11-18-1985 CCMMINUTES
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1985
Mayor Stearns called the special joint meeting of City Council and Police Sta-
tion Building Committee to order at 5:00 P.M. in the fire station conference
room. Present were: Mayor Robert H. Stearns, Alderman Mike Carls, Alderman John
Mlinar, A lderman Pat M i ku 1 ecky, Alderman Marlin Torgerson, Mayor -Elect Paul Ack-
land, City Administrator Gary D. Plotz, Finance Director Kenneth B. Merrill,
City Attorney James Schaefer, Police Chief Dean O'Borksy, Officer Chuck Jones,
Sgt. John Gregor, Chairman Chad Piehl, Dick Burgart, Pat Durfee, Norm Tulman,
Phyllis Hegrenes, and Secretary Nancy Buss.
City Attorney Jim Schaefer gave a presentation regarding advisory elections. He
recommended that such a referendum was inappropriate for our city since it is
non-binding. There is no statutory requirement to do so, and it is not required
by the City Charter. Attorney Schaefer also advised that the private financing
is legal and the letters of reference are included in the City Council packet.
Chairman Chad Piehl presented the building committee's recommendation and pro-
posal regarding financing. The committee members unanimously felt that private
financing should be used to build the police facility. They felt that a bond
issue would fail.
There was a question and answer period regarding both private and public fi-
nancing. Alderman Mike Carls felt that if the police station was financed pri-
vately, he was not sure but that the city would have to cut personnel to make
the annual payment. Finance Director Merrill and Administrator Plotz said that
phasing in the annual payment is acceptable, with the understanding that it will
restrain the budget in future years.
Mayor Stearns and Alderman Torgerson indicated they were in favor of private fi-
nancing, Aldermen Carls and Mlinar were undecided, and Alderman Mikulecky was
against it. Aldermen Mlinar and Carls requested a public hearing. After agree-
ing to a December 10 public hearing date, the meeting was closed at 8:15 P.M.