The Hastings City Council adopted an amended version of Ordinance No. 4798, establishing term limits and restrictions on multiple appointments to city boards and committees. The measure passed 5-4 after the mayor provided the deciding vote following a 4-4 split.

Jesse (staff member) told council the amended ordinance was intended to clarify points council had raised previously rather than change council's intent. He outlined three clarifications: alternate positions on committees would not count toward the two-term limit; an individual could not serve on more than two city boards or committees concurrently (revised from "one"); and prior terms would count toward the term limit but current incumbents could complete their current term. "Section C 3 puts in there that alternative positions on the committee shall not count towards the 2 term limits..." Jesse said, and he explained other clarifying changes.

Councilmember Larry Konsbrook moved to adopt the amended ordinance and Councilmember Mike Anderson seconded. During the roll call on the amendment the vote was 4-4. The mayor provided a tie-breaking fifth vote, saying, "As I stated before in a previous meeting, all my reasons, I do vote in favor of this." The motion passed 5-4.

The ordinance text clarifies that alternates do not count as a full term, sets a limit of serving on no more than two city boards/committees at once, and states that previous terms count toward the established limits; individuals currently serving may complete their existing terms but those prior terms will be counted.

Jesse said staff drafted the amended language to reflect council's intent and to resolve earlier ambiguity. The council record shows no separate motion to delay or refer the matter; adoption of the amended ordinance completed the council action at this meeting.

Because the vote was split, the council's action represents a narrow majority and will affect how future appointments and current incumbents are handled under section 2‑1501 of the Hastings city code.