Interim City Administrator Michelle Marotzke will no longer have the title of interim as of November 1. At the October 5 meeting of the city council members discussed the hiring of a permanent city administrator.
Mayor Kurt Reicks asked for the council members’ input; he said Michelle has been good to work with. The six-month interim position ends on November 1. Councilman Steve Hall asked Marotzke if being full-time city administrator is something she wanted to pursue. She said her husband has been supportive, and she will be happy to serve the city council and the community. She continued, “we have an amazing staff here; they are all very helpful.”
Marotzke said Utility General Manager and Public Works Director Mitch Kriener has been a standout; “he and I work in lock step together.”
Hall added the community knows something positive has been going on in city hall. Councilman Jon Wood said this transition has been so seamless, perfect fit. Councilman Charles Sparks agreed, it has been smooth, “we are getting both sides of the story, before making a decision.”
A 14-month contract was discussed. Reicks said City Attorney Joe O’Koren will be consulted about a contract. The council will revisit this at the next meeting. A motion was unanimously approved to proceed with the hiring of Michelle Marotzke as the full-time city administrator beginning on November 1; a contract is to be drafted.
Other Business in Brief
• A resolution was approved requesting the 2027 State Legislature recognize the need to sustain deputy registrar offices and to enact a permanent state revenue sharing fund for deputy registrars, sourced with 50% of the existing filing fee revenue from on-line and mail-in transactions. A request for this support was received from Sean Feind at the Preston Deputy Registrar Office.
• A joint meeting of the Preston City Council and Preston Public Utilities Commission will be held on November 24 at 8:15 a.m. This will be the first joint budget work session between both bodies. The intention is to better ensure capital improvement projects are aligned, especially street and sidewalk projects.
• A advertisement for request for proposals for the 2027 Official Newspaper was approved.
• The temporary closure of Fillmore St. E Parking Lot for Trunk or Treating on October 30, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. was approved.
• A resident request for an Autistic Child Street sign to be installed at 209 Washington St. NW was approved.
• The preliminary evaluation of the water leak by the rear door of city hall has been completed by Ron Schroeder. At this point, it looks like the leak involves the library windows installed in 2025 and a crack in the outside wall.
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