Hastings City Council Regular Meeting - October 27, 2025

The Hastings City Council held its regular meeting on October 27, 2025, at the Hastings Municipal Airport. All eight council members were present. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Mayor Beckby and adjourned at 7:05 PM. The council unanimously approved several resolutions and ordinances, including a new public art plan, a state grant for the airport apron project, revisions to the employee handbook, and the first reading of an ordinance regulating e-scooters, e-bikes, and hoverboards. A new lease agreement for Duncan Field Ballpark was also approved.

Consent Calendar

• The current agenda was adopted with a vote of 7-1, with Councilmember Marc Rowan dissenting.
• The consent agenda was approved 8-0, covering routine approvals including meeting minutes, claims and payroll, multiple utility work orders (for pollution control, electrical, gas, and energy center facilities), submittal of grants for the Heartbeat Creative District, a permit for Farris Construction, and a $19,665.96 invoice and fund drawdown for Community Development Block Grant Project 21-DTR-007 (Downtown Revitalization).
• Item (k), the manager application of Deanna Fuchs for a Class "D" Liquor License for CF Altitude, LLC dba "ALTA #6216," was pulled from the consent agenda by Councilmember Rowan for a separate vote. Note: The official minutes spell the applicant's name as "Deanne Fuchs." Councilmember Huntley questioned why it was placed on the consent agenda. City Attorney Jesse Oswald explained it was solely a manager application change, not a new license. The item was subsequently approved 8-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Rich Wilton, a resident, expressed appreciation for the council and city staff's handling of two difficult topics at the previous meeting.
• Anjanette Bonham, Executive Director of the Adams County Convention and Visitors Bureau and member of the Pulse Committee, spoke in favor of Resolution 2025-39. She stated the public art plan would beautify public spaces, increase foot traffic for local businesses, attract visitors, and strengthen Hastings' identity as a hub for creativity and connection.
• Danielle Williams, a new resident and artist/teacher, shared her firsthand experience with a similar creative district in North Carolina. She expressed support for the plan, stating such initiatives can bring communities together and foster local pride.

Discussion Items

Duncan Field Ballpark Lease Agreement

• Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Hassenstab presented a 3-year lease agreement with the Hastings Sodbusters' new ownership group, Hastings Sports LLC. The terms remain unchanged from the previous lease. The council unanimously approved the agreement (8-0).

Resolution No. 2025-39: Heartbeat Creative District Public Art and Creative Placemaking Plan

• City Planner Ember Batelaan and Business Improvement Director Lily Teeple presented the plan. The district was certified in 2024. The plan establishes a process for artist selection and identifies priority locations for public art projects (e.g., painted crosswalks, wrapped utility boxes) to streamline approvals and support future grant applications.
• Councilmember Brad Consbruck asked about the review process. Batelaan confirmed that painted crosswalks must comply with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
• Councilmember Marc Rowan raised a concern about painted surfaces becoming slick for motorcyclists. Batelaan responded that they would review different paint types and begin projects on First Street, which has less traffic.
• Councilmember Steve Huntley asked about the longevity of the artwork. Lily Teeple stated the artwork is expected to last six months to one year before fading, with maintenance addressed in the plan.
• The plan includes a two-step approval process through the Pulse Committee and the BID.
• Funding sources include a $100,000 state development grant with no local match required, seed funding from the BID, and a fund hosted by the Hastings Community Foundation.
• The council unanimously approved the resolution (8-0).

Resolution No. 2025-40: State Grant Agreement for Apron Project

• Airport Manager Matt Kuhr reported the state awarded the city approximately $26,000 to help cover the city's local match for the apron project. The federal grant covers 95.5%, and this state grant covers 2% of the city's 5% share. The project involves replacing deteriorated asphalt with concrete and is scheduled to start in spring 2026. The resolution was unanimously approved (8-0).

Resolution No. 2025-41: Revised Employee Handbook

• Director of Human Resources Lori Hartman outlined two changes: removing the $60 employee clothing allowance (eliminated from the budget) and discontinuing mandatory post-accident drug and alcohol testing.
• Councilmember Michael Anderson noted the change in testing policy is intended to encourage accident reporting. Reasonable suspicion testing and random quarterly testing will continue. The resolution was unanimously approved (8-0).

Ordinance No. 4815: E-Scooters, E-Bikes, and Hoverboards

• City Attorney Jesse Oswald presented the first reading of the ordinance. Key changes from earlier drafts included adding a light requirement and adjusting the speed limit on trails to 15 mph.
• Councilmember Brad Consbruck inquired about striping trails to separate users. Hassenstab stated it is possible, and current rules require audibly alerting when passing.
• Councilmember Brian Hoffman expressed concern that the 15 mph limit is too low for cyclists getting exercise and expressed a desire to restrict e-devices from 2nd Street specifically rather than the entire business district.
• Councilmember Maggie Esch asked when the education component would begin. City Administrator Mark Funkey stated it would begin within 15 days of implementation through school resource officers.
• The council decided to approve the ordinance on first reading as presented. City Attorney Oswald will incorporate feedback regarding 2nd Street restrictions and bring it back for second reading. The first reading passed unanimously (8-0).

Key Outcomes

• Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM, adjourned at 7:05 PM.
• Agenda approved (7-1; Rowan dissenting).
• Consent agenda approved (8-0). Manager application for ALTA #6216 approved separately after being pulled from consent (8-0).
• Duncan Field Ballpark Lease Agreement approved (8-0).
• Resolution 2025-39 (Public Art & Creative Placemaking Plan) approved (8-0).
• Resolution 2025-40 (State Grant for Airport Apron Project) approved (8-0).
• Resolution 2025-41 (Revised Employee Handbook) approved (8-0).
• Ordinance 4815 (E-Scooters, E-Bikes, Hoverboards) passed on first reading (8-0); amended version to be presented for second reading.
• Appointment of Jeff Schneider to the Community Redevelopment Authority (CRA) approved (8-0).