The Prescott City Council took several steps aimed at shaping the city's future during its June 8 meeting, including adopting a new 20-year comprehensive plan, approving changes to downtown parking regulations, and authorizing additional work on the Magee Park Improvements Project.

On Monday night, the council adopted the City of Prescott Comprehensive Plan 2026-2046 that has been under review by the Plan Commission since February 2025. During discussion of the plan, Alderperson Maureen Otwell praised the document and the work that went into creating it. “I think it’s well done. I enjoyed it,” she said.

“It’s quite comprehensive,” Alderperson Adam Granquist agreed.

Otwell said one aspect of the plan that stood out to her was its increased emphasis on preserving agricultural land and supporting market-style farming operations that align with the growing farm-to-table movement. She asked whether there had been any discussion during the planning process about the city purchasing land to support agricultural uses.

“Was there any discussion of that during the planning sessions?” she asked.

City Administrator Matt Wolf said he felt that the goal of the planning sessions was to support agricultural preservation but not necessarily use city resources to make it happen. Instead, he said the city could help facilitate such efforts through ordinances, policies, or financial assistance programs if opportunities arise.

Otwell specifically mentioned Borner Farm Project, saying she would like to see the city support the operation because it represents one of the last remaining farming properties within city limits.

“I also liked the new emphasis on community gardens,” she added. “Anyway, I really thought it was quite comprehensive and quite well done.”

Mercord Mill

The council approved a change to the Mercord Mill parking lot that will make its regulations consistent with the city's other downtown parking lots on Orange and Cherry streets.

Currently, the city operates three downtown parking lots located on Orange Street, Cherry Street and Mercord Mill. While overnight parking is permitted in the Orange Street and Cherry Street lots, it has not been allowed at Mercord Mill.

The city recently completed improvements to the Mercord Mill lot, including repaving the surface and painting parking stall lines. Following the upgrades, residents raised concerns that they had traditionally used the lot for overnight parking and would like to continue doing so.

In response to those concerns, city officials requested the change so that Mercord Mill's parking regulations would match those of the Orange and Cherry Street lots, allowing overnight parking in all three downtown parking areas.

Magee Park

The council approved Change Order No. 2 for the Magee Park Improvements Project as work on the project nears completion.

Wolf said the project includes the installation of water and sewer laterals running from Dexter Street into the parking lot area to accommodate a potential future restroom facility. During construction, crews discovered an existing storm sewer system that conflicted with the planned installation and had to be temporarily removed so the water and sewer lines could be installed beneath it.

The additional work resulted in a change order totaling $6,126.48, which will be paid to Total Excavating, LLC and the Magee Park improvements project will be considered “substantially complete.”