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Hastings, Minnesota
City Council Meeting Minutes
September 19, 2022
The City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a regular meeting on Monday, September 19,
2022 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Hastings City Hall, 101 East 4th Street, Hastings, Minnesota.
Members Present: Mayor Fasbender, Councilmembers Braucks, Folch, Fox, Leifeld, Lund, and Vaughan
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: City Administrator Dan Wietecha
Assistant City Administrator Kelly Murtaugh
City Attorney Korine Land
Interim Public Works Director Ryan Stempski
Tourism Update, Kristy Barse Hastings Chamber of Commerce
Barse provided an annual overview of tourism in the City of Hastings. Barse provided information on
funding, lodging tax budget, and lodging tax actuals for the 2022 fiscal year. Barse reviewed to Chamber’s
Marketing Plan including seasonal targeted online campaigns, print advertising, events, strategic partnerships,
and management.
Hastings YMCA, Josh Schoaf
Schoaf introduced himself as the new Executive Director of the Hastings YMCA. Schoaf provided a
brief history of his background and shared the new developments at the local YMCA.
Approval of Minutes
Mayor Fasbender asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the workshop and
regular City Council meeting on September 6, 2022.
Minutes were approved as presented.
Consent Agenda
Councilmember Folch motioned to approve the Consent Agenda, seconded by Councilmember
Braucks.
7 Ayes, 0 Nays
1. Pay Bills as Audited
2. Approve Agreement for Use of Fire Safety House – Fire Prevention Annual Open House
3. Special Event Designation for the Downtown Business Association Community Halloween
4. Approve Pay Estimate No. 3 for the 2022 Neighborhood Infrastructure Improvements – Danner,
Inc. ($719,768.56)
5. Approve Pay Estimate No. 1 for the 4th Street Water Tower Reconditioning Project – G&L Tank
Sandblasting and Coatings, LLC ($227,287.50)
6. 1st Reading – Ordinance Amendment – Rezone Property from C-4 to R-4 – Hampton Companies
(SE Corner of 33rd and Vermillion Streets)
7. Revised Joint Powers Agreement: Shared Solid Waste & Recycling Coordinator Position
8. 2nd Reading and Adoption of Interim Ordinance on Cannabis and Cannabinoids
9. Building Department Staffing
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Resolution No. 09-09-22: Award of Contract – Downtown Tree Grate Replacement Project
Stempski presented the request to City Council to adopt the resolution to award a contract for the
Downtown Tree Grate Replacement Project. Stempski reviewed the three bids the City received for the
project on August 30, 2022. JL Theis, Inc. intends to begin work in early spring of 2023 to concentrate work
forces and complete the project in a condensed time frame. Final completion in the contract is June 1, 2023.
Staff is recommending that the City Council move forward in awarding the contract to JL Theis, Inc., in the
total base bid amount of $161,323.00.
Council discussion on the disruption the project may have to the sidewalks. Stempski indicated
the company would work on one spot at a time, keeping equipment in a few parking spots versus on the
sidewalks so accessibility would not be an issue. Wietecha shared the project would not be able to start until a
specific date so the disruption and impact is minimal.
Councilmember Folch motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Leifeld.
7 Ayes, 0 Nays.
Interim Use Permit (IUP) - Motor Coach Commerce Facility – Hastings Commons (24xx Vermillion
Street): Resolution No. 09-10-22 Approve 2022 IUP, Approve Termination of 2021 IUP and 2021 IUP
Agreement; Approve 2022 IUP Agreement
Wietecha provided a review of the Interim Use Permit request. The request is similar to a previous
approval made in 2021. Wietecha explained why this item was coming before Council a second time and
shared that the Planning Commission met on September 12th and is recommending approval. Council is
requested to consider two actions related to the approval of an Interim Use Permit (IUP) for the operation of a
12-unit Motor Coach Commerce Facility as proposed by Hastings Commons LLC. The 1.13-acre site is
generally located east of 25th and Vermillion Streets, between Vermillion and the Coratel Inn and Suites
(former Super 8).
Council discussion on the timing of the receiving the permit. Danielle Hoffman, Hastings Commons,
LLC, 6770 Stillwater Blvd. North, Stillwater, MN. Ms. Hoffman shared Hastings Commons, LLC faced a
number of delays including plan approvals and complications due to Covid-19. Ms. Hoffman reviewed the
current request and confirmed there were no changes to their plans. Councilmember Vaughan asked for
background information concerning approval dates, lack of fulfillment under the previous provisions.
