BINGEN — The Bingen City Council met on July 15 to get updates on emergency services, the city’s sidewalk plans, and its numerous infrastructure projects.
After renewing their InterGovernmental Agreement with the County of Klickitat for 911 Dispatch services, they heard an update on fire and emergency calls, with an analysis of the traffic snarl that occurred on June 11 during the bridge and highway closure due to the Rowena Fire. It was described as “a perfect storm of conditions.” With the Washington State Police and Oregon State Police overwhelmed by emergency responses on that day, and both understaffed, the shortage of officers available for traffic control led to an extensive traffic jam.
The city’s goal of a walkable community faces some hurdles, mostly financial. With a Transportation Alternatives Program $100,000 grant, the design phase of the Cedar and Alder sidewalks is nearly complete. City Administrator Krista Loney reported that the cost of construction is estimated at $834,000. Tonight’s meeting included a public hearing on this project, but no commentary was offered. Loney continues to aggressively seek and apply for grants to pay for, or supplement the cost of, the construction of the sidewalks. If an Endangered Species Act consultation is required, the wait time is two years, and the project may be seriously delayed.
Another one of the city’s grant-funded projects came to fruition last week with the completion of two community murals on the Beneventi’s and WAGAP buildings. These murals were funded by a State of Washington Rural USDA Rural Business Development grant. Loney and Mayor Catherine Kiewit oversaw the project with input from the council and community.
Bingen’s list of active projects has a watery theme. Reducing lost water is the goal of the Distribution System Leakage project, which is in progress. The second and third sections of the E. Steuben Waterline Replacement project are in the design phase. The mostly grant-funded stormwater plan is in progress after receiving the funding. Off-theme but still important, the city’s grant-funded bus shelters were scheduled to be delivered on July 14.
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