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Home My WebLink About20250303 - 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 March 3, 2025 The City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a regular meeting on Monday, March 3, 2025 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 Beck,Haus,Lawrence, Leifeld, Pemble, and Vihrachoff Members Absent:None Staff Present:City Administrator Dan Wietecha Assistant City Administrator Kelly Murtaugh City Attorney Greta Bjerkness City Engineer Cody Mathisen Police Chief David Wilske Proclamation: Declaring to Drive Out Hunger During MN FoodShare for Hastings Family Service Proclamation: Multiple Sclerosis Week 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 February 18, 2025. Minutes were approved as presented. Comments from the Audience Janet Stotko, 2320 Timber View Dr, relayed her experience being struck from behind by an e- bike, the recovery and impact to her physically and mentally. She advocated for an ordinance regulating e-bikes. Liz Biskupski, 2309 Connelly Cir, Burnsville, Stotko’s daughter provided her perspective of her mother’s story also advocating for an ordinance regulating e-bikes. Charlie Egeberg, 106 River St, presented on experience with family motorcycle and scooter business as an advocate for legislation, training, licensing for motorcycles. He is an advocate for an endorsement on driver’s licenses for e-bikes, like motorcycles. Cory Likes, 2900 4th St. E, expressed appreciation for the Mayor and Councilmembers listening to resident concerns about the interest and need for a perimeter at the Gores Pool #3 WMA. Dan Mace, 1440 21st St. W, as a neighbor to Stotko, walking the same areas, has had to often step aside for e-bikes and encourages support of an e-bike ordinance. Jackie Rother, 1505 Brooke Ct, indicated that when she is walking, she cannot hear e-bikes approaching and she must be defensive by moving to the grass. She supports an e-bike ordinance. Consent Agenda Councilmember Pemble motioned to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, seconded by Councilmember Vihrachoff. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. 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 1.Pay Bills as Audited 2.Resolution No. 03-01-25: Approve Temporary One-Day Gambling and Temporary One-Day Liquor License for Hastings Family Service 3.Resolution No. 03-02-25: Approve Temporary One-Day Gambling Permit for the Hastings Catholic Education Foundation 4.Resolution No. 03-03-25: Accept Donation from the Minnesota Jaycees Charitable Foundation to the Fire Department 5.Resolution No. 03-04-25: Accept Donation from the Miesville Lions Club to the Police Department 6.1st Reading: Ordinance Amendments a.City Code Chapter 34.03 –Fees b.City Code Chapter 112 –Tobacco Regulations 7.Approve Amended 2024 –2026 School Resource Officer and Traffic Control Agent Program Agreement with ISD 200 8.Declare Surplus Property and Authorize Public Sale: Building Department Vehicle 9.Appoint Parks and Recreation Commissioner Chelsea Piskor 10.Accept Proposal and Authorize Work: Police Department Air Handler Reconfiguration 11.Authorize Signature of Metropolitan Council 2025 Private Property Inflow and Infiltration (I/I) Grant Agreement No. SG-22738 12.Approve Joint Powers Agreement for 15th Street and Bailey Street TSS Reduction Project Between the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization and the City of Hastings 2025 Neighborhood Infrastructure Improvements and Authorize Advertisement for Bids Conduct Public Hearing Resolution No. 03-05-25: Consider Approving Plans and Specifications Mathisen provided an overview of the project goals related to infrastructure projects, a summary of the proposed improvements, connection to city-approved plans, project cost and timeline. Mathisen indicated that the public hearing regarding assessments will be addressed at the April 7, 2025, Council meeting. Council was requested to conduct a public hearing and consider the resolution approving plans and specifications for the 2025 Neighborhood Infrastructure Improvements and Authorize Advertisement for Bids. Mayor Fasbender opened the public hearing at: 7:41 p.m. Lee Anderson, 1125 1st Street W, requested that speed signs be reinstalled as part of the project. Mayor Fasbender closed the public hearing at: 7:42 p.m. Council discussion on appreciation for work with Allina/Regina. Council asked questions regarding traffic calming strategies and what it could do for the area. Mathisen shared vehicles tend to travel faster in wider roadways, hoping that by narrowing roadways it would encourage vehicles to travel at a slower speed. Councilmember Pemble motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Haus. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. 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 Gores Pool #3 Wildlife Management Area Remove from Table Councilmember Pemble motioned to remove from the table, seconded by Councilmember Vihrachoff. Resolution: No. 03-06-25: Requesting the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Provide a Buffer and Improved Signage Wilske reviewed key talking points from a presentation to Council in December. Wilske 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 a 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. Council discussion on appreciation for the work done by Chief Wilske and the Public Safety Advisory Commission. Council noted safety concerns expressed by neighboring residents and expressed interest in extending the buffer to 500’ from all occupied buildings. Council clarification on the next steps and that the decision goes to the Department of Natural Resources and encouraged residents to continue to call the police to address issues in the area. Council expressed gratitude for the effort to address this safety issue. Councilmember Vihrachoff motioned to approve as amended to a 500-foot buffer from all occupied buildings, seconded by Councilmember Leifeld. