02-04-1980 CCMK
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING - HUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1980
The special meeting of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Westlund at
4:25 P.M., with Aldermen Gruenhagen, Lueneburg and Beatty present in addition to
the Mayor. Absent: Alderman Peterson. Also present were: Administrative Assistant
Plotz, City Accountant Merrill, Fire Chief Schlueter, Brad Emans, Clinton Gruett and
Myron Johnson, Police Chief O'Borsky, Consultant Westly Hendrickson and Bill Armstrong
of TKDA, and Don Erickson.
Discussion was given as to whether the Baseman house at 25 Franklin North should be
continued as a rental or demolished. City Accountant Merrill presented figures of
income and expense on the property for the year 1979.
It was pointed out by Administrative Assistant Plotz that removal of the house would
require a waiver on the contract for deed to the City from the former owner, Hazel
Baseman, and it would be contingent upovi her approval. The house is in need of re-
pair if it continues to be rented out./ The intent would be to leave the garage on
the property and use the empty lot fqr parking.
Mayor Westlund instructed the Admit�istrative Assistant and City Accountant to deter-
mine the cost of removal of the house and to contact Miss Baseman for her consent.
Mayor Westlund mentioned there,,was a 55 acre tract of land for sale between the City
of Hutchinson and the Saterleo pit. This property could be used for relocation of
the sewer and water plant at -'some future time. It is also access to the pit. He
then called on Fred Roberts for a report.
Mr. Roberts stated he haft talked to the owner but had no definite information. They
are, however, still interested in selling the land. He will bring a detailed report
at a later date.
Mention was made by;'Mayor Westlund of the pending lawsuit by Developers Diversified
and Hecht Associates against the City and three Council members in the amount of
$1,400,000 each. 'It has been turned over to the City Attorney, and the first hear-
ing will be Feb/{iary 14, 1980.
A meeting was then held with the Fire Department Building Committee to discuss the
type of proposed building, date and plans for promoting a referendum, as well as the
costs involved.
Brad Emans, Chairman of the Building Committee, reported the date of March 18, 1980
had been selected for a referendum. TKDA will have brochures ready by next Tuesday,
and they will deliver a model for review by February 25 or 26. The first week of
March the model will be on display at Citizens Bank and the second week at another
bank. During the week of March 3, a door-to-door campaign will be conducted by the
firemen, taking 7 to 9 days to complete. The date of March 12 was set for an open
house.
Council Minutes
February 4, 1980
Page 2
Discussion followed on the date of the referendum, and it was the consensus of the
group that a date change to March 25, 1980 would be advantageous to allow additional
time.
Police Chief O'Borsky commented he would be speaking to various service organizations
to promote the referendum. The police officers would not, however, be campaigning
unless they wished to become personally involved.
Administrative Assistant Plotz reported the appraisers would be coming to Hutchinson
the following day to do a final appraisal of the buildings being considered for pur-
chase for the proposed police/fire station site.
It was moved by Alderman Beatty to establish the date for the referendum of the police/
fire station to be Tuesday, March 25, 1980. The motion was seconded by Alderman Gruen-
hagen and carried unanimously.
Consultant Hendrickson discussed the plan for the proposed building and stated he
needed tax information and dollar amounts from the City to complete the brochure.
The following time schedule was set:
February 19, 1980 Present drawings for one- and two-level scheme
(Decide on one)
February 25, 1980 Deliver model to City
Present Site Plan
Present Perspective
March 25 Referendum Election
Mayor Westlund commented that a figure should be established on the amount of the
bond to be approved. The City Accountant then presented a report of figures avail-
able and stated the Auditor's Office still didn't have a firm figure.
Consultant Hendrickson presented the fol -lowing costs on the proposed building:
Feet Cost/Sq. Ft. Amount
Police Dept. 7,000 $50.00 $ 350,000
Basement 7,000 20.00 140,000
Fire Dept. 11,000 50.00 550,000
Site 60,000
1,100,000
10% 100,000
1,200,000
15% 180,000
1,380,000
Acquisition, Demolition, 320,000
Relocation and Contingency $1,700,000
Council Minutes
February 4, 1980
Page 3
Following discussion, it was decided the final figure for the referendum would be
approved at a later date. New figures were requested from TKDA for break -off block
and a new drawing for the City Council meeting on February 12, 1980.
Fire Chief Schlueter commented on a meeting with the Town Board scheduled in Feb-
ruary. He wondered about the rental cost in the new building. He was told it would
be a year or more before it would be possible to determine a cost.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:40 P.M.