Due to the impending retirement of Fountain’s long time part-time police chief Tom Mosher, Fountain has invited Preston staff to meet with them on August 14 to discuss the possibility of Preston contracting with Fountain for police services. In a related matter, a revised contract with the city of Lanesboro was approved at the August 7 Preston City Council meeting. Councilman David Collett was absent.
Lanesboro had requested three significant revisions to their contract. Preston must be liable and insure their police officers while in Lanesboro, which Preston already does. Preston is to provide a proposed budget by August 1. If the proposed budget increases more than 5%, the contract termination period drops from 180 days to 90 days. These changes were approved.
Police Chief Matt Schultz explained that initially, Fountain discussed the provision of police services with the county but they apparently have not agreed on terms. City Administrator Joe Hoffman and Schultz talked about how costs would be split up between the three communities if services were extended to Fountain. Hoffman noted they have accurate information on the number of calls made in Preston and Lanesboro. Estimates were made for Fountain. Currently, the cost share for the Preston police department is split two-thirds Preston and one-third Lanesboro.
It is proposed that Fountain would pay 7.8% (about $24,000) of the department cost and the remaining total would be split two-thirds for Preston and one-third for Lanesboro. The department would be run with the same number of officers so the cities would see slightly less patrol coverage. The cities all would enjoy some savings with this arrangement. The total 2018 net budget expense for the police department is $308,613.
A motion was approved to offer police coverage to Fountain using the figures presented. Mayor Kurt Reicks said there could be a savings to all three communities and it should be an ideal situation for law enforcement.
Other business in brief
• Approval was given for a Pop-Up Craft Show/farmer market on August 12 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Additional shows were approved, one each in September and October, dates yet to be set. Ilene Edwards said the sidewalk market will be on the 100 block of Fillmore St. W. She said she has been working with Martin and Kathleen Rinnhofer from Urban Artifacts.
• An assessment public hearing will be held on September 5 at 6 p.m. for this year’s sidewalk improvements. Jim Bakken, Public Works, said the improvements were made at five locations at a total cost of $14,477. The total amount proposed to be assessed against the lots is $3,636.75.
• Rezoning and variance requests were made by Andrew and Anita Bisek. They were approved as recommended by Planning and Zoning after their public hearing. There was no opposition to the requests. The property at 232 Main St. SW will be rezoned from R3 (multi-family residential) to R2 (one and two family residential). Variances will allow for the building of a covered porch on the north side and a raised patio on the east side of the house.
• Approval was given for a funding request in the amount of $3,000 for the Preston Historical Society. Councilman Robert Maust explained that a grant application has been submitted for Legacy funding in the amount of $133,000. If the grant is awarded it will be used in part for an addition on the north side of the elevator and an office. He hopes to hear in September if more information is needed or if they are being considered for funding.
• Preston agreed to act as an intermediary for needed repair work on a portion of the Harmony-Preston Valley Bike Trail in the city. The city will contract with Barth Construction who is already working on the Root River stream restoration. Hoffman said there is a straight down drop to the water a few feet off the trail and that a repair is urgently needed. He noted the city is under no obligation. The council approved going into a cooperative agreement with the DNR pending final approval by the city attorney. The amount quoted by Barth to do the work ($6,702.99) will be fully reimbursed to the city.
• The renewal of property, liability and workers compensation insurance through the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT) was approved. Monetary tort limits were not waived, as is the city’s past practice.
• A railing, an ADA requirement, to be added along the newly cemented ramp to city hall was discussed. The council suggested that decorative options be brought back for consideration.
• The hire of Tim Krueger as an EMT as recommended by Ambulance Director Ryan Throckmorton was approved.
• Revised pre-treatment agreements with Foremost Farms and POET were approved. The agreements set mercury limits for the industries and have surcharges if the limits are exceeded. Both Preston Public Utilities and the two industries have agreed to the terms.
• The city will place an ad costing $54 in the News Leader in the Honor Roll for Business section.
• The second meeting in August is tentatively set for Thursday, August 24. The first meeting in September will be on Tuesday, the 5th.
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