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Home My WebLink About20241216 - CC MinutesCity Council packets can be viewed in searchable format on the City’s website at https://www.hastingsmn.gov/city-government/city-council/city-council-documents-copy Hastings, Minnesota City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2024 The City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a regular meeting on Monday, December 16, 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 City Attorney Kori Land Community Development Director John Hinzman Fire Chief John Townsend Police Chief Dave Wilske Parks and Recreation Director Chris Jenkins Public Works Superintendent Joe Spagnoletti Finance Manager Chris Eitemiller Recognition of Milestone Employees 5 Years Phil Nelson James Heck Ginger Glaser Chad Schlichte David Truax Joshua Sirinek Dan Wietecha 10 Years Paul Young Whitney Rinowski Jerry Backlund Phil Vargas Bryce Thompson 35 Years Kim Niederkorn Recognition of Outgoing Commissioners Jeannie Tribe, Arts & Culture Commission Jen Fox, Hastings Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority Dave Youngren, Heritage Preservation Commission Bruce Karnick, Parks and Recreation Commission Craig Santelman, Parks and Recreation Commission Steven Anderson, Public Safety Advisory Commission Melissa Blackstad, Public Safety Advisory Commission City Council packets can be viewed in searchable format on the City’s website at https://www.hastingsmn.gov/city-government/city-council/city-council-documents-copy Recognition of Outgoing Councilmember, Jen Fox Dakota County Update, Commissioner Mike Slavik 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 December 6, 2024. Minutes were approved as presented. Comments from the Audience Megan Majeski, 2002 4th Street East, expressed concern about hunting in the area around her home noting that they cannot go outside without wearing an orange vest and that sheds have been hit by BBs. She asked Council for a change to the buffer so no one will get hit by bullets. Pete Likes, 3000 4th Street East, noted that the issues started when the property was sold to the DNR and that there are different designated zones in the DNR property with different rules and that hunters are not aware of the rules. Some of the properties affected are within city limits. The area makes it difficult to enforce by local police or the DNR. Sheds and homes are getting peppered by BBs and he is concerned someone will get hurt. Cory Likes, 2900 4th Street East, indicated that his north property line runs adjacent to the DNR property and he has bullet holes in the side of his house and many hunters in the area are not following the rules of the property and no one is out there to enforce the rules. Bruce Lapean, neighbor, agrees that he supports hunting, but the area needs more enforcement and needs to be safe. Would like to participate in meeting with the DNR. Bob Majeski, 1800 Brittany Road, would like to get parties together to discuss issues. The hunters cannot see houses in some cases and sheds and homes are peppered with BBs. The local police department cannot do much about the issue. He suggested improvements to visibility of roads and structures. He is concerned about waiting until someone gets hurt to take action. Consent Agenda Councilmember Pemble motioned to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, seconded by Councilmember Lawrence. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. 1. Pay Bills as Audited 2. Resolution No. 12-10-24: Accept Donation to the Parks and Recreation Department from the Fleming Family 3. Resolution No. 12-11-24: Accept Donation to the Parks and Recreation Department from the Almquist Family 4. Resolution No. 12-12-24: Accept Donation to the Parks and Recreation Department from the Welch Family 5. Resolution No. 12-13-24: Accept Donation to the Police Department from the United Way of Hastings 6. Resolution No. 12-14-24: Approve 2025 Massage Therapist Renewals 7. Resolution No. 12-15-24: Approve New Massage Therapy License for Kimberly Nigro 8. Reappoint HEDRA Commissioner – Horsch 9. Reappoint Planning Commissioners –Halberg, Peters, and Swedin City Council packets can be viewed in searchable format on the City’s website at https://www.hastingsmn.gov/city-government/city-council/city-council-documents-copy 10. Heritage Preservation Commissioners – Reappoint Peterson and Simacek and Appoint Shilts- Johnson 11. Reappoint Arts and Culture Commissioners – McCoy, Humphrey, and Maner 12. Reappoint Parks and Recreation Commissioners – Bower, Loomis, Smith, Strauss, and Zuzek 13. Reappoint Public Safety Advisory Commissioner - Caflisch 14. Appoint Tourism Bureau Members – Jenkins and Skelly 15. Declare Surplus Property and Authorize for Public Sale: Building Department 16. Declare Surplus Property and Authorize for Public Sale: Fire Department 17. Approve 2025 Committee Meeting Schedule 18. Approve 2025 Commission Meeting Schedule 19. 2nd Reading\Adopt Ordinance: City Code Chapter 34.03 – Fee Schedule 20. Accept Proposal and Authorize Work – AMI Tower No. 2 to be Located on the 4th Street Water Tower 21. Resolution No. 12-16-24: Rescinding Assessment Appeal Waiver for SAC and WAC (214 2nd Street E) 22. Embedded Social Worker with Dakota County a. Authorize Signature: Joint Powers Agreement b. Authorize Signature: Management Control Agreement Department of Natural Resources: Gores Pool #3 Wildlife Management Area Wilske introduced Tim Pharis, DNR Wildlife Supervisor, and reviewed the current 2008 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) which allowed for hunting within City limits for small game, wild turkey, and archery hunting for deer. Wilske indicated the original MOU agreed that a 200-foot buffer would be instituted for two properties during a special deer management hunt, but a special hunt has never been instituted. The neighborhood affected by Gores Pool #3 has changed over the years and the request to add the 200-foot buffer for certain properties has been requested by homeowners. Wilske indicated the DNR has acquired additional land with Wildlife Management Area Funds and is interested in discussions about amending the original MOU to incorporate the newly acquired land and buffer discussion. Pharis offered a review of buffers for state WMA land. Council discussion on mobile device applications for land use, hunter regulations, and sources for accurate information. Wilske shared various sources to obtain information and stay up to date. Discussion about the options to inform hunters about the restrictions and characteristics of the area. Council expressed appreciation for public comments and posed questions on potential Commission review. Discussion about next steps for the topic as it is a safety concern. Wilske shared there are a number of complaints received and staff worked with the Mr. Pharis to install additional signage in the area. Council requested the topic to be well publicized. Councilmember Leifeld motioned to move the topic to the Public Safety Advisory Commission for further review and recommendations, seconded by Councilmember Vihrachoff. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Announcements • Visit this year's Hastings Holiday Lights Map on the City website to take a tour of homes and businesses with outdoor lights and decorations. • City Offices will be closed on Wednesday, December 25, in recognition of Christmas and on Wednesday, January 1, in recognition of New Years Day.