Bingen public meetings in 2025

City Council

The City Council will review a development agreement and amendment for sidewalks at Alder & Cedar. The meeting also includes a police update and a discussion on the Granicus renewal.

• Alder & Cedar Sidewalk Amendment #2 discussion
• Alder & Cedar Sidewalk Development Agreement review
• Interlocal Agreement for Wastewater Treatment ERUs
• Granicus Renewal discussion
• Swearing in of Councilor Dale Grinstead-Mayle

The council adopted the corrected December 2, 2025 minutes. It approved continuing the Granicus vacation‑rental monitoring service at $3,118.50 for one year and authorized funding for possible extra costs on the Alder & Cedar sidewalk project. The council also added Mayor Kelsey Ramsey as a signer on all city bank accounts, approved the interlocal agreement with White Salmon on ERU rates, and unanimously approved several claim and payroll payments.

• Adopted corrected December 2, 2025 meeting minutes (motion carried)
• Approved continuation of Granicus monitoring service at $3,118.50 for 1 year (motion carried)
• Authorized funding for up to $16,964 additional costs for Alder & Cedar sidewalk project if required (motion carried)
• Added Mayor Kelsey Ramsey as signer on all Bingen bank accounts effective Jan 2 2026 (motion carried)
• Approved interlocal agreement with White Salmon setting ERU rates for 2026 (motion carried)
• Approved Claims dated Dec 3 2025 totaling $3,797.55 (unanimous)
• Approved Claims dated Dec 9 2025 totaling $691.20 (unanimous)
• Approved Payroll EFT dated Dec 15 2025 totaling $38,673.26 (unanimous)

City Council

The City Council will conduct public hearings regarding the adoption of the 2026 budget and a proposed public safety enhancement sales tax. The body will also review interlocal agreements for law enforcement and West District Court services.

• Public Hearing: Ordinance 2025-13-780 (2026 Budget)
• Public Hearing: Ordinance 2025-14-781 (Public Safety Enhancement Sales Tax)
• Interlocal Agreement for Law Enforcement Services
• Interlocal Agreement for West District Court Services
• Parking Code Review Request – McKenzie River

The council approved Ordinance 2025-13-780 adopting the 2026 budget after a public hearing. Councilors also authorized Mayor Kiewit to sign the interlocal law‑enforcement agreement with White Salmon. Payroll and claims vouchers for November 26 and December 2 were approved unanimously. The meeting minutes were corrected and approved, and newly‑elected officials were sworn in.

• Adopted Ordinance 2025-13-780 (2026 budget) – motion carried
• Authorized Mayor Kiewit to sign interlocal law‑enforcement agreement – motion carried
• Approved payroll vouchers totaling $43,036.96 – passed unanimously
• Approved claims vouchers totaling $85,521.09 – passed unanimously
• Approved corrected November 18 meeting minutes – motion carried
• Swore in Mayor Kelsey Ramsey and Councilors Eric Schroder and Craig Trummel

City Council

The City Council will hold a public hearing regarding Ordinance 2025-12-779 for ad valorem taxes. The body will also consider a lease extension for the Gorge Heritage Museum and a resolution for an overhead cost allocation plan.

• Public Hearing: Ordinance 2025-12-779 Ad Valorem Taxes
• Resolution 2025-009: Overhead Cost Allocation Plan
• Gorge Heritage Museum lease extension request
• Hood River-White Salmon Bridge update
• Bingen Police update

The council adopted Ordinance 2025‑12‑779, which raises Bingen’s property‑tax levy by 1%, the maximum allowed by state law. The council also adopted Resolution 2025‑009, changing the city’s overhead cost allocation to move expenses from the general fund into the Street, Water, Sewer and Treatment Plant funds. Payroll checks for November 12, November 14 and claims checks for November 18 were approved unanimously. The meeting minutes with a wording correction were approved.

