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County commissioner updates council; resident offers to maintain downtown 'Little Park'
Summary
At the June 3 meeting, County Commissioner David Preisler briefed Waterville councilmembers on county-level actions including an erroneous DHS listing and funding changes, and resident Laura Hoffman asked to purchase or rent Little Park and offered to maintain it while raising parking concerns tied to new apartments.
County Commissioner David Preisler addressed the Waterville City Council during the public-comment portion to brief members on several county matters, including changes to hunting law implementation, an erroneous listing by the Department of Homeland Security and potential flood-mitigation grant activity.
Preisler said the state recently changed hunting statute language to allow rifles but that counties can choose their local rules; Le Sueur County elected to keep shotgun-only restrictions. He told council members an apparent DHS list had included Le Sueur County among 'sanctuary' jurisdictions without any local discussion; the county inquired and the listing was taken down, he said. Preisler also noted that construction near County Road 6 will start soon and that the Sentence to Serve program is ending because the state reduced funding.
Resident Laura Hoffman (115 Cottrill St.) asked the council to consider selling or leasing 'Little Park' next to the Snack Shack so she and others could add shade and seating and assume maintenance responsibilities. Hoffman said she would perform the upkeep and be flexible about City events held there; she also expressed concern about long-term parking availability on 3rd Street once nearby apartment construction is complete. Councilmembers agreed to add the park topic to the July agenda and to solicit Park Board feedback.
The council heard these items as part of a broader meeting that included several routine votes and project authorizations. Council direction on the park will return in July with Park Board input and any recommended terms for sale, lease, or maintenance agreements.
