BINGEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
September 5 2006
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Prigel at 7:00 p.m. Council members present: Terry Trantow, Tim Hearn, Betty Barnes, Laura Mann. Members absent: Randy Anderson. Clerk Jan Brending and Attorney Tad Connors were present. Audience: Norm Deo, Frenchie Vezina, Jim Andring, Wil Schuemann, Teresa Giron, Mika Clark, John Thomas, John Deo, Ruth Winner, Jesse Burkhardt, Bruce Brending, Ed Wahner.
Public Comment
Mika Clark, Bingen
Mika Clark said
she lives at 215 Cedar. She said her property is the one with the hedges in the
right-of-way. Clark said she agrees that the hedges are huge. She suggested that
if the stop sign was moved out and up about 3 feet there probably would not be a
problem. Clark said she loves the hedges and that they offer privacy to the
property. She said she feels it would be an eyesore if the hedges are removed.
Clark asked the city to consider the option of moving the stop sign.
Brian Prigel said the city’s concern is with visibility on the streets and this property was identified as a problem. He said the city will look at the situation again.
Tim Hearn said he has measured everything at the intersection. He said he feels the aesthetic value outweighs any danger.
Frenchie Vezina
Frenchie Vezina said he is concerned about the proposed land swap with Schuemann.
He said he believes it is impacting his easement and asked if the city has seen
the letter from his attorney.
Brian Prigel said the letter from Vezina’s attorney is included in the council’s packet. He said the city council will be discussing the issue in executive session later this evening.
Wil Schuemann,
Bingen
Wil Schuemann said he wanted to provide some numbers related to any proposed
road that would be developed from State Route 141 to the property owned by
Stonecliff Development (see information dated September 5). He said it will cost
millions of dollars to construct a private road as proposed. He also provided
information on how a road could be constructed.
Teresa Giron
Teresa Giron said she would like to express some comments about whether or
not Bingen should maintain its current police department or bring in the sheriff
department. She said it is important to have a police department that is
educated in how to deal with families, small towns and visitors. Giron said it
is important for people who are living in Bingen to feel comfortable where they
live and in calling the police. She said county officers don’t know who the
people are and approach everyone as they are the problem. Giron said the county
officers don’t come from the community and don’t know the community. She said
the Bingen-White Salmon Police Department treats everyone with respect. Giron
suggested the city should be looking into other issues that exist in the
sheriff’s department. She said she has grandchildren living in Bingen and has
family in White Salmon.
Approval of Minutes – August 15, 2006
Tad Connors said he would like to make a comment regarding his statement in
the August 15 minutes – “He said the city is not legally bound by precedent.” He
said that he meant that in most situations are factually different so they are
unlikely to set a precedent.
Terry Trantow moved to approve the minutes of the August 15, 2006 city council meeting. Laura Mann seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Variance Request 2006-002, John and Kathy Thomas
(continued)
Brian Prigel provided an overview of the request. He said the city council
tabled action on the request until it could receive information from emergency
service agencies.
Jan Brending noted that the city received comments from the Bingen Fire Department, Bingen-White Salmon Police Department, and Skyline Ambulance which are part of the record.
Tim Hearn said he has visited the property and road in question and has no problem with it.
Jan Brending provided an overview of possible future land divisions for property that is accessed by Bridgeview Court.
Brian Prigel noted that without a land division three parcels could still have two units on them because of the R2 zoning.
Terry Trantow said he has no problem with the width of the easement but has a problem with the width of roadway.
John Thomas said there is no way to get a 20 foot wide road due to a deep cut.
Terry Trantow said he is concerned with the outside shoulder raveling and washing. He said there is no retaining wall for the outside shoulder.
Brian Prigel said Bridgeview Court is a substandard road that currently accesses two dwellings. He said he believes that the request is for something that is no more or less than a driveway that won’t go any further. Prigel said the city council’s concerns at the last meeting were fire access and cumulative impacts. He said the city council can table the action again for further information, approve the request or deny the request.