Attorney Land shared details of the correspondence between the owner of Hastings Commons, LLC and the
City sharing it took a considerable amount of correspondence taking a lot of time. Vaughan asked if there are
any changes. Attorney Land shared the site plan is the same as what was approved in 2021, the mechanics of
the building permits may have changed with the Department of Labor and Industry. Councilmember Leifeld
shared there was previously a substantial amount of discussion and expressed concern regarding previous
legal issues with this project. Councilmember Vaughan asked for clarification on the motion on the table.
Councilmember Leifeld motioned to approve the 2022 IUP as presented, seconded by
Councilmember Braucks.
6 Ayes, 1 Nay – Vaughan
Councilmember Leifeld motioned to approve termination of 2021 IUP and 2021 IUP Agreement;
approve 2022 IUP Agreement, seconded by Councilmember Folch.
6 Ayes, 1 Nay - Vaughan
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1st Reading of Ordinance Changing Mayor and City Council Wages
Wietecha provided an overview of the ordinance amendment regarding City Council Compensation.
Wietecha shared the ordinance will need two readings and adoption prior to the November 8th General
Election to go into effect January 1, 2023. The proposed amendment is based on the average wage paid by
neighboring cities as well as a technology stipend.
Council discussion on a timeline for reviewing Mayor and Council Wages. Councilmember Vaughan
shared his disagreement to increase the wages and technology stipend since our budget is not comparable to
neighboring city’s budgets. Attorney Land shared that by statute Council must vote on the ordinance and
provided that other cities add this language into their Charter. Councilmember Folch expressed concern
regarding a cost of living adjustment. Folch indicated that by considering the increase it would continue to
attract future Councilmembers to serve. Councilmember Lund agreed there is a lack of interest in serving in
these positions, and indicated the money helps offset various costs but is concerned about the effective date.
Lund indicated the technology stipend should be removed, having a City owned device makes the most sense.
Councilmember Leifeld expressed agreement for the City owned device and shared the wage does help and
makes a difference. Leifeld indicated a balance is needed between volunteerism and wage attraction. Leifeld
expressed the need to make a decision now. Councilmember Braucks shared comparing City Employees to
Councilmembers does not make sense considering Councilmembers are elected officials. Braucks shared the
compensation was not a motivation for running for office for herself. Braucks indicated having a consistent
data point and intervals would be necessary for the future. Councilmember Fox shared the study brings their
compensation into the market, knowing that it will need to be re-evaluated again. Fox indicated reviewing the
wages with consistent intervals is necessary to be able to discuss and implement. Attorney Land indicated if
Council wanted to provide direction for the second reading to set a more definitive tie to future studies that
would set a review period, that language can be added into Ordinance. Land indicated Council has a number
of options when setting a timeframe to review Council wages. Councilmember Folch agreed to tying review
with a more consistent schedule rather than when future studies occur. Councilmember Folch shared that the
technology stipend should be maintained considering the strict regulations of government issued devices.
Councilmember Lund indicated the stipend should be removed to have consistency for devices used for
Council. Councilmember Vaughan shared discussion is needed to set up a process for the future Councils
adding that it should be considered to discuss who should make these decisions in the future.
Councilmember Lund moved Council and Mayor wages be adopted as proposed, implementing
January 1, 2025 with no technology stipend, seconded by Councilmember Leifeld.
6 Ayes, 1 Nay – Folch
Announcements
• Summer Rec Programs at Levee Park…
o Wednesday, September 21, Storytime in the Park is “Transportation.” Recommended for ages
10 and under. A partnership with Pleasant Hill Library.
o Friday, September 23, to Sunday, September 25, a Storywalk will be on the trail between
Levee Park and Jaycee Park. A partnership with Pleasant Hill Library.
• Bring your documents for secure destruction to the Paper Shred Event on Saturday, September 24.
Free for residents, no businesses please.
• Concepts for a re-imagined Highway 61/Vermillion Street are now available for online viewing and
comment following an open house meeting held on this topic last month. This will be a major project
in Hastings in the coming years, and we want to hear from our community. Review the preliminary
Sign up to receive automatic notification of Council agendas
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design concepts for various areas along the corridor and complete a survey on the MnDOT Highway
61 Study webpage.
• This week is Rail Safety Week. Large sidewalk chalk stencils at railroad crossings. More information
on the City’s Facebook page. See Tracks, Think Train.
Meetings
• Heritage Preservation Commission on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
• Planning Commission Meeting on Monday, September 26, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
• Arts Task Force Meeting on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.
• City Council Workshop on Monday, October 3, 2022 at 5:30 p.m.
• City Council Regular Meeting on Monday, October 3, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
Councilmember Leifeld motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:24 PM, seconded by Councilmember
Braucks. Ayes 7; Nays 0.
____________________________ ______________________________
Kelly Murtaugh, City Clerk Mary D. Fasbender, Mayor