On January 13 there was a Joint Powers Meeting at Tilden Community Center 
Chris Jenkins, Hastings Parks and Recreation Director, led the meeting.
Some of those in attendance were Hastings Superintendent Dr. Kristine Wehrkamp Herman, and from the Hastings School Board, Chairperson Carrie Tate, Director Phil Biermaier, and Director Melissa Millner as well as ISD 200 Director of Facilities & Safety Scott Stockdale. Also in attendance, from the City of Hastings, City Administrator Dan Wietecha, and Councilmember DawnMarie Vihrachoff.
The Joint Powers agenda
1) Joint maintenance facility lease and M&O agreement
2) City & school district updates
3) Announcements from committee members
4) Next meeting date
5) Adjournment
Some corrections and additions were made within the Joint Maintenance Facility Lease and M&O Agreement.
Committee updates:
From ISD 200, Chairperson Carrie Tate and Superintendent Dr. Kristine Wehrkamp Herman shared about a career addition to the Hastings High School Pathway Program. This new addition has a broader overview of various careers.
ISD 200 now offers additional STEM classes, and Dr. Wehrkamp Herman highlighted the nearly four acres of future prairie at Kennedy Elementary that is being created for outdoor education. Dr. Wehrkamp Herman said, “This is a great opportunity for an outdoor learning space.”
From the City, City Council member DawnMarie Vihrachoff highlighted that the City launched a new website and talked about Hockey Day MN. Hockey Day MN is an eight-day event that begins Saturday the 17th and runs through the 24th. Hastings is expecting an influx of people for Hockey Day MN, and this eight day event is an opportunity for folks to experience what Hastings has to offer.
Chris Jenkins also spoke about Hockey Day MN. Jenkins mentioned to the committee the need for volunteers at the eight-day event. “The day you volunteer, you get a pass for that day, as well as the 24th,” says Jenkins.
That’s a deal, folks! If interested, go to www.HockeyDayMN.com and click on Get Involved.
City Council member DawnMarie Vihrachoff inquired about ICE. She mentioned the potential presence in Hastings and inquired about the school’s response. Superintendent Dr. Wehrkamp Herman responded, “We have protocols vetted by our attorneys, and we are confident our protocol is appropriate.” Dr. Wehrkamp Herman added, “Our SROs are very responsive to our buildings.”
Scott Stockdale, ISD 200 Director of Facilities & Safety, says “Hwy 61 meetings are progressing nicely,” It was pointed out that the HWY 61 construction on the Todd field wall is in the planning stage. KDWA will have more about this topic in future reports.
And finally, City Administrator Dan Wietecha also offered an update. Wietecha said, “Wilske will retire in March. A panel is forming as we are searching for the new police chief.” Wietecha offered a seat to someone in the ISD 200 administration since the police chief works with the schools. Superintendent Dr. Wehrkamp Herman accepted the offer to be on this panel.
Next Joint Powers meeting 4/14 at Tilden @ 7:30AM
(To listen to the broadcast, click the sound bite.)