05-11-21 CCM Workshop (Historic Hutch)HUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL
WORKSHOP WITH HISTORIC HUTCHINSON
MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, MAY 11, 2021 - 4:00 PM
CITY CENTER — COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Call to Order
1. Mayor Gary Forcier called the meeting to order. Members present were Mary Christensen,
Brandon Begnaud, Chad Czmowski, and Dave Sebesta. Others present in the Council
Chambers were Matt Jaunich, City Administrator, Marc Sebora, City Attorney, and Jim
Fahey, Historic Hutch.
2. Welcome/Introductions
Matt Jaunich welcomed everyone and introduced Jim Fahey representing Historic Hutch.
Background of Historic Hutch
a. Type of Organization
b. Board Members
c. Involvement/Investment within the Community
Mr. Fahey provided the history of Historic Hutch. Historic Hutch started as an arm of
the Convention & Visitors Bureau but is now its own non-profit, 501(c)3. Historic
Hutch is operated by a board of directors and is really involved and invested in the
community. Early projects of the organization included property signs, trolley tour,
first gala at Stepping Stone to raise funds and were looking for a restoration project
which ended up being the Quast billboard. The next restoration project taken on was
the Harrington -Merrill House in 2001. Mr. Fahey provided detail on the restoration
that has taken place thus far which has totaled $260,000.
4. Partnerships with the City
Historic Hutch Projects within the Community
a. Harrington -Merrill House
b. Depot Project
c. Historic Episcopal Church Project
d. Other Projects
Mr. Fahey provided information on other projects that Historic Hutch has taken on in
the community including the Depot, Historic Episcopal Church ($97,750 in
restoration), State Theater, other small projects around the Harrington -Merrill House,
purchase of banners, the graffiti project at the Depot, the carriage house at the
Harrington -Merrill House ($31,000 in restoration) and the Seth Thomas Clock
outside Hager Jewelry on Main Street ($30,000 in restoration). Mr. Fahey also spoke
about other activities of Hutch Historic such as 120 tours, walking tour brochures,
100 historic characters, five galas, four theater productions, Popcorn in the Park,
Music in the Park, Haunted Hutchinson and Hidden Hutchinson. $474,250 is the total
investment Historic Hutch has provided to the community over the last 20 years.
6. Future Projects?
a. Barn Project
Mr. Fahey explained that Jay Beytien informed the group many years ago that the old
barn from the Harrington -Merrill House was the current group home located on
Franklin Street. Coincidentally, the EDA recently purchased the group home with the
intention to move/doze it. Mr. Fahey noted that he has recently visited the structure
and has confirmed that it is in fact the old barn from the Harrington -Merrill House.
The estimated costs for renovation of the structure back to the barn is $35,800. Mr.
Fahey also shared the plan to recreate the estate landscape at the Harrington -Merrill
House which includes moving the barn on -site.
7. Future Funding Needs and the Importance of History in Hutchinson
Mr. Fahey asked the Council consider discussing finishing the historic church
restorations as the remaining costs are about $10,000-$12,000 and is in demand for
weddings for the PRCE to book. In addition, he asked that the Council consider
discussing finishing off the costs for the barn restoration as the EDA wants the area
cleared by September 2021.
8. Anything Else/Questions?
Council Member Sebesta thanked Fahey and Historic Hutch for all of the great work they
have done over the 20 years. Fahey spoke about providing tours to the Council and staff
in the near future. Fahey also noted that the plan for Harrington -Merrill House is to hold
regular interpretive/living history events. He also spoke about the use of the outdoor
classroom. Lastly, he spoke of the historical individuals buried in Oakland Cemetery.
9. Adjournment
Motion by Sebesta, second by Christensen, to adjourn at 5:00 p.m. Motion carried.
ATTEST:
Gary T. Forcier Matthew Jaunich
Mayor City Administrator