At the September 18 meeting, the Preston, Minn., City Council approved two small paving projects that can be completed along with a third utility project. Mayor Kurt Reicks was absent.
City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton said there could be savings by doing the projects together. The trail extension to the veterans home will be a city-only cost totaling $9,736.33. Griffin Construction will do the base preparation at a cost of $3,970 and Mathy Construction will do the paving at a total cost of $5,766.33.
The water tower driveway will cost a total of $9,219.33. This cost will be shared with Preston Public Utilities (two-thirds city and one-third utility). Griffin Construction will do the base preparation at a cost of $1,110 and Mathy Construction will do the paving at a total cost of $8,109.33. The city’s share of the water tower driveway project is $6,084.76.
The utility will also do patch work on Oak St. at a total cost of $5,370.33 (no city cost). Mathy Construction will do the paving.
The city’s total cost for the projects will be $15,821.09. Throckmorton noted there is about $22,000 left in the street improvement fund to cover the city’s share of these projects. The projects may be completed yet this year. The utility’s total cost for their share of the projects is $8,504.90.
Other Business in Brief
•The Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association (MMUA) safety contract through the end of 2024 was approved as presented. These safety management services are provided for the city/utility. The cost is split between the city (45%) and the utility (55%). The city’s share of the contract cost will be $8,950 (representing a 5% rate increase over the last contract). The budgeted cost is divided among four departments including the police, city, library, and street departments. Services are provided on two days per month. This is an annual renewal. Services include but are not limited to OSHA inspections, training, safety audits, and accident investigation. Throckmorton noted what they do is very valuable.
•Throckmorton explained Local Board of Appeal and Equalization Training is available online and takes about 45 minutes. The training is good for four years. Councilwoman Flossie Schultz has previously been trained; her training is good until 2026. The city is required to have one voting member trained by February 1, 2024. Throckmorton said the training is offered by the state and requested that any interested council members contact him. Usually, the city has two members trained for the Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting which is held in April.
•Approval was granted to pay the League of Minnesota Cities dues for 2024 in the amount of $1,744. This represents a 3.75% increase.
•The city council will meet next on October 2.
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