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Home My WebLink About20251117 - 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 17, 2025 The City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a regular meeting on Monday, November 17, 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 workshop and regular meeting on November 3, 2025. Minutes were approved as presented. Comments from the Audience Clinton Toughill, 2370 Rushmore Road, noted that he submitted a petition on behalf of signers requesting a pause on increases to taxes and fees for two years. Toughill noted that residents need a break from the increases and give residents a chance to catch up from other increases facing them. Consent Agenda Councilmember Pemble motioned to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, seconded by Councilmember Haus. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays 1. Pay Bills as Audited 2. Resolution No. 11-08-25: Accept Donation to the Parks and Recreation Department for the Community Halloween Party 3. Resolution No. 11-09-25: Approve Special Event Designation with Temporary Liquor License – Hockey Day MN 2026 4. Approve Employee Handbook Updates 5. Approve Biennial Portable Recording System (Body-Worn Camera) Audit 6. Authorize Signature: 1st Amendment to Stormwater Management Agreement – Suite Living 7. Authorize Signature: Permanent Drainage and Utility Easement – Suite Living 8. 1st Reading: City Code Amendment – Lower-Potency Hemp Edibles 9. Approve Change Order No. 1 for the Central Water Treatment Plant – Raw Watermain Project 10. Approve Pay Estimate No. 2 for the Central Water Treatment Plant Project – Magney Construction, Inc. ($150,441.40) 11. Approve 2026 Budget Preauthorizations 12. Authorize Signature: ProCare Service Contract with Stryker 13. Declare Surplus Property & Authorize for Public Sale – Parks and Recreation Department 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 Vacation of Public Easements – Central Water Treatment Plant (1292 North Frontage Rd.) a. Public Hearing b. Resolution No. 11-10-25 Hinzman provided an overview of the request to adopt a resolution vacating certain easements located at 1292 North Frontage Road. The property was acquired by the City for construction of the Central Water Treatment Plant. Existing buildings have been demolished and the site is replatted as Central Water Treatment Plant Campus. The proposed vacated easements are no longer necessary upon the replatting of the property. Mayor Fasbender opened the public hearing at: 7:10 p.m. Mayor Fasbender closed the public hearing at: 7:11 p.m. No Council discussion. Councilmember Leifeld motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Pemble. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. 2nd Reading\Adopt Ordinance: City Code Amendment – Church Uses in Ag District Hinzman provided an overview of the request to recommend action to amend City Code Chapter 155.21, subd. D to allow Churches as a Special Use within the Agriculture Zoning District. Hinzman shared Chapter 155 establishes the Zoning Ordinance. The Zoning Map subdivides the City into various districts and establishes allowable uses in each district. Hinzman shared Planning Commission and Committee review and recommendations. Council discussion on clarifying services to the noted areas. Hinzman indicated a septic and a well system would need to be in place for utilities. Council posed questions regarding any feedback from residents. Hinzman indicated we have not received any comments and shared the process of what actions would take place if an entity came forward with a development. Councilmember Haus motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Pemble. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Resolution No. 11-11-25: Remove Unpaid Delinquent Administrative Penalties and Diseased Tree Removals from Outstanding Assessment Rolls Wietecha provided an overview of the request to approve removing four properties with outstanding Accounts Receivable balances related to delinquent balances for unpaid administrative penalties and unpaid special charges for diseased tree removals from the City’s assessment list. These properties were sold prior to these balances being assessed to Dakota County. Due to this, the City is unable to assess them to the new owner’s property taxes. Staff intends to seek alternative collection options beyond assessing these new owners. Council discussion on the concerns and clarified that the current property owners will not be responsible for the assessments. 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 Councilmember Leifeld motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Vihrachoff. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Certify Delinquent Utility Billing for Collection Wietecha provided an overview of the request to authorize the Finance Department to certify delinquent utilities to Dakota County. Wietecha indicated the City Council previously approved an ordinance amendment implementing a process for collecting delinquent utilities. This process change resulted in eliminating disconnecting water service for delinquent residents and instead certifying delinquent utilities to the property owner’s tax statement. Wietecha reviewed the options for Council to proceed with. Council discussion on how long the accounts have been past due, the cost to certify with Dakota County and the frequency Council will consider this type of request. Wietecha indicated the delinquent accounts are all within the last year and shared the utility accounts may be a business or a household. Wietecha indicated this request will be considered by Council on an annual basis. Council discussion about the possible threshold for certification to the County. Council discussed late fees and assessments. Wietecha indicated any remaining unpaid balance that is past due will appear as an additional unpaid balance on the following quarterly utility bill with a ten-percent (10%) late fee. Councilmember Leifeld motioned to approve an unpaid balance of $50.01 or higher as the threshold for certification for assessment with Dakota County, except for inactive accounts which would still be certified for assessment, seconded by Councilmember Pemble. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Announcements • MNDOT will give an overview of the upcoming Highway Reconstruction Project tomorrow Tuesday, November 18. • Developer 310 Design Build will update neighbors about its plans for the Walden Development on Thursday, November 20. • Gobble Gait is Thursday, November 27. You can register all the way up until race day. Proceeds benefit Hastings Family Service. • Small Business Saturday and the Holiday Hoopla are Saturday, November 29, enjoy a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus, music, crafts, s’mores, horse & wagon rides, craft fair, tree lighting, retail and restaurant deals, and much more. • City Offices will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 27 and 28 in observance of Thanksgiving. • 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 • Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. • Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. – Cancelled • Public Safety Advisory Commission Meeting on Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.