HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230515 - CC Workshop MinutesHastings, Minnesota
City Council Workshop
May 15, 2023
The City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a workshop on Monday, May 15,
2023, at 5:30 p.m. in the Volunteer Room at the Hastings City Hall, 101 East 4th Street, Hastings,
Minnesota.
Members Present: Mayor Fasbender, Councilmembers, Haus, Folch, Fox, Leifeld, Pemble
Members Absent: Councilmember Lund
Staff Present: City Administrator Dan Wietecha
Assistant City Administrator Kelly Murtaugh
Fire Chief John Townsend
Mayor Fasbender called the workshop to order at 5:35 p.m., welcoming Councilmembers and
staff to discuss the recommendations of the Fire Study that was completed in 2022. Chief
Townsend presented the summary of items discussed with the Public Safety Committee. He
presented the short- and long-term goals. Short-term goal recommendations include
setting/adopting performance measures, better utilize records management system, space needs
at fire station, size of duty crew, and additional staff needs.
Council discussion on the records management system capabilities and the best location for a
station, if moved, and the use of the data to help determine the best choice for existing space
utilization or possible advantage of a different location. Council discussion on rolling out the
performance metrics, how they are selected, and the impact of city growth on response time.
Townsend reviewed the long-term goals. These include continued work with performance
measures to guide staffing, space needs at fire station, monitor the POC staffing model, and size
of duty crew. He then reviewed the barriers to the goals related to space needs for dorms,
restroom/locker rooms, and exercise space. Funding will be needed for the cost of equipment,
personnel, and space remodel.
Townsend reviewed the culture/climate of the department that has been improving over the last
few years with a variety of activities, equipment updates, mental health support, and personnel
changes that have been put in place.
Townsend reviewed the department priorities based on the study recommendations: Adopt
performance measures, address space needs, reconfigure the records management system, fund
additional fire staff, train/monitor paid on-call program, and continue the rightsizing of the fleet.
Council discussion on the challenge in recruiting paid on-call firefighter/EMTs and
benefits/difficulties of the current model. Further discussion on the resources needed to keep
firefighters that are hired by the City. Further Council discussion on planning for space needs,