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Home My WebLink About20251215 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 December 15, 2025 The City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a regular meeting on Monday, December 15, 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, 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 Public Works Director Ryan Stempski Human Resources Generalist Megan Schlei Recognition of Milestone Employees 5 Years Ben Banitt Chris Eitemiller Ryan Haedt Kayla Jetter Zachary Knochenmus TJ Lucas Blaine Raway Dawn Skelly 10 Years Alan Gaylor Paige Marschall Bigler Quentin Nelson 15 Years Chad Jenson 20 Years Christina Gipson Joy Schroeder Dawn West 25 Years Jeremy Jacobson Natalie Judge Brenda McGrath Terry Meier Chris Weid Justin Wolfe 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 Recognition of Outgoing Commissioners Richard Smith, Heritage Preservation Commission Mark Borchardt, Heritage Preservation Commission Gino Messina, Planning Commission Rob Halberg, Planning Commission Gary Stevens, Public Safety Advisory Commission Dakota County Update, Commissioner Mike Slavik Approval of Minutes Mayor Fasbender asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the City Council regular meeting on December 1, 2025. Minutes were approved as presented. Comments from the Audience Chief Nate Siem, City of Farmington, visited to thank Chief Wilske and Commander Linscheid for their support for the service for Officer Pete Zajac held in this community. Commander Linscheid provided leadership as the incident commander for the law enforcement funeral, a complex event. Chief Siem also honored officers who stood guard with Officer Zajac until the funeral to honor his life and service to the community. Council Items to be Considered Councilmember Pemble motioned to add the City Hall Dome/HVAC Project Grant Extension to the Consent Agenda, seconded by Councilmember Haus. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Consent Agenda Councilmember Leifeld motioned to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, seconded by Councilmember Lawrence. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays 1. Pay Bills as Audited 2. Resolution No. 12-16-25: Accept Donation from the Hastings Rivertown Lions Club to the Police Department 3. Resolution No. 12-17-25: Accept Donation from the Miesville Lions Club to the Police Department 4. 2nd Reading\Adopt Ordinance: City Code Chapter 34.03 – Fee Schedule 5. Resolution No. 12-18-25: Approve 2026 Massage Therapist License Renewals 6. Resolution No. 12-19-25: Approve 2026 - 2028 Massage Therapy Establishment License Renewals 7. Resolution No. 12-20-25: Approve 2026 – 2027 Commercial Waste Hauler License Renewals 8. Approve 2026 City Council Committee Meeting Schedule 9. Approve 2026 Commission Meeting Schedule 10. Approve 2026 Community Waste Abatement Grant Agreement Contract 11. Authorize Signature: Memorandum of Understanding for a Collective Bargaining Agreement with Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc., Local 249 12. Authorize Signature: Memorandum of Understanding for a Collective Bargaining Agreement with Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc. Local 462 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 13. Reappoint Arts & Culture Commissioners – Hollenbeck, Read and Wagner 14. Reappoint HEDRA Commissioner – Goblirsch 15. Appoint Heritage Preservation Commissioner – Bafaro and Beck 16. Reappoint Heritage Preservation Commissioner – Alitz Edell and Bremer 17. Appoint Planning Commissioners – Montgomery and Silber 18. Reappoint Planning Commissioners – McGrath, Moes and DePalma 19. Reappoint Public Safety Advisory Commissioners – Auge, Nehring, Sherry 20. Approve Pay Estimate No. 3 for the Central Water Treatment Plant Project – Magney Construction, Inc. ($373,420.29) 21. Authorize Signature: Joint Powers Agreement and Addendum A with Independent School District 200 22. Approve City Hall Dome/HVAC Project Grant Extension Vacation of Public Easement – Central Water Treatment Plant (1292 North Frontage Rd.) a. Public Hearing b. Resolution: No. 12-21-25 Hinzman provided an overview of the request to adopt a resolution vacating an easement 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. Hinzman indicated this request is similar to the vacation of easements on the November 17, 2025 agenda and is the last vacation of easement needed for the site. Mayor Fasbender opened the public hearing at: 7:57 p.m. Joe Mohrhauser, Fluegel’s Lawn Garden & Pet Supply, Inc. 1278 North Frontage Rd., posed questions about whether a sidewalk will be constructed on the property. Staff confirmed a sidewalk will be constructed along North Frontage Rd. Mayor Fasbender closed the public hearing at: 7:58 p.m. Councilmember Leifeld motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Haus. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Disposal of the Hydroelectric Plant a. Public Hearing b. Resolution: No. 12-22-25 Stempski provided an overview of the request to conduct a public hearing and consider the resolution dispensing of the requirements of Minn. Stat. § 462.356 for the disposal of the Hydroelectric Plant. Stempski indicated the plant was constructed in 1985 and is an aging facility, requiring extensive annual costs which are over four times greater than average reported to the United States Energy Information Administration as identified through a engineering study completed in 2023. With increasing annual operating expenses, increasing maintenance costs of an aging facility, and reduced income, the plant is projected to lose $14 million over 25 years. City staff were directed by the Utilities Committee to begin the process of surrendering the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license to operate 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 the plant or transfer the facility to a private buyer. Stempski provided next steps for the process to dispose of the plant. Stempski indicated a public hearing is required by the City Charter, then Council will consider a resolution to dispense of the MN Statute requiring a review by the Planning Commission. At the January 5, 2026 meeting, a Letter of Intent and Resolution of Sale will be presented. Mayor Fasbender opened the public hearing at: 8:15 PM Mayor Fasbender closed the public hearing at: 8:16 PM Council discussion on the extent of the learning about the hydroelectric plant and expressed appreciation for those who came before this Council and made the decision to build the plant. Councilmembers expressed the realization that it is not in the best interests of the City to maintain the plant any longer and discussed future financial impacts. Council highlighted their commitment to fiscal responsibility, understanding that a private entity may be able to continue the energy production at the facility. Councilmember Pemble motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Leifeld. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Accept Proposal and Authorize Work – Utilities Design, Highway 61 Project Stempski provided an overview of the request to authorize the City to enter into a contract with WSB for professional services to provide municipal utility design for the TH-61 Reconstruction Project. Stempski indicated the MnDOT design does not include sanitary sewer and watermain within the TH-61 corridor and that the existing public utilities are owned by the City and are in need of replacement. Stempski indicated the work is proposed on an hourly basis for an estimated total cost of $471,737, approximately 12% of the estimated utility construction costs. Council posed questions regarding the timeline of the TH 61 construction. Stempski reviewed the timeline for the sanitary sewer and watermain which is planned in 2028 with a goal of being able to complete some work of smaller bidding packages in 2027 to assist in getting the mainline work completed more efficiently. Council discussion on how a delay by MnDOT might affect the approval of this contract. Stempski indicated that if the project is delayed that these plans will not be affected and will be deployed when construction is set to begin. Councilmember Pemble motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Lawrence. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Announcements • Visit this year's Hastings Holiday Lights Map on the City website to take a tour of homes and businesses with outdoor lights and decorations. • City Offices will be closed December 25 and 26 in observance of Christmas and January 1 and 2 for New Years. • Ever want to ice fish but don’t have the equipment or know-how? Join at Lake Rebecca Park on Saturday, January 10. No license is needed under our DNR waiver for this event, but registration