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Home My WebLink About20251103 - 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 Hastings, Minnesota City Council Meeting Minutes November 3, 2025 The City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a regular meeting on Monday, November 3, 2025 at 7:04 p.m.in the Council Chambers at 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 Community Development Director John Hinzman Approval of Minutes Mayor Fasbender asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the City Council regular meeting on October 20,2025. Minutes were approved as presented. Consent Agenda Councilmember Leifeld motioned to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, seconded by Councilmember Pemble. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays 1.Pay Bills as Audited 2.1st Reading: Ordinance Amendment: City Code Chapter 155.21 –A Agriculture Uses 3.2nd Reading and Adoption: Ordinance Amendment: City Code Chapter 150.05 –Demolition Licenses 4.Resolution No. 11-01-25: Approve New Massage Therapist Establishment License for Pure Salon & Spa, 1315 South Frontage Rd. 5.Resolution No. 11-02-25: Declaring Insurance Liability 6.Financial Statements: 3rd Quarter 2025 7.Resolution No. 11-03-25: Supporting Dakota County Capital Improvement Plan 8.Approve Collection Rate Increase for Tennis Sanitation 9.Approve Pay Estimate No. 1 for Central WTP Raw Water Lines –A1 Excavating LLC ($528,903) Administrative Penalties and Special Charges for Diseased Tree Removals a.Public Hearing b.Resolution No. 11-04-25: Certifying Unpaid Administrative Penalties and Special Charges for Diseased Tree Removals c.Resolution No. 11-05-25: Write Off Unpaid Delinquent Administrative Penalties and Diseased Tree Removals as Uncollectable d.Assessment Deferral Agreement: 1833 Maple Street 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 Wietecha provided an overview of the request to certify special assessments for unpaid administrative penalties and unpaid special charges for diseased tree removals. Wietecha indicated that staff had originally planned to assess unpaid balances for these items in 2024. Due to time constraints, these balances were not assessed in 2024 so staff is seeking to assess the balances at this time. If approved, staff will certify the unpaid balances to Dakota County to be added to property taxes payable in 2026. Wietecha recommended waiting on the resolution related to unpaid delinquent administrative penalties at this time due to pending conversation with Finance Manager Eitemiller. The final item is a request for deferral of assessment, waiving a public hearing. Mayor Fasbender opened the public hearing at: 7:09 p.m. Mayor Fasbender closed the public hearing at: 7:09 p.m. Council discussion on clarifying the specific actions in the motion. Councilmember Leifeld motioned to approve the resolution certifying unpaid administrative penalties and approving the assessment deferral,seconded by Councilmember Haus. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Resolution: No. 11-06-25: Variance –City Code Chapter 152A –Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area -Mississippi River Greenway Trail Hinzman provided an overview of the request to adopt the resolution granting various requests for proposed improvements to the existing Mississippi River Greenway Trail, Northwest of Lake Rebecca. The request includes construction of a hard surfaced trail on certain portion of the trail, construction of a retaining wall within the bluff impact zone for a purpose other than to correct an established erosion problem as determined by the City and a request for a two-foot height variance for the proposed seven- foot-tall retaining wall. Hinzman indicated Dakota County is responsible for the routing and maintenance of the Mississippi Greenway Trail system and that the requests are in response to meet accessibility standards and for improved safety. The reconstruction is impacted by the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area ordinance. Hinzman described the specific variances that are needed for the improvements in the trail that would reduce the safety and accessibility of the trail. Hinzman reviewed Planning Commission discussion. Council discussion on clarifying the location of the benches and potential removal of trees. Hinzman indicated the bench will be relocated as part of the improvements and shared additional details of the process if vegetation requires removal. Council expressed overall support for the proposed improvements. Councilmember Leifeld motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Pemble. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. PFAS Update Wietecha provided the following key updates: •At present the budget proposal includes a phased approach of 10% each in January and July 2026 and January 2027. Budget planning in November and December could adjust the amount. The phased approach would allow additional time to seek state bonding, grants, 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 and/or direct connection to 3M Cottage Grove; enable phasing in the necessary rate increase; and recognizes the complexity of loan and grant paperwork with the Public Facilities Authority. •The Senate Capital Investment Committee included Hastings on its State Bonding Tour on October 28. A similar visit by the House Capital Investment Committee is scheduled for November 6. •Environmental investigations continue as planned by the MPCA to determine potential connection and eligibility for the City’s other wells. The current round of studies are expected to complete in late 2025. •On October 29, we received notice that Carbone’s is suing the City over the purchase of 1290 North Frontage Road and their loss of lease and income; we are presently discussing this with counsel. No Council discussion. City Hall Project: Budget Amendment Wietecha provided an overview of the request to approve a resolution authorizing the amended budget for the City Hall Dome/HVAC project. Wietecha shared the project is nearly complete but there were cost increases and change orders to the project scope which caused the total expenditure to increase. The total cost of the project has risen from $5,018,977 to $5,575,089. The State provided $2 million in its 2020 capital budget; about $2.3 million was covered through ARPA and a historic preservation grant; and the City general fund had the remaining $1.3 million. Council discussion on the timeline for completing the project. Wietecha reported that exterior work is nearly complete, with scaffolding remaining in place for a punch list inspection. Interior work is scheduled to begin this month and will include the installation of interior scaffolding in the rotunda area. Some additional tasks may need to be postponed until early Spring. Wietecha also noted that equipment purchases, which have long lead times, will be initiated soon.Council raised questions about the missing page in the original bid and how its absence might have affected the initial submission, as well as other factors contributing to the cost increase. Wietecha noted that if the bid package had been complete originally, the bids would have been higher to cover the additional work however it may also have resulted in different bids from other contractors. Council discussion on project contingency and the increase in project costs. Wietecha highlighted various specifics of the project and funding sources to accomplish the renovation of this historic building. Council requested a itemized receipt for all of the costs of the project. Councilmember Pemble motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Beck. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Closed Meeting Pursuant to Minn. Stat. 13D.05 subd. 3(b) for Attorney-Client Privileged Communication –Pending Litigation Councilmember Pemble motioned to move to Closed session, seconded by Councilmember Leifeld. 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 Council discussed pending litigation. Councilmember Leifeld motioned to close the Closed session, seconded by Councilmember Pemble. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Council returned to open meeting. Announcements •Tomorrow: Outdoor Winter Clothing Swap: Bring your gently-used and clean outdoor winter clothing you no longer want to our swap event and bring home items that are new to you on Tues, November 4 at the Rambling River Center in Farmington. Accepting coats, jackets, mittens, gloves, winter hats, scarves, winter boots, and snow pants in all sizes. No item donation is necessary to shop the swap. •Friends of Pleasant Hill Library hosts its Used Book Sale Thursday to Sunday, November 6 – November 9 •Recycle your old lights with the Hastings Holiday Lights Drop Off Collection. Residents can drop-off their unwanted light strands at the Joint Maintenance Facility, 920 –10th Street West, during the holiday season from November 15 to January 31. Meetings •Public Safety Advisory Committee Meeting on Monday, November 10,2025 at 7:00 p.m. •Planning Commission Meeting on Monday, November 10, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. •Arts & Culture Commission Meeting on Monday, November 12, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. •HEDRA Meeting on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. •City Council Workshop on Monday, November 17, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. •City Council Meeting on Monday, November 17, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. Councilmember Leifeld motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 PM, seconded by Councilmember Haus. Ayes 7,Nays 0. _______________________________________________________ Kelly Murtaugh, City Clerk Mary D. Fasbender, Mayor