The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About20221205 - 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 December 5, 2022 The City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a regular meeting on Monday, December 5, 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, Lund, and Vaughan Members Absent: None Staff Present: City Administrator Dan Wietecha Assistant City Administrator Kelly Murtaugh City Attorney Korine Land Community Development Director John Hinzman Facilities Manager Charlie Judge Senior Accountant Ashley Bertrand Building Official Travis Dunn Police Chief David Wilske Finance Manager Chris Eitemiller Mayor Fasbender asked for a moment of silence to honor Kevin Hoeschen and Dean Markuson who both recently passed away. Both were very engaged in the City of Hastings. New Employee Introductions: Jenna Anderson Anne Cohoon Employee Promotion Introduction: Alana Siebenaler Police Swearing-In: Sergeant Pat Diedrich Officer Award: Nate Wood Citizen Award: Yazmine Gibson Approval of Minutes Mayor Fasbender asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the regular City Council meeting on November 21, 2022. Minutes were approved as presented. Comments from the Audience: Barb Hollenbeck, 212 East 2nd Street, spoke on behalf of the Arts Task Force and the anticipated adoption of the Arts Commission this evening. She thanked the members of the Arts Task Force, City staff, and Council 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 for the move to Commission. She will be seeking appointment to the Commission as there is so much yet to do, and will seek an extension of the two-year Commission lifespan. Consent Agenda Councilmember Folch motioned to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, seconded by Councilmember Fox. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays 1. Pay Bills as Audited 2. Special Event Designation: Holiday Train – Hastings Family Service & Canadian Pacific Railroad 3. 1st Reading and Order Public Hearing: Ordinance Amendment: City Code Chapters: 152 and 158 – Storm Water Management and Property Maintenance 4. Approve Change Order No. 4 for the Hastings Public Works Storage Building 5. Approve Change Order No. 5 for the Hastings Public Works Storage Building 6. Resolution No. 12-01-22: Provide Assurances for Special Appropriation - City Hall Dome and HVAC Project 7. 2nd Reading\Adopt Ordinance Amendment No. 2022-19: City Code Chapter 30, Section 34.03: Special/Non-Routine Services 8. 2nd Reading\Adopt Ordinance Amendment No. 2022-20: City Code Chapter 30: Enacting an Arts and Culture Commission 9. Approve Memorandum of Understanding Teamsters 320 Fire Captains — Implement Compensation Study 10. Declare Surplus Property and Authorize Public Sale: Police Department 11. Pre-Approve Capital Equipment Purchase for the Hastings Civic Arena 12. Resolution No. 12-02-22: Adopt Polling Place Locations for 2023 Elections 13. Resolution No. 12-03-22: Designate Official Newspaper 14. Resolution No. 12-04-22: Declare Insurance Liability Coverage 15. Approve Hastings Civic Arena Ice Rental Agreement with ISD 200 Public Hearing: Truth in Taxation for 2023 Budget Wietecha presented the Truth in Taxation meeting as a requirement for adoption of the 2023 Budget. If Council is ready, they can adopt this evening; if not, it will be on the December 19 agenda. He presented the budget principles, the budget process, changes since the September 6 preliminary budget and levy, budget highlights for 2023, capital improvement and capital equipment priorities, utilities rate and capital project overview, carryover projects (City Hall dome project, Civic Arena, Tennis/Pickleball courts), and the financial planning approach (5-year financial model, parks plan, fleet management, Rural Fire Association contract). Wietecha presented the preliminary tax impact of the proposed levy and a comparison to other Dakota County residential and commercial tax changes. He also reviewed the HEDRA levy. Public Hearing opened at: 7:54 p.m. Peter Mak, 138 Sandpiper Circle, thanked the Council for the opportunity to comment on the proposed budget and levy and ask questions. He was surprised that there were so few others in the audience. He was surprised to see his proposed property tax statement, showing his property value grew 18% and market value grew 21%. He posed several questions: How did the market value increase by that much? How 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 is good planning/budgeting done that makes this affordable in this economy? Can Council consider a factor to assess home value differently? How can the budgeting look forward for good sound future planning? Don Posthumus, 1590 Stonegate Road, expressed concern about the increase in taxes and will take several months of social security checks to pay for the increase. Other increases (food, gas, etc.) are making things difficult. He asked that the City stay within the past year’s budget and not raise taxes. He is not only concerned about those on fixed incomes but also young families trying to make ends meet. James Wilcox, 1370 Hillside, asked if there were cuts that were made to help reduce taxes and asked how the numbers were determined. Wietecha responded to some of the questions that were asked by residents. There are two calculations—first, the County Assessor’s office does the valuation of the property (influenced by improvements to property and market); second, anticipated City costs are evaluated in a 5-year view—what is the cost of providing the City services? These two calculations lead to the amount for the proposed levy. Council discussion on similar experiences with own property valuation. The City may lagged in recovery from the 2008 recession, but have recovered exponentially in the last five years. Councilmember Folch indicated there is a need to continue discussions regarding affordable housing in the community. Councilmember Braucks mentioned the valuation is considered when landing on the proposed levy to keep the increases as low as possible. Public Hearing closed at: 8:24 p.m. Council discussion on the five-year look out and the County assessed values. Councilmember Vaughan shared there are recurring costs for the City that must be met and Council appreciates the catch-up in deferred maintenance to address things that are in a past or nearing their useful life. Vaughan indicated the County Assessor’s office should participate in the Truth in Taxation hearing to address resident questions that are not determined by the City. Vaughan expressed agreement with not funding the Tinder truck until there is a renewed contract with the Rural Fire Association. Councilmember Folch indicated the Finance Committee had a robust conversation, with a heavy focus on public safety, reflecting conversations with the community. Folch expressed concern about Parks spending and looking for a five-year plan to address the needs through working with the Park and Recreation Commission. Folch expressed the need to see more accountability from the nearby Townships to ensure they are paying their fair share of the service from the City’s Fire Department. Councilmember Fox highlighted the partnerships within the Community Investment Fund, as well as an investment in employees through compensation & classification study. 2023 Budget 1st Reading\Order Public Hearing: Amend City Code Chapter 34: Fees Councilmember Folch motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Fox. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Resolution No. 12-05-22: Approve 2023 Final Budget and Final Levy Council discussion on intent to not approve the funds for the Tinder truck unless Rural Fire Association agreement is reached.