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Home My WebLink About20230306 - 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 March 6, 2023 The City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a regular meeting on Monday, March 6, 2023 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 Fox, Haus, Lund, and Pemble Members Absent: Councilmembers Folch, Leifeld Staff Present: City Administrator Dan Wietecha Assistant City Administrator Kelly Murtaugh City Attorney Korine Land Community Development Director John Hinzman Public Works Director Ryan Stempski Police Chief David Wilske Employee Promotions: Joe Spagnoletti Matt Lindeman New Employee Introductions: Jake Gartzke John Jamison Mason Johnson Lucas Knoll Duncan Kusant Wendy Mainka Krista Moes Jason Stapleton Jesse Viall Mike Wagner Robert Wood Thierry Auge` Allen Jaeger Gino Messina Presentation: Dakota County Historical Society / LeDuc Historic Estate Approval of Minutes Mayor Fasbender asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the regular City Council meeting and Council Workshop on February 21, 2023. Minutes were approved as presented. Consent Agenda Councilmember Pemble motioned to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, seconded by Councilmember Haus. 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 5 Ayes, 0 Nays 1. Pay Bills as Audited 2. Resolution No. 03-01-23: Approve New Liquor License for Rehoboth, Inc. dba Bimi Thai Restaurant 3. Resolution No. 03-02-23: Approve In-Store Fireworks Sales License from Phantom Fireworks at Fleet Farm (875 General Sieben Drive) 4. 2nd Reading: Ordinance Amendment: City Code Chapter 33 – Criminal History Background Investigations 5. MOU with International Association of Firefighters, Local # 5113 Regarding Alternate Schedule 6. 1st Reading: City Code Amendment – Chapter 117 Cannabis and Hemp (Licensing) 7. 1st Reading: City Code Amendment – Chapter 155 Cannabis and Hemp (Zoning) 8. Authorize Signature: Stormwater Management Agreement – Suite Living 9. Approve Budget Carryover from 2022 to 2023 2023 Neighborhood Infrastructure Improvements – Public Hearing – Resolution No. 03-03-23: Authorize Advertisement of Bids Stempski provided an overview of the project goals related to infrastructure projects including: a summary of the proposed improvements, connection to city-approved plans, and project cost and timeline. Council was requested to conduct a public hearing and consider the resolution approving plans and specifications for the 2023 Neighborhood Infrastructure Improvements and Authorize Advertisement for Bids. Mayor Fasbender opened the public hearing at: 7:49 p.m. Kathy Ellis, 1310 Southview Drive, expressed concerns about the proposed path impacting landscaping, aesthetics, current home value, potential resale value, and asked if a bike lane in the street would be an option. Ms. Ellis expressed appreciation to Cody Mathisen for his help in the process. Ms. Ellis inquired about access to other sources for funding to offset costs. Stempski indicated federal infrastructure would not be applicable to a neighborhood project. He also indicated that for safety reasons, it is safer to have the pedestrian path off the road. Shane Lanning, 2530 Old Bridge Lane, inquired if there were any speed signal signs planned for the project. Mr. Lanning complimented Ryan Stempski and Cody Mathisen on their work, noting that the project website is really helpful and a great resource. Stempski indicated that they will work with the police department to test where the speed concerns might be with the speed trailer, then work on implementing speed signs if it’s deemed feasible. Mayor Fasbender closed the public hearing at: 8:00 p.m. Council discussion on possible benefits of narrowing roads which may offer a slower effect on traffic. Council inquired about the current condition of the bridge including proposed work. Stempski described the sidewalk and cosmetic improvements to the bridge. Council questioned potential landscape support near the path, and path snow removal responsibilities. Stempski shared the path would be maintained by the Parks and Recreation Department. Council asked for clarification on the super majority vote. Attorney Land explained ordering a project requires a six of 7 vote from Council. Land explained potential next steps for the item. Councilmember Fox motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Lund. 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 5 Ayes, 0 Nays. Authorize L&S Electric to Complete the Hastings Hydro Facility Preventative Maintenance Program Development Stempski provided an overview of the need for a comprehensive study for a preventative maintenance plan to make informed decisions about the future of the plant. Council is requested to approve a contract with L&S Electric Inc. for the purposes of developing a preventative maintenance program for the aging Hastings Hydro Facility. The Hastings Hydro Plant is a major asset to the City of Hastings and creating a comprehensive study on the aging facility is needed. This will allow the City to make more informed decisions regarding the Hydro Plant in the future. Council discussion on review of dewatering frequency and creating a timeline to understand when may be the best time to perform that process. Council expressed the need for a maintenance plan and the implications of not having a plan. Councilmember Pemble motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Haus. 5 Ayes, 0 Nays. Annexation – Best Development Property – Walden at Hastings (TH 316 and Michael Ave.) – Remove from Table, Ordinance Amendment – Annexation Hinzman provided an overview of the request to annex the property owned by Best Development (TH 316 & Michael Ave). The first request is to remove from the table consideration of the ordinance amendment for annexation, followed by adopting the ordinance amendment for annexation. The developer submits the annexation application in anticipation of future City Council approvals to generally allow for the number and types of residential units within the conceptual plan. No official approvals pertaining to residential construction are included in this application. Council is requested to approve the annexation with land use remaining agricultural. Future meetings would look at results of the traffic impact study, environmental assessment, land use changes, and plan approval. Hinzman indicated that the concept plan has been presented to a neighborhood