02-23-1978 CCMMINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING - HUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1978
Mayor Black called the special meeting to order at 8:45 A.M. The following were
present: Aldermen K. Peterson, B. Peterson, Gruenhagen and Westlund in addition
to Mayor Black. Also present was Administrative Assistant Plotz.
1. CONSIDERATION OF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE'S PROPOSAL FOR PURCHASE OF CHRISTMAS
DECORATIONS (DEFERRED FEBRUARY 14, 1978)
Mayor Black informed the Council members of information that had been secured
from research into past files and Council minutes regarding Christmas decora-
tions. Petitions were presented in 1964 from the Chamber of Commerce (called
Civic and Commerce at that time) requesting a tax levy, not to exceed 1/2 mill,
for the purpose of providing street decorations for the Christmas season. The
petitions were accepted, and in May, 1964 a referendum was voted in by the resi-
dents to accept a "tax levy, not to exceed 1/2 mill tax levy, the total amount
of which shall not exceed the sum of $1,000 for each of the years 1965 and 1966,
for the purpose of purchasing and maintaining Christmas street decorations."
Again in 1966 petitions were presented, asking for a 1/2 mill tax levy or less
for the next two years (1967-68) to raise $1,000 for Christmas street decora-
tions. A referendum was presented to the residents in May, 1966 and again voted
in for the years of 1967 and 1968, not to exceed the sum of $1,000.
The 1969-70 budget adopted October 8, 1968 by Resolution No. 2787 reflected an
amount of $2,000 for the purpose of Christmas decorations.
No written record was located of any established matching fund between the City
and Chamber of Commerce.
Mrs. Clarice Coston, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, presented a
breakdown of Christmas decoration income and expenses from 1966 to 1977. She
further read a letter received from Mr. Jay Alrick in which he stated that the
mill assessment from the City for Christmas decorations was increased from $1,000
to $2,000 during the time when he served on the City Council.
It was pointed out by Mrs. Coston that if the order for Christmas decorations
is placed before March 1, 1978, the City can realize a savings of $1,400. Also,
by picking up the decorations in Minneapolis, another savings on delivery cost
can be gained. There is a three-year warranty on the decorations, and the bulbs
will be provided during that period of time without cost.
Following discussion, it was moved by Alderman Westlund to authorize the Chamber
of Commerce to purchase Christmas decorations from Vaughn Display Sales of Min-
neapolis in the amount of $9,900. Seconded by Alderman K. Peterson, the motion
unanimously carried.
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Council Minutes
February 23, 1978
2. CONSIDERATION OF WCCO-TV ESTABLISHING A WEATHER STATION IN HUTCHINSON
Mr. Tom Cousins, Community Affairs and Public Relations Director of WCCO-TV,
appeared before the Council and presented a proposal for a weather station in
Hutchinson. The tower would be installed by WCCO at a convenient site with
meters and gauges affixed so that reports could be phoned in to WCCO-TV at
specified times. Hutchinson would be one of six cities in the Twin Cities area
to have a weather tower installed.
After discussion, it was moved by Alderman Westlund to authorize the staff to
cooperate with WCCO-TV in operating a weather station in Hutchinson. Seconded
by Alderman K. Peterson, the motion unanimously carried.
3. CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST TO ATTEND TIME MANAGEMENT SEMINAR BY ROD KEITH
(DEFERRED FEBRUARY 14, 1978)
Mayor Black reported that the Time Management Seminar on March 2, 1978 will cost
$50 to attend.
After discussion, it was moved by Alderman K. Peterson to authorize Rod Keith
to attend the Time Management Seminar and encourage Fred Roberts to also attend,
with the funds to come out of the department budgets. Seconded by Alderman West-
lund, the motion unanimously carried.
4. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR
Mayor Black reported that he and Public Works Director/City Engineer Priebe had
attended the Public Hearing of the County Zoning Board on February 22, 1978 re-
garding the property on South Grade Road for which the Council had adopted Reso-
lution No. 6092 to keep it residential. The Board was considering placing a
time limit on the special use permit, but they needed to check the legality of
such action. Therefore, the Zoning Board will reconvene this evening, February
23, 1978, for a decision.
There being no further business to come before the Council, it was moved by Alderman
Westlund to adjourn at 9:33 A.M. Seconded by Alderman Gruenhagen, the motion unani-
mously carried.
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