During the May 4, 2026, Hastings City Council meeting, the council heard a proclamation recognizing the Veterans
of Foreign Wars “Buddy Poppy” program.
Mark Gelhar of the VFW attended the meeting and addressed the council.
(Actuality 1)
The council then discussed removing an agenda item regarding the city display of the state flag.
Councilmember Lisa Leifeld questioned the agenda item, and Councilmember Mya Beck explained why it had been placed on the agenda.
(Actuality 2)
Leifeld proposed removing the item, seconded by Councilmember DawnMarie Vihrachoff. The motion passed on a 5-2 vote, removing the “City Display of the State Flag” item from the agenda.
Despite the removal, public comment on the state flag continued. Twenty-two residents spoke at the podium about their views on the former and current Minnesota state flags.
Under awarding of contracts, the council approved a resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of General Obligation Charter Bonds, Series 2026A.
Hastings Finance Manager Chris Eitemiller said the bond funding would support projects including Well No. 9 and its pumphouse, annual street projects and utility work connected to the Highway 61 construction project. Eitemiller also introduced Tammy Omdal of Northland Securities.
Omdal said Northland recommended the city obtain an S&P bond rating. Hastings received an AA+ bond rating.
Earlier Monday, Northland opened bids from underwriters to purchase the bonds. The lowest bid came from TD Financial Products LLC of New York City. The bid totaled $6.4 million with an interest rate of 3.13%.
The council approved awarding the $6.4 million bond sale to TD Financial Products LLC.
Also under awarding of contracts, the council approved a proposal authorizing professional services for Well No. 9.
According to a city memorandum, the city plans to enter into a contract with WSB to assist with the design and bidding process for Well No. 9.
Public Works Director Ryan Stempski said Well No. 9 is part of the city’s 2040 Comprehensive Water Plan and is expected to be constructed in 2026 or 2027.
The well will be located at Wallin Park. Stempski said the next step is integrating the wellhouse into the park and surrounding neighborhoods.
The city expects to release design renderings in June for public review and feedback.
The project will be divided into two bid packages. The first package covers the well itself, with bids expected to open this autumn for drilling more than 400 feet. Drilling could begin in late 2026 or early 2027. The second package covers construction of the wellhouse structure.
Stempski pointed out that the wellhouse would be among the smallest in the city, slightly larger than a standard garage.
According to the city memorandum, the total project budget for 2026 is $1.7 million, with additional funding anticipated in 2027 to complete the project.
The council approved the contract with WSB for design and bidding services related to Well No. 9.
The council also considered two resolutions related to the Eastern Water Treatment Plant: a site plan review for the facility at Eastern Water Treatment Plant and authorization of plans, specifications and bidding.
Community Development Director John Hinzman presented the site plan review. Hinzman said the site at 850 Spiral Blvd. already contains an existing well. While most of the property is zoned industrial, a small section near 31st Street is zoned residential.
Hinzman said the treatment plant will be similar in size to the facility on North Frontage Road, at an estimated 10,000 square feet.
The city plans to construct the Eastern plant closer to the industrial park while leaving the portion near 31st Street unchanged.
Stempski later presented renderings and specifications for the Eastern plant, noting it would feature systems similar to those at the Central Water Treatment Plant.
Stempski said Hastings “is not mitigated from PFAS until all three treatment plants are built and operating.”
As an update, Stempski said walls for the Central Water Treatment Plant are expected to be constructed in June. Plans for the Western Water Treatment Plant are still being finalized, and the city is discussing relocating the facility west of General Sieben Drive to the SEAS property.
The Eastern plant will be located off Commerce Drive at the site of Well No. 6. A raw watermain connection between Wells No. 6 and No. 8 is nearly complete, though additional watermain work is still required. The Eastern plant will remove PFAS and nitrates from both wells.
The total cost of the Eastern Water Treatment Plant is estimated at $22.3 million. Stempski said the city secured $1 million through an MPCA planning and design grant and anticipates receiving an additional $5 million through an emerging contaminants grant.
The Hastings Eastern Water Treatment Plant is ranked first on the state’s project priority list.
The city is still awaiting word on potential state bonding dollars for the water treatment infrastructure.
The council approved the proposed site plan for the Eastern Water Treatment Plant at 850 Spiral Blvd. and authorized bids for the project as presented.
[Click the soundbite to listen to the full report.]