HomeMy WebLinkAbout20210216 - CC Minutes Hastings, Minnesota
City Council Meeting Minutes
February 16,2021
The City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a regular meeting on Monday, February 16,
2021 at 7:00 p.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 Braucks, Folch, Fox, Leifeld, Lund and Vaughan
Staff Present: City Administrator Dan Wietecha
City Attorney Dan Fluegel
City Clerk Erica Henderson
Community Development Director John Hinzman
Economic Development Coordinator Eric Maass
Approval of Minutes
Mayor Fasbender asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the City Council
Regular Meeting on February 1, 2021.
Minutes were approved as presented.
Consent Agenda
1. Pay Bills as Audited
2. Accept Ardent Mills Sponsorship for the June—August 2021 Movies in the Park Series
3. Approve Teamsters Local#320 Fire Captains Union Contract
4. Resolution No. 02-02-21:Acceptance and Appreciation of a donation to the Parks &Recreation
Department from Rita Biskupski
5. Resolution No. 02-03-21:Accept Feasibility&Assessments Report, Order Project Scope&
Features Public Hearing, Declare Amount to be Assessed, and Order Assessment Hearing— 15`h
Street Infrastructure Improvements, Phase II
6. Resolution No. 02-04-21:Appointing Responsible Authority and Assigning Duties
7. City Administrator's Appointment of City Clerk
8. Resolution No. 02-05-21:Approve 2:00 a.m. Liquor License for GBR Investments d/b/a The
Coliseum Sports Bar&Grill
9. Approve Preferred Vendor for Emerald Ash Borer Treatment:Rainbow TreeCare
10. Resolution No. 02-06-21:Acceptance and Appreciation of a donation to the Parks&Recreation
Department from Climb Theater
Councilmember Braucks motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Folch. Roll
Call: Ayes 7;Nays 0.
Agreement for Legal Services Between the City of Hastings and Campbell Knutson, Professional
Association
Wietecha recommended that the City have separate attorneys for prosecution and civil cases, described
the interview and review processes for the Prosecution City Attorney and explained the reasons for
recommending the Campbell Knutson firm.
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City Council packets can be viewed in searchable format on the City's website at
http://www.hastingsmn.gov/city-govemment/city-council/city-council-agendas-and-minutes
Council discussed the proposed attorney service fees and how the budget may be impacted by the fees
and utilization of two firms.
Henry"Skip" Schaeffer, Campbell Knutson Prosecution City Attorney, introduced himself and stated
that he was excited to represent the City in prosecution cases. He also spoke of his availability,addressed
Council's concerns regarding fees and indicated that the contract may be examined in six months.
Councilmember Vaughan motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Braucks.
Roll Call:Ayes 7;Nays 0.
City of Hastings Legal Services Agreement with Levander,Gillen& Miller
Wietecha described the interview and review processes for the Civil City Attorney and explained the
reasons for recommending Levander, Gillen&Miller firm.
Council discussed the transition between the current attorney and new firm and the increased scope of
services offered.
Councilmember Vaughan motioned to approve as presented,seconded by Councilmember Fox.Roll
Call: Ayes 7;Nays 0.
Public Hearing and 2"d Reading\Adopt Ordinance No.2021-03: Amend City Code-Building Permit
Fees
Hinzman indicated that the proposed changes to building permit fees were due to Dakota Electric
requiring installation of new load management devices in all homes and specified other miscellaneous
housekeeping fee changes.
Mayor Fasbender opened the public hearing at 7:29 p.m. and hearing no comments closed the public
hearing.
Council discussed the methodology of adjusting fees and mobile home associated fees.
Councilmember Leifeld motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Fox. Roll
Call: Ayes 7;Nays 0.
Public Hearing: Amend City Code- Parklets
Hinzman stated that staff was seeking direction from Council;thus, no action was required at this time.
Maass recapped the 2020 parklets, discussed stakeholder outreach,parklet design and construction and
associated costs,the proposed number of parking spaces to be used and detailed the proposed ordinance
amendment. He also noted that staff is requesting feedback from Council prior to the adoption of the proposed
ordinance.
Mayor Fasbender opened the public hearing at 7:42 p.m. and hearing no comments,closed the public
hearing at 7:43 p.m.
Council commended staff on their efforts.They discussed utilizing the street surface versus
constructing a platform, ADA accessibility due to street slope, possible funding sources for businesses to help
with platform construction costs, the proposed parklet shapes and the associated used parking spaces, vehicle
traffic and parking alongside the parklets, using a ramp or other ADA accessibility options so street surface
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http://www.hasti ngs mn.goy/city-goyem ment/city-council/city-council-agendas-and-minutes
may be used in lieu of a platform,ownership of parklets,movability of parklets, community engagement from
other than the downtown businesses, parklets were a way to help businesses due to the restrictions caused by
the pandemic, pro's and con's from last year's parklets, timing of the ordinance amendment and the
equitability of private businesses using public parking spaces versus private businesses using their own parking
lots.
Resolution No. 02-07-21: Extension of Temporary.Business Measures Related to COVID
Hinzman summarized the temporary commercial measures approved by Council in May 2020 and
explained that similar measures are proposed for this year.
Council discussed compact and contiguous spaces.
Councilmember Leifeld motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Braucks. Roll
Call: Ayes 6;Nays 0;Abstain-Fox.
Recognition of Fluegel Law Firm(1963-2021)
Mayor Fasbender expressed appreciation and gratitude for the years of service from the Fluegel Law
Firm.
Mayor Fasbender and Councilmembers made the following announcements:
• Introduction to Ice Fishing at Lake Rebecca, Saturday,February 27. Bait, tackle, poles, and holes
provided. All attendees can fish without a fishing license during this event,catch and release only under
our DNR waiver. This event is in partnership with Carpenter Nature Center,National Park Service, and
Department of Natural Resources. Free of charge, but registration is required.
• If you missed the State of the City presentation last week,the video has been posted on the City website as
well as the HCTV YouTube channel.
• Next week, United Way of Hastings is hosting a series of 5 free webinars "How Can We Help Our Kids
Succeed Through COVID-19 and Other Mental Health Challenges."To learn more and register.Please
visit the United Way of Hastings website.
• Happy Birthday this Thursday to Councilmember Leifeld.
• Finance Committee meeting on Wednesday,February 17 at 6:00 pm
• Public Safety Advisory Commission meeting on Thursday, February 18 at 6:30 pm
• Planning Commission meeting on Monday, February 22 at 7:00 pm
Councilmember Braucks motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:37 p.m., seconded by Councilmember
Leifeld. Roll Call: Ayes 7;Nays 0.
Mary FWsbender,Mayor Erica Henderson,City Clerk
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City Council packets can be viewed in searchable format on the City's website at
hit ://www.hastingsmn.gov/city-government/city-council/city-council-agendas-and-minutes