03-04-1981 CCMHUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1981
Present: Mayor Westlund, Aldermen Gruenhagen, Lueneburg and Peterson. Absent:
Alderman Beatty. Also present: City Administrator Plotz and Orlin Henke,
Training Chief of Fire Department.
The City Council met at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, March 4, 1981 for the purpose of
discussing selection of a site for the new fire station.
Mayor Westlund stated that a month ago the Council decided not to choose a site
prior to the fire station referendum inasmuch as the preferred site was unobtain-
able. It had also been determined that the new fire station would be located with-
in a 12 -block radius of the downtown area. He now felt, however, that it might be
a selling point for the referendum to have a site selected so the voters would know
where the proposed fire station would be located. The Mayor stated he and the City
Administrator had discussed a location on city -owned property in the area of Frank
Motor on Highway 7 East. This would eliminate the expenditure for purchase of land.
Also, this site would have accessibility to the two shopping centers, 3M and the
downtown.
Orlin Henke expressed the opinion that Highway 7 East would be a good location as
it would have good accessibility to the major highways. He also thought it would
be a good idea to move the fire station away from the downtown area. The firemen
had considered this site before, but it had received unfavorable response. However,
the town is moving to the south, and the two shopping centers and 3M are also lo-
cated in that direction. He felt the layout of the building could be changed to
accommodate the site.
Alderman Gruenhagen stated that several local realtors have purchased property at
appraised prices as potential fire station sites with the intention of presenting
an option to the City following the referendum.
Alderman Peterson suggested an objection to the proposed site might be that the
present property gives a park land effect as one comes into the City. Also, child-
ren would no longer be able to play there.
Alderman Gruenhagen pointed out that the proposed site would provide space for a
future police station and/or City Hall.
It was the general consensus that a special meeting of the Council and Fire Depart-
ment should be held at 9:00 P.M. this evening to discuss the proposed site for the
fire station.
The meeting adjourned at 10:40 A.M.