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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230103 - CC Minutes Hastings, Minnesota City Council Meeting Minutes January 3, 2023 The City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a regular meeting on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 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 Folch, Fox, Haus, Leifeld, Lund, and Pemble Members Absent: None Staff Present: City Administrator Dan Wietecha Assistant City Administrator Kelly Murtaugh Attorney Amanda Johnson Community Development Director John Hinzman Oath of Office Mary D. Fasbender, Mayor Angie Haus, At-Large Councilmember Dave Pemble, At-Large Councilmember Recognition of Outgoing Commissioner - Scott Sinclair, HEDRA Approval of Minutes Mayor Fasbender asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the regular City Council meeting on December 19, 2022. Minutes were approved as presented. Consent Agenda Councilmember Haus motioned to approve the Consent Agenda pulling item #5 from the agenda, seconded by Councilmember Folch. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays 1.Pay Bills as Audited 2.Resolution: Approve Temporary One-Day Gambling Permit for Knights of Columbus Council 1600 3.Resolution: Approve Massage Therapist Renewal Application – Mary Stoffel 4.Appoint Public Safety Advisory Commissioner E. John Gunter 5.Approve Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund Agreement – Lake Rebecca Project 6.Resolution: Approve Annual Banking Depository 7.Resolution: Approve Electric Funds Transfer Transactions 8.Resolution: Authorize Designee Signatures for Purposes of Banking Transactions 9.2023-2024 City Council Committee Assignments by Mayor Mary Fasbender 10.Resolution: Accept Grant Donation from the Center for Resuscitation Medicine at the University of Minnesota to the Hastings Police Department 11.Declare Surplus Property and Authorize for Public Sale – Police Department 12.1st Reading: Amend City Code 32.04 Disposition of Unclaimed Property 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 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 Approve Micromobility License Applications by Bird Rides and Spin Hinzman provided an overview of the ordinance approved last year and the requirements of a fleet company to operate in the City. Hinzman offered a summary of the application requests. Hinzman indicated both licenses authorize the operation of 100 scooters each from March 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023. Hinzman provided a summary of the operation of the two scooter rental companies. Hinzman reviewed comments from City Staff based on the prior year’s scooter activity, demand, observations and concerns. It is unknown whether 200 scooters are too many, but the City agreement reserves the right to reduce the number approved if deemed excessive. Council discussion on clarification of terminology and liability in case of accidents. Council expressed concerns regarding staging and where scooters were left last year and asked about the responsibility of the two licensees for staging, deployment and management of the scooters. Hinzman indicated City Ordinance states there are provisions in place, but staging is at the discretion of the company and that there will be a local fleet manager for each brand. Council shared feedback from the Tourism Board on use last summer showed that the hotel guests used the scooters to travel around town. Councilmembers shared experiences with scooters in other cities. Council discussion on the local fleet manager and asked if increasing the frequency of pick up would help keep the fleets manageable for the fleet manager. Council discussion on how Bird determines a proper number of scooters for a city’s population and complaints of scooters on downtown sidewalks. Kylee Floodman, Bird Scooters, shared Bird Rides deployed on average 50 scooters to the Hastings area last year. Floodman indicated Bird Rides can create “no ride zones” or “slow zones” and can do designated, preferred, and/or recommended parking zones including electronic limits during major events to keep scooters out of the area. Council requested review around July 1 bringing in the Public Safety Advisory Commission to assist in the review. Hinzman indicated he would provide an update to the Council around July 1st and will include City department feedback. Councilmember Leifeld motioned to approve as presented, requesting a review around July 1, engaging City departments for feedback, seconded by Councilmember Fox. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Review Committee Meetings Calendar Wietecha provided a brief review of the anticipated workload of Council Committees in 2023 by proposing a structured meetings calendar. Wietecha asked Council for discussion and feedback ahead of action to be taken at the next City Council meeting on January 17, 2023. Council expressed their support for the proposed calendar which will encourage better planning for topics, commitment to the committee structure and include more access for public input. Council indicated Mondays may work well due to a standing commitment to Council meetings and adding the assistance this will provide to staff for preparation. Review Strategic Initiatives Process Wietecha provided a review of the strategic priorities process of the last 18 months. With completion of the original priorities and new Councilmembers, this request is for discussion regarding strategic initiatives to begin the next round of planning process in the next few months. Wietecha shared a brief timeline, posed 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 several questions to Council and asked for discussion. To prevent a gap in the past strategic priorities and the future priorities, staff will be assembling an action plan for the 90 days of the transition period. Council discussion on whether or not a facilitator would be needed. Council expressed the need to be reflective on the process and the need for a more comprehensive process focusing on continuous improvement. Council shared they preferred in-person and discussed a single day versus shorter sessions over multiple weeks/months to continue momentum and included pre-planning session dates. Council expressed the need for a review session to go over goals and how they were accomplished to ensure everyone is on the same page. Review City Legislative Priorities Wietecha presented the request to discuss legislative priorities asking for discussion and feedback for future potential workshops or meetings. Wietecha indicated the City Council has generally utilized the legislative priorities set by the League of Minnesota Cities (206 policies) and Metro Cities (111 policies) of which the City is a member of both. Council discussion on example of legislative agenda from the City of Cottage Grove. That city outlined their bonding projects as well as the policy specifics that were of importance to Cottage Grove. Council asked how the City is represented at the League of Minnesota Cities and Metro Cities organizations and indicated the City may need to increase activity with the Metro Cities organization. Wietecha indicated the City does not have an assigned representative assigned to either organization but rather had staff and elected officials serving on LMC policy committees. Wietecha indicated he meets with Metro Cities annually to review priorities. Council shared there is an electronic newsletter that provides additional information from the Metro Cities organization and shared the importance of the amount of information and assistance the two organizations provide but would like to lean on other representatives and organizations for support and opportunities. Announcements • Taking interest forms for the Arts and Culture Commission. See the City website; forms due January 17, 2023. • Experience ice fishing this Saturday, January 7, at Lake Rebecca Park. A fishing license is not required under our DNR permit, and bait, tackle and poles are provided. All fishing is catch and release. Pre-registration required on the City website. Thank you to partners Carpenter Nature Center, National Park Service, Minnesota DNR, Hastings VFW, Hometown Ace Hardware, Get the Lead Out, Rapala, and Vexilar. • City Offices will be closed Monday, January 16, in observation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. • 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 through January 31. Meetings • Arts Task Force on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. • Planning Commission Meeting on Monday, January 9, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. – Cancelled • Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. - Cancelled • HEDRA Meeting on Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.