HomeMy WebLinkAbout20240205 - 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
February 5, 2024
The City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a regular meeting on Monday, February 5, 2024
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
Fire Chief John Townsend
Police Chief David Wilske
Black History Month Proclamation
Violet Penman, Recycling Coordinator
Approval of Minutes
Mayor Fasbender asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the City Council
regular meeting on January 16, 2024.
Minutes were approved as presented.
Consent Agenda
Councilmember Folch motioned to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, seconded by
Councilmember Haus.
7 Ayes, 0 Nays.
1. Pay Bills as Audited
2. Resolution No. 02-01-24: Accept Donation from the Schmitt Family to the Parks and Recreation
Department
3. Accept Sponsorship for Movies in the Park – Ardent Mills
4. 2nd Reading\Adoption: Ordinance Amendment – Kennels
5. Resolution No. 02-02-24: Approve Election Judges for the 2024 Presidential Nomination Primary
Election
6. Resolution No. 02-03-24: Approve Temporary One-Day Liquor and One-Day Gambling Permit
for Hastings Family Service
7. Resolution No. 02-04-24: Approve Lawful Gambling Premise Permits for Saint Thomas
Academy Alumni Association at Applebee’s
8. Approve 2023 Public Safety Advisory Commission Annual Report
9. Authorize Signature: Organizational Services Agreement with Blue Peak Consulting – Fire
Department
10. Declare Surplus Property and Authorize for Public Sale, Donation, or Disposal – Fire Department
11. Resolution No. 02-05-24: Declare Surplus Property and Authorize for Public Sale, Donation, or
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
Disposal – Parks Department
12. 1st Reading: Fee Schedule – Credit Card Fees
13. Resolution No. 02-06-24: Accepting Resignation of Councilmember Folch and Declaring
Vacancy
14. Resolution No. 02-07-24: Approve Transfer of Ag Lease to HEDRA (NE Corner of Spiral and
Enterprise)
15. Resolution No. 02-08-24: Accept Feasibility & Assessments Report and Order Public
Hearings for Project Scope and Assessments – 2024 Neighborhood Infrastructure
Improvements
16. Authorize Signature: Water Service Repair Assessment Request – 408 Cari Park Lane
17. Accept UASI grant for portable Pitigone Barriers
18. 2024-2025 Labor Agreement with IAFF, Local #5113 (Firefighters)
19. Authorize Signature: Release of Declaration of Covenants – Hastings Industrial Park
20. Budget Amendment: Water Softener for Civic Arena
21. Resolution No. 02-09-24: Application for James Metzen Mighty Ducks Grant
Authorize Signature: Space Needs Study with CNH Architects – Fire Department
Townsend provided an overview of the request to approve the agreement with CNH Architects for a
space needs study for the Fire Department. The department has grown in both staffing size and model.
Townsend indicated this study will look to the needs of the department and the impact on future growth.
Council discussion on gratitude for bringing this forward to look at the needs of the department and
acknowledge that with Council-approved increases in staffing would create space needs. Council discussion
on review of the need for showers as part of the overall health and safety resources for firefighters. Updates to
the Fire Department can also act as a recruiting and retention tool for firefighters. Townsend responded with
the standards staff must abide by after responding to a fire.
Councilmember Fox motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Leifeld.
7 Ayes, 0 Nays.
Authorize Signature: Agreement with Hideaway Shooting Range, LLC
Wilske provided an overview of the request to approve the 2024 – 2025 Hideaway gun range
Contract for the Police Department. The department desires an additional location for range needs that include
live fire practice and active live fire drills. Currently, the department utilizes the HERO Center in Cottage
Grove for POST-required training. Wilske indicated this is cost prohibitive for additional training throughout
the year. The proposed agreement offers the ability to train additional days of the year in an outside setting
with minimal cost. The budget request was approved in the 2024 budget and the Police Department has
funding for this contract.
Council discussion on gratitude for utilizing local resources. Council discussion on the HERO Center
use and rates associated with the required trainings. Chief Wilske indicated other law enforcement agencies
were offered to contribute to the original cost and in turn would be offered reduced rates. The City did not
take advantage of contributing, due to lack of funding at that time. Council discussed the required trainings
versus planned additional trainings at the Hideaway gun range with Range Instructors. Chief Wilske shared
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
the required trainings would remain at the HERO Center with the additional trainings conducted at Hideaway
gun range adding individual officers can seek practice on personal time at public ranges.
Councilmember Fox motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Lawrence.
7 Ayes, 0 Nays.
Accept Proposal and Authorize Work – Industrial Park Water Tower Reconditioning
Wietecha provided an overview of the request to authorize the City to enter into a contract with KLM
Engineering, Inc. for the purposes of utilizing their professional services to assist the City with design and
bidding, construction management and inspection, and warranty inspection for reconditioning of the Industrial
Park Water Tower. Wietecha indicated the construction work is planned for 2025 but water tower
reconditioning contracts are high in demand due to supply chain delays and labor shortages. Entering into this
contract will put the City in a position to obtain competitive pricing with contractors that could begin work as
early as possible in 2025.
No Council discussion.
Councilmember Folch motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Pemble.
