Council gets Ape Cat update

First, Szubski described the Outdoor Shop’s Paranormal Reporting Program, explaining, “We have had over 300 paranormal reports.” He said that they treat people’s reports with respect and dignity, and carefully document the details. A frequently requested national and regional media speaker, Szbuski said that he’d been approached in the past by several TV shows, but had deemed those offers not the best fit or unreliable in terms of sincerity.

That evening, however, he updated the council about an opportunity that may have potential economic impact. An award-winning national media company, Fireworks Media, Inc., spent $20,000 to make a “sizzle reel” based on Szubski and the Klickitat Ape Cat, a local phenomenon described as a very large, muscular, black panther-like cat with simian facial features, with the possibility of following up with a full show. A sizzle reel is a montage of footage designed to get network executives to invest in the show for a full filming. Szubski escorted two showrunners from the media company around Bingen and to specific Ape Cat sighting areas; they heard testimony from Ape Cat witnesses, and created the footage.

He informed the council that a similar paranormal phenomenon in Scotland known as Nessie generates $54 million worth of incremental activity to local businesses. He believes that the paranormal activity, and specifically the Klickitat Ape Cat, is already doing the same for Bingen and Klickitat County. Szubski’s goals are to maximize the positive impact and minimize any potential negative impacts for Bingen and Klickitat County. He also informed the council about a cache of Washington State grants available to support this type of economic development.

With a transition from the paranormal to the “very normal,” aptly said by Councilor Michael Stahl, the group moved on to adopting its Six-Year Transportation Improvement Plan. Top priorities were identified as N. Walnut Street, needing overlay and reconstruction, according to City Administrator Krista Loney, and Humboldt Street, requiring the same.

Next up was the Water Use and Consumer Confidence Report. Councilors heard, again, that the city’s water lines are old and in need of repair and replacement, which is being addressed as funds allow. The oldest water line in the city leaks particularly badly; they were informed that $32,000 worth of water leaked into the ground last year.

Mayor Catherine Kiewit asked about the new technology the city has to find leaks and was told it is being used. She further advocated for new incentives to reduce water use and a comparison of the town’s water usage to similarly sized towns. Councilor Phil Jones added that the elephant in the room was the E. Steuben water line, which probably accounts for a great deal of the water loss, but is in the process of being repaired.

The Oak Street Reservoir project, another infrastructure need, is nearly complete. Kiewit questioned the plan of the contractor to fill it, test for leaks, then drain it and repair, asking who would pay for that water if there are leaks, and insisting that the city not be “on the hook for their error.” Loney will look into it.

The projects summary revealed all city plans to be on track, and council adjourned after two hours. The Bingen City Council meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.