Tim Hearn moved to approve the variance request by John and Kathy Thomas. Laura Mann seconded the motion. The vote was: Anderson – Absent, Barnes – Nay, Hearn – Aye, Mann – Aye, Trantow – Nay resulting in a tie vote.
Brian Prigel said the proposed road is actually a defacto driveway for a single house. He noted the city council has the opportunity to deny further land divisions. He said given the nature of the road and the topography he votes to approve the variance request breaking the tie.
Motion carried three to two with the following vote: Anderson – Absent, Barnes – Nay, Hearn – Aye, Mann – Aye, Trantow – Nay, Prigel – Aye.
Public Hearing – Variance Request, 2006-003, Billie
Deo
Brian Prigel provided an overview of the variance request submitted by
Billie Deo. He said Deo is asking for a variance from the requirement for
minimum front yard width and from the requirement for minimum rear yard width.
He said the subject property is a substandard parcel because it is 5000 square
feet while the city’s zoning ordinance now requires 6000 square feet. Prigel
said the subject property can be built on even though it is less than 6000
square feet.
Norm Deo, representing Billie Deo, said the manufactured home that will replace the previously existing home will be a big improvement. He said his family has owned the property for many years. Deo said he considered remodeling the existing home but due to its condition decided not to. He said cost was a big factor as this is a residence for his daughter who has limited funding. Deo said the manufactured home is well-maintained with vinyl siding and large eaves. He said that he feels the manufactured home will be getting closer to the setback requirements over what existed which had no front yard setback and very little setback on one of the side yards. Deo said the property also had no off-street parking and that there will now be 3 off-street parking spaces.
Jan Brending read into the record a letter from H. Bulick, Bingen, Washington.
Ed Wahner said he resides at 102 Cedar. He said that the family that resides at 209 N. Cedar has been there for a long time. Wahner said he supports the variance request.
Mika Clark said she has been a neighbor for over 13 years and really likes the neighborhood. She said the family at 209 N. Cedar has gotten too big for the little house and that there were problems with the electric. She said she is the closest neighbor.
Norm Deo noted that when he purchased the manufacture home it was his understanding that it was 24’ x 60’ even though it was advertised as 24’ x 64’. He said he was told that the mudroom that was attached was the extra 4’ so therefore thought that the manufactured home was only 60’. He said the home has been purchased which is why the variance is being requested.
Terry Trantow moved to approve the variance request submitted by Billie Deo. Betty Barnes seconded the motion which passed with the following vote: Anderson – Absent, Barnes – Aye, Hearn – Abstain, Mann – Aye, Trantow – Aye.
Small Works Roster Bid – Gorge Heritage Museum
Jan Brending said the city has received one bid for the Gorge Heritage
Museum work. She said three bidders attending the mandatory pre-bid meeting. She
said Spring Hill Construction has bid $29,996.80 including taxes. Brending said
she spoke with Mike Wellman regarding the bid and that he is comfortable with
it.
Brian Prigel said he recommends accepting the bid.
Terry Trantow moved to accept the bid of $29,996.80 from Spring Hill Construction and to award the small works roster contract. Laura Mann seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Proposed Resolution 2006-004, Amending Personnel
Policy
Brian Prigel said the proposed resolution amends the personnel policy
increasing the number of hours earned for vacation leave in the first year. He
said in recent interviews candidates have been willing to take pay cuts but
benefits and particularly vacation leave has been a concern. Prigel said the
policy would apply to any new employees and existing employees.
Betty Barnes moved to pass Resolution 2006-004, amending the personnel policy. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Mayor’s Update and Council Member Comments
Highway 14 Crosswalks
Brian Prigel said a meeting was held with representatives from WSDOT and the
manufacturer and installer of the crosswalks. He said he had hoped to have a
written proposal for replacing the sidewalks to present at this meeting but it
will be presented at the second meeting in September. Prigel said he hopes to
wait to repair the sidewalks until the spring. He said the proposal involves
Bingen paying for approximately $10,000 in labor costs. Prigel said more details
will be available for the next meeting.
