HomeMy WebLinkAbout20220418 - CC Workshop MinutesHastings, Minnesota
City Council Workshop
April 18, 2022
The City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a workshop on Monday, April
18, 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, Fox, Leifeld,
Vaughan
Members Absent: Councilmember Lund
Staff Present: City Administrator Dan Wietecha
Assistant City Administrator Kelly Murtaugh
Community Development Director John Hinzman
Finance Manager Chris Eitemiller
Communications Coordinator Dawn Skelly
Mayor Fasbender called the workshop to order at 5:35 p.m. and opened the conversation to
review progress on the strategic initiatives. Wietecha explained that at two full quarters in, he
would like to know how this process is working. The agenda provided a number of questions for
councilmembers to reflect on.
Eitemiller provided the five-year budget simulation he built as a part of the strategic initiatives.
The simulation tool can help identify how a change in staffing, revenue, capital equipment, etc.
can carry through the budgeting process and help with projections long term.
Council discussion on the recent Finance Committee conversation about the timeline and
expense of updating the parks. Discussion on prioritization of capital expenditures and how it
helped understanding true priorities.
Next, Wietecha explained that diversity, equity and inclusion efforts may be part of the course
correction within the initiatives. Two years ago, the City joined Government Alliance on Race
and Equity (GARE) to assist in training efforts for Councilmembers and employees. GARE then
underwent some restructuring during the COVID years and has delayed training for government
entities at this time. The City has expanded recruitment outreach to broader audiences to expand
the candidate pools. Additionally, the City is doing an employee engagement survey soon that
may offer insight for future training. The Building Remembrance group proposed a Community
Investment Fund project to further explore a memorial for the Brown’s Chapel. The City could
utilize funds that were set aside for training to support the work around this project.
Council discussion on supporting a local group on a project that helps with reconciliation of the
past. The project and training through GARE were two different objectives. There is a desire to
review policies that create obstacles or identify specific outcomes that are needed. Council
discussion about the Brown’s Chapel memorial project may offer a visual representation that
helps the community see support from the City and possibly spark further community
engagement around this topic. Further discussion on training opportunities and visible action
from the City. In addition to training, a general understanding of specific opportunities (for
example, signage and ADA website compliance) and a plan to address these is needed.
Finally, Skelly presented an overview of key accomplishments and facets of the external
strategic communication effort. She has met with a number of city leaders, including
Councilmembers. She shared some keywords, vision, and defined key audiences (taxpayers,
families, business owners, diverse communities, tourists). Suggestions from the meetings
include: improve timeliness of news, help residents/business owners understand how the City
works, engage with diverse communities/history, focus on business, promote parks/trails/visitors,
issues management/manage reputation, and build communication infrastructure (policies, event
recognition, website processes, compliance).
Council discussion on the what events should be on a calendar and on Facebook. Criticism has
come to the City about focus on downtown and riverfront—but that area is owned by the City.
Visitor website owned by the Chamber should be the place where events are encouraged to be
placed.
Skelly reported several accomplishments: the listening sessions will continue, the City Update is
now weekly, Rivertown News is now quarterly, an editorial calendar has been created, improved
internal staff/council communications, joint promotion of Tourism and downtown activities,
pitching stories on development/housing, engaging DEI through the mural, PD/IDEA
partnership, and sharing Thrive posts.
Council gave positive feedback on the City Update. Council discussion on how to help groups of
businesses in various sectors in town to unite and connect with one another. Mayor Fasbender
has met with some of the groups in various areas of the City, so some of the conversation is
starting.
General feedback is that the report is appropriate and good for consent agenda. Helpful to get
advance information and provide a more thorough understanding of some topics. Report can
come off consent or could also be part of other conversations with the City Administrator or
staff.
ADJOURNMENT
The workshop adjourned at 6:54 p.m.
____________________________ ______________________________
Mary D. Fasbender, Mayor Kelly Murtaugh, City Clerk