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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230807 - CC MinutesSign up to receive automatic notification of Council agendas At ccagenda-subscribe@hastingsmn.gov or by calling 651-480-2350 City Council packets can be viewed in searchable format on the City’s website at http://www.hastingsmn.gov/city-government/city-council/city-council-agendas-and-minutes Hastings, Minnesota City Council Meeting Minutes August 7, 2023 The City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a regular meeting on Monday, August 7, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Hastings City Hall, 101 East 4th Street, Hastings, Minnesota. Members Present: Mayor Fasbender, Councilmembers Folch, Fox, Haus, Lawrence, Leifeld, and Pemble Members Absent: None Staff Present: City Administrator Dan Wietecha Assistant City Administrator Kelly Murtaugh City Attorney Kori Land Community Development Director John Hinzman Community Development Intern Madelyn Swanson Oath of Office: Tim Lawrence, Ward 4 Councilmember Sue Vento, Metropolitan Council – rescheduled for August 21, 2023 Approval of Minutes Mayor Fasbender asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the City Council regular meeting on July 17, 2023 and the special meetings on July 24, 2023 and July 25, 2023. Minutes were approved as presented. Consent Agenda Councilmember Pemble motioned to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, seconded by Councilmember Haus. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays 1. Pay Bills as Audited 2. Resolution No. 08-01-23: Accept Donation from the Hastings Class of 1988 to the Parks and Recreation Department 3. Resolution No. 08-02-23: Approve One-Day Temporary Charitable Gambling Request for St. Elizabeth Ann Seton 4. Resolution No. 08-03-23: Approve Commercial Waste Hauler License for Hidden Haven LLC dba Redbox+ Dumpsters of Twin Cities South Metro 5. Authorize Signature: Utility Abandonment Agreement – KFC 6. Committee Appointments 7. Authorize Signature: Escrow Agreement – Augustine Farms LLC 8. Authorize Signature: Artwork Leasing Agreement with Dale Lewis City Hall Project Resolution No. 08-04-23: Award Contract – City Hall Annex Roof Resolution No. 08-05-23: Award Contract – City Hall Masonry Sign up to receive automatic notification of Council agendas At ccagenda-subscribe@hastingsmn.gov or by calling 651-480-2350 City Council packets can be viewed in searchable format on the City’s website at http://www.hastingsmn.gov/city-government/city-council/city-council-agendas-and-minutes Resolution No. 08-06-23: Award Contract – City Hall Plaster Repair and Vapor Barrier Hinzman provided an overview of the renovation requests that are part of the larger City Hall project. The City has secured State funds to support the renovation costs for these projects. The bids have come in and have been reviewed by staff. Council discussion on who oversees the contractors for these projects, the remaining project bids, and cost estimates for those remaining projects. Hinzman indicated Miller Dunwiddie Architecture is the general contractor for these projects. Miller Dunwiddie Architecture assembled the contract documents for bids and will provide oversight of the crews. Councilmember Folch motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Haus. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Marijuana Usage in Parks and Public Spaces Wietecha referenced the recent recreational marijuana legislation and the initial focus on licensing and zoning. The law does not allow adult use of cannabis in public spaces (parks, sidewalks), but there is no penalty associated with use. Cities are allowed to determine the extent of public use. The City of Hastings has a 2007 tobacco free policy in parks that could be reviewed and expanded into an ordinance. It is recommended that this be referred to the Parks & Recreation Commission. Council discussion on which Commission to refer this topic to for deliberation, indicating Public Safety Advisory Commission as another option. Councilmember Fox motioned to a move deliberation to Parks & Recreation Commission and make unified with the tobacco-free policy in parks, seconded by Councilmember Lawrence. Council discussion on keeping the Parks and Recreation Commission to just the smoking of marijuana since beer and wine are allowed in the parks presently. Council discussion on supporting medical marijuana use throughout the discussions the Commission has as well. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Resolution No. 08-07-23: Special Use Permit – Neighborhood Commercial (315 Pine Street) Hinzman provided an overview of the Special Use Permit request. Limited uses of Neighborhood Commercial are allowed and has worked in the past. The SUP would allow for the first floor of the building to be used for social gatherings, with the remaining floors of the building would be residential. The Planning Commission has reviewed and recommended the SUP. During a public hearing, some neighboring residents expressed concern about potential parking issues. Council discussion on the timing of the reconstruction and the impact of the SUP on that timing. Council discussion on change of ownership throughout the years. Hinzman indicated the property owner purchased the property a few years ago and has been working on improvements such as the structural integrity of the building, continued demolition as well as approval of the architectural plans by the Heritage Preservation Commission. Hinzman indicated the intent is continue project to the point where the building Sign up to receive automatic notification of Council agendas At ccagenda-subscribe@hastingsmn.gov or by calling 651-480-2350 City Council packets can be viewed in searchable format on the City’s website at http://www.hastingsmn.gov/city-government/city-council/city-council-agendas-and-minutes will be covered for the winter months to avoid additional damage. Additional concerns raised to councilmembers about parking due to speed of motorists on 4th Street. Councilmember Leifeld motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Fox. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Downtown Parking Study Hinzman introduced Maddie Swanson who is interning with the Community Development Department. Swanson provided the history of parking studies in the City. Swanson provided map visuals to create distinct areas for the study. The goal was to continue calculating the average usage of parking spots in the downtown area. Swanson highlighted the changes since the 2021 study. Approximately 33% of available parking spaces are used during the weekday times studied. Highest usage areas are 2nd Street (between Hwy 61 and Sibley), City Hall parking lot, and the downtown parking lot. Swanson closed with a comment about the Makers Market. Council discussion on the number of public versus private parking spots. Council expressed appreciation for the study and Swanson’s work on Makers Market. Council emphasized main points from the study that the City’s parking is free and underutilized. Council discussed whether the study was done with evening and weekend data, expressing an additional study to include that information may be helpful. Council wished Maddie well as her internship comes to an end. Micromobility Permit Update Hinzman provided an update on Spin and Bird Rides Scooters. Council had asked for a mid-year update since two vendors were approved. Bird Rides Scooters did not execute the contract this year. Spin is the only vendor to follow-through on approval. The Spin manager is in the Twin Cities area and manages fleets in several cities. Council wanted PSAC and staff to comment on the usage and some of the feedback includes lack of availability in certain areas of the City, riders not following road rules, underage riders, and scooters left in inconvenient places. Hinzman indicated that there have not been many complaints. Spin management indicates that the utilization rate is strong. Council discussion on usage, underage riders, and liability. Approve Change Order No. 1 – City Hall HVAC Project Hinzman reminded Council of the approval of the HVAC project earlier. As the project was getting close, several issues were identified that led to an alternate plan. The request is to increase the funds available to take advantage of the proximity of City Hall and the Police Department and put the new system in the Police Department to handle the HVAC needs of both buildings. This would realize savings in the future as the Police Department boilers need to be replaced in the next two years and reduce costs for installation in City Hall. No Council discussion. Councilmember Pemble motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Lawrence.