• Adopt Ordinance 2025‑12‑779 raising property tax levy by 1% (motion carried)
• Adopt Resolution 2025‑009 Overhead Cost Allocation Plan (motion carried)
• Approve November 12, 2025 payroll checks totaling $15,192.66 (unanimous, one abstention)
• Approve November 14, 2025 payroll EFT totaling $31,059.93 (unanimous)
• Approve November 18, 2025 claims checks totaling $17,452.58 (unanimous)
• Approve meeting minutes with Granicus wording correction (motion carried)

City Council

The City Council will hold a public hearing regarding the 2026 draft budget. The body will also discuss EMS funding, a car share agreement extension, and lodging tax grants.

• Public hearing on 2026 Draft Budget
• 2026 Lodging Tax Grant Application review and award
• Klickitat County EMS Funding discussion
• Forth Car Share Host Site Agreement Extension discussion
• Granicus Annual Renewal discussion

City Council

The City Council will conduct a public hearing regarding the Critical Areas Ordinance and site potential tree height. The body will also receive updates on the Public Safety Enhancement Sales Tax and discuss Maple Street trees.

• Public hearing on Critical Areas Ordinance/Site Potential Tree Height 200
• Public Safety Enhancement Sales Tax update
• Discussion regarding Maple Street trees
• Presentation from White Salmon Valley Pool Metropolitan Park District
• Review of September 2025 Treasurers Report

City Council

The Bingen City Council will hold a public hearing on Ordinance 2025-12-779, which proposes adding the BMC 3.13 Public Safety Enhancement Sales Tax. The council will also consider a resolution to cancel certain checks and warrants, review the NW Natural franchise agreement, and discuss Maple Street tree planting. Additional updates include a fire department report, USDA quarterly report, and a public works superintendent update.

• Ordinance 2025-12-779 – Adding BMC 3.13 Public Safety Enhancement Sales Tax (public hearing)
• Resolution 2025-008 – Cancelling certain checks and warrants
• NW Natural Franchise Agreement
• Maple Street Trees Discussion
• Voucher Approval

The council approved the September 2 and September 16 meeting minutes. It also approved the USDA 2025 Q3 budget income and equity statement. Discussion of Ordinance 2025-12-779, the Public Safety Enhancement Sales Tax, was tabled until the first council meeting in December. All motions carried.

• Approved September 2, 2025 meeting minutes (motion carried)
• Approved September 16, 2025 meeting minutes (motion carried)
• Approved USDA 2025 Q3 budget income and equity statement (motion carried)
• Tabled discussion of Ordinance 2025-12-779 (Public Safety Enhancement Sales Tax) until December meeting (motion carried)

City Council

The Bingen City Council will hold a public hearing to adopt the Critical Areas Ordinance and discuss HB2015 Enhanced Public Safety Sales Tax. The meeting also includes a review of the Treatment Plant Improvements scope and the August 2025 Treasurer's Report.

• Public Hearing #2 and Intention to Adopt – Critical Areas Ordinance
• HB2015 Enhanced Public Safety Sales Tax Discussion
• Treatment Plant Improvements Scope Review
• USDA Quarterly Report Review
• August 2025 Treasurers Report

The council approved the Treatment Plant improvement scope and signed the USDA Form 442-2. It also approved the August 2025 Treasurer’s Report and both payroll and claims vouchers. The September 2 meeting minutes were tabled to the next meeting.

• Approved Treatment Plant improvement scope (motion by Jones, second by Stahl, carried)
• Approved signing and submission of USDA Form 442-2 (motion by Trummel, second by Jones, carried)
• Approved August 2025 Treasurer’s Report (motion by Jones, second by Trummel, carried)
• Approved payroll vouchers totaling $34,327.48 (motion by O’Connor, second by Stahl, unanimous)
• Approved claims vouchers totaling $47,888.73 (motion by O’Connor, second by Jones, unanimous)
• Tabled September 2, 2025 meeting minutes to next meeting (motion by Jones, second by Stahl, carried)

City Council

The council adopted Ordinance 2025-11-778 to add a public safety sales tax, and approved Ordinance 2025-10-777 amending the 2025 budget. It also approved plans for the East Steuben Water Main Sections 2 and 3 to proceed to bid, and authorized the replacement of the treatment plant’s RAS pump. Additional actions included approving the East Franklin sewer extension and authorizing payroll and claims vouchers.

