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Home My WebLink About20250616 - 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 June 16, 2025 The City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a regular meeting on Monday, June 16, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Hastings City Hall, 101 East 4th Street, Hastings, Minnesota. Members Present: Mayor Fasbender, Councilmembers Beck, Haus, Pemble, and Vihrachoff Members Absent: Councilmembers Lawrence and Leifeld Staff Present: City Administrator Dan Wietecha Assistant City Administrator Kelly Murtaugh City Attorney Greta Bjerkness Community Development Director John Hinzman Public Works Director Ryan Stempski Finance Manager Chris Eitemiller Proclamation: Make Music Day Presentation: Hockey Day Minnesota 2026 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 June 2, 2025. Minutes were approved as presented. Consent Agenda Councilmember Haus motioned to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, seconded by Councilmember Vihrachoff. 5 Ayes, 0 Nays 1. Pay Bills as Audited 2. Resolution No. 06-08-25: Approve Liquor License Renewals for the 2025 – 2026 Licensing Period 3. Resolution No. 06-09-25: Approve Tobacco License Renewals for the 2025 – 2026 Licensing Period 4. Resolution No. 06-10-25: Approve One-Day Temporary Gambling Permit for Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center 5. Approve Special Event Designation: Fourth of July Parade & Fireworks 6. Resolution No. 06-11-25: Accept Donation from Miesville Lions to the Fire Department 7. Declare Surplus Property and Authorize for Donation – Police Department 8. Declare Surplus Property and Authorize for Public Sale – Police Department 9. Budget Amendment: MnDOT Highway 55 Signal Replacements Project 10. Budget Amendment: Fire Department LUCAS Devices 11. Approve Pay Estimate No. 1 for the 2025 Sanitary Sewer Lining Program – Hydro-Klean LLC ($117,466.29) 12. Approve Pay Estimate No. 1 for the 2025 Mill & Overlay Program – Minnesota Paving & Materials ($712,448.31) 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 13. Authorize Project Work for Potential 2026 and 2027 Neighborhood Infrastructure Improvements 14. Accept Proposal and Authorize Work – Professional Hydro Engineering Support Services 15. Authorize Signature: Memorandum of Understanding with Rasmussen College LLC 16. Authorize Signature: License Agreement – Occupation of Building – Carbone’s Pizza (1292 North Frontage Rd) 17. Resolution No. 06-12-25: Approve Arts Event Grant: River Valley Band Presentation and Approve of 2024 Comprehensive Financial Report Ryan Engelstad from Bergan KDV, independent financial auditor, gave a presentation on the results of the 2024 audit. The Unmodified Opinion (best opinion possible) provides assurance that the financial statements are fairly presented in all material respects. There were no findings for 2024 in the area of Minnesota legal compliance that covers seven areas municipal activity. Council expressed appreciation to Finance staff for the work they do. Council posed questions about whether the City has had a material weakness for the government standards audit in prior years. Eitemiller shared there have been years that we have not had any findings and others that did. Engelstad provided an overview of the standards they have to report on. Councilmember Pemble motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Haus. 5 Ayes, 0 Nays. Authorize License Agreement with Metropolitan Council to Use a Portion of their Property for Parking Needs During Hockey Day Minnesota Stempski provided an overview of the request to authorize a License Agreement with the Metropolitan Council to allow use of their property off Ravenna Trail for parking during Hockey Day Minnesota in January 2026. The Hockey Day Minnesota Committee has requested use of this property; however, Met Council will only enter into a License Agreement with the local municipality. The agreement allows for mowing in advance of the winter and removal of small diameter tree, vegetation, and fence removal to allow safe pedestrian access. Met Council is not requiring any cost for use of their property for these purposes. Council posed questions about the parking fees and the earnings split between United Heroes League and the local Hockey Boosters. Stempski indicated that it is a 50-50 split. Mayor Fasbender indicated the parking fee has not been decided yet. Councilmember Vihrachoff motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Pemble. 5 Ayes, 0 Nays. Central Water Treatment Plant (1290 North Frontage Rd) a. Resolution No. 06-13-25: Preliminary and Final Plat b. Resolution No. 06-14-25: Site Plan c. Resolution No. 06-15-25: Approve Plans and Specifications for the Central Water Treatment Plant to Authorize Advertisement for Bids Hinzman provided an overview of the request to consider adopting the resolution approving the Preliminary and Final Plat as well as the Site Plan for the proposed Central Water Treatment Plant at 1290 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 North Frontage Rd. Hinzman reviewed the site plan and Planning Commission action. No Council discussion. Councilmember Haus motioned to approve the Preliminary and Final Plat as well as the Site Plan as presented, seconded by Councilmember Vihrachoff. 5 Ayes, 0 Nays. Stempski provided an overview of the request to consider adopting the resolution approving the plans and specifications and authorizing advertisement for bids. This bid package is for the Central Water Treatment Plant only and does not include the raw watermain that connects Well No. 7. Stempski reviewed previous Council actions on the property, comments received from public outreach, and project funding. The project is tracking to be funded within the City’s funding parameters and included within the total PFA loan amount of $8.4M, $3M Emerging Contaminants Grant, $15.1 in 3M Settlement Funds, and $1.2 in MPCA Planning and Design Grant. The timeline for this project is to begin construction by August 2025 with substantial completion and startup by January 2027 with final completion by May 2027. Stempski shared this treatment plant will also have a resident fill station included in the bid package as well, which is anticipated to be funded by 3M Settlement Funds. Council posed questions regarding the type of contractors used in these types of projects. Stempski indicated there are specialized contractors that build water treatment plants. Stempski shared information on the bidding process. Councilmember Pemble motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Haus. 5 Ayes, 0 Nays. Resolution: No. 06-16-25: Variance – Fence Height – Michael Fuchs (2570 Cannon St) Hinzman provided an overview of the request to draft a resolution consistent with the findings and interests of the City Council. Hinzman reviewed the Board of Zoning Adjustments and Appeals must make a series of findings of fact to support variance requests. The applicants originally built a fence along their back property line in 1998 in varied height. The applicant is requesting the variance because of a two-foot high retaining wall behind their property. Hinzman reviewed Planning Commission discussion and recommendation. Hinzman indicated a variance approvals require 6 of 7 Councilmembers and asked Council to provide direction for the next meeting. Council posed questions regarding whether the City has received any complaints about the property and the proposed materials for the new fence. Hinzman shared that he is unaware of any complaints regarding the fence height and that the proposed material is similar to the existing fence. Council clarified the Planning Commission vote was not unanimous. Council posed questions to the applicant. Fuchs indicated he spoke with his neighbors regarding the fence and variance request and has not had issues or concerns arise. Hinzman shared as part of the variance request that the City is required to provide notice to neighboring properties within 350 feet and that the City has not received any comments. Council expressed overall support for the request. Wietecha posed questions regarding the grading on neighboring properties. Fuchs shared information on neighboring properties. Hinzman shared next steps on the request for the July 7, 2025 City Council meeting. Announcements • Summer Rec Programs at Levee Park… • Wednesday, June 18, Storytime in the Park. The theme is “Garden.” A partnership with Pleasant Hill Library.