HomeMy WebLinkAboutVIII-15 & VIII-16 Appoint and Reappoint Heritage Preservation Commissioners
To: Mayor Fasbender and City Councilmembers
From: Justin Fortney, City Planner
Date: December 15, 2025
Item: Appointments to the Heritage Preservation Commission:
Council Action Requested:
The City Council is asked to make two reappointments and two new appointments
to the HPC.
The Interview Committee (Councilmember Beck, HPC Chair Bremer, and Fortney)
have interviewed the following new appointment candidates and believe they have
shown a good understanding of commission’s role in the community and have a
great appreciation for its history.
Reappointment Ashley Alitz Edell 1/1/2026 to 12/31/2028
Reappointment Patricia Bremer 1/1/2026 to 12/31/2028
New Appointment Aaron Bafaro 1/1/2026 to 12/31/2028
New Appointment William Beck 1/1/2026 to 12/31/2026 **
* Councilmember Beck abstained from the William Beck Interview
**(partial term vacancy)
Background Information:
The HPC has nine-member positions with three terms expiring every year. There are no term
limits for HPC members. However, after three consecutive terms, the positions must also be
open to new applicants. Requests for interested citizens to apply have been widely advertised.
The vacancies are from two dedicated commissioners. Dr. Richard Smith has served since
2016 after having served for 12-years in the late 1990’s. Mark Borchardt was appointed in
2020. He had a year remaining on his term, but a scheduling conflict arose.
Financial Impact: N/A
Advisory Commission Discussion: N/A
Council Committee Discussion: The Interview Committee unanimous recommended Aaron
Bafaro (3-0) and William Beck (2-0, Councilmember Beck did not participate in the
interview) to serve on the HPC after the 6:40 pm interviews on December 2, 2025
Attachments: City Commission Interest Forms: Aaron Bafaro and William Beck
City Council Memorandum
VIII-15 & VIII-16
Commission(Please indicate your interest)
Questions?
Contact 651-480-2350 or the person (s)
below
Charter Dan Wietechadwietecha@hastingsmn.gov
Hastings Economic Development & Redevelopment Authority John Hinzman(HEDRA)Jhinzman@hastingsmn.gov
Heritage Preservation Commission Justin Fortney(HPC)Jfortney@hastingsmn.gov
Parks & Recreation Chris Jenkins(PRC)Cjenkins@hastingsmn.gov
Planning John Hinzman
(PC) Jhinzman@hastingsmn.gov
Public Safety David Wilske(PSAC) dwilske@hastingsmn.gov
Kelly Murtaugh kmurtaugh@hastingsmn.gov
Other/ no Preference Dan Wietecha Dwietecha@hastingsmn.gov
To help us have a better understanding of your interests and background, we ask for some general
information. Please completeandsigntheapplication.
Name
Address
DayPhone
EveningPhone
E-mail
Arts & Culture Commission
AdvisoryCommission InterestForm
The City of Hastings encourages active participation of its residents. City Advisory Commissions are a
way in which residents can take a participatory involvement in the planning, development,
and preservation of our growing and historical community. Thank you for your interest
in serving on an advisory commission. Information about these opportunities is available
on the website at www.hastingsmn.gov/commissions.
X
X
Aaron Bafaro
315 15th St. Hastings, MN 55033
208-949-7083
208-949-7083
abafaro21@yahoo.com
VIII-15 & VIII-16
City of Hastings Page 2 of 2
Advisory Commission Interest Form
Supplemental Information
Employer:
Occupation:
Please return to: City of Hastings City Use
101 Fourth Street East OR via email to the Date Received:
Hastings, MN 55033 Commission contact Forwarded to:
§ 31.36 PUBLIC DISCLOSURE.
(A)Each public official of the City of Hastings shall file for public record in the office of the City Clerk, a sworn statement in a form
approved by the City Council and which must contain, at a minimum, the following information:
(1)The names of all businesses, corporations, companies, firms, partnerships, or other business enterprises, doing business with
or in the City of Hastings, in which the public official is connected thereto as an employee, owner, director, officer, adviser, or consultant, or in
which the public official has a continuing financial interest, through ownership of stock or as a beneficiary of any pension or retirement plan;
(2)A description of all parcels of real property, other than property occupied by the public official as a personal residence,
in which the public official has any interest, including the right to occupy any such property; and
(3)The interest of a spouse, or minor child or other member of the immediate household of any public official shall be
considered an interest of the public official for purposes of filing the statement required.
(B)Each person who becomes a public official shall, within 30 days after assuming the office or position, file a public disclosure
required by this section.
(1)Following an initial filing, the information on that filing shall remain in effect and all public officials will continue to attest to
its truth. Within 30 days of any change to the information on the initial filing and following any reappointment or reelection, all public officials
shall file a new sworn statement with the City Clerk. City staff members covered under this provision shall fill out an initial filing and shall
thereafter complete any amended filings within 30 days of any change to the information on the initial filing or at least every 4 years, in the years
in which the Mayor and at large Councilmember seats are up for election, whichever comes first. (Am. Ord. 511, passed 4-5-2004)
(2)This subchapter shall not be construed to require the filing of any information relating to any connection with any
professional society or any charitable, religious, social, fraternal, recreational, civil or political organization or any similar organization not
conducted as a business enterprise.