• Adopted Ordinance 2025-11-778 adding a public safety sales tax (motion carried)
• Adopted Ordinance 2025-10-777 amending the 2025 budget (motion carried)
• Approved East Steuben Water Main Sections 2 and 3 plans and submission for bid (motion carried)
• Approved full scope of work for RAS pump replacement at the treatment plant (motion carried)
• Approved East Franklin Street sewer extension (motion carried)
• Approved August 19, 2025 minutes with corrections (motion carried; one member abstained)
• Approved payroll vouchers totaling $42,754.66 (unanimous motion carried)
• Approved claims vouchers totaling $121,051.75 (unanimous motion carried)

City Council

The council adopted a small‑works roster direct contracting and rotational contracting policy after a motion was carried. It approved moving the city’s MoneyMarket funds to a 4‑month CD at Riverview Bank and relocating five CDs to a 7‑month CD at First Interstate Bank. The July 2025 Treasurer’s Report, the August 15 payroll vouchers, and the August 19 claims vouchers were all approved. The minutes from the August 5 meeting were also approved.

• Adopted small‑works direct contracting and rotation policy (motion carried)
• Approved moving MoneyMarket funds ($205,403) to a 4‑month CD at Riverview Bank (motion carried)
• Approved moving five CDs ($145,888.96) to a 7‑month CD at First Interstate Bank (motion carried)
• Approved July 2025 Treasurer’s Report (motion carried)
• Approved August 15 payroll vouchers totaling $29,652.06 (unanimous)
• Approved August 19 claims vouchers totaling $19,378.56 (unanimous)
• Approved August 5 meeting minutes (motion carried)

City Council

The council corrected the July 15 meeting minutes and approved the correction. It rescinded the emergency declaration issued on July 19. Councilors approved a one‑year contract with CivicPlus for website management, adopted a business‑license amendment ordinance, and adopted a municipal code of conduct. Several voucher and payroll payments were also approved unanimously.

• Approved corrected July 15, 2025 meeting minutes (motion carried)
• Approved one‑year CivicPlus website contract (motion carried)
• Adopted Ordinance 2025‑09‑776 amending business‑license threshold (motion carried)
• Adopted Resolution 2025‑007 Municipal Code of Conduct (motion carried)
• Approved July 24, 2025 claims checks totaling $1,519.62 (unanimous)
• Approved August 5, 2025 claims checks totaling $122,125.23 (unanimous)
• Approved July 31, 2025 payroll checks totaling $53,653.56 (unanimous)
• Mayor rescinded the July 19 emergency declaration (no vote required)

City Council

The council approved Resolution 2025-006, formally accepting the Oak Street Reservoir Project as complete. They also approved a one‑year radio system use and 911/dispatch services agreement with Klickitat County Emergency Management. The June 2025 Treasurer’s Report and the payroll and claims checks for June 30, July 1, and July 15 were each approved unanimously. The minutes from the June 17, 2025 meeting were adopted.

• Approved Resolution 2025-006 accepting Oak Street Reservoir Project (motion carried)
• Approved Klickitat County radio system use and 911/dispatch services agreement (motion carried)
• Approved June 2025 Treasurer’s Report (motion carried)
• Approved June 30, 2025 payroll checks totaling $47,684.63 (unanimous)
• Approved July 1, 2025 claims checks totaling $529,834.47 (unanimous)
• Approved July 15, 2025 payroll checks totaling $35,100.85 (unanimous)
• Approved July 15, 2025 claims checks totaling $70,912.04 (unanimous)
• Adopted June 17, 2025 meeting minutes (motion carried)

City Council

The council approved the corrected June 3, 2025 meeting minutes. It adopted Resolution 2025‑005, the 6‑Year Transportation Improvement Program. The council also adopted Ordinance 2025‑08‑775, striking a specific smoking‑in‑the‑park sentence, and approved the May 2025 Treasurer’s Report.

