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Home My WebLink About20221003 - CC MinutesSign up to receive automatic notification of Council agendas At ccagenda-subscribe@hastingsmn.gov or by calling 651-480-2350 City Council packets can be viewed in searchable format on the City’s website at http://www.hastingsmn.gov/city-government/city-council/city-council-agendas-and-minutes 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 Sign up to receive automatic notification of Council agendas At ccagenda-subscribe@hastingsmn.gov or by calling 651-480-2350 City Council packets can be viewed in searchable format on the City’s website at http://www.hastingsmn.gov/city-government/city-council/city-council-agendas-and-minutes 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 Sign up to receive automatic notification of Council agendas At ccagenda-subscribe@hastingsmn.gov or by calling 651-480-2350 City Council packets can be viewed in searchable format on the City’s website at http://www.hastingsmn.gov/city-government/city-council/city-council-agendas-and-minutes 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