Spring Grove Applies for Multiple Grants

At their October 20 meeting, the Spring Grove City Council heard details of five grants that City Administrator Jana Elton has applied for on behalf of the city. The grants included a $30,000 SMIF Childcare Grant for the year 2027, a $50,000 grant from Taylor Family Farms on behalf of the fire department to go toward the fire hall construction, a $20,000 Arlin Falck Grant for interior finishings for the new fire hall, a $8,646 SPARK Grant from Mayo Health Systems to build a pavilion between the aquatic center and the courts and a $450,000 Community Health Impact Programs Core Contribution and Catalyst Grant from Gundersen Medical Foundation to build an ambulance bay addition at the new fire hall.

Elton updated the council that she had met with USDA representatives and gotten approval for the ambulance to park in the fire hall. The USDA was “fine with this” and gave the go ahead to include the bay in architectural plans for the new fire hall.

Council Action

The council approved the low bid from H & M Underground Solutions for the Lead Service Line Replacement Project. The project had been submitted for funding from MPFA (Minnesota Public Facilities Authority) a year ago. The city will be reimbursed by MPFA for the $98,000 expense. Curb, curb stops, sod and any restoration will be included in the project.

The council approved finishing the onboarding process for the computer network and protection software program. Money from the contingency fund will be used to cover the expense. Next year the city will only need to pay the annual fees to Decorah Tech.

Vacating the alley between SGREF (Spring Grove Real Estate Fund) and Ye Olde Opera House buildings was discussed. Elton recommended waiting on doing this. The council tabled the vacation.

The EDA requested approval to submit a proposal to the Spring Grove Community Foundation to create a fund for donations to preserve the current daycare building for a future daycare. Jana Elton reported that people had been asking what would happen to donated money if the project didn’t happen. She shared that a lot of foundations have a clause where the foundation can then redirect such money. This would need to be clarified. The council approved the EDA submitting the proposal.

The council discussed ways to slow down traffic on city streets. A DOT representative had advised Elton not to put up more signs since the city can’t enforce suggested speeds. The council didn’t feel that more speed bumps or pinch points in the streets were the answer. Ultimately, they decided to try education at the school and at local events. Morgan Buckland suggested contacting TZD (Toward Zero Deaths); she said they do great presentations.

Elton presented a new proposed appliance rebate form. According to her, the new form was simpler and made the process easier for both the resident and the city. The council adopted the new form.

Electrical outlets at Viking Park were discussed. Apparently the electricity had been turned off during Uffda Fest. The council decided that the people in charge of events at city locations would be shown where the switches were located and how to turn the power on. Buckland suggested that anyone hosting such an event do due diligence and check that the power is on. Joseph Grodahl suggested creating a laminated map of the electrical service locations and switches to be shared with people using the spaces.

Horse manure on city streets was discussed. Elton commented that, having grown up in Canton, she felt that the horse manure was just part of life and should just be left there. John Sylling, Public Utilities Director, felt the manure should be picked up and has directed staff to do so. The council decided to leave it to Sylling’s discretion and continue as is.

The council approved establishing a Fire Escrow Account. The account will provide for the city to receive and retain half of insurance money following a fire until the owner cleans up the property. This had been advised by the fire inspector.

A resolution was passed to appoint an election judge. This was to replace a judge who had needed to cancel. Elton noted that it is getting hard to find election judges and other help needed during the election. Anyone who can help is asked to contact city hall.

The council discussed how to deal with blight and vacant properties in the city, especially the abandoned trailer houses in the trailer park. Buckland suggested getting the Department of Health involved. The issue was tabled until the council could check with City Attorney Greg Schieber on their options in dealing with the issue.