The Preston EDA has recommended the purchase of option agreements for land east of Park Lane for a possible future multi-family and/or single family housing development subdivision. The city council unanimously approved the agreements and a Stantec feasibility study for necessary infrastructure improvements at the council’s August 3 meeting.
Cathy Enerson, EDA, explained the option agreements with Cliff Sackett (about three acres) and Helen Winslow (one and one half acres) are for two years ($250/year each), allowing for the first right to purchase. The purchase price is to be $1,500 per acre. Both Sackett and Winslow have agreed to the terms. The current landowners will pay for Park Ln. assessments. There is an option to continue the agreements for a third year. Options and the feasibility study are to be paid for out of the EDA fund.
The feasibility study, estimated to cost about $5,000, will look at the extension of the road and utility infrastructure needed for the potential development. The land is on the east side of Park Ln., just north of the Park Lane Assisted Living Facility.
Councilman Robert Maust suggested that three lots on each side of Golf View Dr. could be nice lots for housing development. Mayor Kurt Reicks asked city administrator Joe Hoffman to gather more information. The possibility of developing further in the area will be discussed at a later meeting.
Enerson said the EDA also recommends the approval of an EDA Local Emergency Loan for Urban Artifacts in an amount not to exceed $3,000. She said Urban Artifacts is the ninth applicant for this kind of loan. The council approved paying outstanding bills in the amount of $2,526.21. The loan is to be paid back over 60 months beginning January 2021.
MiBroadband
MiBroadband is a collaboration of Harmony Telephone Co. and MiEnergy Electric Cooperative created in 2018.
Harmony Telephone Co. CEO Jill Huffman, Barry Churchill and Alissa Stelpflug requested a letter of support for their application for a state grant (Minnesota Border to Border Grant/Loan program) to assist with their planned project. MiBroadband currently serves 550 broadband customers.
The industrial park area is considered unserved. They are working to bring fiber optic service to unserved and underserved areas. Besides the industrial park, their plan is to cover northern parts of Preston, the veterans home site, and the rural area surrounding the city. This project will provide better service for people working at home. Huffman said it will be reliable service for rural homes, farms, and businesses. It could cover most of the Fillmore Central School District, providing better service to teachers and students.
Churchill said they are also requesting in-kind financial support. They asked if the city could commit to a 25 year lease of a small plot of land near the industrial park and the north substation. The value on that land will be included with the grant application as a potential community contribution to the project. A ‘hut’ would be placed on a plot of about 40 feet by 40 feet.
A motion passed unanimously for the letter of support. The grant application will be submitted in September. Hoffman will bring a resolution for the lease agreement to the council for their consideration at a future meeting.
Other business in brief
• The council continues to have issues with the property owner of the house at 300 Cottage Grove Ave. SE. As most of the issues have not been resolved, the council authorized staff to take the next step. Police Chief Blaise Sass noted the complaints started in 2017. Communication with the home owner has been ongoing. The next step is legal action, misdemeanor charges. City Attorney Dwight Luhmann explained the violation of the ordinance could result in 90 days in jail and/or $1,000 fine. Another option is civil action. Issues include grass, weeds and shrubs growing out of control, scaffolding (nuisance), and the siding issue. The council approved the leveling of charges against the homeowner.
• Jim Bakken, Public Works, said the last crack filling project was in 2016. He described a crack filling maintenance project this year estimated to cost $6,000. The machine will be rented from the county for one week at a cost of $1,000. The materials will cost about $5,000. Crack filling will prolong the life of the streets. The project was approved as presented.
• The engineering proposal for the 2021 Street and Utility Project was approved. The proposal was prepared by Brett Grabau. The estimated cost for design, engineering and construction services is $533,803, or about 16.5% of the total project cost. Hoffman said expenses for the services are paid out as they are provided.
• The next council meeting is August 17. The first meeting in September will be on Tuesday, September 8.
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