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