At the February 18 Preston City Council meeting, Mayor Kurt Reicks administered the Fire Chief oath of office to Ramon Hernandez. Councilman David Collett was absent.
The council approved appointed officers to the fire department: Chief Ramon Hernandez, Assistant Chief Leigh Larson, Treasurer Dustin Arndt, Secretary Stuart Quanrud, and Training Officer Steven Schlichter.
Chief Hernandez reported that a fire department committee recommends the purchase of new turnout gear. Turnout gear protects firefighters from heat and pollutants. It is recommended that the turnout gear be replaced every 10 years. Their gear is now 16 years old. The purchase of 24 sets of new gear was approved from Fire Safety for the total amount of $45,496.80. This was the lowest of three quotes.
The fire department has sufficient reserves to pay for the new gear. Deputy City Clerk Sheila Marzolf reported that there was $230,000 in the fire department’s equipment fund at the end of 2019 and $206,000 in the township’s fund at the end of 2019.
Hernandez informed the council that a letter had been received from York Township late in October last year. The Preston Fire Department has served nine of the northeastern sections of York Township for 33 years. The contract for services was agreed to in 1986. York Township’s letter gives notice to terminate the contract as of January 1, 2021. It will continue to abide by the contract throughout 2020.
York Township has decided to end the contract because they feel they can get services from Harmony and Lime Springs at a lesser cost. Hernandez said it was a financial decision for the township. Preston Ambulance will continue to cover the area. City Administrator Joe Hoffman commented that the ambulance service territory is set by the state. Hernandez will go to the township’s March meeting to continue discussion on the matter.
Other business in brief
•Approval was given for Mayor Reicks to attend the Minnesota Mayors Conference on April 24 and 25 in Brooklyn Park. The cost to the city will be $650.
•A subordination request from F&M Bank on behalf of David and Nancy Gardner was approved for the property at 152 Main St. SW. There is a Small Cities Development Program (SCDP) deferred loan on the property. Hoffman said the city will be sufficiently collateralized. The request was approved as recommended by city staff and the EDA.
•City Hall utility billing includes the library. A motion to upgrade the lighting in the library with a conversion to LED was approved. Utility bills are paid 75% by the city and 25% by Preston Public Utilities. The PPU already approved payment of their share of the upgrade. The city’s share of the upgrade after rebates is $1,650. It is expected the cost of the upgrade will be gained back in three years due to lower utility bills.
•The advertisement for a summer helper was approved. The advertisement for rock and bituminous bids was approved.
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