PRESCOTT – At the exceptionally short Aug. 10 meeting, the Prescott City Council approved the 2026 Public Works Organizational Study.

City Administrator Matt Wolf said Public Works Director Mike Kinneman retired at the end of July and new Public Works Director Ryan Newland started Aug. 11. In preparation for the transition, city administration and human resources completed an organizational study of the PW Department to evaluate its current structure, operations, and future staffing needs. The study was developed through individual interviews with Public Works employees conducted between Dec. 15, 2025, and Jan. 12, 2026.

Before going before the Public Works Committee, PW staff reviewed it and gave their stamp of approval. According to a city council memo, employees rated the department's overall performance an average of 8 out of 10. They also highlighted opportunities to improve communication, project planning, supervision, accountability, training, equipment maintenance, and long-term planning that were incorporated into the recommendations.

The study is meant to help Newland develop goals over the next couple, Wolf said.

Recommendations within the plan, some of which have already been implemented, include:

• Implement a Formal Foreman Position through an internal promotion, with a recommended effective date of Jan. 1, 2027, which has been completed.
• Maintain the Public Works Director/Foreman organizational structure in the near term, while evaluating separate Utilities and Streets/Parks supervisory positions over the next three to five years; this was completed by hiring Matt Holman as Utilities Foreman and Jeremy Kinneman as Streets and Parks Foreman.
• Begin external recruitment planning for the next public works director, including development of a job description in 2026 and recruitment in early 2027, with the goal of hiring a new Director between April and June 2027, which has been completed with the hiring of Newland.
• Develop annual and seasonal work plans and review them with the department.
• Implement weekly work planning and scheduling to establish clearer priorities and assignments.
• Develop a formal equipment inspection and maintenance program.
• Improve operational efficiency and resource allocation, including contracting out certain project components or routine activities when appropriate.
• Evaluate Public Works facility, technology, and infrastructure needs, including storage, maintenance facilities, Wi-Fi, and employee training space.
• Develop a five- to 10-year strategic plan addressing staffing, equipment, infrastructure, budgeting, training, and certification needs.
• Improve public communication regarding Public Works activities and projects through the city's website, social media, and newsletters

The Public Works facility is currently experiencing space limitations and lacks certain amenities needed to support efficient operations and training, the memo states. The city has budgeted $142,051 for expansion of a three-stall garage. Staff identified additional facility needs, including:

• Mechanic bay or vehicle lift
• Additional storage space
• Improved parts and equipment organization
• Expanded equipment storage
• Improved Wi-Fi connectivity
• Dedicated training and break room space Staff recommend conducting a comprehensive assessment of the Public Works facility to identify improvement priorities and associated costs.

Zoning

The council unanimously approved amendments to the City of Prescott’s zoning code, recommended by the Planning Commission after an Aug. 3 public hearing.

The hearing, held as part of the city’s process to amend Chapter 635 of the City Code, Zoning, addressed several changes to conditional uses and accessory structures in residential and industrial districts.

“The main point was cleaning up the conditional use permits within our chapters,” Wolf said.

The process began in June, following discussion surrounding conditional use permits and the city’s review of a senior assisted living facility, Wolf added.

Among the changes are the removal of large-scale solar farms as a conditional use in the C1, I1 and I3 zoning districts. In the I2 district, the proposal would also remove airports, airstrips and landing fields, as well as railroads and railroad facilities, from the list of conditional uses.

The changes also add accessory dwelling units as a conditional use in the R5 single-family residential district, bringing R5 in line with the R1 through R4 districts.

Additional changes were considered by the Planning Commission in July. Those changes revise the language governing accessory structures in R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 districts to specifically reference Article 10, Section 635-87 of the city code, which governs the number of accessory structures allowed on a lot.

Other business

• The council approved special event permits for the Ride to End ALZ Minnesota from 8-11 a.m. Sept. 19 at Freedom Park and the St. Joseph Parish Fall Festival, which will result in the closure of Dakota Street from noon Sept. 19 through 3 p.m. Sept. 20.
• The council approved a CDL Certification Agreement between the City of Prescott and Public Works Employee Max Monteith.
• The council approved a resolution requesting exemption from the county library tax since the city maintains its own public library. This is done annually.