Auditor
Brian Prigel said the state auditor has been in the office last week and
this week.
Budget Committee Meeting
Jan Brending requested a budget committee meeting for the week of September
25. Laura Mann said she is available either September 25 or 27.
Civil Service Conference
Brian Prigel said a Civil Service Conference is being held in Yakima. He
said the city of White Salmon is encouraging all of the members of the civil
service commission to attend the ½ day “Basic Training” session and will pay for
one vehicle to attend in addition to the conference fee.
Brian Prigel suggested the city of Bingen should offer to cover all of Barbara Kubitscheck’s expenses if she would like to go.
Jan Brending said the conference is actually 1-1/2 days long and that expenses will include overnight lodging, mileage and the conference fee.
Betty Barnes said she believes that Barbara Kubitscheck would like to attend the conference.
Laura Mann moved to authorize paying for Barbara Kubitscheck expenditures for the civil service conference. Betty Barnes seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Depot Street Sewer Project
Brian Prigel said he does not believe that the Depot Street sewer line will
be replaced this fall.
Betty Barnes asked if White Salmon understands the urgency of replacing the sewer line on Depot Street and Maple Street. Brian Prigel said the committee members and staff understand.
Laura Mann asked if the current contractor will be able to do the work.
Brian Prigel said the project will have to be bid because of state and federal bidding laws. He said the current contractor has the opportunity to bid on the project and could get it.
Brian Prigel said that White Salmon is still asking the Corps of Engineers to cover all of the costs involved with the Depot Street Sewer Project (Maple Street phase). He said this may be wishful thinking on White Salmon’s part and hopes that she is wrong. Prigel noted that the contractor is far behind schedule.
Brian Prigel noted that the DOE permit for the fish processing plan is still pending due to some issues with the CH2M Hill plan. He said that ultimately it comes down to Bingen to make sure its facilities are protected.
Huckleberry Festival
Brian Prigel said that staff has been working with the committee to make
sure everything is ready for the festival. He noted that the public parking will
help with parking for the festival.
Downtown Parking
Jan Brending said she will be presenting a review of existing and proposed
parking time limits in the core downtown area along with a draft letter to
property and business owners.
Banners
Jan Brending said the banners are expected to be delivered this week and
that the public works crew will try to get them up in time for the Huckleberry
Festival.
Pumps
Betty Barnes asked about the status of the pumps for the wells.
Jan Brending and Brian Prigel said the Dry Creek Well is running approximately 4 to 5 hours per day. Brending said the pump for the Park Well is in the process of being ordered and once the delivery date is known a contract will be established with M-K Drilling to pull the 40hp pump and install the 15hp pump.
Request from Daryl Agersea
Brian Prigel said the city has received a request from Daryl Agersea to
allow the temporary placement of a travel trailer on property on East Steuben.
He said the request is that the trailer would be hooked up to electric, water
and sewer. Prigel said he just wanted to advise the city council that he will be
responding that it will not be allowed.
Law Enforcement Services
Laura Mann wanted to acknowledge the letters from Janet Holen and the
Bingen-White Salmon Police Department that were included in the council packets.
She said the council should take into account what the letters say and should
wait until after the election to consider a proposal from Klickitat County. She
thanked the police officers in attendance for their letter.
Tim Hearn said he is an agreement with Mann’s suggestion.
Betty Barnes said that she feels the police department has not stated the council’s position correctly. She said the council has not hired or fired or promoted anyone.
Laura Mann said that the council’s position is not uniform on law enforcement issues.
Barnes said the department is not stating certain council members’ positions correctly, particularly her position. She said it is not her intention to keep any person from getting the chief’s job but to have an open and competitive process. Barnes said that if there is a tie or it is close between someone from the outside and someone from within the department then it should go to the in house person but it should not be a given.
Tim Hearn said it seems that people think Bingen is against the police department but that is not the case there are just some problems with White Salmon. He said he liked the letter.
