Government - Hastings Journal

Council clears environmental review hurdle for Pleasant Valley Farms

The proposed Pleasant Valley Farms development took two significant steps forward Monday night, Sept. 21, as the Hastings City Council determined that a more extensive Environmental Impact Statement … more

By John McLoone | 9/30/26

Chamber to host legislative candidate forum

The Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Hastings branch of the American Association of University Women and Hastings Community Television, will host a candidate meet-and-greet … more

By Bruce Karnick | 9/15/26

Hastings sets preliminary 2027 levy; Carbone’s lawsuit continues

The Hastings City Council has established the upper limit for the city’s 2027 property tax levy, approving a preliminary budget that calls for an 8.77% increase in the levy while city officials … more

By John McLoone | 9/15/26

Downtown parking plentiful but concentrated, HEDRA study finds

Downtown Hastings has enough parking overall, but the spaces people most want to use can become crowded during busy periods and special events, according to a parking study presented to the Hastings … more

By John McLoone | 9/15/26

Hastings moves forward with environmental litigation

The Hastings City Council voted Monday, Aug. 17, to move forward with environmental litigation related to PFAS contamination, advancing a legal strategy the city has discussed over several meetings … more

By John McLoone | 9/6/26

Bridget Norring, founder of the Devon J. Norring Foundation, addressed the Hastings City Council.

Council resolution recognizes devastating impact of drug overdoses

The Hastings City Council recognized the devastating impact of fentanyl and drug overdoses on local families during its Monday, Aug. 17 meeting, proclaiming August as International Overdose and … more

By John McLoone | 9/6/26

Community Development Director John Hinzman introduced a moratorium on data center development to the Hastings City Council at its Aug. 17 meeting.

Council passes data center moratorium after public hearing

The Hastings City Council approved a one-year moratorium on data center development following a public hearing at its Monday, Aug. 17 meeting, giving city staff time to study the facilities and … more

By John McLoone | 8/26/26

Hastings Council puts one-year hold on data centers, moves ahead with environmental litigation

The Hastings City Council was set to take action Monday night on two issues that could have long-term implications for the city, including a one-year moratorium on new data centers and authorization … more

By John McLoone | 8/19/26

The varsity hockey locker rooms at the Hastings Civic Arena are at the center of an ongoing discussion between the City of Hastings and ISD 200 over responsibility for major repairs. The city owns the arena and the locker rooms, while Hastings High School has exclusive use of the varsity spaces under a longstanding agreement. A future roof replacement is currently estimated at $215,000, with an additional $30,000 HVAC project also identified.

Decades-old locker room agreement returns to focus as major repairs loom

A relationship between the City of Hastings and Hastings Public Schools that has put generations of Raider hockey players on the ice has reached another difficult point, with the school district … more

By Bruce Karnick | 8/19/26

Trent Hanson, Hastings High School activities director, addresses the ISD 200 School Board during a special meeting to discuss the new Raider Media Productions partnership with Hastings Community Television. The program will expand livestream coverage of Raider athletics while creating hands-on production opportunities for students.

Hastings builds student-driven model for high school sports broadcasting

Hastings High School and Hastings Community Television are preparing to put considerably more Raider athletics on screens this school year, but the new Raider Media Productions initiative is intended … more

By Bruce Karnick | 8/19/26

Block 16 survey, property sale, facade grants on HEDRA agenda

The future of a downtown Hastings parking lot, the sale of HEDRA-owned property and two downtown façade improvement grants will be among the items before the Hastings Economic Development and … more

By John McLoone | 8/15/26

Pleasant Valley Farms, PFAS projects highlight brief Hastings council meeting

The Hastings City Council moved two pieces of the proposed Pleasant Valley Farms development forward Monday, Aug. 3, approving distribution of a major environmental review for public comment and … more

By John McLoone | 8/12/26

Public Works Director Ryan Stempski spent the morning with the Hastings Area Rotary Club Thursday, Aug. 6, at its weekly meeting. Stempski updated members on the city’s response to PFAS contamination, including construction of three water treatment plants with a combined estimated cost of about $70 million, outside funding secured to date and the city’s goal of having the full treatment system operating by 2029.

Stempski updates Rotary on Hastings PFAS treatment efforts

Hastings is in the middle of what will become an approximately $70 million overhaul of its municipal water system, with one PFAS treatment plant under construction, a second preparing to break ground … more

By Bruce Karnick | 8/12/26

Council advances data center moratorium, Pleasant Valley Farms review and PFAS work

The Hastings City Council tackled three issues that will help shape the city's future during its Monday, Aug. 3 meeting, taking initial action on a proposed data center moratorium, advancing … more

8/6/26

New auto repair business approved as Hastings City

The Hastings City Council unanimously approved a special use permit Monday, July 20, allowing a new locally operated automobile repair business to open in the former Hastings Cinema building on South … more

By John McLoone | 7/31/26

Hastings residents fill most of the City Council chambers during a public meeting on the proposed Well No. 9 project in Wallin Park. Those attending raised questions about the location and size of the well house, the loss of open green space, construction impacts, noise, communication from the city and whether other locations should be studied.

Well No. 9 proposal draws sharp questions from Wallin Park neighbors

Water infrastructure is rarely a neighborhood conversation, at least until a city proposes placing a new well house in the middle of a neighborhood park. That was the collision at Hastings City Hall, … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/22/26

Strategic plan aims to keep Hastings focused on long-term priorities

A roadmap is only valuable if people continue to follow it. That was the message Hastings City Administrator Dan Wietecha delivered Monday night as he presented the City of Hastings' Strategic Plan … more

By John McLoone | 7/9/26

Mike Slavik Announces Re-Election Campaign for Dakota County Commissioner, District 1

HASTINGS, Minn. — Dakota County Commissioner Mike Slavik today announced his campaign for re-election to represent District 1, pledging to continue delivering responsible leadership, strong fiscal … more

6/10/26

Hastings avoids water rate hike as PFAS funding picture improves; Speedway West denied tobacco license

The Hastings City Council received encouraging news on the city's ongoing PFAS mitigation efforts Monday night, voting to forgo a planned mid-year water rate increase after securing significant state … more

By John McLoone | 6/10/26

Hastings ballot begins taking shape for city and school races

The Hastings city ballot is starting to take shape for 2026, with familiar names in the mayor’s race and at-large City Council contest, while the school board portion of the election remains a … more

By Bruce Karnick | 6/10/26