lution, out with a resolution, so that likely will be on your agenda July 6,” said Wietecha.

At that time, the council will set a date for the end of the emergency declaration.

“Whether the declaration is still in place or not, really it gives authority as basis for other actions. We will still be returning to in-person meeting in July even if the declaration is in place until August. As we return to normal footing, we really don’t need that emergency authority in place,” said Wietecha.

One thing that will have to be decided in picking the ned date is making sure it gives city residents behind on utility payments ample time to prepare.

“Under our emergency declaration, one of the ordinances was waiting utility late fees and penalties,” said Wietecha. “If someone did not make their payment during the difficulties of the pandemic, we were not going to penalize anyone with late fees.”

He said he was going to confer with the city’s Finance Department to make sure ample time is given to utility customers.

“I think if we suddenly July 6 said here’s the declaration, that’s not fair business. That’s not good dealing with our public. You may want to end the declaration at the end of July,” he said. “If we say we’re ending the declaration on July 7, we’re not going to impose the fees for 30 days. There would be some sort of warning, some sort of notice, some time would be good for our residents who are using that benefit.”

“Staff was comfortable ending in July 31,” noted Fasbender.

“July 31 would work,” said Wietecha, but he said he wanted to check “the timing of utility bills.”

The notification on the end of waiving of late fees could be pursued by to August utility bills.

A busy summer

Fasbender noted in her closing remarks the busy calendar of activities at parks with various entertainment and family programing that makes this look like very much like a “normal” Hastings summer.

“We want to thank the major sponsors that sponsor the events at the pavilion and our around our community. It’s greatly appreciated,” she said.

And for the last time – we pray – the Hastings City Council adjourned its Zoom meeting, leaving council members to power off the cameras on their computers and retire to their living rooms, or hit the surf, if you happened to be logged on from Hawaii, 3,950 miles away.