BINGEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
November 21, 2006
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Prigel at 7:00 p.m. Council members present: Terry Trantow, Tim Hearn, Laura Mann, and Betty Barnes. Clerk Jan Brending and Attorney Tad Connors were present. Audience: Ruth Winner, Bruce Brending, Jesse Burkhardt, Sandi Dickey, Kitty Landgren, Mami Petts.
Approval of Minutes – November 6, 2006
Corrections to the November 6 minutes were noted as follows:
Page 1, 8th paragraph, 1st sentence should read as follows: “Terry Trantow presented information to the city council regarding a proposal regarding the Wilhelm Suksdorf house located at 525 W. Lincoln.”
Page 1, 11th paragraph, 2nd sentence should read as follows: “He noted that Wilhelm Suksdorf’s collection is housed at Washington State University.”
Page 5, delete the 8th paragraph.
Terry Trantow moved to approve the minutes as amended. Laura Mann seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Approval of Minutes – October 5, 2006 – Joint Council
Meeting
Corrections to the October 5 minutes were noted as follows:
Page 1, 7th paragraph, last sentence should read: “Knowles said that the PUD has pledged to make some of the water rights available to White Salmon until such time that White Salmon can obtain permanent water rights.”
Page 2, 8th paragraph should read: “Tim Hearn asked if Buck Creek is an option.”
Page 2, 12th paragraph should read: “Tim Hearn asked if water rights can be traded as in could White Salmon trade with Spokane.”
Page 3, 6th paragraph should read: “Mike Canon, Klickitat County Economic Development Department, said the EDA Board has indicated that it will recommend to the county commissioners that financial assistance be provided to the City of White Salmon to address its infrastructure needs.”
Page 3, 7th paragraph should read: “Laura Mann asked how much water could White Salmon currently produce.”
Laura Mann moved to approve the minutes as amended. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Appointment of City Council Member
Brian Prigel said the city has received one letter of interest from Sandi
Dickey.
Laura Mann said she had wanted to wait to make the appointment until Sandi Dickey could be present. Mann asked Dickey what has made her interested in serving on the city council at this time.
Sandi Dickey said she has always had an interest. She said she served on the revitalization committee. Dickey said there a lot of things going on in Bingen and she is interested in what is going on. She said it is good to hear from the community.
Betty Barnes moved to appoint Sandi Dickey to the city council. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Public Hearing – Proposed Ordinance 06-11-532,
Amending the 2006 Budget
Jan Brending provided an overview of the proposed changes to the 2006
budget. She noted that final amendments to the budget will likely be presented
at the second meeting in December.
Terry Trantow moved to approve Ordinance 06-11-532 amending the 2006 budget. Laura Mann seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Public Hearing – 2007 Preliminary Budget
Jan Brending said this is the first of two hearings the city council will
hold on the 2007 budget. She said the second hearing is scheduled for the
December 5 council meeting at which the council will adopt the budget.
Brian Prigel noted that the water fund and budget will have to be watched very closely next year. He said that he hopes the city will be able to purchase less water from White Salmon in addition to getting a reduction in the wholesale rate.
Klickitat County EDA Projects – Preliminary Discussion
and Identification of Proposals
Jan Brending said draft proposals for Klickitat County EDA funding are due
to Klickitat County by December 8. She said the Fire Department was turned down
for its federal grant for SCBAs and turnout gear. Brending said the fire
department would like the city to submit a proposal to the county for funding
for the purchase of SCBAs. She said funding for 4 SCBAs could come from the
community development fund and the city could request funding for 6 additional
SCBAs. She said each SCBA costs approximately $5,995.
Brending said the fire department has identified several other items that it would like to have but do not have the funding for at the present time including a thermal imaging camera, wildland clothing, a SCBA fill station, rope rescue equipment and training, and turnout gear.
Brending suggested two other items that could be considered for EDA funding: hiring an architect to provide drawings for future museum upgrades including ADA access, additions, and interior modifications; and hiring an architect/landscape architect to assist the city in the visioning process for the community center.
Betty Barnes said she would like to see the Wilhelm Suksdorf house added as an option.
Terry Trantow said the funding would be to cover the cost of moving the house and setting it on a foundation.
Tim Hearn said he would like to see the picnic shelter in the park added as an option.
Tim Hearn asked how much is the grant the city receives.
Brian Prigel said it depends but is usually in the $30,000 range.
