Partly cloudy skies this morning will give way to cloudy skies and rain during the afternoon. High 48F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%..
Tonight
Occasional light rain. Low 38F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%.
BINGEN — Skyline Hospital CEO Matt Kollman provided an update on the hospital’s services at the Bingen City Council met at City Hall on March 3. Kollman highlighted the increased surgery services, growth in clinic visits and mammography services, and advanced stroke care available to local residents.
Though the hospital receives around $1.2 million in tax revenue, it incurs costs for $1.7 million in uncompensated care. Kollman reminded the council that the system provides beyond the state-required charity care in seeking to serve everyone in need.
Sanjeev Tandle then provided information on the city’s RAISE grant, referring to Rebuilding America’s Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity funding, provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation. This grant is to support local infrastructure related to the new bridge project. Tandle and City Administrator Krista Loney led the council through proposed improvements that the grant might address. These possible projects include Amtrak Station Access Improvement in the form of sidewalks, a bike lane along State Road 141 between Bingen and White Salmon, and various traffic calming measures and lane markings. The council was particularly enthusiastic about the possibility of a bike lane, and the discussion focused on that potential, with a cautious eye on lost parking spots.
Next up was the city’s Interlocal Agreement to pay for its share of Adult Probation Services. Bingen uses around 22% of the services, and the council agreed to pay $4,797 this year. The councilors then heard a proposal to provide emergency text service to residents. One option costs $2,000 per year with a $1000 set-up fee and would allow for 10,000 texts exchanged. At Councilor Dale Grinstead-Mayle’s urging, the group agreed to gather resident input on the need and usefulness of an emergency alert system via text.
After several months of circling the topic, the possibility of issuing a statement or proclamation of inclusivity made it on to the agenda. Councilor Eric Schroder shared the proclamation previously issued by the city in 2017, “A Declaration of Diversity and Inclusiveness.” Most agreed that it well represented their feelings and beliefs, though Grinstead-Mayle suggested they might add something about the value of due process. No final decision was made.
Loney then called upon the council to spend some time in the coming months for goal-setting and visioning. She reviewed previous years’ goals, such as the bus shelters, flashing beacons at the railroad crossing, and a newsletter revamp. The council agreed to dedicate one upcoming regular meeting to this task.
Loney issued a reminder for residents to contribute ideas for the city’s time capsule project. The 6-inch x 24-inch tubular stainless steel time capsule will be planted on Bingen’s 102nd birthday, Saturday, April 18, at Daubenspeck Park.
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