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Hastings, Minnesota
City Council Meeting Minutes
December 6, 2021
The City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a regular meeting on Monday, December 6,
2021 at 7:05 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Hastings City Hall, 101 East 4th Street, Hastings, Minnesota.
Members Present: Mayor Fasbender, Councilmembers Braucks, Folch, Fox, Leifeld, Lund and Vaughan
Staff Present: City Administrator Dan Wietecha
Assistant City Administrator Kelly Murtaugh
City Attorney Korine Land
Community Development Director John Hinzman
Re-affirmation of Resolution that In Hastings All Are Welcome
Mayor Fasbender amended her public statement and invited Councilmembers to re-affirm through reading of
the 2018 resolution.
Employees hired in 2021 were recognized.
Approval of Minutes
Mayor Fasbender asked if there were any additions or corrections to the City Council workshop and
regular meetings on November 15, 2021; Special Council meeting on November 29, 2021.
Minutes were approved as presented.
Comments from the Audience
Mayor Fasbender stated comments received via email have been distributed to all councilmembers and
are acknowledged.
Kelsey Waits (1602 Fallbrook Court) addressed the Council about her family’s story and stated that
proclamations and re-affirmations are words but do not do the work to protect transgender children. She shared
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experiences within the City. She expressed concern over the silence of leaders and that elected leaders have the
responsibility to act on the proclamation.
Pat Wesselmann (3839 Shannon Drive) addressed the Council on property taxes. He expressed
concern over a large increase in taxes when they have increased so much recently. He shared concerns about
the impact of the Highway 316 project, witnessing snow plow difficulties and increased Jake Braking or traffic
acceleration noise.
April Bailey (2614 Yellowstone Drive) spoke as a member of IDEA and mother of a transgender child.
She expressed concern over the safety of trans children and that the voices of elected officials are needed for
change.
Consent Agenda
1. Pay Bills as Audited
2. Resolution No. 12-01-21 Authorize Signature: Dakota CDA RIG Grant – Siewert
3. Resolution No. 12-02-21 Approve Liquor License Transfer for F & C, LLC dba Froth & Cork
4. Pre-approval: High Performance Leadership Class
5. 2021 Budget Amendment: Storage
6. 1st Reading and Schedule Public Hearing: Mayor and City Council Wages—Pulled from Consent,
Moved to X. E. Administration
7. Amend Capital Asset Policy
8. Write-off Internal Loan between Sewer Utility and Hydroelectric Plant
9. Resolution No. 12-03-21 Acceptance and Appreciation of a Donation to the Fire Department from
Pat Moen Lawn Care
10. Declare Surplus Property and Authorize Public Sale: Police Department
11. Public Safety Advisory Commission Appointments: Pemble, Stevens, Auge, and Baukol.
Councilmember Braucks motioned to approve as amended, seconded by Councilmember Leifeld. Ayes
7; Nays 0.
Awarding of Contract: Hastings Business Park Agriculture Lease
Hinzman described the history and purpose behind the lease of the agricultural land in the Industrial
Park.
Councilmember Vaughan motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Fox. Ayes
7; Nays 0.
Public Hearing and 2nd Reading\Amend City Code – Zoning – Definition of Family
This item was withdrawn from the agenda.
Public Hearing: Truth in Taxation for 2022 Budget
Wietecha gave a presentation that reviewed the budget process indicating that Council could act on the
budget resolutions this evening or at the next Council meeting. He reviewed the budget principles, gave an
overview of the budget (capital expenditures, personnel, fee changes). He also reviewed the proposed use of
the ARPA funds. He showed a graphic outlining the historical taxes and tax capacity for the City. Finally, he
gave an overview of upcoming capital projects.
Mayor Fasbender opened the public hearing at 8:13 p.m. and hearing no comments closed the public
hearing at 8:14 p.m.
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Resolution No. 12-04-12 Site Plan – Jersey Mikes – 1217 Vermillion Street
Hinzman reviewed the Jersey Mikes plan. The plan comes forward with a full recommendation of the
Planning Commission.
Council discussion on need for MnDOT approval. Hinzman indicated that MnDOT has been involved
and has approved the configuration as it relates to access on Hwy 61.
Councilmember Leifeld motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Braucks.
Ayes 7; Nays 0.
1st Reading/Order Public Hearing: Ordinance for Annexation
Hinzman reviewed the property proposal for the parcel of land at Hwy 316 and Michael Avenue.
Annexation would bring 71 acres into the City from Marshan Township. The property would hold
approximately 159 single-family homes and is part of the Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Commission
recommends approval.
Council discussion about access to Hwy 316 from Michael Avenue and getting MnDOT involved.
Council discussion about Marshan Township response to annexation.
