Eyesore to be burned by Spring Valley Fire Department

By Gary Peterson
gpeterson@fillmorecountyjournal.com

Mon, Mar 5th, 2012
Posted in Spring Valley All

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What is being described as “blighted” property in Spring Valley will be cleaned up by the City after approval was given by the Fillmore County Board on Tuesday. At the City Council meeting on Monday night, the Council authorized City Administrator Deb Zimmer to negotiate with the County up to $2,000 for the purchase of property at 301 Center Avenue. The County had obtained the property back for taxes and now after the purchase, the Spring Valley Fire Department will seek permission from the State to use it as a practice burn. Fire Chief Chris Czapiewski said that all precautions will be taken to prevent the burn from affecting surrounding properties. Zimmer said that there has been considerable cost involved with the property and that the total cleanup will be 10 to 15 thousand dollars. It is hoped that after the cleanup the city will be able to sell the lot for building a house.

Ambulance Association makes a donation

The City Council also approved a resolution approving the Ambulance Write-Offs and to accept a donation from the Spring Valley Ambulance Association. The items to be donated to the city include a 6’ x 12’ trailer, a 15’ x 28’ inflatable tent, a Pelsue propane heater/blower, a generator, Kolar cooling chairs and misting fan and a portable folding bench. The total value of the donation was $112,678.20.

South Broadway Project is in the works

“The biggest improvement project outside the City of Rochester this year.” That is the way consulting engineers, Yaggy Colby Associates officials are calling the Broadway improvement project. March 26 the City will open bids on the project, there will be a special meeting on March 28 to review the bids, and construction will begin sometime this spring. Two resolutions were acted upon; one orders improvements and preparation of Plans & Specs and the other Accepts the Plans & Specs and authorizing advertisement for Bids.

Sample Ordinance for housing

The Council will be doing some homework on a sample ordinance which provides for the regulation, maintenance, and occupancy of rental housing in the City of Spring Valley. “The purpose of this ordinance is to protect the public health, safety, and the general welfare of the people of the City. Key elements include protecting the character and stability of residential areas within the city; to correct and prevent housing conditions that adversely affect or are likely to adversely affect the life, safety, general welfare and health, including the physical, mental and social well being of person occupying dwellings within Spring Valley. It will also provide minimum standards for cooking, heating, and sanitary equipment necessary to the health and safety of occupants of buildings, to provide minimum standards for light and ventilation, necessary to health and safety; to prevent the overcrowding of dwellings by providing minimum space standards per occupant for each dwelling unit; to provide minimum standards for the maintenance of existing residential buildings, and to thus prevent slums and blight and finally to preserve the value of land and buildings throughout the City.

The ordinance addresses issues such as “Outdoors,” “Rental Property Interior,” and “Multi-Unit Dwellings.” The sample ordinance is 15 pages long and was presented to the Council to get their opinions and to discuss it in the future.

Las Vegas Convention

Approval was given for three people to attend a national conference in Las Vegas. The attendees will be going on behalf of King 11 Television. Administrator Deb Zimmer said that King 11 has money in their budget for the trip.

Park Fees and Operations

Park Vendors will be charged a fee for setting up their wares after action by the Council. They set a fee of $50.00 per day or $250 per year to set up shop at the various parks, with the exception of Ag Days.

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