On December 15th, was a Hastings City Council meeting.
There was a call to order, and the meeting began with City Administrator Dan Wietecha recognizing milestone employees, and Community Development Director John Hinzman and Fire Chief Townsend recognizing outgoing commissioners. City leadership thanked the commissioners and milestone employees for their dedication and service to the community.
In a preview of the Dakota County update, Commissioner Mike Slavik spoke about the 2025 completion of the Hastings portion of the Vermillion River Greenway. Slavik pointed out that of the ten miles of the city trail loop in Hastings, roughly eight miles is the Vermillion River Greenway. Slavik said that this was a “great partnership between the City of Hastings and Parks and Recreation Department and Dakota County.”
Dakota County received a RAISE grant for the Greenway Project from Hastings to South St. Paul. This federal grant will be used for information and wayfinding on the Mississippi Greenway. Commissioner Slavik shared a project of the parks and recreation department. Still in the planning stages, an educational area is in the works that will be located along the river. This educational area will showcase a portion of the former blue Hastings bridge in the plaza. The finalization meeting for this plaza will take place on January 5th.
In comments portion of the City Council meeting, Police Chief Nate Siem, of the City of Farmington, expressed gratitude for how the brotherhood of law enforcement honored Officer Pete Zajac.
Police Chief Siem thanked Hastings law enforcement for their support.
Mayor Mary Fasbender expressed her condolences and said that Officer Pete Zajac will be deeply missed.