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03-16-1983 CCMMINUTES SPECIAL MEETING - HUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1983 1. CALL TO ORDER The special meeting was called to order by Mayor DeMeyer at 6:00 P.M., with the following present: Alderman Mike Carls, Alderman John Mlinar, Alderman Kenneth Gruenhagen, Alderman Ted Beatty, and Mayor James G. DeMeyer. Also present: City Administrator Gary D. Plotz and City Engineer Marlow V. Priebe. 2. OLD BUSINESS (a) DISCUSSION OF FUTURE USE OR EXPANSION OF HUTCHINSON LIQUOR STORE (REQUESTED BY ALDERMAN KENNETH GRUENHAGEN) (DEFERRED FEBRUARY 22, 1983) It was reported that approximately four or five years ago the City purchased property along Highway 7 for the purpose of constructing a new liquor store. Discussion then followed regarding the need for additional space in the exist- ing liquor store. Several alternative suggestions were presented by the City Administrator. The general consensus of the Council was that it would not be in the best interest of the City to construct a new liquor store at this time. Alder- man Carls moved that the City not consider liquor store expansion at the present time, except to request from the Building Official a report on neces- sary rewiring and roof repair needed. Motion seconded by Alderman Beatty and unanimously carried. (b) DISCUSSION OF SALE OF OLD FIRE STATION (REQUESTED BY ALDERMAN KENNETH GRUENHAGEN) (DEFERRED FEBRUARY 22, 1983) After discussion, it was the consensus of the Council that the future of the old fire station should be referred to the special committee being ap- pointed to review various city -owned property. The motion was made by Alderman Carls to refer consideration of the future of the old fire station to the City's special committee. Motion seconded by Alderman Mlinar and carried unanimously. RECESS: Alderman Mlinar moved to recess from 7:00 P.M. to 8:45 P.M. to allow every- one the opportunity to attend Lenten services. Alderman Gruenhagen seconded the motion, and it unanimously carried. (c) DISCUSSION OF SALE OF PARK SUBDIVISION (LOTS 16 & 17) (REQUESTED BY ALDERMAN KENNETH GRUENHAGEN) (DEFERRED FEBRUARY 22, 1983) The Council members discussed the possible sale of several parcels of park land. It was the recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Board that the COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 16, 1983 following parcels of existing "miscellaneous" park land could be sold, with the money to be placed in a Park Dedication Fund; Block 1, Lot 7 Woller's Subdivision Block 3, Lots 11 & 12 Selchow-Jorgenson Subdivision Lot 16 & 17 Park Subdivision Lot 15 Park Subdivision, except for approx. 390 feet of the north end of Lot 15 The Board further recommended to keep that portion of Lot 15, Park Subdi- vision and Lot 13, Park Subdivision. After discussion, Alderman Carls moved that the Council proceed with -sell- ing lots 16 and 17 Park Subdivision and the area south of the section line near the river and along the highway, and "lots 11 and 12 Selchow-Jorgenson Subdivision. Motion seconded by Alderman Beatty. During discussion of the sale of lots 11 and 12, it was determined that a written agreement should be obtained prior to a bidding process of the property. Aldermen Carls and Beatty approved deletion of lots 11 and 12 from the original mo- tion, and it unanimously carried. Alderman Beatty made the motion to offer Lots 16 and 17 and the southerly portion of lot 18 to the abutting property owners who are landlocked prior to putting the lots up for bids. Motion seconded by Alderman Gruenhagen and unanimously approved. City Administrator Plotz reported that lots 11 and 12, lots 16 and 17 and the area near the river would have appraisals performed by C. R. Pelton & Associates. (d) DISCUSSION OF SALE OF TWO VACANT CITY LOTS (LOTS 11 & 12 OF BLOCK 3, SELCHOW-JORGENSON SUBDIVISION) (REQUESTED BY ALDERMAN KENNETH GRUENHAGEN) (DEFERRED FEBRUARY 22, 1983) There was discussion regarding the sale of the two vacant lots in the Selchow-Jorgenson Subdivision. Attorney Neil Jensen will be representing the Jorgenson Conservatorship -4t the event the land is sold by the City. Alderman Carts made the motion to defer action on lots 11 and 12 of Block 3 until the next City Council meeting, after receiving input from the parties involved. Motion seconded by Alderman Mlinar and carried unanimously. (e) CONSIDERATION OF STATUS OF HUTCHINSON PUBLIC LIBRARY It was reported that the estimated cost to repair the public library would be $26,800.00. Discussion was given to the situation of the library, but no action was taken. -2- COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 16, 1983 (f) CONSIDERATION OF STATUS OF HUTCHINSON POLICE DEPARTMENT Police Chief Dean O'Borsky stated there was a real need for additional space in the police department. He projected his department needed about 6,000 square feet, not including garage space. He further