HomeMy WebLinkAbout20250421 - CC Workshop MinutesHastings, Minnesota
City Council Workshop
April 21, 2025
The City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a workshop on Monday, April 21,
2025,at 5:30 p.m. in the Community Room at the Hastings City Hall, 101 East 4th Street,
Hastings, Minnesota.
Members Present:Mayor Fasbender, Councilmembers Beck, Haus, Lawrence, Pemble, and
Vihrachoff
Members Absent:Councilmember Leifeld
Staff Present:City Administrator Dan Wietecha
Assistant City Administrator Kelly Murtaugh
Parks & Recreation Director Chris Jenkins
Guests Present: Dr. Tammy Champa, Superintendent
Carrie Tate, Chairperson
Jessica Dressely, Vice Chairperson
Mark Zuzek, Treasurer
Melissa Millner, Clerk
Kari Gorr, Dir of Comm Ed and Communications
Mayor Fasbender called the workshop to order at 5:30 pm and welcomed council members, ISD
200 School Board members,and staff.Mayor Fasbender invited Chair Tate to lead the meeting.
Wietecha reviewed historical and current City partnerships with the School District.Tate called
upon Gorr to review the addendums A&B of the Joint Powers Agreement. Jenkins reviewed
Addendums C & D related to the Joint Maintenance Facility and operational agreement for the
facility. The City and District are co-owners of the facility.
Tate provided an overview of the financial situation for the School District. There are many
projects that ISD 200 is undertaking:the pathways program, expanding college in the schools,
curriculum review, enhancing STEAM/STEM at elementary level, safe routes to schools
programs, special election coming fall 2025, and searching for a new superintendent. Tate
reviewed the financial picture for the district and the impact of falling enrollment,
underfunded/unfunded mandates and the state financial projection.
Mayor Fasbender reviewed financial impacts to the City. Fasbender indicated that PFAS
mitigation will lead to significant increase in water rates to pay for the treatment plants. She
noted that there will be a levy increase for 2026, citing union negotiations, a tight labor market in
key areas, significant backlog in capital project of millions of dollars, and the upcoming Hwy 61
project. Fasbender indicated that it can be difficult for both entities to come together to discuss
partnerships when both have financial struggles.
Informal/Formal partnerships
Wietecha outlined some of the current projects shared between the City and the District: Civic
Arena, School Resource Officer,Joint Maintenance JPA, and Safe Routes to Schools. Some of
these projects have led to less formal activities where the City and District have partnered. Both
entities see these partnerships as a benefit to the community.
Tate invited a brainstorming session for existing or new ideas. Some of the ideas discussed
include: career exposure for students; cross-promoting school district and city topics;tap into
existing events that impact/benefit both entities;improve on communication between Council
and Board to learn about events or other info that is relevant to all; provide updates at Council or
School Board meetings; explore a joint segment in the newspaper on regular basis.
Tilden Community Center
Champa indicated that the recent work on the JPAs and other related decisions need to be
addressed.Gorr reviewed the success of the Senior Center at Tilden –the opportunities for
seniors as well as the benefits to the community. The City has historically contributed funds that
support the senior center programming. There was broad support for the importance of the
program for the community, balanced by the financial realities for the City and District could
impact the future of the senior center. Discussion around the annual cost for the senior center and
other ways to financially support it going forward.
Ice Arena
Tate indicated that any District funds to support the arena must come from the general fund
because the District does not own the building. Support of the arena will impact spending in
other areas.
Wietecha noted that there has been significant turnover on City Council and the School Board
since the last discussion several years ago. The request from the City going forward would be
similar to past agreements that reflect 30% District/70% City. The refrigeration system was a
required update due to the changes in federal law regarding the original refrigerant used at the
arena. The arena benefits the school district and the entire community.
Both the City and District will need to consider options for a joint agreement and the impact on
other operations.
ADJOURNMENT
Workshop adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
__________________________________________________________
Mary D. Fasbender, Mayor Kelly Murtaugh, City Clerk