At the November 16 Preston City Council meeting a resolution, which is required by state statute, was approved declaring a vacancy on the city council. The council seat has been vacant since the resignation of Holly Zuck, which was accepted at the November 2 meeting. In the recent general election, dean Aug was elected to the city council seat previously held by Zuck, but he will not begin this term until January.
The council can appoint someone to fill the vacant seat with a majority vote. A motion was made and approved unanimously to have Aug fill the vacancy immediately. City Administrator Joe Hoffman then administered the oath of office to Aug.
Sale of Foremost Farms
Foremost Farms properties are being sold to Diversified Ingredients. Seven areas have been identified where the properties of Foremost Farms encroach on city property. The purchase is expected to go through later this month. Foremost Farms has been in operation for 96 years. More updated and accurate surveys have identified the encroachments.
City Attorney Dwight Luhmann said the encroachments have existed a long time and no one has been aware of them. He suggested they can be resolved quickly and easily through some easements and a vacation process of certain streets and alleys. One encroachment is two feet into the right of way of St. Paul St. (CSAH 17) and will have to be resolved by the county.
The council authorized the staff to start the process to resolve the other encroachments.
Other business in brief
•Cathy Enerson, EDA Director, will be concluding her work in Preston at the end of this year. The EDA met prior to the city council meeting and offered three options for her replacement. Continue with CEDA and replace her with another of their people. Or, hire a full-time tourism/EDA position with full benefits. Or lastly, create a part-time position for two days per week.
The EDA board recommended that the city advertise and interview applicants for the full-time tourism/EDA position. The council approved the EDA’s recommendation. Hoffman said they are not proposing any addition to the city’s budget to pay for the full-time position. It is expected the combined position would allow the individual to work about three days in tourism and two days for the EDA.
•A request for a second driveway access by Erin Amdahl at 217 Spring St. NE for access to a future backyard garage was approved. Amdahl had requested that the access be added as part of the 2021 Street Project. Hoffman said he appreciated the foresight to do this with the street project.
•The Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation submitted its annual contribution request. The amount of $1,000 was approved which is the same amount contributed last year. Hoffman said SMIF does a lot of great work in our community. Luhmann added the investment is very beneficial to the city of Preston.
•The special canvassing meeting was held on November 13. The election results were reviewed and approved. Kurt Reicks won another two-year term as mayor. Dean Aug and David Collett won four-year city council terms.
•The next city council meetings will be held on December 7 and 21.
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