At the November 2 Preston City Council meeting, the council was short one member. Council member Holly Zuck submitted her resignation effective October 27. The council accepted her resignation with thanks for her service. A plaque will be prepared recognizing her years of service to the community. The Zucks are moving out of the Preston community.
Cathy Enerson, EDA, explained that the EDA is recommending approval of three new construction housing incentive applications. Two of the applications are for two model twin homes being constructed by Andy Bunge on North St., and the third is for Florence Litwinczuk for her personal residence on Maple St. The EDA’s approved budget includes incentive funding. The Preston Buck incentives for the model twin homes will transfer to the new buyer. All three applications were approved. Councilman David Collett voted no.
Other business in brief
• Jim Bakken had requested the replacement of the snow plow on the 2017 Chevrolet pickup. The plow had been purchased in 2016; welds on the plow have been cracking. Typically plows only are expected to last four to five years. A quote from Ironside Trailer sales was approved. The new plow cost is $6,400, less $2,500 for trade-in of the old plow. The actual cost to the city is $3,900. The purchase was approved as presented.
• The election canvass meeting was moved to Friday, November 13 at 8 a.m. Fillmore County official election results are to be available November 12.
• Plans for the city to assume ownership by December 31, 2020, of the Crown Hill Cemetery were again discussed. In March the council said it was in favor of assuming ownership. The Crown Hill Cemetery Board submitted a resolution to the city stating that it was in the best interest of the cemetery to enter into an agreement with the city to take ownership of the cemetery, due to expected near future financial shortfalls making it impossible to properly care for and maintain the cemetery. Cemetery assets and monies will be turned over to the city. The resolution was approved by a majority of the Cemetery Board on October 22.
City Administrator Joe Hoffman said he wasn’t looking for action this day but wanted to keep the council informed. City Attorney Dwight Luhmann noted that according to state statute the action of the Cemetery Board should be unanimous. Hoffman suggested the city may be able to manage the cemetery without a formal board. It will have to be decided what decisions the city council will delegate to a board or to city staff. There was some discussion concerning the need for an additional summer helper for mowing and trimming and the likely purchase of an additional zero turn mower.
By consensus the council wanted to keep moving forward on steps necessary for the city to assume ownership of the cemetery. A formal resolution will be brought back at a future meeting.
• The city council’s next meetings are November 16 and December 7.
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