08-20-1959_Special17
LONG RANGE CAPITAL IMPItOVE1+iENTS PLANNING COMMISSION
VILLAGE OF RICHFIELD
SPECIAL MEETING
August 20, 1959
MI
The Long Range Capital Improvements Planning Commission met
August 20, 1959 in the Council Chambers of the Village Hall. This
special meeting was called to consider a $1,250,000 bond issue for
expe~nsion of the Village riall and for park improvements proposed
by Councilman Charles tdallick, The bond issue was to be paid for
over a ten year period by liquor store receipts so that the mill
rate would not have to be raised. The proposal had been explained
to Commission members at a meeting called by Village Manager
Van ICrevelen on clugust 13, 1959. Aiembers felt unable at that time
to reach a decision for approval or rejection of the plan until
further study had been given it.
The meeting was called to order at ?:13 I'.~I. F~
Members present were: Erspame r, Reiter, Shinier, and Grundit z.
Absent: Coombs.
1. Recommendation ~ Conciu, sions.
Pro and con discussion of the issue brought out the following. points:
1. The commission felt that liquor store profits should be
used for capital improvements, but members were opposed to
the issuance of bonds for park improvements and additions
to the Village Hall even though both projects were high on
our priority list. Apay-as-you-go plan of financing seemed
sounder since there was a good sum of money available each
year from the liquor store.
2. There is no assurance that Richf field will be able to have
a municipal liquor store for the next ten years or that
profits will continue as high as at the present time. If
liquor store profits cannot meet the bond retirement pay-
ment., then the mill rate would have to be raised.
3. Interest would be saved by a pay-as-you-go plan.
4. Our present per capita bonded indebtedness has reached a
point at which the credit rating of the village-might be
jeopardized by a new bond issue.
5. The Commission does not feel it is necessary to undertake
.all projects at once.
6. it seemed wise to all-members present to hire a
professional
planner for the park system before any more money is spent. ~
far parks. The need for a planner seemed jest as essential
for a pay-as-you-go program as for ~th~e complete program.
1'~9
Special Aleeting
August 20, 1959
{continued)
It was decided that the above points would be includ ed in a letter
expressing the Conunission's opposition to the .bond issue and this
letter would be sent to each member of the Council and to the Mayor
before their next meeting on August 24th.
It was felt that one member of the Planning Commission should be
present at this Council meeting, and hr. Reiter said he would try
to be the spokesman for the Commission.
2. Minutes.
.~
lair. Anderson asked for consideration of the minutes of the August
4th meeting so that he could send them to the Council and the
ric~rfield News. The minutes were approved as presented.
3. liournment.
The meeting was informally adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
respectfully submitted,
Muriel Grunditz
Secretary