HomeMy WebLinkAbout20220321 - CC Workshop MinutesHastings, Minnesota
City Council Workshop
March 21, 2022
The City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a workshop on Monday, March
21, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. in the Community Room at the Hastings City Hall, 101 East 4th Street,
Hastings, Minnesota.
Members Present: Mayor Fasbender, Councilmembers Braucks, Folch, Leifeld, Lund,
Vaughan
Members Absent: Councilmember Fox
Staff Present: City Administrator Dan Wietecha
Assistant City Administrator Kelly Murtaugh
Community Development Director John Hinzman
City Attorney Kori Land
Building Official Travis Dunn
Deputy Chief Dave Wilske
Patrol Officer Whitney Rinowski
Mayor Fasbender called the workshop to order at 5:37 p.m. and welcomed everyone to the
workshop to discuss Administrative Citations. City Attorney Land reviewed the timeline that led
to this Administrative Citations workshop.
One key feature of Administrative Citations is to address nuisance properties. This provides for
alternative methods to code enforcement, swift action, and efficient processes for staff. Current
process involves the Criminal Court.
To institute Administrative Citations, a review of current ordinances was done. This review
recommended the following:
• Expand who can enforce from only law enforcement to also include other options in other
departments.
• Create common practice in the inspection process for consistency and allows for cost
recovery.
• Define types of nuisances specific to impact on community and property: endangering
health, safety, life, limb or property; or danger to the health, safety and general welfare of
the citizens of the city. Unsheltered storage nuisance: accumulation of items which may
have an adverse effect upon the neighborhood or property values, health, and safety.
Property maintenance nuisance: buildings, fences or other structures that have been
poorly maintained.
Remedies in this process include: abatement, administrative citations, suspension/revocation of
license, criminal court, MS 463, other. Use of Administrative Citations retains due process;
appeals can be heard by an administrative law judge.
New Proposed Ordinances
No Parking on Grass: parking or storage of motor vehicles on existing gravel drive will be
allowed; new and ongoing parking on grass could result in citation. Council discussion on the
implementation of this ordinance. Discussion on other foundation options (gravel, rock). Council
recommendation of options that still allow vehicle parking in the back yard but make street
facing parking on grass a violation.
Potentially Dangerous Dogs: Current ordinance refers to state law and identifies need for
“substantial bodily harm” to designate Dangerous Dogs. Law allows for the declaration of
“Potentially Dangerous Dog” with a lower bar and comes with requirements of the dog owner to
provide certain additional protections for others (enclosure, fee, microchip, restraint/muzzle
when off property). Council discussion on how prevalent the dog calls are. Deputy Chief Wilske
explained that there are a number of dog calls and complaints. Appeals would go to the Office
of Administrative Hearings rather than the Public Safety Advisory Commission. Council
discussion on examples of potentially dangerous dog behavior.
Administrative Citation Fine proposed schedule: Fine recommendations range from $50 to $500.
For repeat violations within 12 months, the amount of fine imposed can be doubled up to a
maximum of $2,000. Council discussion on what triggers the remedy and which remedy is
determined appropriate. Discussion on support of citations to support staff and efficiency of
process to remedy complaint situations. Communication about Administrative Citations to those
deemed in violation with something that may have more teeth, may result in greater compliance
with noted code violations. Residents will see an efficient and effective response to complaints.
New Ordinance – future
Current ordinance related to rental property licensing just addresses property maintenance. The
Administrative Citations process would be applied to rental properties, but could be expanded to
hold landlords accountable for disturbance-type tenant behavior. An addition could be creating
the ability to issue a provisional license for Council to place conditions on a license. Failure to
resolve can result in revocation of rental license. Other cities have had success in instituting this
kind of ordinance. More discussion of this topic may be needed.
Nuisance ordinances, with some modifications, will move forward to 1st Reading.
ADJOURNMENT
The workshop adjourned at 6:53 p.m.
____________________________ ______________________________
Mary D. Fasbender, Mayor Kelly Murtaugh, City Clerk