Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout20200518 - CC Follow-Up Agenda CITY OF HASTINGS CITY COUNCIL FOLLOW-UP AGENDA Monday, May 18, 2020 7:00 p.m. I. CALL TO ORDER II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III. ROLL CALL All present IV. DETERMINATION OF QUORUM Mayor Fasbender, Councilmembers Balsanek, Braucks, Folch, Leifeld, Lund and Vaughan Staff Present: City Administrator Dan Wietecha City Attorney Dan Fluegel Community Development Director John Hinzman Finance Manager Melanie Lammers Parks & Recreation Direction Chris Jenkins Public Works Director Nick Egger Presentation: County Commissioner Mike Slavik Commissioner Slavik gave an update on the number of COVID-19 cases in Dakota County, property tax collections (89% in Hastings, as of 5/18), several County construction bids coming in below estimate, and hope for the state to pass CARES funding to local governments to cover eligible expenses due to the pandemic response. V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council on May 4, 2020. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE VI. Comments from the audience may include remarks about items listed on the Consent Agenda. Mayor Fasbender stated comments received about items not on the agenda have been distributed to all councilmembers and are acknowledged. No public comments were made during the meeting. COUNCIL ITEMS TO BE CONSIDERED VII. 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 Councilmember Folch asked to have two items added to the agenda: 1) city communications and 2) testing of first responders. CONSENT AGENDA VIII. The items on the Consent Agenda are items of routine nature or no perceived controversy to be acted upon by the City Council in a single motion. There will be no discussion on these items unless a Councilmember so requests, in which event the items will be removed from the Consent Agenda to the appropriate Department for discussion. Vaughan requested pulling Incentives for Solid Waste Collection for discussion Braucks, Vaughan to approve as amended Roll call vote 7 Ayes, 0 Nays 1. Pay Bills as Audited 2. Approve Personnel Policy Update to Appendix I – Drug & Alcohol Testing Policy No. 05-05-20 3. Resolution : Acceptance and Appreciation for a donation to the Hastings Police Department K-9 Program from Steve and Carol Plan AWARDING OF CONTRACTS AND PUBLIC HEARING IX. These are formal proceedings that give the public the opportunity to express their concern, ask questions, provide additional information, or support on a particular matter. Once the public hearing is closed, no further testimony is typically allowed and the Council will deliberate amongst itself and with staff and/or applicant on potential action by the Council. No. 05-06-20 1. Resolution : Award Contract for 2020 Neighborhood Infrastructure Improvements Egger described the received bids and asked to approve the bid award to A-1 Excavating. He also discussed the timing of the project and several options for special assessments. Council discussion: number of properties affected by special assessments, options for lessening the impact of assessments, assessment abatement program, importance of infrastructure maintenance and this project in particular, and 2-3 months to complete the bonding process. Balsanek, Vaughan to approve as presented Lund, Balsanek to amend resolution to specify adopting assessments in 2021 for a term of 10 years Roll call vote (amendment) 7 Ayes, 0 Nays Roll call vote (original motion as amended) 7 Ayes, 0 Nays No. 05-07-20 2. Resolution : Rejecting Bids for 2020 Mill & Overlay Program Egger asked council to reject the received bids. The bids were in alignment with the budget but the primary funding source was City levy and in these uncertain times it may be prudent to wait until later this year or next year. There are options to reduce the scope of the project and re-bid it later this year. Council discussion: need to limit spending during uncertain economy, options to repackage state aid portion to re-bid smaller project, importance of road 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 maintenance and this project in particular, the local streets portion of this bid $35K over budget, and projections for revenue shortfalls being more likely next year than this year. Folch to approve as presented, no second Balsanek, Vaughan to approve accepting low bid Roll call vote 5 Ayes (Fasbender, Balsanek, Braucks, Leifeld, Vaughan), 2 Nays (Folch, Lund) X. REPORTS FROM CITY STAFF These items are intended primarily for Council discussion and action. It is up to the discretion of the Mayor as to what, if any, public comment will be heard on these agenda items. A. Public Works B. Community Development No. 05-08-20 1. Resolution : Temporary Changes for Businesses Effected by COVID-19 Restrictions Hinzman detailed the requested temporary changes to the downtown area from the Downtown Business Association (DBA). Council discussion: City ordinance prohibits alcohol within right-of-way, legal requirement for compact and contiguous location to allow alcohol sales, Minneapolis and other