10-10-2017 CCM WORKSHOP
HUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL WORKSHOP
MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2017, AT 4:00 PM
CITY CENTER – COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1. Call to Order
Mayor Gary Forcier called the meeting to order. Members present were Chad Czmowski, Mary
Christensen, Steve Cook and John Lofdahl. Others present were Matt Jaunich, City Administrator
and Kent Exner, City Engineer and other City staff.
DISCUSSION/REVIEW ITEMS
2. Master Facilities Plan
Dan Jochum, Planning Director, introduced John McNamara of Wold Architects. Mr. Jochum
noted that staff and Council have been working on a Facilities Master Plan for almost a year. Mr.
McNamara provided conceptual plans for the police department, fire department and City Center.
John McNamara, Wold Architects, presented before the Council. Mr. McNamara reviewed
previous discussions that the Council has had at previous workshops concerning sites for the
police department, fire department and City Center. Pertaining to the police department, Mr.
McNamara noted that the current site is rather tight for any expansion. One idea that had been
developed for the location of a new police station was the former EconoFoods site located
st
between Washington Avenue NE and 1 Avenue NE. Mr. McNamara provided another optional
site south of the depot where currently a plumbing and heating business is located. A third site
presented was the block where the fire station is currently located between Adams Street and
Jefferson Street. Mr. Jochum noted that the fire department has expressed that if there location
should change, their wish is not to be moved any further north than from where they are currently
located. It was noted that the third option for the police station would require that the City
purchase lots that may or may not be for sale and the fire station would need a modest addition
constructed.
Mr. McNamara then reviewed the current fire station site. Mr. McNamara provided conceptual
diagrams for building additions and renovated office space to the fire station. Mr. McNamara
also provided a conceptual diagram for renovations to City Center. No additions are being
recommended to City Center.
Mr. McNamara then reviewed the budget for each project. The police station project cost is
estimated at $8,600,000. The fire station project cost is estimated at $7,000,000. The City Center
project cost is estimated at $3,000,000.
Council Member Cook suggested having an analysis done on adding on to the current police
department so that can be compared to moving to another location. Mr. McNamara noted that
that analysis has been completed and renovation/addition to the current site was estimated at
$8.2-$9 million.
Mr. McNamara noted that staff is recommending that a new police station be constructed on a
selected site, an addition completed to the fire station and modest renovations done to City
Center. Implementation would include a two-year design/construction for a new police station.
Council Member Cook suggested staff researching Options 1 and 3 for a new police station which
are the EconoFoods site as well as the combined site where the current fire station is located.
Council Members Lofdahl and Christensen both noted that they are in favor of both of those sites
as along as sound research is done on costs and benefits to each site.
Discussion was held in regard to future development of the former EconoFoods site and the lack
of inquisitions of the property. General discussion was also held on how to fund such an
expensive project. Mr. McNamara also noted that if/when a new police station is built, it could
be master planned for future expansion to include a public safety building and/or fire station.
Mr. Jaunich noted that the next step is probably for the Council to go through exercises of
actually determining costs for the two options – design, cost, analysis, finance.
An executive summary will be put together and presented to the Council for their approval. The
Council will then consider when to begin the next phase.
Motion by Christensen, second by Cook, to adjourn at 5:10 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
ATTEST:
________________________________ __________________________________
Gary T. Forcier Matthew Jaunich
Mayor City Administrator