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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20220418 - 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 April 18, 2022 The City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a regular meeting on Monday, April 18, 2022 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 Braucks, Folch, Fox, Leifeld, and Vaughan Members Absent: Councilmember Lund Staff Present: City Administrator Dan Wietecha Assistant City Administrator Kelly Murtaugh City Attorney Kori Land Community Development Director John Hinzman Interim Public Works Director/City Engineer Ryan Stempski New Employee Introductions: Emily King, Deputy City Clerk Nick Kummer, Parkkeeper II Regina Hospital Update, President Helen Strike President Helen Strike introduced Jason Bainbridge, Director of Operations. Ms. Strike thanked everyone for their support throughout the past 2 years with COVID-19. Ms. Strike presented the changes coming forward that United Hospital and Regina Hospital will unite in August of 2022. With this union, Reginal Hospital will become Allina Health United Hospital Hastings Regina Campus. Hastings Regina Campus will continue to be a Catholic hospital and Allina Health will continue to support and maintain their Catholic Stewardship Agreement. Ms. Strike reviewed the benefits of the union; enhancing collaboration, joint billing, and all staff will now become United Hospital employees. Mr. Bainbridge added input on the benefits of the collaboration between the two facilities joining together. Council discussion on the future plans for the campus as they hope for growth. Ms. Strike briefly discussed the benefits they are hoping to see with this union and the growth potential this will have. Mr. Bainbridge shared their collaboration with the Hastings YMCA to use the land across from their property to turn the area into athletic fields. Councilmember Folch thanked them for their presentation and their work on this collaboration. Folch questioned ambulance services and how transports have been difficult for our Fire/EMS staff in the past. Ms. Strike described the changes they have made here in Hastings and the goal to better the process of division of labor. Mayor Fasbender shared her excitement for these changes. Mayor Fasbender asked how sharing of staff will change. Mr. Bainbridge provided insight into how staffing will look after this union. Mr. Bainbridge expanded on their hopeful growth and specialty doctor numbers. Hwy 61 Corridor Study Preview, MNDOT Engineer Bryant Ficek Stempski welcomed the MNDOT and HR Green partners for the Hwy. 61 Study. Bryant Ficek, Engineer/Project Manager, provided an overview of the study and their goals throughout this project. Mr. Ficek expanded on their goals to fully embrace the study and develop the alternatives and vision for the corridor. Tim Thoreen, HR Green provided a background of his work within the City of Hastings with the bridge project. Mr. Thoreen stated they will be using previous study information to help provide additional 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 understanding of the area. Mr. Thoreen presented an overview of the proposed timeline and expressed their expectation to receive significant public engagement. Mr. Thoreen provided a brief presentation on traffic volumes especially truck volumes. He provided additional information regarding pedestrian use and safety along the corridor. Council discussion on the possible future improvements further North and South of Hastings. Councilmember Vaughan asked for references into other projects that were in a corridor. Mr. Ficek ensured he will provide information on both areas of question after doing additional research. Councilmember Folch clarified the first public meeting which is May 18, 2022 at City Hall. Folch questioned if the improvements made on Hwy 316 have increased diversion of heavy truck traffic to Hwy 61. Mr. Thoreen stated the raw data showed a 2/3 split for heavy truck traffic and a 50/50 split for regular traffic. Folch raised concern of truck traffic the intersection of Hwy. 61 and 18th Street. Councilmember Leifeld echoed Councilmember Folch’s concern and shared that residents whom live in the area of Hwy. 61 and 18th Street generally avoid the intersection because of the danger posed with semi-truck traffic. Leifeld expressed the concerns in changes for best practices for pedestrians. Ficek shared their re-thinking for best practices since the focus has shifted from moving traffic to focusing on the safety of pedestrians and bicycles. Councilmember Braucks questioned the study and taking the future developments and changes into account. Ficek stated they do look into the future when conducting studies and come up with guidelines to help them in their study. Mayor Fasbender questioned the traffic data and how the direction of traffic may increase during certain hours. Ficek shared the data was collected in 15-minute bins. Upon evaluation, they will look at specific peak hours. Mr. Thoreen expanded on Ficek’s comments stating that surprisingly the directional traffic flow is more balanced than anticipated. Thoreen stated the directional traffic will have an impact, but the overall trends are what they initially look at. Leifeld spoke about the study being conducted on County Road 46. Leifeld questioned how they look at traffic that may turn off onto other streets that do not stay on Hwy. 61 all throughout town. Leifeld also brought attention to the traffic diverting to Hastings versus using other means North of Hastings. Councilmember Fox clarified the meeting dates and asked how the meetings will evolve. Thoreen provided a breakdown of the meeting timelines and what concepts they are anticipating being able to present and discuss at those times. Mayor Fasbender expressed her gratitude and excitement to the team. Approval of Minutes Mayor Fasbender asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the regular City Council meeting on April 4, 2022. Minutes were approved as presented. Comments from the Audience Barb Hollenbeck, 212 2nd Street East, SC Toys. Ms. Hollenbeck provided a background of the Rec+Arts+Police program that is on the consent agenda. Ms. Hollenbeck launched the program based on the perceived need for middle school aged programming. Ms. Hollenbeck is taking this opportunity to give back to the community that has continued to support her and SC Toys throughout the years. The program will rotate throughout the City Parks. Ms. Hollenbeck is excited to see this program take off and hope the program will continue to grow. The Community Engagement Officer and HPAAC are some of the partners in the program. Ms. Hollenbeck expressed her appreciation to City Staff for their help in developing this program. Mayor Fasbender expressed her excitement and appreciation for this program. Ms. Hollenbeck announced a renovation project at 209 Sibley Street for Squeaky Wheel Pottery. 