Preston City Council members approved the use of $6,297 from the EDA fund for an engineering feasibility study for the Park Lane housing development as recommended by the EDA at the council’s October 6 meeting.
At the council’s August 3 meeting, the purchase of option agreements for land east of Park Lane for a possible future multi-family and/or single family housing development subdivision was unanimously approved. Approval was also given for a Stantec feasibility study for necessary infrastructure improvements. The study was estimated to cost about $5,000. Stantec has since increased the estimate due to increased billing rates and additional hours required to $6,297.
Lifeline EMS recognition
The American Heart Association recognized the Preston Emergency Service for a 2020 Mission: Lifeline EMS Silver Award. City Administrator Joe Hoffman called it a big deal for Preston EMS to receive this recognition. Ambulance Director Ryan Throckmorton said it has been earned by the crew; it is a great achievement for a small service like ours. Preston EMS received the bronze award in 2017.
Hoffman added that we are a long way from a hospital here. Therefore, the more technology tools we have for our patients, the better. Councilwoman Holly Zuck thanked Throckmorton for everything he does and the team for all they do. Throckmorton said the service has definitely been moving in the right direction. However, they do need more EMTs right now.
Other business in brief
• Hoffman explained the anticipated actual uses of the city’s $100,127 CARES funding, which have been previously authorized by the city council, now total $96,551 (PPE, technology upgrades, ambulance staffing, ambulance intercom radios, ambulance power cot, and ambulance cot powerload). This leaves about $3,575 unused at this point. Hoffman said they have until November 15 to expend the funds. He listed options for use of the remaining funds. Hoffman said he will put together a plan to use the leftover funds and bring it back to the council at a future meeting.
• Josh Krage applied for a variance from the city code’s required 20-foot setback to a street property line for an 8’x18’ foot addition to his attached deck. He has a corner lot (at 412 Pleasant St. NE) and the variance will be from the Brownsville St. side of his property. Planning and zoning held a public hearing on September 23 and recommended approval of the variance for a six foot street side setback. Mayor Kurt Reicks commented that the lot is fenced and the proposed deck addition will not be visible from the street and should not be a safety issue. The variance was approved as presented.
• Helen Winslow submitted her proposal to split off and sell a piece of her property (58’x274’) to neighbor Greg Hoff. The property is behind Hoff’s property and continuous with his property and the property on either side of his that belong to his son and daughter. Hoff wants to split the piece of property from Winslow into three separate parts and attach one part to each of the three lots north of the piece of property. The council approved the lot split and the breaking of the piece of property into three parts to be adjoined to the three parcels north of it.
• Approval was given for a request for proposals for the city auditor. Quotes are normally provided for a two-year cycle. Proposals will be due back December 1 so the council can select an auditor by the end of the year.
• The three-year contract with the Preston Public Employees Association will expire at the end of this year. The council and utility commission appoint a representative to a joint labor committee to negotiate a new contract. Holly Zuck and Charles Sparks agreed to again serve on this committee.
• The next council meetings will be held on October 19 and November 2.
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