Continuing coverage of the consent agenda items from the March 2, 2026, Hastings City Council meeting.
The Hastings City Council approved a resolution to authorize submission for the Minnesota DNR Outdoor Recreation Grant. According to the memorandum, Tuttle Park was developed in 1999, and the play equipment has served Hastings residents for 27 years. There is a plan in the works to develop Tuttle Park 100% into an inclusive park. This will require significant redevelopment and funding. The Minnesota DNR Outdoor Recreation Grant is an opportunity for funding—with a 50-50 match and up to $500,000 in matching funds. Staff will submit the grant application by March 31, 2026, and award notifications will occur in June 2026.
The city council authorized the signature for the Polling Places Accessibility Grant Program agreement. According to the memorandum, after the city council approval on September 2, 2025, Hastings City staff applied for funds under the Accessibility Grant Program. In mid-January 2026, staff received word that their application was approved for a reimbursement amount of $438.00. One of the items needed for the coming election is visible curbside voting signage. Curbside voting isn’t often used, but where curbside voting is designated, the new signage will assist voters and election judges.
The council approved a third amendment to the City of Hastings Legal Service Agreement with LeVander, Gillen & Miller, PA. From the third amendment to the Legal Service Agreement, it states that the city entered a Legal Services Agreement with LeVander on February 16, 2021; the first amendment to the agreement happened on September 5, 2023, and the second amendment on March 3, 2025. This third amendment wishes to modify the responsible attorney. Cynthia Kirchoff is named as the responsible attorney for all matters.
The City of Hastings approved plans and authorized advertisement for bids for the 15th Street East and Bailly Street Stormwater Basin Project. According to the memorandum, the City of Hastings has been awarded funding to realign the storm water discharge east of 15th Street and Bailley Street to improve storm water quality. The estimated price of this cost-share project is $325,000—the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources will pay $197,000, the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers will pay an estimated $120,000, Dakota County will contribute $5,000, and the City of Hastings will pay $2,500. Construction is expected to begin on May 4, 2026, and be completed no later than June 25, 2026.
The Hastings City Council approved a Joint Powers Agreement for the CSAH 42 Corridor Improvements. According to the Memorandum, on February 17, 2026, the Hastings City Council approved a resolution to adopt the CSAH 42 Corridor Improvements. This mill and overlay project includes safer crossings, trail connectivity, and reduction of vehicle speeds. The Joint Powers Agreement is required to proceed further with corridor design plans.
There were four resolutions to impose sanctions on local establishments that failed compliance checks initiated by the Hastings Police Department. The defining factor for which penalty an establishment receives is dependent on participation in the Best Practices Program. The Best Practices Program focuses on the prevention of selling alcohol to underage patrons.
According to the following memorandums:
- Missi’s Sip & Savor received a liquor license fine of $500. Missi’s Sip and Savor failed the compliance check on September 22, 2025, but the establishment does participate in the Best Practices Program.
- Las Margaritas, a liquor license fine of $1000 and a 3-day license suspension. Las Margaritas failed a compliance check mid-September and did not participate in the Best Practices Program.
- Speedway, located at 1390 South Frontage Road, failed a liquor compliance check on October 3, 2025, and received a $1,500 fine and 6-day liquor license suspension. Speedway does not participate in the Best Practices Program.
- Broadway Bar & Pizza failed a liquor compliance check mid-September and received a $1000 fine and a 3-day license suspension.
Dean Hansen, a representative of Broadway Bar & Pizza, spoke before the council. Henson informed the council that the staff member who sold alcohol to the underage patron was fired within two hours of the offense. Henson requested that the penalty be reduced to fines already and no suspension of the establishment’s liquor license. Henson pointed out a mix-up of paperwork; Broadway Bar & Pizza participated in training through the State of Minnesota that is similar to the Best Practices Program offered by the City of Hastings.
Regarding Broadway Bar & Pizza, Councilmember Leifeld made a motion to table the topic until further information is provided and a formal resolution is presented before the city council on March 16, 2026.
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