commented that he was opposed to adding on a second floor to the existing building or remodeling the old fire station for his department. He would, however, be in favor of purchasing the Central District Services building for a police station. City Administrator Plotz pointed out that the property to the north of City Hall would be available, contingent upon a life estate for Mrs. Sheppard, the owner. Purchase of this property would enable the City to expand to the north at some future time. Mention was also made that the Crow River Cooperative Building was for sale and could house both City Hall and the police department. No action was taken on this matter. (g) CONSIDERATION OF MUNICIPAL SWIMMING POOL There was no action on this subject. (h) CONSIDERATION OF CITY HALL EXPANSION/REMODELING It was the general consensus of the Council not to spend any money on City Hall at this time, except for necessary repair. (i) CONSIDERATION OF GYMNASIUM FACILITY No action was taken on this issue. (j) CONSIDERATION OF SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES FOR FACILITIES COMMITTEE (DEFERRED FEBRUARY 22, 1983) Extensive discussion was given to the Facilities Committee, its makeup and scope of responsibilities. Alderman Gruenhagen made the motion to refer the following items to the facilities committee and be in the following order: 1) old fire station, 2) public library, 3) police department, 4) gym facilities, 5) swimming pool, and 6) City Hall. Motion seconded by Alderman Beatty and failed by the following vote: Aldermen Gruenhagen and Beatty voted aye and Aldermen Carls and Mlinar and Mayor DeMeyer voted nay. It was the consensus of the Council that the appointed committee should determine the order of priorities in accordance with the amount of money available. -3- COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 16, 1983 Alderman Mlinar moved to direct all six of the aforementioned items to the facilities committee as being Council concerns. Motion seconded by Alderman Beatty and unanimously approved. It was moved by Alderman Mlinar that Alderman Carls and Alderman Beatty be Council representatives on the facilities committee. Motion seconded by Alderman Gruenhagen and carried unanimously. Alderman Carls made the motion to direct the facilities committee to feel free to propose various alternatives to the City Council and not return with just a single plan. Alderman Beatty seconded the motion, and it unan- imously carried. Alderman Beatty moved that September 1, 1983 be established as the dead- line for the report of alternatives from the facilities committee. Motion seconded by Alderman Carls and approved unanimously. Reference was made to an old street right-of-way property located near Red- man Realty. The City Engineer will research this piece of property and re- port back to the Council. The motion was made by Alderman Gruenhagen to sell city -owned property on Highway 7 (proposed liquor store site) to the highest bidder. Motion sec- onded by Alderman Beatty. The motion was amended by Alderman Gruenhagen that the City has the first right of refusal. Alderman Beatty seconded the amendment. Alderman Gruenhagen further amended the motion to include this parcel of property in the appraisals to be done. Amendment seconded by Alderman Beatty and unanimously approved. Alderman Gruenhagen made the motion that city -owned property on Waller Drive (Block 1, Lot 7 Waller`s Subdivision) be offered to adjoining property owners. The motion was seconded by Alderman Carls and carried unanimously. 3. NEW BUSINESS (a) DISCUSSION OF GRAHAM STREET SURFACING IMPROVEMENT (REQUESTED BY MAYOR JAMES G. DEMEYER) Mr. Duane Dickey appeared before the Council and requested a letter from the City addressed to the Veterans Administration stating the project on Graham Street had met all the requirements for completion. The City Engineer was not authorized to approve the project inasmuch as the blacktop work was done and paid for by the developer. Atkinson Blacktop from Litchfield had been approved by the City Council to put in the surfacing according to the City plans and specifications. Mr. Dickey also requested a statement to the ef- fect that the City will maintain the streets. W1 COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 16, 1983 City Engineer Priebe reported he was not involved with the project on Graham Street. The Council had accepted the proposal from Mr. Dickey for the work to be done privately. Therefore, since the Council approved the project and the work, it would be in their jurisdiction to approve the upkeep of the streets. Alderman Beatty made the motion to as requested. Motion seconded by Gruenhagen abstaining from voting. 4. ADJOURNMENT approve sending a letter of completion Alderman Carls and carried, with Alderman Alderman Beatty moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:33 P.M. Alderman Mlinar seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. -5-