HomeMy WebLinkAbout20220516 - CC Workshop MinutesHastings, Minnesota
City Council Workshop
May 16, 2022
The City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a workshop on Monday, May 16,
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, Fox, Vaughan
Members Absent: Councilmembers Folch, Leifeld, Lund
Staff Present: City Administrator Dan Wietecha
Assistant City Administrator Kelly Murtaugh
Mayor Fasbender called the workshop to order at 5:43 pm. Wietecha gave an overview of the
high-performance leadership course that he participated in over three months. The course was
online with embedded videos and reading, structured weekly virtual meetings with a small
group, and wrapped up the week with a large group recap. There were four main topics:
leadership mindset and positive engagement, leading effective change, communication and
collaboration, and leading high-performance teams. A highlight to the course was a better
understanding of a positive mindset as not only positive, but intentionally confident and
optimistic. As a leader, “You bring the weather.”
Wietecha reported that he gained much from the course:
• Intentionally developing a positive mindset, positive relationships and communication in
the workplace.
• Leadership oath—who I am as a leader and what I aspire to be.
• Importance of communication and listening
• Reasonable minds can disagree.
Council discussion on the role of the City Administrator leading two teams—Staff and Council.
Discussion on positivity and how it plays out in the City in an environment where all bring their
emotions and reactions. Discussion on tactics to implement some of the leadership principles.
Discussion on the value of the course for Department Heads going forward, if there is a need to
have an operational level supervisor engaged in something like this, and financial support for
professional leadership training.
Communication is a key take-away for Council. Invitation to dialog and ongoing conversation
about roles and working together effectively. Listening to Council and understanding their needs
and expectations. Presenting information “7 times in 7 ways” as a habit to ensure that Council
has a broad understanding, without being overly burdensome. Continuing to utilize the
committee structure in the addressing topics, furthering the trust of Council to their committee
colleagues. May possibly schedule a regular time for each of the committees. Wietecha would
like to review the Rules of Decorum annually with Council. Council members recommend
reviewing at the beginning of the calendar year.