By John McLoone

The water can be turned on for non-profit groups that raise funds with car washes.

The Hastings City Council on Monday night passed a resolution that amends council action from its last meeting that limited water usage between 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily because of drought conditions.

“In response to a request from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources that all municipalities in the state implement their Water Supply Plans to reduce water usage in response to the current and worsening drought conditions, as well as to protect city infrastructure and the aquifer, the city council enacted a restriction on water usage at its July 19 meeting,” City Administrator Dan Wietecha wrote in a memo to the city council. “Subsequently, Councilmember (Tina) Folch noted some of the local high school teams have scheduled car wash fundraisers in August, that their other fundraising activities have been limited the past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and requested than an exception be placed on the city council’s Aug. 2 agenda.”

The council unanimously passed language that states the resolution that was passed “does not prohibit car-wash fundraisers conducted by a non-profit organizations.”

Bob Hartman of the Hastings Football Connections Booster Club appeared before the council and said the organization has a car wash planned at Green Mill from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 22.

See WATER RESOLUTION Page 3

Bob Hartman of the Hastings Football Connections Boosters spoke to the Hastings City Council Monday night. Photo by John McLoone Water Resolution

From Page 1 “It helps out the football teams,” he said. The younger players get a chance to interact with upperclassmen, so there are social and team-building benefits as well.

He said one hose from the spigot at the restaurant is all that’s used, and water isn’t on all the time.

“Maybe this will bring us rain,” Hartman joked of having the request approved.