HomeMy WebLinkAbout20200609 - CC Special Meeting Minutes Hastings,Minnesota
Special City Council Meeting Minutes
June 09,2020
The City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a regular meeting on Monday, June 9,2020 at
7:30 a.m. via Zoom video conference.
Mayor Fasbender explained why and referenced various city, state and federal declarations and guidelines that
an in-person meeting was not practical or prudent due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Members Present: Mayor Fasbender, Councilmembers Balsanek,Braucks, Folch,Leifeld, Lund and Vaughan
Staff Present: City Administrator Dan Wietecha
Administrative Services Director Julie Flaten
City Attorney Dan Fluegel
Community Development Director John Hinzman
Public Works Director Nick Egger
Downtown Business Association Request for Assistance
Hinman provided a summary of the City's assistance to the Downtown Business Association(DBA)
and the most recent requests which were tabled at the June 1, 2020 City Council meeting.
Councilmember Balsanek made a motion to remove items#1 and#4 of the DBA requests for
assistance from the table, seconded by Councilmember Folch. Roll call: Ayes 7;Nays 0.
Councilmember Lund made a motion to remove the remaining items of the DBA requests for
assistance from the table,seconded by Councilmember Braucks. Roll call: Ayes 7;Nays 0.
Hinzman detailed the requests and staff's recommendations.
Regarding request#4, Hinzman conveyed and Fluegel clarified staff concerns with liquor service,
liability, and monitoring of barricaded area.
Tatia Nelson, DBA president,provided clarification of several of the individual requests.
Council discussed insurance, liability, liquor laws,clarification of DBA request,safety with street
closure and staying compliant with the compact and contiguous requirement, off-sale liquor sales,expansion of
the parklet area versus the street closure, separation of on-sale and off-sale liquor,staff time required to
open/close streets, City expenses,traffic volume,and whether a detour was needed due to the street closure.
Tatia Nelson, DBA president, clarified several of the individual requests.
Councilmember Lund motioned to close 2nd Street from the Highway 61 frontage road/on ramp to
Sibley Street Friday through Sunday of each weekend until November 1,that no alcohol would be allowed
outside of the expanded sidewalk caf6 areas of each establishment, and that seating would be available under
the bridge, seconded by Councilmember Balsanek.
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City Council packets can be viewed in searchable format on the City's website at
littpJHwww.hastin sinn.gov/city-govemment/citv-council/city-council-agendas-and-minutes
Additional Council discussion about the times of the street closure, staff time required to
accommodate,2"d Street business parking, overnight parking rules, and that DBA could notify the
neighborhood.
Roll call:Ayes 7; Nays 0.
Council discussed the previous request of the DBA using the downtown planters as tables and planter
related Request#5.
Nelson indicated that since the planters will not be used as tables they are an eyesore without plants
and requested to have at least one planter filled with plants.
Councilmember Vaughan motioned to have the City plant and maintain all the planters in the
downtown area, seconded by Councilmember Folch.
Administrator Wietecha noted that the City does not have adequate fitnds budgeted for this. The DBA
clarified they do not intend to provide any financial assistance for this.
Council discussed possibly using any remaining HEDRA funds and that the citizen donation was
already used to purchase other planters for the downtown area.
Roll call:Ayes 7;Nays 6.
Council discussed Request#3: waiver of all liquor license fees for all on-sale licenses holders for
entire upcoming renewal period.
Councilmember Folch motioned to waive all fees for on-sale license holders for the upcoming renewal
period, seconded by Councilmember Leifeld.
Council discussed their previous decision regarding this request,that they should not have this
discussion now but wait until July 15 which was the approved due date for the first half of the on-sale liquor
license fee,suggested to have Finance Committee review during the budget process, clarification on who gets
the fee waiver and in which year the$86,000 revenue loss would incur, and future projections of State
economy by Minnesota Management and Budget.
Councilmember Lund amended the motion to waive the first half of the total on-sale liquor license fees
that were due on July 15, seconded by Councilmember Braucks. Roll call: Ayes 7;Nays 0.
Roll call on main motion as amended: Ayes 7;Nays 0.
Council discussed Requests#1 and#2;that they do not need to be discussed again as they were
previously covered during the street closure discussion.
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Council discussed Request#6 of displaying temporary No Smoking/Vaping signs in the parklets and
in the areas of the street closure.
Councilmember Leifeld motioned to display temporary No Smoking/Vaping signs in the area of the
street closure from Friday to Sunday, seconded by Councilmember Lund.
Hinzman asked for clarification on who installs and removes the signs. Fluegel expressed concerns
with the City creating a no smoking/vaping zone and the enforcement of it.
Council discussed that the City will not object to business owners putting up signage regarding no
smoking/vaping.
Councilmember Leifeld amended the motion to specify that the City will not install or remove the
signs and that business owners may install/remove signs in their expanded sidewalk cafe areas, seconded by
Councilmember Lund.
Fluegel indicated that because there was no enforcement action,a motion was not need.
Councilmember Leifeld rescinded the motion and not action was taken.
Councilmember Folch encouraged the City to promote areas where customers can take curbside to go
food to consume. Wietecha clarified glass containers are not allowed in City parks.
Private Property Premises Expansion for Liquor License
Hinzman detailed the request by Applebee's to expand outdoor seating into their parking lot.
Councilmember Vaughan left the meeting at approximately 9:44 a.m.
Councilmember Balsanek motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember
Braucks. Roll call: Ayes 6;Nays 0; Absent—Vaughan, but had indicated to Councilmember Braucks he
supported this.
Councilmember Leifeld motioned to adjourn, seconded by Councilmember Braucks. Roll Call: Ayes 6;Nays
0.The meeting was adjourned at 9:49 a.m.
Mary Fa s ender, Mayor ulilaten,City Clerk
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City Council packets can be viewed in searchable format on the City's website at
http//www liastinp-smn og v/city-government/city-council/citv-council-agendas-and-minutes