(3)The City Administrator shall inform each person who is required to file a statement, the time and place for filing, and shall
furnish each such person with a copy of this subchapter and the required statement form. The City Administrator shall inform the City Council
when any person, who
is required to file a statement, fails to file the statement in a timely manner. (Prior Code, § 2.81)
Pleaseshare whyyouare interestedin becominginvolvedwitha City commission.
Whatexperience wouldyoubringto the C ommission?
Xcel Energy
Control Room Supervisor In-Training
B.A. in History, extensive experience in personell safety programs, well traveled, youthful perspective.
VIII-15 & VIII-16
Advisory Commission Interest Form
The City of Hastings encourages active participation of its residents. City
Advisory Commissions are a way in which residents can take a
participatory involvement in the planning, development, and
preservation of our growing and historical community. Thank you for
your interest in serving on an advisory commission. Information about
these opportunities is available on the City’s website at
www.hastingsmn.gov/commissions.
Commission
(Please indicate your interest) Questions? Contact 651-480-2350 or the person
(s) below
Charter Commission Dan Wietecha dwietecha@hastingsmn.gov
Hastings Economic Development & Redevelopment Authority (HEDRA) John Hinzman Jhinzman@hastingsmn.gov
Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC)
Parks & Recreation Commission (PRC)
Planning Commission
(PC)
Public Safety Advisory Commission (PSAC)
Arts & Culture Commission (A&C) Other/ no Preference
Justin Fortney Jfortney@hastingsmn.gov
Chris Jenkins Cjenkins@hastingsmn.gov
John Hinzman
Jhinzman@hastingsmn.gov
David Wilske dwilske@hastingsmn.gov
Alex Menke amenke@hastingsmn.gov Dan Wietecha Dwietecha@hastingsmn.gov
To help us have a better understanding of your interests and background, we ask for some general
information. Please complete and sign the application.
Name:
Address:
Phone:
Email:
Supplemental Information
Employer:
Occupation:
William Beck
575 Hidden Ln
612-298-3657
williambeck2000@gmail.com
Minnesota Dental Lab
Lab Technician
VIII-15 & VIII-16
Page 2 of 2 City of Hastings Advisory Commission Interest Form
Please share why you are interested in becoming involved with a City commission. (Please attach additional sheets if necessary).
What experience would you bring to the Commission? (Please attach additional sheets if necessary).
________________________________________________________________
Signature Date
Please return to: City Use
Date Received:
Forwarded to:
City of Hastings 101 Fourth Street East Hastings, MN 55033 via email to the OR Commission contact
§ 31.36 PUBLIC DISCLOSURE.
(A) Each public official of the City of Hastings shall file for public record in the office of the City Clerk, a sworn statement in a form approved
by the City Council and which must contain, at a minimum, the following information:
(1) The names of all businesses, corporations, companies, firms, partnerships, or other business enterprises, doing business with
or in the City of Hastings, in which the public official is connected thereto as an employee, owner, director, officer, adviser, or consultant, or in
which the public official has a continuing financial interest, through ownership of stock or as a beneficiary of any pension or retirement plan;
(2) A description of all parcels of real property, other than property occupied by the public official as a personal residence, in which the public official has any interest, including the right to occupy any such property; and (3) The interest of a spouse, or minor child or other member of the immediate household of any public official shall be considered an interest of the public official for purposes of filing the statement required. (B) Each person who becomes a public official shall, within 30 days after assuming the office or position, file a public disclosure required
by this section.
(1)Following an initial filing, the information on that filing shall remain in effect and all public officials will continue to attest to its truth. Within 30 days of any change to the information on the initial filing and following any reappointment or reelection, all public officials shall file a new sworn statement with the City Clerk. City staff members covered under this provision shall fill out an initial filing and shall thereafter complete anyamended filings within 30 days of any change to the information on the initial filing or at least every 4 years, in the years in which the Mayor and at large Councilmember seats are up for election, whichever comes first. (Am. Ord. 511, passed 4-5-2004)
(2)This subchapter shall not be construed to require the filing of any information relating to any person’s connection with any professional
society or any charitable, religious, social, fraternal, recreational, civil or political organization or any similar organization not conducted as
a business enterprise.
(3)The City Administrator shall inform each person who is required to file a statement, the time and place for filing, and shall furnish each
such person with a copy of this subchapter and the required statement form. The City Administrator shall inform the City Council when
any person, who
is required to file a statement, fails to file the statement in a timelymanner. (Prior Code, § 2.81)
I have served on many boards in the past. Currently, I serve as a charter school board member at Woodbury Leadership Academy. I have plenty of experience organizing and running meetings that use Roberts Rules of Order as a governing procedure. In terms of experience in history, I have graduate credits that I am putting towards a masters degree in history.
Joining the Historic Preservation Commission seems like a great way to get involved in our shared community. After learning about the historic nature of our city and the beautiful architecture and homes that have been well-preserved, I thought joining this commission would allow me to increase my understanding of Hastings history while also serving our neighbors. Because my wife is on the City Council, I have heard many stories from folks in town who look to add/update their homes and the process they go through due to their home's historic nature.
10/8/25
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