Taking care of several things in a complicated issue at one time, the Hastings City Council approved items to do with the transfer of governmental jurisdiction and property for parcels now in Hastings Charter Township.

Approved was a Letter of Understanding outlining the relationship of Hastings Township to the city in a parcel transfer, a real estate agreement, and approval of an Urban Services and Economic Development Agreement with Hastings Township.

The items approved by the council have already been approved by the Hastings Township board, City Manager Jeff Mansfield said. The exchange of the township property, a parcel of some 60 acres sandwiched between the City of Hastings and Rutland Township, has been in progress for several months.

Mansfield said they expect to fully execute all of the agreements as soon possible after the closing on the property with Hastings Township.

The council voted unanimously to move the Hastings Township property into the now-reduced second Urban Services District between Hastings and Rutland Township as soon as it is officially transferred into the city.

The council also had a first reading of ordinances to establish a Hasting Rutland Township Planning commission and adopt the zoning ordinance of that commission, with action expected at the next council meeting.

At the end of the Monday, May 23 meeting, the council went into closed session to discuss negotiating strategies for union bargaining agreements.