Ilene Edwards addressed the Preston City Council at its May 7 meeting regarding the schedule for pop-up markets in 2018. She noted that last summer there were three markets with an average of 11 vendors participating.
This year five pop-up markets will be held on the second Saturday of each month, beginning on June 9 and ending on October 13. Markets will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The markets will be set up along the north sidewalk on Fillmore St. (Urban Artifacts to Hindt-Hudek).
Vendors and shoppers were pleased with last year’s three pop-up markets. The council approved the plan for the downtown farmer’s/pop-up markets for 2018. Councilwoman Holly Zuck abstained.
Veterans home update
City Administrator Joe Hoffman had a phone conversation with Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) staff on April 26 to more clearly learn what is considered a “shovel-ready” site. Preston will need to donate the land to the state before the project enters the federal queue (awaiting its turn to proceed); the enrollment period ends April 15, 2019.
Street access to the site was discussed. Construction of an additional street access or accesses are not required prior to entering the federal queue. Best location or locations for access will likely be decided during the design process. There is now an existing access from the southwest corner of the site.
Utilities, water and sewer exist 20 feet to 150 feet south of the site. Plans for extension of these services will likely be part of the design process.
Hoffman noted the House passed the State Government Finance Committee Omnibus bill that included using $26 million in stadium bond reserves for three proposed veteran homes. This funding was not included in the House Capital Investment Committee bonding bill. The Senate Capital Investment Committee has not released their bonding bill as of yet.
Governor Mark Dayton has announced he is not in favor of using stadium bond reserves to fund veteran homes.
Hoffman said he hoped they can provide funds both for fixing existing homes and building new homes. He added the best scenario to get new veteran homes in Minnesota is to fund new homes now.
Other business in brief
• A second public hearing was held on the open Small Cities Grant. Michelle Vrieze, director of grants, noted the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) requires a public hearing at the end of the projects. Small Cities Block Grants administered by Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA) cover housing, commercial, rental, and public facilities projects. Vrieze said they have exceeded their goal with these projects.
There was no comment from the public. Councilman Charles Sparks remarked that it is really looking good downtown. Everyone was able to use the grant funds constructively.
• Hoffman announced a one-year trial agreement, as part of the recent labor negotiations, for summer hours. Employees at the city shop will work 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during the summer. City hall employees will continue with normal hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Jim Bakken and Hoffman will work the earlier summer hours which will extend from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
• Approval was given for the rehire of Lisa Brainard at the Tourism Center.
Leave a Reply