At the January 19 meeting of the Preston City Council, approval was given for Barth Construction to use the city’s tree/brush disposal site for trees removed during restoration work on a portion of Camp Creek.
Trout Unlimited is coordinating the work located just south of Fillmore St./CSAH 11 bridge. Dennis Barth asked if the city would allow the green trees to be placed at the brush disposal site to be burned next winter after they are allowed to dry down.
Jim Bakken said, “We can make it work. We can make two piles and probably will have twice as many trees to burn next year.” It was noted that Trout Unlimited has made investments in projects around the city. Councilman Robert Maust said they have done a lot for the beautification of the city when they cleaned up along the Root River. Mayor Kurt Reicks agreed.
City Administrator Joe Hoffman explained Ron Scheevel is likely to sell his lot in the industrial park to an area business that plans to build a service facility on that lot directly across from POET. He stated this will increase the city’s tax base and provide opportunity for increased employment.
Scheevel is looking for a site to store his equipment and material. He asked if a temporary storage area could be leased at the city’s tree/brush disposal site. Long-term, Scheevel asked about leasing a portion of the disposal site to create a graveled storage area in the woods after grubbing it. Hoffman said this arrangement would be unusual and the staff is not bringing a recommendation to the council. He noted there is a driveway there. All improvements would be at Scheevel’s expense.
Maust commented that Scheevel has done a lot working with the city on many different projects; Reicks said he agreed 100%. Hoffman said the city owns all of the disposal site. Years back the city’s garbage was burned at the site. Hoffman explained Scheevel is looking at a couple other options. Reicks suggested that the city’s disposal site should be a last resort. There was agreement that Scheevel has done a lot for the city. There was a consensus that Scheevel should look at other options, but if they don’t work out the council would consider working with him.
Other business in brief
• Three appointments were approved to fill vacancies on committees and boards. Dean Aug will serve on EDA and the Planning Commission. Charles Sparks volunteered to fill the vacancy on the Tourism Board.
• Approval was given to accept a second grant in the amount of $3,775.50 to purchase a gear dryer. There is a local match requirement of $419.50 that will come out of the fire department budget. The grant is from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
• The city council’s next meeting will be held on February 1. The second meeting in February will be held on Tuesday, February 16.
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