HomeMy WebLinkAbout20250106 - CC Workshop MinutesHastings, Minnesota
City Council Workshop
January 6, 2025
The City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a workshop on Monday, January 6,
2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the Volunteer Room at the Hastings City Hall, 101 East 4th Street, Hastings,
Minnesota.
Members Present: Mayor Fasbender, Councilmembers Beck, Haus, Lawrence, Leifeld,
Pemble, and Vihrachoff
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: City Administrator Dan Wietecha
Assistant City Administrator Kelly Murtaugh
City Attorney Kori Land
Mayor Fasbender called the workshop to order at 5:30 pm and welcomed councilmembers to the
workshop. Attorney Land presented to Council an overview of Council basics as they embark on
a new year.
Land first reviewed the classes and types of cities that exist in Minnesota. Hastings is a 2nd Class
and Plan A city, giving certain rights/privileges. Land explained that there are Statutory Cities
and Charter Cities. Hastings is a Charter City. The Charter Cities can establish the form of
government, a ward system, adoption of ordinances, how to put items on the Council Agenda,
budget preparation, mayor’s powers and duties, and City Administrator’s powers and duties.
The City Charter lays out what the powers of the Council are and that all councilmembers have
an equal voice on Council. Separate from the Charter, the Council’s Rules of Decorum provide
that an individual council member must accurately and appropriately report their views as their
own unless specifically approved by the full Council to report as representing a view of the
Council.
Land reviewed the Open Meeting Law. All meetings for government bodies are open to the
public. Meetings include Council meetings, committee meetings, commission meetings,
workshops, etc. Meetings are where there is a quorum, discussing, deciding official city business.
There are three kinds of meetings: regular, special and emergency. Land provided some
examples of the application of the Open Meeting Law. Land then reviewed the few, specific
conditions under which a meeting can be closed.
Land provided an overview of meeting best practices, encouraging councilmembers to pause if
needed, and stay focused on the agenda at hand. Public Hearing purpose and conditions were
outlined. A Public Hearing is due process and can also provide part of the record for a decision
by the Council.