City Engineer Brett Grabau presented plans and specifications for the Circle Heights Drive Improvement project at the Preston City Council’s June 20 meeting.
Grabau introduced a tentative project schedule.
Plans and specifications and the authorization to advertise for bids were both approved. As the project will cost more than $175,000, it must go through the public bidding process.
Bids will be opened on July 21. Grabau suggested that there be a special council meeting on July 25 to either award the contract or reject bids. Mayor Kurt Reicks noted this is not an approval of the project at this point. City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton said there will be a staff recommendation at the special meeting.
If a bid is accepted construction is expected to begin mid-August and the project should be completed by early October.
Other business in brief
• City Attorney Dwight Luhmann described a proposed easement agreement between the city and Anderson Farm Acres, LLC, and Blue Jay Ridge, LLC (Mark Welch, chief manager). A development agreement with Mark Welch for the Blue Jay Ridge First Subdivision (BJR) was entered into September 7, 2021. Anderson, the landowner, has granted a perpetual easement for drainage purposes. Grabau said BJR has addressed existing erosion issues and is required to address future erosion issues caused by increased drainage from the BJR First Subdivision.
Grabau said almost all of the drainage from the veterans home will go down that channel. He added you don’t change drainage patterns, but only work to slow down the flow. The easement agreement was approved as presented.
• Throckmorton reviewed the city’s history of the ambulance director position. It became a part-time paid position in 2010 and after about six months became a full-time paid position. The value of having someone who could focus on grants was quickly realized. Throckmorton has served as the city’s ambulance director since 2010. He was hired as the city’s new administrator earlier this month. A motion to advertise for a replacement ambulance director was approved. The application deadline will be July 8. Throckmorton, Reicks, and possibly another staff member will serve as an interview committee for ambulance director applicants and then make a recommendation possibly at the July 18 council meeting.
• Approval was given for the new city administrator to sign F & M Community Bank checks/documents for accounts including General Fund, Park Board, Preston Emergency Services, and the Veterans Home Escrow Fund.
• The next meeting of the city council will be on Tuesday, July 5.
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