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. UTV/ATV Ordinance Recommendations Wilske provided an overview of the request to accept recommendations regarding ATV/UTV on City streets as provided by the Public Safety Advisory Commission (PSAC). On September 3, 2024, City Council voted 4-2 in favor of revising the ordinance to allow use of special vehicles on City streets. City Council requested the PSAC to review and provide recommendations. Wilske shared that the PSAC reviewed neighboring jurisdictions ordinances and state statute language regarding the topic. Wilske shared specifics of the Commission’s recommendations. PSAC does not support a change in the ordinance 70.02. Wilske indicated that if Council did move forward on expanding the ordinance, PSAC had specific recommendations outlined. Council discussion on appreciation to Chief Wilske and the PSAC. Council posed questions regarding the enforcement workload. Wilske indicated that enforcement will be challenging but would begin with an education component to help constituents understand the ordinance. PSAC Chair Theresa Auge` indicated the age requirement recommendation is due to the ability to hold the operator responsible for compliance. Councilmembers voiced their support in not amending the ordinance. Council discussion the current UTV/ATV experiences and impact of the Hwy 61 reconstruction project. Council posed a clarifying question on what the current ordinance is for an age requirement. Chief Wilske indicated the specific requirements of the current ordinance. Councilmember Leifeld motioned to approve for no changes to the existing ordinance, seconded by Councilmember Lawrence. 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 6 Ayes, 1 Nay (Vihrachoff). E-Bike Ordinance Recommendations Wilske provided an overview of the request to accept recommendations regarding Electric Bikes as provided by the Public Safety Advisory Commission (PSAC) and request the City Attorney to draft ordinance revisions. Wilske shared that the PSAC reviewed neighboring jurisdictions ordinances and state statute language regarding the topic. Wilske shared specifics of the Commission’s recommendations. Council expressed gratitude to the Public Safety Advisory Commission (PSAC) for their work on the recommendations and gratitude for resident participation in the Council meeting. Council discussed addressing a wider scope of micromobility vehicles than just E-Bikes as other electric mobility devices are built to operate and increasing speeds.Council posed questions regarding multi-use trails.Council discussion on the consequences of violating ordinance and next steps in the process. Councilmember Haus motioned to approve moving forward with ordinance recommendations as presented, with other motorized mobility vehicles revert to PSAC for future amendment recommendations, seconded by Councilmember Vihrachoff. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. PFAS PFAS Update Letter to Co-Trustees: Prioritize Clean Drinking Water Wietecha presented the PFAS Update. In January 2025, both Senator Seeberger and Representative Dippel have indicated strong support for our project. Representative Dippel has prepared four bills: one seeking to designate Hastings as eligible for funding through the East Metro’s 2018 3M Settlement and one seeking funding through the Clean Water Fund of the Legacy Fund. The other two seek to fully fund the remaining $16.6M costs for the Eastern WTP, one through the capital budget and the other as a general cash appropriation. Senator Seeberger has signed on to these two. On February 27, City staff had a hearing with the House Capital Investment Committee on the capital budget request (HF1192). Wietecha is scheduling a City Council workshop in near future for discussion of financing for the Water Treatment Plants. Wietecha indicated staff will have design plans for the Central WTP in the next few weeks to share with the residents through an Open House. Wietecha indicated that within the settlement funds, the State has access to $20M for restoring aquatic habitat and enhancing recreational opportunities. Wietecha has drafted a letter to the co-trustees encouraging prioritizing funds for drinking water rather than recreational opportunities. Council discussion on federal funding delays and impact on water treatment construction. Wietecha indicated we do not have a definitive answer if funding will be affected. Councilmember Pemble motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Lawrence. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. 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 2nd Reading: Ordinance Amendments City Code Chapter 90.16 –Sidewalk Cafés City Code Chapter 90.17 –Parklets Murtaugh provided an overview of the request to approve the second reading of ordinance amendments to City Code Chapter 90.16 regarding Sidewalk Cafés and Chapter 90.17 regarding Parklets. Staff met with a few downtown business owners regarding the existing requirements of Sidewalk Cafés and Parklets. As a result, staff is proposing ordinance amendments to both chapters of City Code defining the ability to expand the footprint for parklets while maintaining an accessible walkway. Additional amendments provide clarifying ordinance language around definitions and conditions for the licenses. No Council discussion. Councilmember Lawrence motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Haus. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Announcements •Happy Birthday to the City of Hastings: incorporated as a city 168 years ago on March 7, 1857. •First review of Community Investment Fund applications will be Monday, March 10. •Coffee with a Cop will be on Tuesday, March 25, at Froth & Cork. Please meet with Police to ask questions, voice concerns, and get to know one another. Meetings •Finance Committee Meeting on Monday, March 10,2025 at 7:00 p.m. •Planning Commission Meeting on Monday, March 10, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. •Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. •Arts & Culture Commission Meeting on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.–Cancelled •HEDRA Meeting on Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. •City Council Workshop on Monday, March 17, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. •City Council Meeting on Monday, March 17,2025 at 7:00 p.m. Councilmember Leifeld motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:53 PM, seconded by Councilmember Vihrachoff.Ayes 7; Nays 0. _______________________________________________________ Kelly Murtaugh, City Clerk Mary D. Fasbender, Mayor