Pat Wesselmann (3839 Shannon Drive) posed a question about residents of new development choosing
to go through South Pines to utilize roundabout.
Councilmember Folch motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Fox. Ayes 7;
Nays 0.
Resolution No. 12-08-21: Comprehensive Plan Amendment – Extend Urban Service Boundary
No further discussion on the Summergate development.
Councilmember Lund motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Vaughan. Ayes
7; Nays 0.
Emergency Paid Sick Leave
Wietecha reviewed the 2020 FFCRA required employers to provide employees 80 hours of paid sick
leave in response to COVID. This expired December 31, 2020, but Council extended this leave through
December 31, 2021. Since the pandemic continues, it is proposed that the emergency paid sick leave be
extended through June 30, 2022 and that each employee be given eighty (80) hours of emergency paid sick
leave.
Council discussion on what steps the City is taking to encourage vaccination and concern over potential loss of
employees if OSHA ETS is enacted at the federal level. Wietecha explained that all employees are being
encouraged to vaccinate and discuss with their health care provider any concerns they have and incentives are
being discussed.
Motion: Extend emergency paid sick leave through June 30, 2022 and replenish the amount of emergency paid
sick leave available to each employee at 80 hours, effective December 6, 2021.
Councilmember Vaughan motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Folch. Ayes
7; Nays 0.
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1st Reading and Order Public Hearing: Amend City Code Chapter 34: Fees
Councilmember Leifeld motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Braucks.
Ayes 7; Nays 0.
Resolution No. 12-05-21 to Approve 2022 Final Budget and Final Levy
Council discussion that there are limits to what funds will do; a 1% increase does not raise significant
funds to address needs. The Council intends to discuss ongoing funding source for trail improvement for long-
term solution. Council discussed the initiation of the Community Investment Fund. Council discussed the
shock of tax increases and the effort to hold the line on spending, but now the City is in the position to need to
catch up on some infrastructure expenses. The silence of the Council reflects hours of review in discussing the
budget and options. The Council discussed the utility rate increases.
Councilmember Folch motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Leifeld. Ayes
7; Nays 0.
Resolution No. 12-06-21 to Approve 2022 Special Levy
Councilmember Braucks motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Vaughan.
Ayes 7; Nays 0.
Resolution No. 12-07-21 to Approve 2022-2026 Capital Improvement and Capital Equipment Plans
Councilmember Folch motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Lund. Ayes 7;
Nays 0.
1st Reading and Schedule Public Hearing: Mayor and City Council Wages
This item was pulled from consent. Wietecha explained the interest in looking at Council wages and
reviewed the wages from other comparable Cities.
Council discussion on how and when the materials were presented and that no Council member is in their
position for the money. Council discussion on the Compensation and Classification study and increase study
expense to add Council wage review. Council discussion on more detailed data and methodology for
comparison.
Councilmember Vaughan motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Leifeld.
Ayes 7; Nays 0.
Mayor Fasbender and Councilmembers made the following announcements:
Announcements
• After a delay due to the pandemic, our new City Council group photo is now in the City Hall lobby.
Thank you to Cindy at Mac McGoon Portrait Design Studio.
• Reminder: A snow emergency automatically goes into effect when two or more inches of snow have
accumulated. Vehicles must be moved off the street until the road has been cleared from curb to curb.
Cars that are in violation may be ticketed and towed.
• Recycle your old lights with the Hastings Holiday Lights Drop Off Collection. Residents can drop-off
their unwanted light strands at the Joint Maintenance Facility, 920 – 10th Street West, during the
holiday season from December 1 to February 1
• City Offices will be closed from 11:15 to 1:15 on Tuesday, December 14, to accommodate the
Employee Holiday Party.
Sign up to receive automatic notification of Council agendas
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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 Met Council will hold a virtual open house about its plans for relocating the wastewater treatment
plant at 6pm on Wednesday, December 15. Met Council will also hold a formal public hearing, also by
Zoom, at 6 pm on Wednesday, January 5. Information and registration at HastingsWWTP.com.
Meetings
• HEDRA meeting on Thursday, Dec 9 at 6:00 pm
• Planning Commission meeting on Monday, Dec 13 at 7:00 pm
• Parks & Recreation Commission meeting on Tuesday, Dec 14 at 7:00 pm
• City Council – Dakota County CDA Workshop on Monday, December 20 at 5:30 pm
• City Council regular meeting on Monday, December 20 at 7:00 pm
Councilmember Braucks motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:06 p.m., seconded by Councilmember
Leifeld. Ayes 7; Nays 0.
____________________________ ______________________________
Mary Fasbender, Mayor Kelly Murtaugh, City Clerk