The Spring Valley City Council met in regular session January 8. Members present included Tony Archer, Todd Jones, Mayor Jim Struzyk, Jessy Betts, and City Administrator Deb Zimmer. Mike Hadland was absent. No visitors had signed up to address the council.
The council approved Resolutions 2018-01 through 2018-07, naming the city’s official newspaper, bank depository, authorized signers, fees, coverage for injures to officials, establishing reimbursement, and designating official appointments. Regarding reimbursement, Zimmer stated that there was no change from 2017 other than an adjustment to the mileage rate to be in line with the federal rate. Official appointments include city attorney (Lee Bjorndal), Emergency Management directors (John Dols, Anthony Klomps, Mike Zimmer), Fire Chief (Troy Lange), 1st Assistant Fire Chief (Troy Harwood), 2nd Assistant Fire Chief (Brian Danielson), Library Board (Annette Johnson, Lori Schlitter, Carol Gross), Utilities Commission (Doug Plaehn), Tourism Committee (Kathy Simpson), and Zoning Adjustment Board (Mike Lee, Jim Steinmetz). No changes were noted in the city’s Schedule of Fees.
A 3.2 Liquor License Renewal was approved for Kwik Trip, and the council voted to approve the funding request from the Spring Valley Historical Society, in the amount of $12,500. Zimmer noted this is the same as last year. Mayor Struzyk read through the list of Council Commission Appointments, noting that the only change from 2017 will be Jessy Betts as mayor pro tem.
The council considered a request to close South Broadway for the upcoming “Sleds at the Cinema” event, to be held January 20. Zimmer summarized that, “They’ve requested to close South Broadway for sliding, and they’re going to make sure there’s a snowbank on the sides, and something at the bottom to stop everybody, and also requested to have fire rings outside.” There was discussion of safety/liability concerns, with Jessy Betts encouraging that all participants should wear a snowmobile or motorcycle helmet. The council approved the closure from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., pending liability waivers and helmets usage.
The city accepted a bid of $227 from Tyler Carlson for the city’s old red Dodge pickup. Council members discussed that this was the only bid received, and is approximately what “salvage value” would be for the truck.
Mayor Struzyk read a list of the EMTs who worked at least 1,500 hours in 2017, and handed out certificates of appreciation to Lucy Drinkall (1,550 hours), Ted Sherwood (1,948 hours), Becky Bicknese (2,024 hours), Mike Zimmer (2,586 hours) and Sue Puffer (3,510 hours).
Todd Jones and Mayor Struzyk thanked Chad for continuing to do a great job keeping the city’s streets maintained through winter conditions. The next meeting will be Monday, January 22 at 6 p.m. The public is welcome. Zimmer also pointed out that the city’s full audit will be conducted January 31 through February 1.
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