HPC DENIES (UPDATED2-22-22)(NEWLY updated 1-13-22) Hauer building metal roof, Gary Block, Linda LeMieur, Wayne Liljegren. Tom Briscoe treated unfairly, precedent set, HPC rules applied SELECTIVELY

UPDATE... listen at 33 minutes in, as Raquel Lundberg asks the council to reconsider this matter.https://youtube.com/watch?v=pShVs_nAl6A&feature=share

Now listen right at the beginning of the 2-7-22 work session, as Raquel lets council know she believes Briscoe's metal roof permit that was denied, should be revisited. City BETTER reconsider, before there is yet another lawsuit, that COULD be avoided.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=lVD_DyJXpKE&feature=share

Well here is the proof that the HPC APPROVED a permit for Johnny C's bar, despite that approval VIOLATING their own rules. And guess who seconded the motion to approve that permit for a metal roof? None other than Gary Block, who stated in Tom Briscoe's appeal, presided over by the council, that he had "NO IDEA" why the metal roof on Johnny C's bar, had been allowed.  I believe HE KNEW DAMNED WELL HE HAD SECONDED THE MOTION TO APPROVE IT.  I believe he lied. Here is my letter calling for Gary Block's immediate removal from the HPC. Sent on 1-13-22.

In my opinion, either Johnny C's should be required to remove the metal roof, and or pay a 10k fine. What is the penalty for violating HPC rules anyway?  What is the penalty for repairing a building with no permit? What happens if Briscoe's go ahead and install the metal roof? Doesn't this city have an "after the fact" permit?  Of course they do. I have been at countless HPC meetings, and Planning Commission meetings, where building owners went ahead without any permit and were NOT penalized. If it were me, I would install the metal roofing, unless the city required Johnny C's (to remove their metal roof that was installed AGAINST HPC regulations.) And I would sue the city.  Remember Retka's Insurance on West Broadway(next to Speedway)that DEMOLISHED the building WITHOUT the required permit?? I do. (There is a specific demolition permit, if a building owner wishes to demolish.) ■■■And they got by with it and put up the new addition without HPC approval. I

 blogged about it. RETKA's has taken HPC(taxpayer money) to remodel their building years earlier. Why didn't Linda LeMieur get her hackles up about that?? There are countless examples of HPC recent violations, including many SIGN violations in the Historic Downtown District. I have requested HPC minutes from it's inception to 2012(the year I began attending ALL the city meetings). I will be scouring over them to find "exceptions" that set precedent in numerous areas.

  At 16:30 minutes into the regular 10-4-21 Little Falls city council meeting, https://youtu.be/6nNoY2vECuglisten as the city attorney Alyssa Harrington gives bogus advice about precedent not being set, and Gary Block at 34 minutes into the video(current Historic Preservation Commission president) saying he has "no idea" how Johnny C's bar building 108 East Broadway, was allowed a metal roof. Just look at how nervous and hyper defensive he is. Watch his body language.

 I did some digging at city hall and in my paper files, and discovered that the metal roof was discussed at a July, 2016 HPC meeting, where Gary Block, Linda LeMieur, councilman Wayne Liljegren, others and former HPC president Don Opatz were in attendence. I think this was a "go along to get along" favor given to Johnny Chaika. This city's committee members, council members, mayors and city administrators all have a history of playing that evil game. That's how "certain" business/property owners, get ahead in everything. They monopolize the programs that are intended to help entrepeneurs that really need it. This city, to my knowledge, has only one time, EVER published information about HPC/EDA funding ONCE, a few years back.....and only AFTER I complained they hadn't let the public know. 

How is it that Gary Block has no idea how the metal roof was allowed when it was clearly discussed 2 months before the permit was issued? And he seconded Camille Warzechas motion to permit a metal roof on a historic building in the Downtown Historic District?

The permit is supposed to trigger HPC approval. But not for Johnny C's. 

Linda LeMieur's maiden name is Eix. She previously owned the building, operated Calico Cat restaurant, which flopped after approximately 5 years. Maybe this is why she got her hackles up?(as councilor Raquel Lundbergh mentions).

The proper procedure was not followed by the HPC and the city building inspector for the metal roof on Johnny C's bar.  Greg Kimman states clearly in the council meeting that the permit, triggers the HPC meeting and approval....but the opposite happened for John Chaika, the owner of Johnny C's bar metal roof?  The HPC discussed the metal roof in July of 2016, then the permit was issued in September. Why? 

Once I get the minutes from the HPC meetings of July, August and September of 2016, perhaps we will know the answer. 

I find it hard to believe Gary Block is telling the truth. He is very nervous and overly defensive, during his 5 minutes of the appeal hearing. Why?  I think I know. 

And now listen as city staff muddle through their "explanations" as to why the HPC ruled to allow a metal roof, on Johnny Cs bar but not Briscoe's building. Pure bulldoodoo. They suggest the HPC is allowed to bend their own guidelines if an historic building is in the middle of the block?  Really. Where in their rules does it say this?   Pathetic that outright discrimation continues and council does nothing. Shame on all of them. None have a  "Jiminy Cricket". None. They will reap what they sow. 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=aBZbsI5MyF4&feature=share