Preston EDA recommended the city council create a loan fund to rehab and create apartments in existing buildings in the city. The recommendation was considered at the February 3 meeting.
Small city block grant program loan repayments are being collected into the 274 account and they will make up this loan fund. City Administrator Joe Hoffman said he was excited about the prospect of more apartments in the community. Councilman Robert Maust noted that parking on the street for some apartment residents could be an issue. The council unanimously approved the reuse of these funds for a rental rehabilitation program.
Highway 52 speed limit
A few months ago the city council directed Hoffman to reach out to MnDOT about the speed limit and the possibility of a reduced speed zone between the intersection of Highway 16 and Chatfield Ave. A detailed e-mail was received from Michael Schweyen, district traffic engineer, on January 23.
Schweyen considers the posted speed “a safe and reasonable speed, as influenced very much by roadway character.” He suggests the speed is appropriate and minimizes “speed differential of vehicles on the roadway.” He acknowledged that it is a relatively busy area and MnDOT may consider appropriate warning signage, if they are particularly concerned.
Schweyen insists, that with the raising of speed limits from 55 to 60 mph, overall high speeds have hardly changed (less than 1-2 mph). However, the speed differential has been reduced. When speeds are posted too low, not consistent with road character, speed variability is increased as is crash potential.
Hoffman noted Schweyen does give the option of a speed study. Councilwoman Holly Zuck asked if a state patrol vehicle could sit in that area, as it often does in Fountain in its 40 mph speed zone. The council directed staff to invite Schweyen and a safety engineer to a council meeting.
Other business in brief
•Annual ambulance write-offs were approved: $64,872.10 for 2019 and $4,927.36 for 2018. Ambulance Director Ryan Throckmorton explained the write-offs represent the gap between our rates and what insurances are willing to reimburse for a call.
Write-offs in the amount of $12,127.82 that are mostly due to uncollected accounts were also approved. These write-offs do not forgive the debt, but is “an accounting acknowledgement that we are unlikely to collect.”
•Fire Department write-off in the amount of $300 on a single uncollected account was approved. The write-off does not forgive the debt but is an acknowledgement that it is unlikely to be collected.
•Maust asked if a list of streets has been put together to be part of the 2021 street project. Hoffman said he will meet with Jim Bakken, Public Works, and Brett Grabau, city engineer, later in the week. Streets may include those that were discussed for improvements last year and the post office area. Streets included will be limited by the amount the council is willing to spend in 2021, around $4 million. Mayor Kurt Reicks said the goal, at this point, is to get more information and get the process going later this spring.
•Hoffman said there have been some complaints concerning sidewalks that have not been cleared of snow or ice. He reminded the public that city ordinance gives the property owner 24 hours to remove snow and ice from the sidewalk. Hoffman said law enforcement may call a the property owner after the 24-hour period.
•The city will again donate $100 to the Post-Prom Committee to help with the organization of organized late-night activities.
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