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 Consent Agenda 1. Pay Bills as Audited 2. Proclamation: Arbor Day 2022 3. Accept UASI Grant for Ballistic Helmets for Sworn Personnel 4. Accept Sponsorship from Ardent Mills for Movies in the Park series 5. Resolution: Accept Sponsorship from SC Toys for Rec+Art+Police Summer Programming 6. Declare Surplus Property and Authorize for Public Sale – Jeep Liberty 7. Resolution: Accept Donation from the Murtaugh Family & Friends to the Parks and Recreation Department 8. Resolution: Special Event Designation – Animal Ark 3K with Temporary Liquor License 9. Resolution: Approve Outdoor Music-Tent Application with Liquor License Amendment for Me & Julio 10. Authorize Signature: License to Encroach - Jocor (1700 Vermillion St). 11. Authorize Signature: Development Agreement - Heritage Ridge 3rd Addition 12. Authorize Signature: Stormwater Maintenance Agreement - Stencil Addition 13. Resolution: NJS LLC (Stencil) - Termination of Purchase and Development Agreement\Approval of Separate Purchase and Development Agreements 14. Authorize Signature: Utility Abandonment Agreement\Utility Placement in ROW - Stencil 15. 1st Reading: Amend City Code (Rezoning) - C-3 to R-3 - Castro (117 22nd St W) 16. Accept Grant: Minnesota Economic Development Foundation - Community Development Internship Scholarship 17. Fire Station Alerting System - Memorandum of Understanding 18. Mayor’s Monarch Butterfly Pledge Day 19. Resolution Accepting Work and Ordering Final Payment for Project 2021-2, 2021 Sanitary Sewer Lining Program 20. Professional Services Agreement for Construction Observation and Support with WSB & Associates Councilmember Leifeld motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Braucks. 5 Ayes, 0 Nays, 1 Abstain (Fox). Award Contract for Project 2022-1, 2022 Neighborhood Infrastructure Improvements Stempski provided an overview of the bids received for the 2022 Neighborhood Infrastructure Improvements Project. Stempski stated there were four bids received and the proposals were scored using objective criteria. Danner, Inc. was qualified based on point evaluation. Stempski provided background of previous work done by Danner, Inc. stating the company completed the project timely, quality work and were on budget. Stempski recommended the award go to Danner, Inc. No Council discussion Councilmember Folch motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Fox. Ayes 6; Nays 0. 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 2nd Reading and Adoption of City Code Amendments – Administrative Citations Hinzman reviewed the Administrative Citation process to enforce nuisance code violations. Hinzman listed the seven items that are up for adoption. Attorney Land reviewed some of the modest changes to what was presented at the prior meeting which included removing references to misdemeanor and criminal penalties, as well as including the water sprinkling ban. Council discussion on appreciation for the work that went into preparing the administrative citation process as an alternative to the criminal justice system. Councilmember Vaughan requested that each of the administrative citations be clearly communicated to the residents of the City of Hastings. Councilmember Braucks discussed whether there is a systematic way to review existing standards and connect them to newer initiatives when appropriate. Councilmember Folch brought attention to the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge Day. Folch reviewed the action implementations of the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge. Councilmember Fox motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Braucks. Ayes 6; Nays 0. Closed Meeting Pursuant to Minn. Stat. 13.D.05 subd. 3(b) for Attorney – Client Privileged Communication Mayor Fasbender presented the closed meeting session. Mayor Fasbender reviewed current announcements. Councilmember Braucks motioned to move into closed session, seconded by Councilmember Vaughan. Ayes 6; Nays 0. Announcements • Spring Clean-up curbside and drop-off options through April 22nd. • Celebrate Earth Day with a self-guided Story Walk of “Ten Pigs” along the Mississippi Riverfront Friday, April 22 to Sunday, April 24. Start at either Levee Park or Jaycee Park. Recommended for families with kids 10 and under. Story Walk is a partnership with Pleasant Hill Library. • On Saturday, April 23, Carpenter Nature Center hosts the Earth Day Birding Festival with bird banding demonstrations, guided birding field trips, and live raptor presentation. $5 per person or $15 with box lunch, lunch requires advanced registration. • United Way of Hastings will be hosting a 3-session series on Fentanyl Awareness on April 26, May 3, and May 10. Info at United Way of Hastings. Meetings • Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting on Tuesday April 19, 2022 at 7:00 PM • Public Safety Advisory Commission Meeting on Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 6:30 PM • Cancelled - Planning Commission Meeting on Monday April 25, 2022 at 7:00 PM • Administration Committee Meeting on Tuesday April 26, 2022 at 7:30 AM • Public Safety Committee Meeting on Tuesday April 26, 2022 at 5:00 PM • Finance Committee Meeting on Wednesday April 27, 2022 at 5:30 PM • Arts Task Force Meeting on Wednesday April 27, 2022 at 6:00 PM