cities have similar parklets with alcohol sales, aesthetics of parklets, construction of parklets, possibility to create a temporary open container zone in the downtown, extension of sidewalk café areas, maintaining sidewalk or platform for pedestrians, and options for non-downtown restaurants to expand outside. Balsanek, Braucks to approve as presented Lund, Balsanek to amend resolution to add an allowance for expanding sidewalk cafes to be contiguous without separation by sidewalk. Roll call vote (amendment) 7 Ayes, 0 Nays Roll call vote (original motion as amended) 7 Ayes, 0 Nays C. Parks & Recreation 1. Hastings Family Aquatic Center 2020 Season Cancellation Jenkins explained the decision to cancel the 2020 season at the Hastings Family Aquatic Center. Council discussion: this is not a decision made lightly, difficulty training staff safely, and safety concerns for staff and customers. Leifeld, Vaughan to approve as presented 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 Roll call vote 7 Ayes, 0 Nays 2. City of Hastings Playgrounds Jenkins updated the Council of the City’s playground closures and how other cities are dealing with playgrounds. Council discussion: residents without playsets in own yards, removing fencing, signage about social distancing and hygiene, and porta potties. Vaughan, Folch to approve as presented Roll call vote 7 Ayes, 0 Nays D. Administration 1. Froth & Cork On-Sale 3.2% Malt Liquor and Wine Licenses Wietecha summarized the history of Froth & Cork’s Wine and On-Sale 3.2% Liquor Licenses. He also explained that Council approved a prorated refund on May 4, 2020 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and applied the refund towards the 2020-2021 license renewal at Mr. Biermaier’s request. Mr. Biermaier is requesting a full refund of his license fee. Council discussion: unique situation to be closed the day after opening, crediting the refund to the license renewal, and potential future ordinance change to pro-rate licenses based on when business opens. Balsanek, Leifeld to approve the full refund Roll call vote 7 Ayes, 0 Nays 2. City Communications Folch asked what the City might do to fill the void created by the closing of the Star Gazette newspaper and lamented the Communications Coordinator taking a position with another city. Council discussion: importance of news for the community, difference between news agency and City, and referring the concern to the Administration Committee. 3. Testing of First Responders Folch said that she would support the City purchasing COVID-19 tests in order to have all first responders tested. Council discussion: best practices for testing, appreciation of first responders, and whether the unavailability of tests is at the hospital, lab, or elsewhere. 4. Incentives for Solid Waste Collection 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 Vaughan said he had lots of questions about the topic and asked for a full City Council workshop. Council discussion: benefits to City and County, higher tipping fees for City residents, contacting the County, roles of staff and elected officials, and possible perception of conflict of interest. Leifeld, Balsanek to approve City Administrator continuing discussing incentive with County Roll call vote 1 Aye (Leifeld), 5 Nays (Fasbender, Balsanek, Braucks, Lund, Vaughan), 1 Abstain (Folch) Lund, Vaughan to hold full City Council workshop Roll call vote 6 Ayes, 0 Nays, 1 Abstain (Folch) XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS XII. NEW BUSINESS XIII. REPORTS FROM CITY COMMITTEES, OFFICERS, COUNCILMEMBERS  Our traditional Hastings’ Memorial Day Events sponsored by the VFW and American Legion have been cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, flags will still be placed in our local cemeteries and at Roadside Park in honor of our fallen Veterans. Additionally, Lyle Russell VFW Post 1210’s Rifle Squad will fire in honor of this significant day at 11:00 AM on Monday, May 25, in the parking lot outside the Post 1210 at 275 W 33rd Street next to the Karate Studio in the Crossroads Shopping Center.  City offices will be closed Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day.  I’d also like to recognize and thank our employees in several City departments. Last week (May 10-16) was Police Week. This week (May 17-23) is both EMS Week and Public Works Week, and May is Building Safety Month. These employees provide some of our essential services and help ensure the safety of our community. Under the current pandemic, they adapted and changed operations to make sure we continue to provide optimal service. Thank you.  Councilmember Balsanek will attend the DCC 911 meeting on Thursday, May 21.  Heritage Preservation Commission will meet on Tuesday, May 19th at 7:00 p.m.  Planning Commission will meet on Tuesday, May 26th at 7:00 p.m. XIV. ADJOURNMENT 10:40 p.m. Balsanek, Braucks to approve as presented Roll call vote 7 Ayes, 0 Nays 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 Next Regular City Council Meeting: Monday, June 1, 2020 7:00 p.m. 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