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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-12-01 CC MIN Special Meeting450 COUNCIL CHAMBER Stillwater, Minnesota December 1, 1976 7:00 P. M. SPECIAL MEETING the meeting was called to order by President Junker. The Invocation was given by the Acting City Clerk. Present: Councilwoman Bodlovick, President Junker Councilmen Peterson, Thompson, and Absent: Councilman Mahoney Also Present: Acting City Clerk, Schnell; City Attorney, Harold Kimmel Press: WAVN - John Hanvelt Citizens: Quentin Heimerman, Alan R. Peterson, Phil Easton, Mr. & Mrs. John Bourdaghs, Jeri Zoller, Mary Wolff, Jean Davis, James Hunt, Will Turnbladh The First National Bank has requested a special meeting with the City Council to propose the following: (;) That the First National Baik of Stillwater taken an assignment of the paying expensesuorhearnest Auditorium oney the Theater already on the tees property; (2) That the Bank also purchase the property that the City owns in Lots 28 and 29 of Block adjacent to the Auditorium Theater property; and lot which the Bank re-purchase from year Second Street parking r ago, The sequence of events which leads up to this suggestion are as follows: Initially the Bank was interested in purchasing the Auditorium Theater property for expansion and made some tentative inquiries as to its availability a little over a year ago. At that time it appeared that there was a good possibility that the theather property could be and would be utilized for a dinner theater which would make possible the preservation of the building and the Bank did not wish to interfere with those plans. At that time, as you recall, the Bank approached the Cuty about the purchase of the Second Street parking lot with the intention of operating the bank in two separate locations, one part of the Bank being on its present location and a second operation being on the Second Street parking lot. After purchase of the site and consultation with architects to plan that possibility, it became obvious that the operation, while possible, would be inconvenient and in that respect not particularly desirable. At this point the Bank began negotiations with Mr. Bourdaghs for purchase of his property and an exchange of a portion of its own property to Mr. Bourdaghs. The City is aware of these negotiations and, as of its mast meeting, is aware, because of Mr. Bourdaghs' withdrawl of his request for special use permit, that negotia- tions have broken down and that the exchange is not going to take place. At this point the City of course has entered into an agreement for purchase of the Auditorium property, the building has beer demolished, and we would like to suggest that it might be to the best interests of both the City and the Bank if the Bank continue in its present location and expand into the Auditorium parking lot as indicated above. MR. KIMMEL explained that the bank is proposing to take over the City's contract for the Auditorium Theater property and also that they propose to purchase the 56 feet of City property which is located behind the old Schmidt property to the south of the Theater property. He further mentioned that his law firm is also the legal advisor for the First National Bank. If the Council is inclinded to do this and it is agreeable to all parties concerned, this would be the easier way to execute this purchase agreement and also the refund of the money from the First National Bank to the City of Stillwater for the Au itorium Parking Lot across the street. • • • • • • • • MR. PHIL EASTON stated that he has spoken to Lyle Eckberg and Mr. Peaslee and they were in agreement to go along with the easiest way to make this transfer. He was in favor of doing it the cheapest way for all concerned and the most expeditious. MR. KIMMEL added that the purchase of the property to the south, the piece that is approximately 80 x 56 feet could not be accomplished this evening as the Council probably does not know what it is worth and they will have to get appraisals on same. A CITIZEN asked as to what the bank's plans were for this property and MR. HEIMERMAN stated that no concrete plans had been made since they did not know just how much property they would be working with and now with the proposed property acquisition they have enough area to provide decent drive -in facilities and provide parking for their customers and when the bank is not open it will provide additional parking for the public. It is their intent to preserve the present bank building and work it into their new proposal for full banking facilities. MR. KIMMEEL explained that the old Auditorium Parking Lot which the City will repurchase is approximately the same size as the Theater property along with the 56 feet to the south of same - the two parcels are comparable in size. On motion of Councilman Peterson, seconded by Councilwoman Bodlovick a resolution was introduced "Authorizing the Mayor and the Acting City p ,.. Clerk to enter into an agreement with the First National Bank for taking over the City's purchase agreement for the Stillwater Auditorium Theater property and deeding same to the First National Bank and the City agrees to repurchase from the First National Bank the Audiotirum Parking Lot at the original purchase price. of $50,000 and the City Attorney was directed to secure two appraisals on the additional piece of property owned by the City immediately adjacent to the theater property which the First National Bank wishes to purchase with the understanding that the First National Bank will pick up any costs incurred by the City of Stitlwater in said transactions. AYES -- Councilwoman Bodlovick, Councilmen Peterson and Thompson and Mayor Junker NAYS - -None (see resolutions) JEFF ZOLLER of the Planning Commission indicated that if this works out and is i t the easiest way of doing it, he was in complete agreement. COUNCILWOMAN BODLOVICK asked Mr. Bourdaghs if he was in agreement with this and he had no objections on the proposal. December 1, 1976 BUDGET AND TAX LEVY On motion of Councilman Peterson, seconded by Councilman Thompson, a resolution was introduced "AOPTING THE TAX LEVY FOR 1977 ". AYES- Councilwoman Bodlovick, Councilmen Peterson, Thompson and President Junker NAYS - -None (see resolutions) On motion of Councilman Peterson, seconded by Councilman Thompson, a resolution was introduced "REDUCING CERTAIN MANDATORY LEVIES" AYES -- Councilwoman Bodlovick, Councilmen Peterson, Thompson and President Junker NAYS - -None (see resolutions) MISCELLANEOUS 1. On motion of Councilman Peterson, seconded by Councilwoman Bodlovick, the Council authorized the rental of the front office space of the'old Glaser Station to Charles Vielhaber at a rate of $75.00 per month plus the renter paying all utilities on a month -to -month basis. (all in favor) AYES -- Councilman Bodlovick, Councilman Peterson and Mayor Junker NAYS -- Councilman Thompson 2. JAMES HUNT OF RIVERTOWN RESTRORATION spoke out as baing opposed to the loss of two buildings in downtown Stillwater. He felt it could have been better handled especially through the Planning Commission and there should have been some hearings on such matters. He stated that he was negotiating for a Federal Grant and with a few months delay it is possible that the Theater building could have been saved. Also with public hearings there would have been better input into such matters. • 151\ • 1 (152 • December 1, 1976 COUNCILMAN PETERSON said these hearings are a waste of time and that over the past five years there have been sincere efforts to save that building and that many people in this town have put money into that building and that moment decision and could not have beenusavedgford$75,0t was not a spur of the 0p MR. HUNT further indicated that it could have been saved if all had worked together on it. MRS. JEAN DAVIS, 1306 South Third Street, questioned why the meeting was called without notice and she was informed that the Gazette and the Radio Station WAVN were notified. She asked if the City Council ever adopted the Comprehensive Pland and MR. KIMMEL stated that the only plan that the City Council had adopted was the Hodne Plan. She felt that the City needs some type of plan as Stillwater has a lot that other towns do not have and we should make the most of our City. She and her husband has thoroughly enjoyed living here and have given a lot of themselves to the City. She felt it was very upsetting to see these buildings come down and nothing has t happened. ShewcouldtnotHunderstandPreservation whyy the City �dids setup have aa planner - someone with professional qualifications and we need someone with some type of expertise to do the planning for the City. MR. WIL TURNBLAD agreed with Mrs. Davis in her statements and that it should be the concerns of everhone in the community and we should be doing some long range planning, and that planning has to include the whole concept. He felt that we toelookeateanynimproveme such chance preservation. COUNCILMAN ESme ene one and asrecent meeting the Council did agree Co budget MR. KIMMEL mentioned that the Ordinance creating the Heritage Preservation Commission made the members of the Planning Commission memgers of this commission. MARY WOLFF, 520 West Pine Street, felt that what is happening in the downtown area is not in keeping with that feeling and there are a lot of things being done that would not be done if the City had a Comprehensive Plan which would bring the into our shouldwall area and that it is not about such matter one business that will do matters. RESOLUTIONS The following resolutions were read and on roll call were unanimously adopted: 1. ProperrttytandrtheeCutysof National Stillwater Repurchaseethe the Audi Theater Auditorium Parking Lot. 2. Adopting the Tax Levy for 1977. 3. Reducing Certain Mandatory Levies. The meeting adjourned at 7:55 P. M. Attest: 0Q'—'11r, ' '- -J Actit(g City Clerk Mayor r" • • 1