Tim Hearn asked if the city can combine projects when making the request.
Brian Prigel said not usually unless they are directly related. He said the city can submit two proposals.
Brian Prigel said that Klickitat County EDA funds must be expended within the calendar year. He said it may be risky in applying for grant funding to move the Suksdorf house when it is not known when and if the project will move forward.
Terry Trantow said he agreed. He said he does not think the Suksdorf house is ready to go forward in asking the county for funding.
Laura Mann said the city should also consider asking the county for funding for brush chipping and brush collection. She said she feels the SCBAs are more of a priority for the city.
Betty Barnes moved to identify funding for the purchase of SCBAs as the city’s first priority. Laura Mann seconded the motion. The motion carried 3 to 1 with the following vote: Barnes – Aye, Hearn – Nay, Mann – Aye, Trantow – Aye.
Additional detail for the remaining projects will be presented at the next council meeting where a decision will be made on the second project.
Treasurer’s Report – September 2006 and October 2006
Jan Brending presented the treasurer’s reports for September and October.
Laura Mann moved to accept the treasurer’s reports for September 2006 and October 2006. Tim Hearn seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Gorge Heritage Museum Update
Jan Brending said Brown Roof has said they can repair the roof for $500 and
that she will be contacting them to go ahead with the repair. Brending said Iron
Mike Heating had been hired to do the heating but is no longer doing the work.
She said Ruth Winner has identified a contractor who can connect the upstairs
heaters this week. Brending said she has submitted the application for a
mechanical permit to the building official so the project can move ahead
quickly.
Ruth Winner submitted receipts for materials used to complete the interior wall totaling $385.38.
Tim Hearn moved to reimburse Ruth Winner for the supplies including bridge tolls. Laura Mann seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Water System Status Review and Proposals
Brian Prigel provided an overview of the status of the water system. He said
the city has been purchasing a lot of water from White Salmon but hopes to see
that decrease next year. Prigel said the city has been put on notice by the
Department of Health that it needs to deal with a variety of issues. He said
that one solution is designating dual points of extraction.
Jan Brending said designating dual points of extraction means the city would apply to add White Salmon’s wells to Bingen’s water rights. Brending said she is recommending the city write a letter to White Salmon requesting immediate negotiation of the cost of water purchased by Bingen. She said she is also recommending that the Golder contract be closed. Brending said a full water plan will provide important information to the city needed to develop a financial plan for the water system. She said the Department of Health is supportive of both the development of a full water plan and adding White Salmon’s wells to Bingen’s water rights.
The city council discussed the use of White Salmon water and the cost.
Laura Mann moved to 1) apply to the Conservancy Board to add White Salmon’s wells to Bingen’s water rights, 2) write a letter to White Salmon requesting immediate negotiation of the cost of water, and 3) close the contract with Golder Associates and make an application for a CDBG planning grant to fund the completion of the water plan.
Betty Barnes seconded the motion.
Tim Hearn asked if each item could be voted on separately.
Laura Mann rescinded her motion with agreement by Betty Barnes.
Laura Mann moved to apply to the Klickitat County Conservancy Board to add White Salmon’s wells to Bingen’s water rights. Betty Barnes seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Laura Mann moved to write a letter to White Salmon requesting negotiation of the rate change for water and include information in the letter that Bingen is going to help in relieving White Salmon’s water rights issue. Betty Barnes seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Laura Mann moved to close the contract with Golder Associates and apply for a CDBG planning grant to develop a full water plan. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Laura Mann noted that there is outdated information in the interlocal agreement with White Salmon.
Jan Brending said both interlocal agreements for water and the treatment plant need updated. She said the water/sewer committees of each city have agreed the agreements need to be rewritten.
Tim Hearn asked if Bingen knows how much unaccounted for water it has.
Brian Prigel and Jan Brending said it is approximately 26%. She said the water plan will assist in identifying the amount and identify methods to reduce the amount.
Tim Hearn said he is concerned about digging up streets for infrastructure work after the streets have just been paved.
Laura Mann asked if the Larry Murphy issue had been resolved. Jan Brending said it has. She noted that a tree across the street needs to be removed by the city is in the process of determining whether the tree is in right-of-way or on private property.
Terry Trantow said he is concerned about stormwater runoff that is coming down off of Highway 141 into Bingen down Lincoln Street. He said he believes WSDOT should be addressing the problem.
