A request from Level 3 Communications for renewal of its lease agreement for  property at 506 East Court Street in Hastings where a small building houses the company’s fiber optic equipment will be given to city staff to negotiate a higher rental fee or the company will have to remove the structure.

The Hastings City Council agreed with Mayor Frank Campbell when he said he was opposed to approving the new lease terms of $555.53 annually. The space was worth much more than $555. 53 a year, when other communication companies like Sprint are paying the city up to $2,000 a month, several times Level 3’s offer, Campbell said.

Councilman Bill Redman suggested going back to “talk to these people” and negotiate a higher amount as well as an opt-out clause. He thought rent should be more like $555 a month. The original agreement between the city and Level 3 was for two terms of 15 years each, from 1986 until 2016 which expires at the end of November.

Also Monday, the council adopted a resolution setting fees for city services such as permits and copies of documents, cemetery fees, planning and zoning, police and fire departments fees as well as water and sewer connection and shut off charges. Information on fee changes can be obtained at city hall.

Also approved were resolutions to amend set back requirements  in B2 and B4 zoning districts, a budget amendment, downtown sidewalk sales and amending the city’s sign ordinance to comply with recent U.S. Supreme Court decision.