Preston council approves sewer-rate increase, adopts new road-design standards and waives county event-center fee

The Preston City Council approved a package of routine and policy items, including a water and sewer-rate schedule increase, codified updates to street design standards and a one-time waiver of a county event-center fee.

Resolution 178, the updated license and fee schedule that includes a $23 increase to the sewer rate referenced in the mayor's State of the City, was moved and approved unanimously after the city clerk confirmed the effective date was included in the packet. "It does say it," the clerk said when asked to confirm the effective date.

The council adopted changes to municipal design standards aimed at giving the city greater flexibility in street cross sections and permitting core sampling to determine whether geogrid or other features are necessary. Council introduced and approved Ordinance 2026-1 (amending PMC 16.24 and 17.46.065) by roll-call vote after dispensing with the three-day reading rule. Council then adopted Resolution 179 to make the new cross sections the city's standard; staff said the change will allow the public works director and the planning director to jointly determine whether ribbon curb or curb-and-gutter is appropriate on individual lots.

Council also approved a variance for Erica Martinez at 29 East 1st North to allow a porch covering within the 25-foot setback; staff confirmed neighbors were mailed notice. The council approved the variance unanimously.

Council considered a request from Franklin County to waive a $28,000 fire-suppression connection fee for the county's new Event Center. Members questioned why the city had not been notified before the county connected the system and asked public works whether the city had capacity to support the connection. Public works staff said private contractors typically test those systems and that the county likely engaged testing; the council voted 3–1 to waive the fee and asked county officials to ensure future communication with the city.

Public works and operations provided an update on the new wastewater treatment plant. Operations manager Brian Moss said the 30-day trial has largely completed, the old plant has been disconnected and operators are taking control of many systems. Preliminary lab tests show the new plant is not violating Department of Environmental Quality permit limits except for ammonia and phosphorus, which staff expect to address when membranes come online.

The meeting also included ceremonial items: administration of the oath of office to council members, re-election of Todd Thomas as council president and presentation of a State of the City address that noted the wastewater project, the city's 120th anniversary and a $3.7 million federal grant toward a new 2,000,000-gallon water tank.