The Preston City Council, at their February 18 meeting, discussed the Fillmore County ordinance that regulates the sale of hemp and cannabis products. The county recently approved this ordinance at its February 11 meeting.
City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton noted the ordinance is effective for the entire county; the city is automatically covered by the county ordinance. The city could have adopted its own ordinance, but any ordinance adopted by the city could not have been less restrictive than the county ordinance. If the city did adopt its own ordinance, the city would be responsible for regulating the sale of these products. Police Chief Sass recommended support for the county’s ordinance which will allow the county to regulate the sale of these products.
City Ordinance Updates Discussed
Throckmorton outlined some city ordinances that need to be updated or repealed and/or replaced. For example, he recommended the repeal of Chapter 112 on tobacco regulations which is outdated. The list of ordinances to be reviewed and/or replaced or updated include Boards and Commissions and zoning regulations (hardship variances, floodplain management, and institutional office residence regulations). Some board and commission rules could be updated, and some additional boards (library, tree, and tourism boards) could be established. No action was taken this day.
Other Business in Brief
- An agreement with J & M Displays for Trout Days fireworks was approved. The fireworks display for this year will cost $6,500. The city has budgeted $5,250 for the display; the balance is expected to be covered by F & M Community Bank and the fire department. A fireworks permit for the scheduled day and a rainy-day option was approved.
- A list of traditional street closures for Trout Days was approved. The list of recommended closures that include county roads and county parking lots will be forwarded to the Fillmore County Board for their consideration.
- Throckmorton led a discussion on the Crown Hill Cemetery, which the city took possession of in 2021. He noted, at this time, the deed to the main parcel has not yet been transferred. There are discrepancies with the legal description and property lines. Surveying cost to correct the legal description is about $1,000; to correct both the legal description and property line issues on the south side will cost about $2,000. Completing a total survey of the property is expected to cost $4,000.
A property owner is interested in purchasing a portion of the property on the north side. There was a consensus from the council to set up a meeting with this property owner to negotiate a price for the northern wooded parcel.
Issues with the cemetery driveway which is in poor condition were again discussed. The southern entrance and exits are steeper, which would be an issue for a gravel surface. The use of packed millings was discussed as an option. Throckmorton will get an estimate for bituminous millings and bring it back.
- The purchase of an EMS response vehicle at a cost of $8,200 was approved pending staff inspection of the vehicle. The vehicle will be a 2018 Ford Explorer with 78,000 miles on it. It is a former (Lyle) police vehicle equipped with emergency equipment. The vehicle will be used mostly by the EMS director to move equipment/supplies between the Preston and Lanesboro stations. It will be purchased with EMS funds.
- Approval was granted to advertise for rock and bituminous bids as it does each year.
- Approval was granted to advertise for summer helper positions.
- The annual contract between the city and Fillmore County for ambulance service was approved. The city has again requested that the county provide a contract for both the Preston and Lanesboro locations. The county offers each contract a subsidy of $6,000.
- After the meeting was adjourned, Sarah Pieper, concerned Lanesboro citizen, asked several questions about city government and how it operates. Mayor Kurt Reicks answered some questions, noting that every city operates totally different. Throckmorton said the city council acts as a whole to make decisions for the city.
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