Members of a committee were appointed and approved to continue negotiations and to draft an agreement between the city and the Preston Historical Society (PHS) at the city council’s May 20 meeting. Committee members include City Attorney Dwight Luhmann, City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton, Mayor Kurt Reicks, Councilman Steve Hall, and PHS president Sheila Craig.
At the city council’s April 29 meeting, a resolution was adopted to start negotiations between the city and the PHS for the proposed Depot-Museum-Event Center & Campus. The PHS currently occupies the old Preston Dairy & Farm building and wants to make the building their permanent home. Widseth conducted and reviewed a feasibility report which included preliminary floor plans for the renovation of the building, provided estimated costs, and included a letter endorsing the proposed project.
Luhmann said committee meetings will be posted. The first meeting will be held in city hall on Friday, May 25 at 8:30 am. The goal of the committee is to present a draft of an agreement for the council’s consideration at the next city council meeting on June 3.
Review of Future Capital Improvements
Throckmorton presented a list of 2016 proposed Capital Improvements. Most improvements on the list have been completed. Two that have not been completed are a community center and work on Center St. The 2016 list provided by Utility was all completed.
Throckmorton reviewed a list of potential improvements to be considered over the next five years. The list includes a sealcoating project in 2028, a continuation of city hall repairs, replacement of a 20-year-old plow truck, a squad car replacement, Golfview St. repairs, office network security (likely this year), pond restoration (dredging of both ponds), Comprehensive Plan (2025-2026), replacement of fire department grass rig, cemetery driveway improvement, repaving of Preston Park trail, pool parking lot repair, repayment of Preston Dairy & Farm loan, ambulance replacement, and utility upgrades.
Utility upgrades include the upgrade of the Wastewater Treatment Plant; a study of the plant is in process to determine needed upgrades. Upgrading the treatment plant has been put on a state project priority list. An electrical study has also been done which recommends significant upgrades over several years.
Councilman Charles Sparks said a lot depends on funding and what we learn from the wastewater plant study. For many of the Capital Improvements the goal is to build funds over time to complete these projects.
Throckmorton asked for the council’s input on needed projects. Sparks brought up the condition of the Main St. curb and gutter, especially in front of the pharmacy. Throckmorton said the next street project will likely be in 2029 or 2030. Sidewalks and curb and gutter are usually repaired with a street project. Sparks suggested they do some patchwork like a handicap slope in front of the pharmacy. Throckmorton said he and Jim Bakken can look into it and get an estimate. Reicks suggested street maintenance funding could be used to pay for the repair.
Throckmorton stated the next step regarding Capital Improvements is to ask financial advisor Mike Bubany, David Drown & Associates, to come to a late June or early July meeting. The focus will be on the beginning of the budgeting process.
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