At the July 5 meeting of the Preston City Council, the last two portions of the city hall project were discussed. City Administrator Joe Hoffman suggested a committee be formed to consider a number of options for the sign in front of city hall.
Hoffman suggested that the committee include Mayor Kurt Reicks, himself, Gabby Kinneberg, and another council member. Charles Sparks volunteered to join the committee. Hoffman said he has been working with Mike Kelly on ideas.
The other remaining project is the replacement of the sidewalk ramp under the canopy. Hoffman said Legends Concrete had submitted a quote in the amount of $5,319. Councilman Robert Maust felt the quote was too high. Bakke Concrete was asked for a quote also. Legends could start the work the next day. Bakke suggested his crew wouldn’t be able to do the work for a month or two. The council voted to go ahead with Legends Concrete. Maust and Councilman David Collett voted no.
Hoffman noted the mural is up and the canopy is 95% complete. Queens City Construction, Inc. has requested payment in the amount of $55,287.35 for their work on the EFIS (exterior insulation finishing system), painting of west and south walls, foam above windows (behind canopy), and the painting of windows on second floor. The payment was approved as recommended by staff.
Other business in brief
• A request for a handicap parking space in front of the new Fit Express at 131 St. Paul St. from Linda Mathison was discussed. There will be physical therapists (Active Physical Therapy) sharing the space who will have clients with limited mobility. Sparks said they hope to be open around Labor Day.
The issue was less about allowing a handicap parking space than about the location. Maust suggested a spot on Main St. would be on a street with less traffic and a level street making it a safer access. Hoffman said the requested location was discussed with police chief Matt Schultz and public works director Jim Bakken; there was no objection. The county would also need to concur for the St. Paul St. location.
It was decided to table the request until the next meeting. The Mathisons will be asked to come in and explain why the St. Paul St. location is preferable.
• The EDA recommended the approval of a $3,000 loan to be paid off over five years at 1% interest from the Small Cities Development Program (SCDP) loan fund to GNR LLC to support the SCDP grant application for renovation of 213 Main St. SW. The renovation of the building associated with TNT lawn care service and the laundromat is expected to cost almost $30,000. The loan was approved.
• A special council meeting is tentatively to be held on August 9 at 5 p.m. to hear from Mike Bubany on a Capital Financing Plan for the city.