7 Ayes, 0 Nays.
Accept Proposal and Authorize Work – Mississippi River Bank Erosion
Wietecha presented a map and images on the riverbank erosion. He then provided an overview of the
request to approve a budget amendment to repair bank erosion along the Mississippi River upstream of the
Hastings Public Boat Launch. The budget amendment would accept the quote and authorize staff to engage
Barr Engineering to complete design and engineering to repair bank erosion. Wietecha indicated staff has
completed some temporary shoring and fencing to mitigate the hazard. Staff suggest using Fund Balance from
Fund 200 for the design and engineering portion of the project, indicating staff will investigate financial
assistance from Dakota County due to jurisdictional ownership of the trail segment.
Council discussion about not having access to State funding and encourages close work with Dakota
County. Council discussion on timeline of the work and preservation of the trail as the primary motivation for
the work as well as barge traffic impact on the location.
Councilmember Folch motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Fox.
7 Ayes, 0 Nays.
Assessment of Water Service Repair – 619 5th Street W. – Assessment Hearing and Certification of
Assessment
Wietecha provided an overview of the request for Water Service Repair costs. Public Works crews
assessed a water pressure concern which was determined to be a leak in the private service line at 619 5th
Street W. Wietecha indicated all necessary work was completed the week of January 8, 2024. Since there is
no living owner at this time, the City is requesting the assessment.
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
Mayor Fasbender opened the public hearing at: 7:56 p.m.
Mayor Fasbender closed the public hearing at: 7:56 p.m.
Council discussion on clarifying Council action and when the assessment might be paid.
Councilmember Pemble motioned to certify for collection of assessment of $8,500.00 for the water
service repair, seconded by Councilmember Leifeld.
7 Ayes, 0 Nays.
Councilmember Pemble motioned to certify collection of the assessment, seconded by
Councilmember Lawrence.
7 Ayes, 0 Nays.
Resolution No. 02-10-24: Walden at Hastings EAW – Negative Declaration on the Need for an EIS
Hinzman provided an overview of the request to take actions related to the Environmental
Assessment Worksheet for Walden at Hastings, a 511-unit residential housing development generally located
east of TH 316 and Michael Avenue. Further plat clarification put the number at 460 units. Council is asked
to review the findings of the EAW and public comments received as well and adopt the resolution recordings
a negative declaration on the need to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Hinzman indicated
the adoption of the resolution would conclude environmental review of the property and allow for
consideration of future development applications. In the future, Council may be asked to consider an
application for comprehensive plan amendment, rezoning, platting, and site plan. Future public hearings to be
held to review specific development proposals.
Though areas of concern were noted, they do not to prohibit development. They include location of a
refuse/dump; estimate of wastewater volume; stormwater infiltration; response to Natural Heritage letter
(DNR); consultation with Tribal Historic Preservation Officer; Cultural Resource Management prior to
development; Phase IA Literature review and archeological assessment. Developer would be required to
mitigate any concerns that arise in the process.
Council discussion on appreciation for clarification of the scope of Council action at this meeting and
that no development plans have been approved.
Councilmember Fox motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Leifeld.
7 Ayes, 0 Nays.
Resolution No. 02-11-24: Convey Property to HEDRA – SW Corner of Pleasant Dr and South Frontage
Rd
Hinzman provided an overview of the request to adopt the resolution conveying a 3.94-acre parcel
located at the southwest corner of Pleasant Drive and South Frontage Road to HEDRA for future sale and
development. Hinzman indicated the property is currently vacant with a portion of the property used for
stormwater drainage. The property had been deeded to the City in 1968 to be public land forever. Research
with the State indicates that there is a 30-year life on “forever.” The City has received a Letter of Interest to
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
acquire the property. HEDRA is the appropriate means for the City to negotiate potential sale and
development of the property.
Council discussion on future exits from the property should not be allowed on 12th Street due to the
proximity of the elementary school. Council expressed support for commercial development.
Councilmember Folch motioned to approve with the amendment that there be no access to 12th Street,
seconded by Councilmember Haus.
7 Ayes, 0 Nays.
Community Development Annual Report
Hinzman provided an overview of the Community Development Annual Report for 2023. Hinzman
reviewed housing, developments, community support, department growth, and planning for the future.
Council discussion on appreciation for the update on all of the many projects completed and
underway.
2nd Reading\Adoption: Ordinance Amendment – Lawful Gambling
Murtaugh provided an overview of the request to repeal and replace the language in City Code related
to Lawful Gambling that better clarifies current statutory guidance and City requirements. Primarily, the
amendment establishes a process for organizations seeking Premises Permits with the City to register each
year. Fees were proposed for renewal registrations and increased for initial registration. At the January 16th
meeting, Council requested two versions of the proposed ordinance. Option A reflects the first version with a
minor edit to the renewal language; this is the version recommended by staff. Option B incorporates language
proposed to allow State and Federal taxes to be accepted toward meeting the 50% Local Trade Area
Requirement. Murtaugh shared additional feedback provided by other organizations.
Council discussion on the request from an organization to consider a 3% Lawful Gambling tax
instead of what is proposed. Wietecha indicated there would be additional staff hours involved with
implementing the tax which staff is not in support. Council confirmed exactly what will be changing and what
will not. Council shared they believe due diligence has been done and further discussed the process of
accepting or denying applications. Council expressed appreciation for staff work that has gone into the
amendments.
Councilmember Leifeld motioned to approve as presented (Option A), seconded by Councilmember
Fox.
7 Ayes, 0 Nays.
Strategic Plan Quarterly Review
Wietecha provided an overview of the quarterly report, noting the initiatives and progress to date.
This approach to communicating progress is a learning process and there may be some refinement of the
initiatives in future workshop with Council.