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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20241021 - CC MinutesCity 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 October 21, 2024 The City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a regular meeting on Monday, October 21, 2024 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 Fox, Haus, Lawrence, Leifeld, Pemble, and Vihrachoff Members Absent: None Staff Present: City Administrator Dan Wietecha Assistant City Administrator Kelly Murtaugh Attorney Greta Bjerkness Community Development Director John Hinzman Kristy Barse, Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau Barb Hollenbeck, Arts & Culture Commission Approval of Minutes Mayor Fasbender asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the City Council workshop and regular meeting on October 7, 2024. Minutes were approved as presented. Consent Agenda Councilmember Leifeld motioned to approve the Consent Agenda, seconded by Councilmember Fox. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. 1. Pay Bills as Audited 2. Resolution 10-09-2024: Accept Donation from Fluegel’s to the Parks and Recreation Department 3. Resolution 10-10-2024: Accept Donation from Carole Wilder to the Parks and Recreation Department 4. Resolution 10-11-2024: Accept Donation from Shirley Frembgen to the Police Department 5. Resolution 10-12-2024: Accept Donation from Walmart to the Police Department 6. Resolution 10-13-2024: Approve New Tobacco License Application for Hastings Tobacco & Vape, Inc. dba Smoker Zone, 1260 S. Frontage Road, Suite A 7. Strategic Plan: 3rd Quarter 2024 8. Change Order: Three Rivers Trail Project 9. Approve Pay Estimate No. 4 for the 2024 Neighborhood Infrastructure Improvements – A1 Excavating LLC ($804,952.01) 10. Resolution 10-14-2024: Approve Pay Estimate No. 3 (Final) for the 2024 Mill & Overlay Program – McNamara Contracting ($29,731.26) 11. Approve Assessment Abatement for 2024 Neighborhood Infrastructure Improvements 12. Approve AXON Body Worn Cameras and Tasers Agreement 13. Declare Surplus Property and Authorize for Sale, Donation, or Disposal – Parks Department 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 Resolution 10-15-2024: Convey Property to HEDRA – 213 Ramsey St Hinzman provided an overview of the request to consider conveyance of 213 Ramsey Street to HEDRA. Hinzman shared the parcel containing the northern half of the building is owned by the City outright and that the parcels containing the parking lot are jointly owned by the City and Patrick and Vivian Walker, owner of the Southern half of the building. Hinzman shared HEDRA has undertaken maintenance expenses since ISD 200 vacated the building and that HEDRA is considering entering into a lease with the Hastings Prescott Arts Council (HPAC) to use the space. Hinzman indicated HEDRA is appropriate to oversee property that may have shorter-term usage that may lead ultimately to redevelopment. No Council discussion. Councilmember Leifeld motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Fox. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Resolution 10-16-2024: Approve Dakota County CDA to Administer LAHA Funds Hinzman provided an overview of the request to consider the resolution committing to the City of Hastings’ Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA) funding to be administered by the Dakota County CDA for a period of three years and designating the minimum funding percentages for the two proposed programs. Hinzman reviewed some of the programs, indicating staff proposes a minimum percentage based split committing 50% towards the Home Improvement Loan Program and 25% towards the Radon Mitigation Grant Program. Council discussion on where the funds will go and how they will support residents. Council recognized that the CDA is the best administer, clarifying they are City funds that will stay local to support City residents. Councilmember Pemble motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Fox. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. PFAS Update Wietecha presented the PFAS Update for a proposed new work plan going forward. The original workplan included one plant per year to meet the deadline set for PFAS mitigation, starting with the Industrial Park (Water Treatment Plant #1). With the 3M Settlement funds to be released to the City tied to a well that would be treated by Water Treatment Plant #2, new recommendations are being forwarded to Council. One recommendation would change the sequence of the construction schedule, proceeding with the central Water Treatment Plant (#2) in 2025 and delay the Eastern Water Treatment Plant (#1) until 2026. Wietecha indicated that this would allow the City to continue to pursue additional funding. The second recommendation is to implement a two-step water rate increase in 2025 with a 10% increase effective January 1, 2025 and a second increase to be determined effective July 1, 2025. Council discussion on appreciation for the recommendations that gives additional time for more planning, a reduction in the water rates anticipated, as well as continuing to seek additional funding. Council clarification about the extensive work behind the scenes that is occurring to advance the ability of the City to meet the mitigation requirements. Council discussed how this demonstrates the agility that may not be common in government. Council expressed overall support for the recommendations presented. 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 Councilmember Leifeld motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Pemble. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Employee Recognition, Safety, and Wellness Policy Murtaugh presented the request to approve the updated Employee Recognition, Safety and Wellness Policy. Murtaugh shared the policy was most recently updated in 2009. Murtaugh indicated State statute allows cities to operate and expend funds toward preventative health and employee recognition programs and shared the Administration Committee of Council reviewed the components of the policy. Council discussion on the value of retaining employees. Councilmember Leifeld motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Fox. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Announcements • Friends of Pleasant Hill Library hosts its Used Book Sale this Thursday to Sunday, October 24-27. • The Hastings Police Department joins more than 50 agencies across the state in selling pink patch items to raise awareness and funds for the American Cancer Society during breast cancer awareness month in October. • The Hastings Community Halloween Party is Friday, October 25, from 6 to 8 pm at the High School. Recommended for families with kids 12 and under. Please bring a non-perishable food item for Hastings Family Service or a cash or check donation for the Youth Impact Council Scholarship. Sponsored by MidCountry Bank, Intek Plastics, Dakota Electric Association, Hoffman & McNamara, Hastings Fire Relief Association, Rivertown Lions Club, Hastings Networking Group, and Treasure Island. • The Hastings Downtown Business Association presents the Downtown Hastings Halloween Candy Crawl on Sunday, October 27. Please bring a personal care item to donate to Hastings Family Service. • Residents can drop their pumpkins at the Dakota County Highway Shop in the labeled bins Saturday and Sunday, November 2 - 3. Painted pumpkins and pumpkins with excessive wax or another inorganic residue cannot be accepted and should go in the trash. Please do not put anything other than pumpkins or gourds in the container. • October 28 is National First Responder Day. Thank you to all of our first responders for their service to the community. Meetings • Public Safety Committee Meeting on Monday, October 28, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. • Planning Commission Meeting on Monday, October 28, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. • City Council Meeting on Monday, November 4, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. Councilmember Pemble motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:29 PM, seconded by Councilmember Lawrence. Ayes 7; Nays 0. ___________________________ ____________________________ Kelly Murtaugh, City Clerk Mary D. Fasbender, Mayor