On Tuesday, January 20th, was the Hastings City Council meeting. 
There was a call to order and the Pledge of Allegiance. All consent agenda items were approved. KDWA will have more coverage of the consent agenda items in a future broadcast.
In the Reports from City Staff portion of the meeting, Joe Morneau, project manager for Dakota County Transportation, presented a County Road 42 Project update. The County Rd 42 construction is set to begin in 2027.
Morneau highlighted the December 3, 2025, public open house held at the Hastings YMCA. At the open house, the preliminary plans were available for residents to study, and over fifty people were present.
Some concerns were raised during the open house, and Morneau listed those concerns for the city council. A few of those listed were support for improved trail facilities and concern about driveway impact where the road will be narrowed, vehicle speed, and loss of trees near the cemetery.
Monreau shared that the County RD 42 project will be a mill and overlay and not a full reconstruction of the road. Pedestrian crossings will be included. Other elements of the project are speed control by narrowing the roadway and lane widths, as well as traffic design changes with the addition of the left turn lanes at 1st Street and at the hospital, which will replace the bypass. There will also be storm sewer adjustments and treatment and replacement of some hydrant components.
As the plan stands, the three-lane design between 1st Street and the main hospital entrance includes a striped median with intermittent left lanes. And the removal of the sidewalk on the north side, creating a 44-foot to 47-foot roadway width. The change of roadway would require the removal of mature trees within the right-of-way.
An alternative option was presented by way of reducing the shoulder from 66 inches to 18 inches, which would preserve space on the north side. And if the trees remained, they might be damaged or killed during the construction.
After Morneau’s presentation, the city council had some questions.
Councilmember Lisa Leifeld questioned the planned section of trail between Pleasant St. and River St. and inquired about its purpose.
Morneau pointed out that the county’s approach is that the speed limit on County Rd 42 is too high to have bicycles on the roadway or shoulder. The county’s aim is to have a trail on one side of the roadway for the sake of safety.
Again, Council member Leifeld questioned the need for a bike trail when a sidewalk already exists and inquired about the need for the proposed bike trail from River St. to Pleasant St. on the south side of the road. The sidewalk is maintained by property owners, and responsibility would shift to the city by creating a bike trail.
Council member Dave Pemble was concerned about the turn into Lakeside Cemetery, as it is already a tight turn into the cemetery. With plans to move 5 feet closer to the entrance and the removal of trees, Pemble questioned if the Lakeside board really understands the proposed plan.
A couple of weeks ago, Morneau met with a Lakeside board member and presented the County Rd 42 plan. The board member didn’t raise any concerns.
Pemble suggested that Morneau meet with the whole Lakeside Cemetery board so that the board is fully aware of what will transpire under these proposed construction plans.
The tree removal along Lakeside Cemetery was another concern of the city council.
Pemble spoke into the historic and irreplaceable fencing at Lakeside that could be impacted by construction.
City Administrator Dan Wietecha asked if the road could be built functionally without the removal of trees.
Morneau answered, “As far as the lanes themselves and moving traffic, yes.”
Towards the end of the meeting, to Morneau, Mayor Mary Fasbender stated, “I think you can see our concern. We’re the ones who hear these comments from the residents.”
Mayor Fasbender pointed out that the cemetery is a part of the community, as well as the importance of the aesthetics and history that could be impacted by the proposed construction plans. Mayor Fasbender said, “These are things that create our community—the beauty of our community.”
KDWA will have more on this story in future broadcasts.
The Hastings City Council meeting is available to watch on YouTube under Hastings Community TV.