HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-15-00 Special
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Hastings, Minnesota
August 15, 2000
The City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a special meeting on
Tuesday August 15, 2000 at 7:00 PM in the Community Room at the Hastings City Hall,
101 East 4th Street, Hastings, Minnesota.
Members Present: Acting Mayor Hicks, Councilmembers Johnson,
Yandrasits, Riveness, Simacek, and Moratzka
Members Absent:
Mayor Werner
Staff Members Present:
City Administrator Dave Osberg
Acting Mayor Hicks opened the meeting and stated the purpose of the meeting was as
follows:
1.)
2.)
3.)
Presentation by Springsted on the Industrial Park Utilization and Fiscal Analysis
Presentation by Springsted on the Golf Course Financial Feasibility
Presentation by Larry Lundine from Colbert-Burns, McDonnell
Bob Thistle, from Springsted provided introductory comments on the reports prepared by
Springsted, and introduced Nick Dragisisch.
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Nick Dragisich presented to the City Council the findings of the Industrial Park Utilization
and Fiscal Analysis Report.
Sue Mershon presented to the City Council the findings of the Golf Course Financial
Feasibility Report.
Larry Lundine from Colbert-Burns and McDonnell presented to the City Council
information regarding their golf course proposal and the First Tee program for youth. Mr.
Lundine presented a videotape regarding the First Tee Program.
Acting Mayor Hicks read into the record excerpts from a letter received from the
Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce.
John Lorenz, Dan Raskob and Curt Walker offered comments regarding the proposed
golf course.
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After considerable discussion and questions from the City Council,
Council member Moratzka moved, and Councilmember Simacek seconded that the City
Council no longer consider any further activity on the proposed golf course.
Ayes: Moratzka, Simacek, Riveness, Johnson, Yandrasists, Hicks
Nays: None
Moved by Councilmember Johnson, seconded by Councilmember Riveness to adjourn
the meeting at 8:50 PM.
Ayes: Moratzka, Simacek, Riveness, Johnson, Yandarist, Hicks
Nays: None
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HASTINGS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
( --& TOURISM BUREAU
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on the Mississippi
Date:
August 15,2000
To:
Mayor Mike Werner and City Council Members
From: Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors
Re:
Proposed Municipal Golf Course
My name is Peggy Johnson and I am the Chair of the Board for the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce and
Tourism Bureau. I want to thank you for allowing the Chamber to share the results of a survey conducted in mid
May of 2000. The Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce asked 500 area business owners and managers what
their feelings were about the possibility of a municipal golf course in Hastings. There was a 24% response rate
to the survey, which represents approximately 120 businesses.
Of those responding, 65% were opposed to the idea of a municipal golf course. The primary reasons given
were the belief that the City should not compete with private enterprise and that there is an adequate number of
golf courses in the area. Other concerns raised were the use of Industrial Park land for a golf course and
whether the feasibility study that was conducted for the City was accurate.
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While 13% responded "no opinion," comments included the need for more information, concern over saturation
of golf courses, opposition to the cost of $40 per round and a preference toward seeing industrial land used to
promote and support business development and to expand the tax base.
Comments among the 20% who were in support of the course included five who would support it if it were lower
cost or a beginner course and others who felt it was a clean industry and could bring people to town.
The final 2% did not indicate their support, opposition or opinion, but provided general comments similar to
others listed above.
While the Chamber can appreciate that a municipal golf course could be a financial resource for the City, it
could also be a financial liability. The challenges that the Golf Course Capacity and Feasibility Study Review
present to the study conducted by THK are very concerning. With the omission of four 18 hole courses and one
27 hole course, there is concern over the real demand for another golf course in the Hastings Area.
The Chamber is concerned that while using the land for a golf course instead of industrial development may
provide revenue for the City of Hastings, that land will not generate income for School District #200 or Dakota
County. If the land were used for industrial development, those industries would share a portion of the tax
burden with existing businesses. Building homes around a golf course in the Industrial Park would not be a tax
benefit, because providing public services to homes is more costly than providing services to
commercial/industrial properties.
We thank the City for their efforts to thoroughly review the implications of using this land for a golf course. It is
our hope that the City Council looks at the future potential for business development within Hastings when
making their decision.
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I thank you for hearing our concerns.
111 East Third Street. Hastings, MN 55033-1211 . Phone Toll Free (888) 612-6122. (651) 437-6775. Fax (651) 437-2697
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