meeting, Planning Committee of Council, and Planning Commission. Council is asked to consider concept plan in contributing to whether the annexation is approved or not. Hinzman showed the concept plan and discussed the life cycle nature of the types of home sites and amenities. Open spaces will be association-maintained. Council discussion on maintenance of roads within the development and interest in the traffic impact study prior to voting on the annexation. Hinzman indicated that waiting on the analysis would then put burden on Marshan Township. MnDOT has reviewed concept with no major concerns other than adding turn lanes on TH 316. Modifications to the plan would come before Council. Council discussion about Planning Committee conversation about lifecycle housing and being agile at the time of the build. Councilmember Pemble motioned to take ordinance amendment off the table, seconded by Councilmember Fox. 5 Ayes, 0 Nays. Public Comment: 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 Steve Engstrom, 17162 Red Wing Blvd., expressed concern that Council may be acting prematurely on annexation due to lack of action on traffic needs on Hwy 316. The original concept was lower density with 160 units and the current proposal is higher density and the need for senior housing may be met by other current projects in the City. Council discussion regarding monthly rent of housing in the proposed development. Jeff Richter, Land Equity, indicated that row houses may rent for $1,600/month; twinhomes may rent for $2,400/month; senior housing/patio homes may rent for $2,500-$3,000/month. Council discussion on the timing of the proposed project. Hinzman indicated that the approval process will take most of 2023 and the streets and utilities would likely start in 2024. Councilmember Lund motioned to approve 1st reading of the ordinance amendment for annexation as presented, seconded by Councilmember Fox. 5 Ayes, 0 Nays. Later in the meeting it was discovered that the 1st Reading of the annexation ordinance had been passed December 6, 2021, followed by a public hearing in January 2022. Following the public hearing, the 2nd reading was tabled by Council due to the developer stepping back from the project. City Attorney Land indicated that a motion to reconsider the annexation would bring the original motion back for Council consideration. Councilmember Lund motioned to reconsider the previous action approving the 1st Reading of the ordinance amendment for annexation, seconded by Councilmember Fox. 5 Ayes, 0 Nays. Councilmember Lund motioned to continue the 2nd Reading to the next Council meeting, seconded by Councilmember Pemble. 5 Ayes, 0 Nays. Fire and Ambulance Service Contract with Hastings Rural Fire Association Wietecha provided an overview of the Service Contract for Fire and Ambulance Services to the Hastings Rural Fire Association for 2023 – 2027. The City of Hastings has had a long-standing relationship to provide fire and ambulance service to the City of Vermillion and Ravenna, Marshan, Nininger, Denmark, and Vermillion Townships. The current contract ran through 2023, with the MOU extension through March 31, 2023. Wietecha explained the topics that were discussed with the Rural Fire Association membership – annual expenses, capital costs, and fair share. Council discussion on appreciation for moving it forward. Councilmember Fox motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Pemble. 5 Ayes, 0 Nays. Personnel Policy Updates and Additions Wietecha reviewed the proposed personnel policy updates and additions. Following the 2022 updates to the Employee Handbook and the Compensation and Classification Study, there was interest in also 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 updating some of the policies related to employee benefits. The Administration Committee recommended 90 or more days from adoption to implementation with no policy to be applied retroactively. Council discussion on appreciation for the work on the policy updates as they are vital to the organization for the wellbeing of staff. Council discussion on the Compensation and Classification study the prior year helped to not only study wages, but also the view of the total compensation and employee experience. Council discussion on concerns about comp time accrual help staff manage time to be away or not be in a position to accrue so many hours, emphasizing the wellbeing of staff. Council discussion on the value of employees and supporting the policy changes demonstrates Council appreciation. Councilmember Haus motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Councilmember Fox. 5 Ayes, 0 Nays. Announcements • Tomorrow March 7, MNDOT will host an open house about the preliminary design options for the Highway 61 Project. Open House is 5 to 7 pm at City Hall. • The City of Hastings’ Makers Market is a place for area makers to sell their goods adjacent to our historic downtown and riverfront park. We welcome artists, makers, crafters, and small brands. There is no booth fee, but vendors are required to register. Please see the City website for details. • The Friends of Pleasant Hill Library used book sale will be March 23 to 26. They will begin accepting donations Saturday, March 18. • Applications for 2023 Community Investment Fund project proposals are open, with a first review of applications set for March 31, 2023. The City created the CIF last year to encourage and support community partnerships and community-driven projects. Meetings • Arts & Culture Commission Meeting on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. • HEDRA Meeting on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. • Planning Commission Meeting on Monday, March 13, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. • Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. • Operations Committee Meeting on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. • Public Safety Advisory Commission Meeting on Thursday, March 16, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. • City Council Workshop on Monday, March 20, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. • City Council Regular Meeting on Monday, March 20, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. Councilmember Pemble motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:49 PM, seconded by Councilmember Haus. Ayes 5; Nays 0. _____________________________ ______________________________ Kelly Murtaugh, City Clerk Mary D. Fasbender, Mayor