BINGEN — The Bingen City Council met in chambers on Tuesday, Aug. 20, with only Councilor Brittany Spratt absent.
After a final review and unanimous approval of the John Dean short plat to divide his property, council addressed the proposed revision of Everybody’s Brewing wastewater service contract. Everybody’s Brewing is categorized as a “high strength waste” producer. The brewery contracts with the city of White Salmon for sewer services, which then contracts with the city of Bingen for wastewater treatment.
Krista Loney, City of Bingen administrator
Nan Noteboom photo
While council had no serious concerns about the brewery’s practices, they did object to contract language which asked Bingen to indemnify the city of White Salmon “from any and all liability.” Council members asked the City Administrator Krista Loney to revisit this language with the city of White Salmon. The updated service contract sets flow rates and limits, as well as limits and fees for biochemical oxygen demand for the brewery’s wastewater treatment provided by Bingen.
The city council next heard an update of its Forth-sponsored CarShare program. Through this sponsorship, and with an accompanying grant to cover associated costs, the city of Bingen provides an electric vehicle for residents’ use at minimal cost. Users must be 21 years old, with a clean driving record and a valid U.S. driver’s license. With approval, residents can use the city’s Chevy Volt for up to 24 hours at minimal cost to cover the electricity and transaction fees. The first four hours of use are free. Bingen and White Salmon each have a car, which are the two most utilized cars in the Forth fleet. Council members were informed that the contract could be extended to no cost to the city through June 2025. They voted unanimously to approve the extension.
Of interest to residents living along Alder and Cedar streets is the planned sidewalk improvement project. The council reviewed a draft design plan that shows placement of the planned sidewalk, including bumpouts, which are curb extensions that extend slightly into the roadway to slow traffic and ease pedestrian crossing. Placement of the sidewalk as it crosses private driveways was also examined, and the potential loss of parking spaces along those streets was a concern. Council instructed Loney to share their feedback with Gray & Osborne, Inc., the contracted engineering firm.
Loney next gave a project report on the city’s numerous and mostly grant-funded infrastructure projects. The DC Fast Charger, SR-14 water main extension, Middle Housing project, East Steuben waterline project, and the federal audit are all on track. The USDA Rural Business Development grant, which provides welcoming murals on the Beneventi’s and WAGAP buildings, a wayfinding kiosk at the Amtrak station, and signage on Oak St. is also in progress. Finally, the Oak St. Reservoir is very near completion.
Committee reports delivered reminders of the numerous fall events happening in Bingen. The Huckleberry Fest is Sept. 6-8 at Daubenspeck Park. The following Saturday, on Sept. 14 at 7 p.m., Bingen Theater will host “A Sense of Place.” Part talk show/game show, radio show, it will celebrate everything Bingen with audience engagement and humor. Tickets for the show, and more information on all the upcoming events can be found on the city’s website.
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