HASTINGS, Neb. – A Hastings city councilman is apologizing after making racially insensitive comments about Hispanic people during a recent meeting.

During the city council meeting on Mon. Jan. 27, Ward 2 Representative Larry Consbruck issued a verbal apology statement to the council and citizens in attendance.

This stems from the city council’s work session on Tues. Jan. 21, when the council was engaged in discussion with Hastings Director of Development Services Chad Bunger and Mason Herrman of Marvin Consulting Group about the city’s proposed comprehensive plan.

After Bunger finished answering a question from Consbruck on why he thought the city's median income hadn't risen in recent years, Consbruck replied with a comment implying that Hastings residents of Hispanic race were partly to fault for that issue.

"Nothing whatsoever against our Hispanic community, but it seems like it rose, and those folks are willing to work for less," said Consbruck during the Jan. 21 work session. "My thought is that probably figures into that median income not progressing very much."

The comments found their way to social media drawing the ire of some Hastings residents on Facebook.

During Monday’s city council meeting, Consbruck issued the following statement as an apology

"At our previous meeting, we talked about the median income of the folks of Hastings, and I asked why, and didn't get an answer, so I offered a little bit of what I thought might be a possibility, and that apparently offended some folks," said Consbruck during the Jan. 27 city council meeting. "That was not my intention, and so I apologize for whatever I may have said that offended."

No council members addressed the comments on Jan. 21, but Ward 4 Representative Brian Hoffman addressed the situation on Monday.

"Some people may have pointed out my silence may have been interpreted as an agreement, and for that I'm truly sorry for the community for thinking that," said Hoffman. "I want to be clear, I do not agree with the remarks, and they do not reflect my values or vision I have for Hastings."

Mayor Jay Beckby also spoke on the matter after Consbruck and Hoffman.

"My council, my staff, and I will remain focused on items like spending control, common sense government, development, and citizens' well-being," said Beckby. "I feel we all need to be cognizant of what we say while we aspire to represent citizens' best interests going forward."

No citizens spoke during the public comment section at the beginning of the meeting.

Consbruck was one of four newly elected city council members in December, and is currently the council’s Vice President.