• Approved corrected June 3, 2025 meeting minutes (motion carried, Spratt abstained)
• Adopted Resolution 2025‑005 – 6‑Year Transportation Improvement Program (motion carried)
• Adopted Ordinance 2025‑08‑775 – struck “Smoking in the park is discouraged…” sentence (motion carried)
• Approved May 2025 Treasurer’s Report (motion carried)

City Council

The council adopted Resolution 2025-004, which adds a citywide ban on smoking and vaping in public spaces where children may be present. The council also approved Ordinance 2025-07-774 to amend the leak adjustment policy and approved the May 20, 2025 meeting minutes. The May 29 claims voucher totaling $5,146.21 was approved unanimously. A public hearing on the smoking ban is scheduled for June 17, 2025.

• Approved May 20, 2025 meeting minutes (motion carried; O’Connor abstained)
• Adopted Ordinance 2025-07-774 amending BMC 13.40.300 leak adjustment policy (motion carried)
• Adopted Resolution 2025-004 prohibiting smoking and vaping in public spaces (motion carried)
• Approved May 29, 2025 claims voucher totaling $5,146.21 (unanimous vote)

City Council

The council voted to raise the sewer utility tax from 20% to 25% effective immediately. The motion carried with a second and no recorded opposition. The council also approved the corrected May 6, 2025 meeting minutes, the 2024 State Auditor’s Office annual report, and the April 2025 Treasurer’s report.

• Approved May 6, 2025 meeting minutes with corrections (motion carried, Trummel abstained)
• Increased sewer utility tax from 20% to 25% effective immediately (motion carried)
• Approved submission of the 2024 SAO annual report (motion carried)
• Approved the April 2025 Treasurer's report (motion carried)

City Council

The council approved the corrected minutes from the April 15 meeting. It adopted Ordinance 2025-05-772, raising the monthly sewer base rate to $75, setting the ERU rate to $25, and delaying the 1.5% increase until January 1, 2027. It also adopted Ordinance 2025-06-773, changing the flat $40 business license fee to a tiered schedule based on the number of employees.

• Approved corrected April 15, 2025 meeting minutes (motion carried)
• Adopted Ordinance 2025-05-772: monthly sewer base rate increased to $75, ERU rate set to $25, 1.5% increase effective Jan 1 2027 (motion carried)
• Adopted Ordinance 2025-06-773: business license fee changed to tiered rates of $50‑$325 based on employee count (motion carried)

City Council

The council adopted Resolution 2025-003 establishing a public safety sales tax to appear on the August 5, 2025 ballot. It also approved the Gorge Heritage Museum lease, a $50 support for the American Legion flag service, a memorandum of understanding with Partners for Rural Washington, and a WSDOT construction agreement; it moved the city checking account to First Interstate Bank, changed the property tax split to 70% general/30% street, approved the February 2025 treasurer report, and tabled the March 2025 treasurer report.

• Adopted Resolution 2025-003 public safety sales tax (motion carried)
• Changed property tax split to 70% general fund / 30% street fund (motion carried)
• Authorized Mayor Kiewit to sign Gorge Heritage Museum lease (motion carried)
• Authorized Mayor Kiewit to sign MOU with Partners for Rural Washington (motion carried)
• Moved city checking account from Riverview Community Bank to First Interstate Bank (motion carried)
• Approved $50 support for American Legion flag service request (motion carried)
• Approved WSDOT construction and maintenance agreement for tubular markers at SR‑141 and Ash (motion carried)
• Tabled March 2025 treasurer report to next council meeting (motion carried)