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11-19-1974 CCMSPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 19, 1974 Ma�Qr Black called the meeting to order at the hour of 8:00 P.M. Members present were: Aldermen Westlund, Lueneburg, Haag and Ackland in addition to Mayor Black. Members absent were: None Also present were: Administrative Assistant Mealey, City Engineer Priebe, City Attorney Schantzen, Planning Consultant Bill Chapman of Nason, Wherman, Chapman Associates and Mr. Rick Greenley of Rieke Carroll Muller Associates. Mayor Black welcomed and informed those present that this Hearing was being held at the recommendation of the Minnesota Environmental duality Council. He also informed that a complete report of the he-,a.ring would be sent to said Council. Mavor Black then informed those present of the Procedures to be followed during the\,Hearing. He stated the City would present its proposal and then thirty (30) minutes each would be given to the opponents and the proponents of the Bridge to express their views. Mayor Black then gave a d7etailed background to the Proposed West River Bridge. Mayor Black then introduced Mr. Bill Chapman of Nason Wherman and Chapman Associates, our Pianning Consultants. Mr. Chapman explained why the city has a Comprehensive Plan and what it points out. He further informed that most of Hutchinson's growth has been steady,to the South and Southwest and a community has to serve that growth too. In serving it a bridge would be very helpful. He then explained some of the things in an Environmental Impact Statement and stated he felt the Council had considered these and has°had an orderly decision making process. Mayor Black then introduced Chief of Police O'Borsky. Chief O'Borsky stated that in trying to provide the maximum service to the community the bridge would be most helpful for the following reasons: A. reduced time factor B. more adequate planning of patrol schedules C. better dispatch of emergency vehicles in a natural disaster. Mayor Black then introduced Fire Chief Eric Smith who stated he support the bridge because of the time that would be saved in response time of fire calls. Mayor Black then read a letter from the Hutchinson Utilities Commission which stated they supported the bridge and would use it to allow utility and natural gas lines cross the river. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING - 2 - NOVEMBER 19, 1974 Mayor Black also noted that letters of support had been received from the Board of Education, Hutchinson Safety Council and McCombs Knutson Associates. Administrative Assistant Mealey then read a letter from Mr. Leslie Linder, Bus Superintendent, who stated he supported the bridge because of the time that would be saved in schedu- ling bus routes and would delete the possibility of purchasing additional buses. City Engineer Pribe then presented two alternate sites for the Proposed Bridge. One site was the orginal site proposed in 1959. The total approximate construction cost of said site is $572,000. The second site is west of Otter Lake, proposed by the Citizens for a Better Hutchinson, total approximate construction cost of said site is $1,110,500. City Attorney Schantzen informed that no M.S.A. can be used outside the City limits and read a letter from Attorney General Warren Spannus stating the same as stated by City Attorney Schantzen. Mr. Richard Greenley of Rieke Carroll Mueller Associates then gave a summary of the alternate bridge designs considered by the Council. He also informed the Council has choosen as the design of the Proposed West River Bridge a 400 ft. bridge consisting of 5 spans at 80 feet. Said bridge would be constructed with prestressed girders at a total approximate construction cost of $728,000. Mayor Black then explained the procedure of using M.S.A. Funds to finance said bridge. Administrative Assistant Mealey then gave a summary of the payment schedule. He stated total approximate cost of $728,350, assess- able cost is $111,600 leaving balance of $616,750 to be paid by the City. He also stated in using approximate $59,000 each year of M.S.A. Funds final payment would be made by 1979. Mayor Black then informed of the design of the Proposed West River Bridge and informed that being the bridge is being constructed using M.S.A. Funds it must be open for truck travel and then summarized why he felt trucks wouldn't use said bridge. Mayor Black then introduced Ms. Shirley Hunt of the Environmental Quality Control Council. Mayor Black then opened discussion to the opponents of the bridge. The following were present to express their views on the Proposed West River Bridge. