The Preston City Council, during their May 18 meeting, unanimously supported the Economic Development Authority (EDA) recommendation for Preston to become a Minnesota city with a TelecommuterForward! Community Certification.
City Administrator Joe Hoffman explained that the EDA will coordinate with telecommuting stakeholders, including broadband providers, realtors, economic develpment professionals, employers, and employees. The city has three broadband providers. The Preston EDA has agreed to comply with the minimum statutory requirements to assist in this effort. The EDA was appointed as the point of contact and will be in regular communication with the State Broadband Office and local broadband providers to enhance telecommunication in the city, making Preston a telecommuting friendly community.
Reopening City Hall
Council members discussed whether it is appropriate to reopen City Hall in the near future. Hoffman noted Governor Walz lifted the Stay at Home Order effective this day, although businesses including restaurants, bars, and gyms are still closed.
Mayor Kurt Reicks said his driver’s license office has opened. He had to develop a plan for reopening, which was then sent to the state for approval.
The city staff has put together a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan. The goal is to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19 in the workplace and city. This will require the cooperation of staff and visitors.
Hoffman explained the installation of glass panels on the city and utility counters will help us open to the public sooner. Employees will be asked to self screen for symptoms and to stay at home when not feeling well. Hygiene and hand washing will be practiced.
The number of people in the lobby will be limited, one individual at each window. The public will be asked to self police and wait outside the lobby when two customers are in the lobby. Facemasks will be provided to the staff, although staff will not be required to wear them at all times during work hours. Staff will wear a facemask when a visitor is wearing a mask or the visitor requests the staff member to wear a mask.
A unit of hand sanitizer has been ordered for the lobby. Not all staff will be working in the office. Visitors will be limited as to where they can go within the building. Instructions will be communicated to employees and visitors.
Councilwoman Holly Zuck said City Hall should open when the staff is comfortable with opening. Bathrooms may be closed unless there is an emergency. Zuck suggested just allowing one person in the bathroom at a time.
Hoffman encourged city residents, individuals to pay bills online or to use the drop box for their safety. The city council by consensus agreed to the plan to implement the reopening of City Hall.
Other business in brief
• The Park Board will meet on May 20 and the swimming pool will be discussed. The pool has not been prepped for opening at this time as it costs $3,000 to $4,000 for that process. The prepping delay may delay an opening. Staff hopes the governor will provide guidance on recreation facilities in the next couple of weeks.
• It was noted the library is allowing one person in at a time to use a computer. It is expected to gradually allow one to two people in at a time for books. Hoffman said a plan is being put into place for its reopening.
• Pop-Up Markets were scheduled to start on June 13. Ilene Edwards said June was too early in her opinion. She acknowledged that vendors are anxious to open. She suggested when they do open there could be 10 vendors; five on each side of the street. Shoppers could be asked to wear masks, but she questioned how that could be enforced. Shoppers would not be allowed to touch the merchandise. Edwards was concerned about shoppers crowding together.
Mayor Reicks asked Edwards if she recommended that the markets be put off until July. A motion was approved (3-2) postponing the Pop-Up Markets until July 11. Zuck did not vote, saying she had a conflict of interest and councilman Charles Sparks abstained.
• The next city council meeting will be held on June 1. The 2021 street and utility project feasibility study will be discussed.
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