01-11-1982 CCMMINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING - HUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1982
The special meeting of the Hutchinson City Council was called to order at 7:00 A.M.
by Mayor DeMeyer. The following were present: Alderman Mike Carls, Alderman
John Mlinar, Alderman Kenneth Gruenhagen, Alderman Ted Beatty, and Mayor Jim DeMeyer.
Also present: City Administrator Gary D. Plotz, City Engineer Marlow Priebe, and City
Attorney James Schaefer.
Mayor DeMeyer requested that the record show that Alderman Carls, Alderman Gruen-
hagen and Alderman Beatty had called and requested this special meeting.
Alderman Beatty stated that he had talked to Irvin Burich of Citizens Bank regarding
the Old Armory situation and to look at other options that may lessen the present
contro v ersy regarding the project. He reported several options were discussed and
that Mr. Burich was agreeable to donate $200,000.00 toward the construction of a re-
placement facility for -the Old Armory with no strings attached, except that the fa-
cility would be constructed within 18-24 months.
Alderman Gruenhagen requested an estimate on the number of off-street parking spaces
the City presently has available. He mentioned that it was proposed that the City be
responsible for approximately one-third of the off-street parking spaces within the
parking program. It was noted that the parking program was for a project for $1.25
million of which $750,000.00 will be assessed to the downtown merchants and $500,000.00
under the tax increment plan.
Marlow Priebe, City Engineer, estimated that there are presently 290-300 parking spaces
off-street, including the new parking lot where the old Wigen Building was located
and the one-half lot where the old veterinarian's office was (corner of Franklin and
First Avenue N.W.). The City Engineer stated that the Old Armory site could generate
an additional 52 spaces.
Alderman Beatty stated that the City had attempted to negotiate with land owners on
the east side of Main Street, including the old Quast Funeral Home site and house ad-
jacent, and the site known as the Bretzke lot. Also, at various times the Masonic
Temple has discussed the situation with City officials.
Alderman Gruenhagen asked Alderman Beatty whether or not Irvin Burich would be will-
ing to go to a referendum on the Old Armory project. Alderman Beatty indicated that
if the Citizens Bank was named within the Ordinance taken to referendum that the pro-
posal would be withdrawn. However, if the project was taken to referendum without
mention of Citizens Bank, there was indication of no objection to such a proposal.
Mayor DeMeyer expressed reservations about the entire parking program. He mentioned
the lack of publicity on the Old Armory prior to consideration by the Council. The
Mayor mentioned his disappointment with the Downtown Development Advisory Board in
regard to this matter. He stated that the Old Armory site was not shown as proposed
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SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES
JANUARY 12, 1982
parking site in the Tax Increment Plan. Alderman Beatty reported that the location
map for parking areas was only a guide or suggested sites for proposed parking.
Alderman Carls stated that as the Old Armory building doesn't meet the State Fire
Codes and handicapped codes, then it was the City's responsibility to look into it.
Pat Mikulecky stated that the items mentioned in the Building Official's report
could be narrowed down to four items of the Fire Code and handicapped code costing
a ball park estimate of $35,000.00.
Helga Nielsen requested her remarks be placed within the City minutes and informed
the Council that she and others have sought legal counsel regarding the project and
informed the Council that an injunction or restraining order in due process of time
will be served on the Council for any actions that may be taken in regard to the Old
Armory.
Alderman Gruenhagen stated he felt the Council has done nothing wrong up until now.
The purpose of to meeting is to have a general discussion of Irvin Burich's pro-
posal. He noted that the City has responsibility to enforce the State Fire Code with
our Fire Marshal,and if we are expected to enforce fire code on private buildings,
we have an obligation to look at public buildings in the same manner. Alderman Gruen-
hagen also noted that the presshas been contacted and notice provided regarding the
meetings held over the years, including discussion on the Old Armory.
The City Council discussed the option of calling a referendum on the proposed project.
Discussion ensued regarding the potential wording for a referendum question. Alder-
man Gruenhagen stated that any referendum question in all fairness should not only
state the demolition of the Old Armory for parking but also state that the building
would be replaced with another recreational facility. Other Council members felt
that this should be an appropriate wording for the question in all fairness to all
sides.
City Attorney Schaefer said there was no problem with wording the question in such
a manner. It was agreed that Jim Schaefer would examine how to proceed with such a
question and with the final wording of the question. This information will be sub-
mitted to the Council sometime later in January.
Further discussion of the parking program took place. Mayor DeMeyer stated that the
City should be careful with the imbalance with parking between the east side of Main
Street and the west side of Main Street, as presently the available off-street park-
ing is wholly located west of Main Street. Alderman Beatty responded that the intent
of the parking program was to have a balance of parking on both the east and west
side of Main Street; however, negotiations to date have not provided the balance
at this time. He further noted that it was the intent of the City to obtain property
east of Main Street in the up -coming months to accomplish this balance.
Tom Stibal was present at the meeting and inquired upon whether the City Attorney
had received the Attorney General's opinion on the Old Armory. Attorney Schaefer
responded that no written opinion had been received at this time.
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SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES
JANUARY 12, 1982
Alderman Mlinar renewed a request for the City Attorney to prepare the various op-
tions available to the City Council for taking some form of action on the Old Armory.
Alderman Carls concurred with the request for the additional information. Attorney
Schaefer responded that it will be available by Tuesday night's Council meeting.
The City Council discussed other items of concern. Alderman Beatty stated that he
was not consulted regarding several of the appointments made by Mayor DeMeyer, along
with some of the personnel changes that took place within the Council Resolutions of
Monday, January 4, 1982. Alderman Beatty stated that five members run the Commission
form of government and not one. Alderman Carls stated that he was not aware of many
of the changes that were within the Resolutions of January 4 nor was he provided
with the information prior to the meeting. In addition, changes of this magnitude
were not pointed out by anyone at the January 4 meeting. Alderman Carls stated that
the changes should have been openly discussed with input from the Personnel Coordin-
ator. Specifically, he noted that newjob titles may affect job descriptions. Ald-
erman Carls stated he was also not aware of the City Attorney's six-month appointment.
It was pointed out that these items will be on the Agenda at the next City Council
meeting.
Alderman Gruenhagen discussed the Mayor's statement that he would not be voting on
City Council issues except when there was a tie. The Mayor reaffirmed his inten-
tions to reserve his vote with the exception of a possible tie -breaking vote. Ald-
erman Mlinar felt that the City Charter and the responsibilities of the Mayor re-
quired him to vote on all issues. The Mayor stated he would consider the comments
and further review the City Charter.
Alderman Beatty returned to discussion on the Old Armory project and pointed out that
the options on the proposed downtown site of a recreational facility will be expir-
ing soon. City Administrator Plotz pointed out these options expire January 28, 1982.
The Mayor pointed out that the alternative site of the Civic Arena remains available
and that the Recreation Director had expressed a desire of this location.
Alderman Gruenhagen stated that a firm Agenda policy and advance notice must be es-
tablished. Alderman Carls pointed out that if items are submitted to the City Coun-
cil immediately preceding the meeting, it is his intention to call a 30 -minute recess
for the purpose of review of the new materials. Mayor DeMeyer pointed out that dis-
cussion of the Agenda and the Supplemental Agenda will take place at the next regu-
lar meeting. In response to Alderman Gruenhagen's concern, the Mayor has consulted
with the City Administrator regarding changes in this area.
The motion was made and seconded to adjourn. Unanimously approved.
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