Hastings City Council Regular Meeting - May 11, 2026

The Hastings City Council met on Monday, May 11, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the Hastings Municipal Airport. Mayor Beckby presided with six council members present (Steve Huntley, Michael Anderson, Brad Consbruck, Matt Fong, Marc Rowan, Maggie Esch); Brian Hoffman and Larry Consbruck were absent. The meeting included a consent agenda, multiple public hearings, discussion of a restaurant tax ordinance, and a lake management resolution that was postponed. The meeting adjourned at 7:29 PM.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved unanimously (6-0) after pulling items E (land lease) and H (hangar lease amendment). Items approved included: minutes of April 20 and April 27, 2026; claims and payroll; a fence height increase at 2519 W. 10th Street; Work Order EL-329 for an electric line; a 5-year server lease with Dell Financial; a 4-year generator maintenance agreement with NMC; an agreement with Purple Wave Auction to sell a landfill shredder; an invoice and drawdown request for $8,375.00 for Community Development Block Grant administration; and a bookmobile parking sign.
• Item E (Mayor signing land lease between City of Hastings, Johnson Imperial Homes Co. Inc., and Cloverton Farms Inc. for ASR Lagoon and North Baltimore property) was considered separately and approved unanimously (6-0). The lease is intended to control nitrates and have the land farmed in a way beneficial to utility operations.
• Item H (First Amendment to lease with Meyers Aerial Service, LLC for an additional 15x15 foot area at the hangar) was also approved unanimously (6-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lake Hastings (not associated with a public hearing): Six citizens spoke. Stanley Knudson (1410 Arapahoe Ave) argued that adding water to Lake Hastings during a drought is not conserving water and urged evaluation of industrial and business water use. Howard Sheley (518 South Shore Dr) urged the council to keep water in the lake, emphasizing recreation and property values; he noted recent rain and jokingly offered to continue rain dancing. Nate Karl (415 North Shore Dr) stressed the city's commitment to the lake based on historical agreements, called for investing in the community, and criticized a "do nothing" mentality.
• Restaurant Tax (Ordinance 4829): Seven citizens spoke in opposition. Gloriann Peddicord (112 East 14th) opposed the tax, suggesting spending cuts and a hiring freeze instead. Curtis Johnson (926 S. St. Joseph) questioned the budget shortfall and urged review of city spending. Edward Krontz (1203 East Night) reported overwhelming opposition in Ward 4 and suggested budget cuts, including not buying new pickups. David Worrell (1012 South Ross Ave), a Ward 1 council candidate, stated over 90% of constituents oppose the tax. Craig Hubbard (2100 East 12th St) argued the tax would hurt working people, restaurants, and servers, and called for spending reductions. Scott Witte (6144 Meander Circle) said people are tired of taxes and the tax would reduce dining out. Several speakers asked the council to cut spending before raising taxes.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearings (3a-3c):
  • El Puerto Liquor License: A public hearing was held for El Puerto, LLC to get a Class I liquor license (beer, wine, spirits, on sale) at 1008 S. Burlington Ave. Rafael Ayala (applicant and manager) spoke in support. Police and Development Services submitted supporting letters. Resolution 2026-38 was approved unanimously (6-0). The manager application for Rafael Ayala was also approved unanimously (6-0).
  • Queen City Development Conditional Use Permit: A public hearing was held for a conditional use permit to allow first-floor residential at 714 West 5th Street (the old Hastings Middle School). Project architect Patrick Moore (Good Life Architecture) spoke in support, noting the project would add 68 apartment units and vitality to the area. Development Services Director Kevin Kubo reported minimal traffic impact (the site previously served 600 students), utilities available, no environmental issues, and a 7-0 Planning Commission recommendation. Resolution 2026-39 was approved unanimously (6-0).
• Board of Equalization: The council briefly convened as the Board of Equalization for a public hearing on special assessments for non-payment of mowing and cleanup costs. No public comment was received. Resolution 2026-40 was approved unanimously (6-0). City Attorney Jesse Oswald explained the assessments on eight properties follow prior notice and billing; if unpaid, interest accrues at 14% and the city may eventually foreclose.
• General Business:
  • Approved moving the May 25, 2026 meeting (Memorial Day) to Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the airport (unanimous).
  • Approved amending the airport engineering agreement with Garver to cover design and construction administration of the entire airport lighting system (runway 04-22, apron, taxiway). Airport Manager Matt Kuhr noted 95% federal funding, 2% state, and 3% city share (unanimous).
• Ordinances & Resolutions:
  • Ordinance 4829 (Restaurant and Drinking Place Occupation Tax) – Second Reading: A motion to table failed 3-3 (Ayes: Brad Consbruck, Maggie Esch, Matt Fong; Nays: Steve Huntley, Michael Anderson, Marc Rowan). The main motion to approve also failed 3-3, with the same split. City Administrator Mark Funkey explained the tax would replace property taxes funding the museum, not add new revenue. The proposed rate was 2.5%. Council did not reach a majority for approval.
  • Ordinance 4830 (Convey 6th Street ROW to CRA): Approved unanimously (6-0). Director of Engineering Lee Vrooman said the ordinance cleans up a previously vacated street and alley for redevelopment of the old middle school block.
  • Resolution 2026-41 (Lake Hastings natural water levels): The resolution would declare that the city will not artificially raise, maintain, or supplement Lake Hastings water levels through city intervention (except for normal utility operations). After extensive discussion about water allocations, the Little Blue NRD conservation requests, and potential future wells in the Upper Blue NRD, Councilmember Rowan moved to postpone the item to the second council meeting of June. The motion passed 5-2 (Ayes: Steve Huntley, Michael Anderson, Maggie Esch, Marc Rowan, Mayor Beckby; Nays: Brad Consbruck, Matt Fong). The council will revisit the policy in June.
• Appointments: James Carson and Sarah Bruce were appointed to the City Planning Commission unanimously (6-0). Both were present and council had no questions.

Key Outcomes

• Approved (all unanimous 6-0 unless noted): Consent agenda (minus items E & H), land lease (item E), hangar lease amendment (item H), El Puerto liquor license (Res. 2026-38), manager application for Rafael Ayala, Queen City conditional use permit (Res. 2026-39), special assessments (Res. 2026-40), meeting date change, airport engineering amendment, conveyance of 6th Street ROW (Ord. 4830), and appointments to Planning Commission.
• Failed: Ordinance 4829 (Restaurant and Drinking Place Occupation Tax) on second reading – motion to table and main approval both failed 3-3.
• Postponed: Resolution 2026-41 (Lake Hastings water levels) – postponed to the second council meeting of June 2026 (vote 5-2).
• Next Steps: The May 25, 2026 meeting is rescheduled to May 26, 2026. The council will revisit the Lake Hastings policy in June. Ordinance 4829 was not adopted; council may consider alternative budget solutions.