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Hastings, Minnesota City Council Minutes December 5, 2011 The City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a regular meeting on Monday December 5, 2011 at 7:00 PM in the Council
Chambers at the Hastings City Hall, 101 East 4th Street, Hastings, Minnesota Members Present: Mayor Hicks, City Councilmembers Alongi, Balsanek, Hollenbeck, Nelson, Schultz and Schultz,
Slavik. Staff Present: City Administrator Dave Osberg, Deputy City Clerk Adeline Schroeder City Attorney Dan Fluegel Public Works Director Tom Montgomery City Engineer Nick Egger Finance
Director Char Stark Assistant Finance Director Julie Flatten Community Development Director John Hinzman Police Chief Schnell Patrol and Canine Officer Mike Schmitz Approval of Minutes
Mayor Hicks asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the regular City Council Meeting on November 21, 2011. Hearing none, the minutes were approved as presented.
Award Presentation – APWA-MN Hugo G. Erickson Award to Public Works Director Thomas Montgomery Angela Poppenhagen from the Minnesota Chapter of APWA presented Montgomery with a plaque
for receiving APWA’s highest award, The Hugo G. Erickson Award. This was given in recognition for Montgomery’s countless hours of service and advocacy for the APWA Program. Mayor and
Councilmembers congratulated Montgomery on receiving this prestigious award. Consent Agenda Moved by Councilmember Slavik, seconded by Councilmember Nelson to approve the Consent Agenda
as presented. 7 Ayes; Nays, None. Pay Bills as AuditedResolution —Accepting Donation of $250.00 from the Rivertown Lions Club to the Hastings Police Crime Prevention FundResolution —Accepting
Donation of $1,000.00 from the Downtown Business Association to the Hastings Police Reserve Unit Fund4. Approve Joint Powers Agreement Between the City of Hastings and Dakota County
Fleet Services for One Year Trial of Purchase of Police Department Fleet Maintenance Services 5. Designation of Firearms as Excess/Surplus Property and Authorization to Offer for Sale
and/or Destroy 6. Resolution – Supporting Grant Application for Improving Access to Polling Places 7. 1st Reading\Order Public Hearing: Rezone Property from C-3 to R-2 (401 Tyler Street).
8. Approve Construction Fund Transfer and Closing of TRAC Fund
City Council Minutes December 5, 2011 9. Approve Sewer and Water Service Line Agreement – 2631 Rushmore Road 10. Approve Sewer and Water Service Line Agreement – 1163 36th Street West
11. Approve IT Budget Transfer Public Hearing— Ordinance Amendment Relating to Temporarily Reducing Salary of Mayor and Councilmembers Osberg introduced the item stating that the temporary
compensation reduction will be for a period of twelve months and then automatically revert to the current compensation. Mayor Hicks opened the Public Hearing at 7:10 Hearing no comments,
Mayor Hicks closed the Public Hearing at 7:10 p.m. Second Reading/Ordinance Amendment— Ordinance Amendment to Chapter 34.04 Relating to Salaries of Mayor and Councilmembers Alongi commented
that the Council recognizes and understands the reduction in salaries for the Mayor and Councilmembers will not result in a huge financial windfall for the City, but rather it is the
right thing for leadership positions to do in these fiscally challenging times. Moved by Councilmember Alongi, seconded by Councilmember Schultz to approve the ordinance amendment related
to Salaries of Mayor and Councilmembers as presented. 7 Ayes; Nays, None. Public Hearing— Truth in Taxation Mayor Hicks introduced the item stating the Finance Committee has reduced
the original proposed 2012 City budget of September by an additional $73,000.00. Stark gave a powerpoint presentation on proposed tax levies. Osberg gave a transparent overview of the
City’s 2012 budget and offered clarification on several items referenced in the Chamber of Commerce letter of November 29, 2011 to the Mayor and Councilmembers. Mayor Hicks opened the
Public Hearing at 7:38 pm Don Bettis owner of Auto Doctor gave testimony stating that his property taxes have increased 38% over the last seven years. Don stated that the proposed tax
shift onto the commercial property owners will be an immense hardship. Ed Rymer of Market Place Commercial, who does market analysis in the Red Wing-Cottage Grove-Hastings area, acknowledged
acknowledged that the City of Hastings has more industrial vacancies than other surrounding cities. Ed confirmed the proposed commerical property tax increases will push-up the overhead
expenses for businesses and may deter future business owners from re-locating in Hastings. Joe Mohrhauser of Fluegel’s Lawn Garden & Pet Supply Inc.stated that the proposed increase
in property tax in addition to the new water tax is too much for the small business owners to absorb. Joe stated that inorder to pay expenses and maintain his current level of profit,
he would need three to four new customers per day if the proposed tax increase is approved. Mayor Hicks closed the Public Hearing at 7:48 pm. Resolution — Original Hastings Design Standards
Review #2011-52 – New Garage (401 Tyler Street) Hinzman introduced the item stating that the applicant proposes to build a detached garage on his property in the OHDS district. Since
the house was positioned in the middle of the lot the applicant has applied for a variance to facilitate placement in the rear of the property. Moved by Councilmember Schultz, seconded
by Councilmember Hollenbeck to approve as presented. 7 Ayes; Nays, None.
City Council Minutes December 5, 2011 Resolution – Variance – Minimum Structure Setback #2011-52 – New Garage (40l Tyler Street) Hinzman introduced the item stating the lot is somewhat
larger than other lots in the area, but the house was positioned in the middle of it. As a result, there is not a great deal of usable space in any particular area of the property. Alongi
requested that the minutes reflect that we are not setting a precedent with the approval of this variance. Variances must be examined on a case by case basis. Mayor Hicks added that
lots in the older part of town are quite irregular and offered his support of the variance Moved by Councilmember Alongi, seconded by Councilmember Hollenbeck to approve as presented.
7 Ayes; Nays, None. Police Department Report to Council on 2012 Policing Priorities Schnell introduced the item and gave a power point presentation on the 2011 Community Survey data
collected from 176 residents. 2012 priorities will cover domestic and family violence, illegal drug and alcohol crimes, juvenile delinquency and traffic safety. Changes for 2012 will
include the closure of PD service desk with service access to be City Hall Desk. Officer Schmitz introduced our new Canine Officer Ozzy. Ozzy is a purebred German Shepherd who is trained
for apprehension and narcotics. New Business Don Bettis questioned why his property tax increased by 6%, yet the Commons Complex property tax decreased by 7%. These properties reflect
some of the many variables and different classifications implicated in determining final property taxation. Announcements: 1) Councilmember Slavik announced attending a recent Redesign
Group Session sponsored by the League of Minnesota 2) Mayor Hicks wished Councilmember Alongi a Happy Birthday 3) Mayor Hicks welcomed Deputy City Clerk Schroeder to the meeting 4) Mayor
Hicks thanked Finance Director Star and Assistant Finance Director Flaten for their work on the City budget 5) Mayor Hicks congratulated City Engineer Nick Egger on the recent birth
of a baby girl 6) HEDRA will meet on Thursday December 8 at 6:00 pm in the Council Chambers 7) The Planning Commission will conduct a meeting on Monday December 12 at 7:00 pm in the
Council Chambers 8) The Park and Recreation Commission will meet on Tuesday December 13 at 6:00 pm in the Council Chambers Adjournment Moved by Councilmember Schultz, seconded by Councilmember
Slavik to adjourn meeting at 8:40 p.m. ________________________________ _______________________________ Paul J. Hicks Adeline Schroeder Mayor Deputy City Clerk