Betty Barnes noted that the city’s interlocal agreement regarding water requires the city to adopt a conservancy plan by ordinance. She asked if the city has such a plan.
Brian Prigel and Jan Brending said no – they have an emergency water conservancy plan. Brending noted that the city will have to develop a plan to comply with the requirements for the water plan.
Mayor’s Update and Council Member Comments
Skateboard Park
Betty Barnes said she would like a skateboard park added to the options for
consider for Klickitat County EDA funding.
Audit
Brian Prigel said the city recently completed an exit interview for the
audit. He said there were minor recommendations including one that the city not
exceed budgeted amounts.
Holiday Lights
Brian Prigel said the public works crew has checked the outlets for the
holiday lights and found that they were not damaged last year. He said it shows
that it was a water issue with all the snow. Prigel said the crew is looking at
ways to prevent the problem this year.
Jan Brending said the lights will be turned on next week.
Police Department Update
Bruce Brending said the department’s newest officer graduated from the
academy last week and started his training with the department. He said he will
bring the officer to the next council meeting and introduce him. Brending noted
the officer graduated in the top 10% of the class.
Bruce Brending said the city of Goldendale has developed some new language for the agreement regarding prisoner billing. He said he will forward the information to Tad Connors for review. Brending said health care for prisoners is a big issue in the state.
Jan Brending noted that several organizations including AWC are trying to identify a legislative fix for the prisoner health care issue.
Betty Barnes asked how many officers the department has currently.
Bruce Brending said the department now has six and is taking applications through November 24. He said he hopes to have an individual hired and to start the academy in March. Brending noted that at least one lateral application has been received by the city.
Betty Barnes asked if the lateral would have to attend the academy. Brending said no unless they are an officer from out of state and then would attend for only 2 weeks. Brending said applications for police officers are down across the nation.
Betty Barnes said Oregon is having a similar problem and wasn’t able to fill a number of sergeants positions recently.
Tim Hearn suggested it is time for the two police committees to meet again.
Jan Brending noted that she needs to complete the proposed amendments to the police agreement and submit them to the two cities to be turned over to the city attorneys for review.
Hood River Bridge
Laura Mann asked what is the status of setting aside bridge tolls for a
future replacement bridge.
Brian Prigel said some federal funding has been obtained to complete the EIS although not as much as was requested. He said RTC wants to set up a meeting of the stakeholders and advisors to best determine how to use the federal funding that is available.
Laura Mann asked if the communities supported the idea of increasing the bridge toll to be set aside for future replacement.
Brian Prigel said yes except for one community council. He said that the Port of Hood River has not been approached directly about the idea. Prigel said the Port of Hood River is working on toll booth improvements and Oregon Dept. of Transportation is working on interchange improvements that are a direct result of the study done on the bridge.
Junk in Right-of-Way
It was noted that the property at Walnut and Franklin has a lot of junk
stored in the right-of-way.
Wil Schuemann Proposal
Tad Connors presented information to the city regarding his proposal for a
land exchange.
Police Budget
Betty Barnes said there is a rumor that the police budget is going to be
drastically cut in White Salmon.
Bruce Brending said that is not the case. He said that originally there was some discussion about cutting a position but because there are a number of positions that will be filled over a period of time there is no proposal to cut the budget. Brending said it appears that the current expense fund is balanced at this time and the police budget includes funding for 9 positions. He said the budget is very similar to 2006 with inflation for fuel costs, the police car and rent.
Garbage Service
Tim Hearn said he would like the city to send Bingen Garbage a letter next
month putting them on notice that in 7 years the city intends to advertise for
garbage services.
Jan Brending noted that the letter will also need to go Allied Waste who also serves some areas of Bingen.
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
November 21, 2006. The council by unanimous vote does approve for payment the
following list: warrants 7997 through 8030 totaling $49,177.43; manual warrants
7995 and 7996 totaling $14,256.63, and payroll warrants 6760 through 6777
totaling $13,452.00 for a total of $76,886.06: Current - $41,237.39; Street -
$2,235.46; Building Construction - $15,028.80; Water – $3,802.50; Sewer -
$1,171.50; Treatment Plant - $6,017.65; Dallesport Treatment Plant - $4,347.52;
Water Construction and Maintenance - $2,973.19; Treatment Plant Expansion -
$72.05.
The council adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Jan Brending
Brian Prigel
City Clerk
Mayor