Using Hastings parks for non-profit events became simpler Aug. 8 when the Hastings City Council approved a change in procedure. When a nonprofit organization asks to reserve a city park pavilion or other park facility, the reservation fee may now be waived by the city staff instead of going through the council for approval.

The park use clean-up fee may also be waived by staff if the applicant provides a security deposit equal to the clean up fee. If the park is cleaned up after the event, the security deposit will be returned. City Manager Jeff Mansfield said the new rules, “pretty much follow what the council has been dong all along.”

Also, the singling out of “religious meetings” and activity needing council permission could potentially create concerns of separation of church and state, freedom of speech, and so on, Mansfield said. City Attorney Stephanie Fekkes suggested the deletion of any reference to “political meetings, religious meetings” from prohibited acts section of the ordinance.  The change will require an ordinance amendment and action by the council.