Fresh faces join Preston City Council

By News Team
ads@fillmorecountyjournal.com

Fri, Jan 10th, 2003
Posted in Features

Comments

Newly elected Council member Mike McGarvey (left) and Mayor David Pechulis (center left) are shown at work at Monday�s City Council meeting. Assistant City Administrator Sheila Marzolf and Council member Mike Gartner are at the Mayor�s left.

Three new people sat around the table Monday, January 6 , for the first meeting of the Preston City Council in the new year. Mayor pro-temp Mike Gartner presided while Fred Nagle, the city administrator, swore in council members Heath Mensink and Michael McGarvey, as well as the new mayor David Pechulis.

Mayor Pechulis suggested that given the state�s financial crisis, there is a need for the city to adopt a resolution to protect 'Preston's critical public services'. These services include the police and fire departments along with ambulance service.

"There is no question of the city budget shortfall. . . the ripple effect already has started," Pechulis said. He went on to declare that maintenance of equipment and current staffing of the critical services needs to be supported. The mayor proposed a three year plan to 'protect budgets of those services'.

Mike Gartner agreed the protection of these public services was 'valid thinking', however he wanted to know exactly how the resolution would read. Pechulis agreed to provide the language for the resolution and present it to the council in the future.

Highway 52

Fred Nagle gave an update on the cost share for the upcoming Highway 52 project. MnDOT will pick up 100% of the costs for new storm sewers along the Highway 52 corridor, with the city and county responsible for several extensions on connecting streets. Nagle said that the city should benefit from the new cost share formula.

A resolution to impose parking restrictions on CSAH 17 was discussed and tabled in order to make changes to how the resolution was worded.

Other Business

�Council members received their new appointments to various city boards and commissions. Heath Mensink will serve on the Park Board, the Public Utilities Commission and as the Fire Department liaison. Mike McGarvey will serve on the Planning and Zoning Committee and the EDA. Mike Gartner will serve on the Tree Board and the Library Board. Jerry Scheevel will serve on the Tourism Board and EDA.

�The Republican-Leader was appointed legal paper.

�The council will meet next on Tuesday, January 21, because of Martin Luther King Day.

No Comments Yet. Be the first to comment!