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING Jon Giess Sioux Hills Hutchinson, Minnesota Carly Hoeft 945 - 2nd Avenue S.W. Hutchinson, Minnesota Tim McKeown Minnesota Public Interest Research Group Minneapolis, Minnesota - 3 - NOVEMBER 19, 1974 Spokesman for Citizens for a Better Hutchinson, introduced Carly Hoeft. Presented slides stating reasons why the Citizens for a Better Hutchinson feel the environment of the proposed site would be ruined by the constructing of a bridge. Stated the City should further consider the alternate sites of the bridge and do a better planning study before they decide to construct the bridge at the proposed site. Mayor Black then asked if there was anyone present who wished to speak as a proponent of the proposed bridge. The following were present: John Miller Supported the bridge because of time Shady Ridge factor involved for those driving Hutchinson, Minnesota back and forth to the High School. And it would elevate traffic congestion on Main Street during rush hours. He also presented slides on bridges of the same type proposed by the City. Mrs. Carl Hubin Shady Ridge Hutchinson, Minnesota Leonard Lerberg Route 3 Shady Ridge Hutchinson, Minnesota John Padrons 840 Lynn Road Hutchinson, Minnesota Supported the bridge because of factor of getting children off a major highway and time factor of going through downtown to the High School. Supported the bridge because the growth of the City is such that a bridge is needed. Stated need for a bridge has been here a long time. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING - 4 - NOVEMBER 19, 1974 Leonard Schuft Stated he would support the West 645 - 31�d Avenue S.W. River Bridge if it were built over Hutchinson, Minnesota Otter Lake. Mayor Black',,then asked if questions concerning the were present: Lowell "Tip" Mills 936 Osgood Avenue. Hutchinson, Minnesota there was anyone present who had any proposed West River Bridge. The following Jim Waldron 546 School Road Hutchinson, Minnesota Sharon Radunz Highway 15, North Hutchinson, Minnesota Stated we have known about said bridge for 10 years but could do nothing until it's site was annexed to the City and this would be the same situation if bridge site moved (1) mile West. He then asked the following questions: A. Can City expect any help from Township. B. Can City expect help from State. C. Inquired what effect, the bridge would have on the Gopher Campfire Wildlife Sanctuary? inquired how the bridge would be paid fOr if M.S.A. Funds were cut off? What funds will be used to repair M.S.,A. Streets if said funds were used\,to pay for Proposed West River Bridge ? Stated\original site proposed in 1959 wor�ld damage recreation on river r%e ervior. Inquired if the present%Wy e wouldn't do the same. Inquired the City does not hold a referendin on the Proposed Bridge? Inquired of the Citizens for a Better Hutchinson, what the eye appealing character of the Main Street Bridge has to do with the need for the West River Bridge? SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING Carly Hoeft 945 - 2nd Avenue S.W. Hutchinson, Minnesota Sharon Radunz Highway 15, North Hutchinson, Minnesota Tim McKeown Minnesota Public Interest Research Group Minneapolis, Minnesota - 5 - NOVEMBER 19, 1974 Stated if a bridge is needed it should be West on Otter Lake. Inquired what is the need of a bridge north of the High School? Stated said site is good for those traveling to the High School, but have to consider whole community in choosing a site. Mayor Black stated the City had received petitions bearing over 650 signatures in favor of the bridge and to date had received no petitions in opposition to the Bridge. Richard Dessen Rural Route 1 Hutchinson, Minnesota Don Kost Box 232 Fairmont, Minnesota Kathleen Graham Attorney for Citizens for a Better Hutchinson Minneapolis, Minnesota Pat Hoeft 945 - 2nd Avenue S.W. Hutchinson, Minnesota Opposes the bridge because it will create a throughfare of a residen- tial district. Commended the City Council on the job they have been doing. Inquired if Council would proceed with the Bridge even through the lawsuit is still outstanding. Inquired if the City would have to apply for another Bridge Permit from the Department of Natural Resources. There being no one else present to be heard, Alderman Haag moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:00 P.M.. Alderman Westlund seconded the motion and it carried.