Members of the Lloyd-Swenson Chapter 7110 of the Minnesota Military Order of the Purple Hearts and many local veterans were in attendance during the city council’s July 15 meeting. The council adopted a resolution proclaiming Preston a Purple Heart City.
Duane Hodge, a Vietnam veteran, is the commander of the Lloyd-Swenson Chapter 7110. Harry Kerr, the chapter’s adjutant, explained how the chapter was named. The chapter was named after two local servicemen who died in combat. Sgt. Allen Lloyd died in Cambodia in 1971 during the Vietnam conflict and Cpl. Curtis Swenson died in Afghanistan in 2010. The chapter continues to grow and now has about 78 members.
Kerr said the Purple Heart is the oldest military award established by George Washington in 1782, then called a Badge of Military Merit. The Purple Heart, as it is recognized today, was brought about by General Douglas MacArthur.
The Purple Heart is “awarded to members of the United States Armed forces who have been wounded or paid the ultimate sacrifice in combat with a declared enemy of the United States of America.”
Two signs will be provided, identifying Preston as a Purple Heart City, to be placed along Highway 52, coming into the city from each direction.
Sgt. Blaise Sass, new chief
City Administrator Joe Hoffman reported that the committee interviewed two applicants for the police chief position on July 1. The committee, by consensus, recommended the position be offered to Sgt. Blaise Sass due to his years of service and his proven ability to fill in for Chief Matt Schultz.
The council unanimously approved Sass for the police chief position to begin after the August 5 retirement of Schultz. With Sass’s promotion and increased responsibilities, a $2,600 pay increase was also approved.
The process to hire another full time police officer to fully staff the police department will begin.
Other business in brief
•Brett Grabau, Stantec Consulting Services, Inc., reviewed a letter of understanding outlining the proposed 2019 drainage and roadway improvements, associated engineering services, and compensation. The cost of Stantec engineering service will not exceed $41,331.25; this estimated cost is approximately 9.74% of the estimated construction costs. The letter of understanding was approved as presented.
A resolution approving plans and specifications and ordering advertisement for bids was passed by the council.
Grabau was authorized at the last council meeting to get quotes for the concrete work portion of the project. Only one quote was received, from Legends Concrete. The quote was $47,684.50; about $11,000 less than the engineer’s estimate. The 2019 concrete work was awarded to Legends Concrete as recommended by Grabau.
•Jeff Broberg, geologist and board member of the National Trout Center, introduced Rich Bain. Bain works on fundraising for the NTC. He is a retired banker and investment advisor and a long-time fisherman.
Bain reviewed a number of programs provided by the NTC. The center is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. He said he has been looking for grants and is applying for everything he can. The idea of the NTC is to bring more people into Preston. Bain explained he has spoken with Cathy Enerson, EDA, about the big picture for economic development and the part NTC can play.
Broberg said the center has 39 unique programs, which may involve pre-schoolers, K-12 students, or adults. The NTC gets requests to put on programs for various groups. It promotes trout fishing and the outdoor environment. About half of the visitors to the NTC are not trout fishermen. They ask for information about other activities available in the area.
The goal this year is to raise $10,000. The NTC is 10 years old.
Enerson said angling/fishing in the driftless area 10 years ago brought in $1.3 billion. Now, the industry brings in $1.4 billion.
•Cathy Enerson presented goals, guidelines, and principles for funding and implementation of the housing needs assessment. The information was compiled by Jon DeVries, a member of the Housing Committee. A development fund or EDA reserves (accumulated from taxes and Utility dollars) could be set aside for growing the community through housing. Enerson said the committee is looking for the council’s guidance going forward.
Hoffman said the current document is not ready for city council action. He acknowledged it will take public investment for new housing development, but the document needs more clarification before the council should act on it.
•A request for a second driveway access from Steven Schlichter (1020 Washington St. NW) was approved. The access will be for a future/planned detached garage.
Hoffman reported that he had checked with surrounding communities about gravel driveways. There had been some discussion at the last meeting about washing of driveway gravel onto streets. Generally, Hoffman found that other like-sized communities do not require hard surface driveways.
•The old Dairy and Farm site was discussed. Hoffman said he would meet with Dairy and Farm and Scheevel and Sons about removing cement foundation east of the existing building. Councilman Robert Maust reported that Historical Society artifacts will soon be moved to the existing building for storage.
Mayor Kurt Reicks suggested that a committee should be formed in the new year to plan for the establishment of a community center. They will work on a preliminary design and a budget.
•The next city council meeting will be on Friday, August 23 at 12:15 pm.
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