Bruce Brending said that there are certain things that have been said and printed that have nothing to do with policy but have been personal. He said the role of the civil service is to promote. Brending said he agrees there are issues about policy but he does not believe that is where the focus has been kept.
Tim Hearn said he has done some research. He said that when he came on to the city council he stated that he did not want to be jointly hooked to White Salmon. Hearn said that most of the people he has heard from do want to be hooked to White Salmon and he is leaning toward making it work.
Brian Prigel said the city of Bingen has had the best police coverage it has ever had. He said there are issues that need to be addressed but feels White Salmon has made an honest effort to address the issues. Prigel said that promoting from within is the best option. He said it encourages employees to stay, increases morale and shows that their contributions to the community are valued. Prigel said it is hard to predict what an applicant will do on the job. He said the department is small with a low pay scale and that attracting upwardly mobile candidates has been difficult. Prigel said he would hate to see Bingen give up the policing that it currently has.
Betty Barnes said the city council should take the time and look over everything carefully with calm heads. She said she does not necessarily agree with Bruce Brending about the role of civil service but will take it under consideration. Barnes said that she does not think hiring an officer from within as police chief should be a given.
There was a consensus of the city council to delay discussion of the law enforcement proposal from Klickitat County until after the election.
Irrigation
Tim Hearn said the sprinklers at the park are coming on at various times of
the day.
Brian Prigel said he will check with staff about the issue.
Skateboard Park
Jan Brending noted that several young people have spoken to her about the
need for a skateboard park. She said she asked them to put together a proposal
and obtain some signatures of support to present to the city council.
Betty Barnes asked the city to identify other sites then just the one across from the treatment plan for locating a skateboard park.
Water Meeting
Tim Hearn asked if a water meeting has been scheduled.
Jan Brending said she is not aware of any meeting scheduled by White Salmon but will check with them and let Hearn know.
Police Department Update
Bruce Brending said he has contacted Washington State Patrol and they hope
to bring two motorcycles up to escort the parade.
Bruce Brending reported that a video camera obtained through a grant from the city’s insurance has been installed in the new car and is operational. He said the camera will be helpful for training purposes.
Shrubbery in Right-of-Way
Laura Mann asked if it is possible to move the stop sign at Franklin and
Cedar.
Brian Prigel said the shrubbery is in the right-of-way. He noted that the stop sign needs straightened out. He said he does not think there is a huge safety problem in the area.
Betty Barnes said that she remains concerned about the shrubbery because children walking in the area behind the shrubs might not be visible to motorists.
Fence
Ruth Winner noted there is a site line problem with a fence located at Ash
and Franklin.
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
September 5, 2006. The council by unanimous vote does approve for payment the
following list: warrants 7800 through 7845 totaling $86,160.84; manual warrants
7794 and 7799 totaling $3,113.12, and payroll warrants 6692 through 6703
totaling $14,208.83 for a total of $103,482.79: Current - $63,816.62; Street -
$3,257.13; Community Development - $32.96; Street Construction and Maintenance -
$15,287.56; Water – $4,276.87; Sewer - $2,1212.06; Treatment Plant - $6,809.02;
Dallesport Treatment Plant - $7,410.57; Sewer Construction and Maintenance
$380.00.
Executive Session
At 8:20 p.m. Brian Prigel announced the city council will go into executive
session for 5 minutes to discuss a personnel issue and 15 minutes to discuss
potential litigation.
At 8:40 p.m. the city council resumed regular session and announced the executive session will continue for another 10 minutes to discuss potential litigation.
At 8:50 p.m. the city council resumed regular session.
The city council instructed its city attorney to write letters to the attorneys for Frenchie Vezina and Stonecliff Development stating there is no easement across the city’s reservoir property. Staff will contact Fish and Wildlife about the possibility of creating a trail along Dry Creek.
At 8:53 p.m. the council adjourned.
Jan Brending
Brian Prigel
City Clerk
Mayor