve the reduction
request that 55,460 gallons be used for calculating the billing.
Terry Trantow moved to approve the Jorge Pulido request for water overage reduction and to use 55,460 gallons for calculating the billing. Tim Hearn seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Water Overage
Reduction Request – Arnold and Maidee Kirkeby
Jan Brending provided information to the council regarding the request by
Arnold and Maidee Kirkeby. She noted that request is different in that it
involves commercial property and a request for reduction in sewer overage also.
Brending said that commercial and industrial properties usually incur sewer
overage due to sewer billing calculated on water usage. Brending recommended
that the base monthly billing be used as there has been no history of water or
sewer overages on the account.
Tim Hearn moved to approve the Arnold and Maidee Kirkeby request for water and sewer overage reduction and to use the base fee for billing. Sandi Dickey seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Concept Paper,
Dry Creek – Bell Design, Stoner Bell
Stoner Bell provided a review of the concept for addressing flooding issues
at Dry Creek and Walnut Street. He provided an overview of the existing
stormwater system in the area and issues that came out of the December 2006
flooding. He said that he is proposing that the city install a stormwater pipe
that would connect to the existing stormwater system that flows directly into
Dry Creek across Highway 14. He said this would help alleviate the problem of
flooding at Dry Creek and Walnut and give city crew enough time to clear debris.
Bell also recommended that the grate at Walnut Street be replaced.
Brian Prigel said he believes Bell Design’s proposal would achieve what the city had originally wanted to do when it was developing the Highway 14 project and would not require a hydraulic permit.
Stoner Bell said that he could develop some initial design with rough cost estimates within the original contract amount.
Equipment Bid,
SCBAs – Bid Results and Recommendation
Jan Brending said the city received one bid for the SCBAs. She said Cascade
Fire Equipment has bid $4,787.48 per SCBA including tax for a total of
$47,847.80 for 10 SCBAs. Brending said the bid amount is under the $48,000
budgeted which includes $24,000 from Klickitat County. She noted that the
Klickitat County Commissioners have agreed to amend the interlocal agreement for
funding allowing for the purchase of 5 SCBAs with the grant funds.
Laura Mann moved to accept the bid from Cascade Fire Equipment for 10 SCBAs of $47,847.80. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Proposed Scope of
Work, Small Works Roster Bid – Street Striping
Jan Brending said she has developed the scope of work for street striping.
She noted that Betty Barnes had wanted the scope of work presented to the
council before going out to bid. Brending said she has reviewed the scope of
work with David Spratt.
Sandi Dickey moved to put the project out to bid. Laura Mann seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
BNSF Permit for
Pipe Line Crossing – Authorization to Sign
Jan Brending said the city’s Depot Street sewer line crosses property owned
by BNSF at the east end of the project. She said a permit is required to cross
the property.
Tad Connors reviewed the contract with BNSF.
Tim Hearn moved to authorize the mayor to sign the contract with BNSF for a pipe line crossing permit. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Treasurer’s
Report, April 2007
Jan Brending presented the Treasurer’s Report for April 2007.
Laura Mann moved to accept the April 2007 Treasurer’s Report. Tim Hearn seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Old Business
Depot Street Sewer Project Update
Brian Prigel provided an overview of White Salmon’s action on the interlocal
agreement for the Depot Street Sewer Project. He said White Salmon has agreed to
pay for construction engineering costs. Prigel said White Salmon does not want
to lift the cap. He said that he let White Salmon know that if they did not want
to provide dual indemnification that Bingen would then prefer the agreement to
not include any indemnification clause. Prigel said that White Salmon’s attorney
said she would rather have dual indemnification rather than no indemnification.
Laura Mann moved to authorize the mayor to sign the interlocal agreement with White Salmon related to funding of the Depot Street Sewer project. Sandi Dickey seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
White Salmon
Highway 14 Sewer Project Update
Jan Brending said that construction work on the White Salmon Highway 14
sewer project will resume on May 21. She said the contractor will be working at
night on the portion that runs from McDonalds to just west of the Sandy Dean
property.
Mayor’s Update
and Council Member Comments
Transportation Commission Board Meeting
Brian Prigel said he attended the Transportation Board meeting at Skamania
Lodge. He said he helped present information on the Hood River Bridge and the
proposed SR35 Bridge. Prigel said the new director for the Port of Hood River
was also in attendance. He said the Transportation Board did not promise any
money or help for the SR35 Bridge project.
Water Odor
Laura Mann said she recently noticed a strong odor in the water particularly
when running hot water.
City council members discussed the water and Brian Prigel said it might be time to flush the lines.
Gorge Heritage
Museum
Ruth Winner thanked Jan Brending for getting the roof repaired. Winner
presented some information to the city council regarding installation of lights
for the flume/flag and possibly the playground area.
The issue will be placed on the city council’s next agenda.
Joint Purchase of
Street Sweeper
Brian Prigel reported the two cities are investigating the joint purchase of
a street sweeper. He said that additional information is needed and will be
presented to the city council at a future meeting.
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
15, 2007. The council by unanimous vote does approve for payment the following
list: checks 8817 through 8852 totaling $40,571.63 and payroll checks 8798
through 8816 totaling $12,075.67. Current - $10,667.67; Street - $1,067.52;
Street Equipment - $6,937.82; Water – $1,763.56; Sewer - $1,165.19; Treatment
Plant - $4,186.36; Dallesport Treatment Plant – $4,937.52; Sewer Construction &
Maintenance - $8,060.00; Water and Sewer Equipment Reserve – $13,874.66.
The council adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
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City
Clerk Mayor