The Spring Valley City Council held a regular council meeting on July 27, with all members attending (Luan Ruesink, Chris Danielson, Mike Hadland, John Dols, and Mayor Tony Archer). Also attending was City Administrator Deb Zimmer. Approximately 20 people were on hand to listen and/or address the council.
The topic garnering the most discussion was Ag Days. The council heard from Brenda Pohlman and Jessica Erickson, representing Fillmore County Public Health. Pohman gave an update on the number of confirmed COVID cases in Fillmore County, and stated that 45% of the county’s cases have been within the zip codes of Spring Valley/Wykoff/Ostrander. She also highlighted a packet of the most recent guidelines for cities holding events such as Ag Days.
Erickson then addressed the council, stating, “Our role is just the guidance… the decision is up to you. We just want to make sure you guys have all the information to make those decisions.” She added that the guidelines recommend that a city holding such an event should have a preparedness plan for each of the various parts of the event (in this case, that would include the parade, food vendors, and sporting events). Pohlman and Erickson also pointed out that guidelines call for first aid to be available. Fillmore County Attorney Brett Corson said he was attending the meeting in conjunction with Pohlman and Erickson, and said, “We just kind of want to offer ourselves as a resource” to help the city make the best decisions possible regarding Ag Days.
Stacey Rath and Chey Kolling were also in attendance, representing the Chamber of Commerce and the Ag Days Committee. Rath explained that this year’s Ag Days had been downsized and altered due to COVID-19 concerns.
Mike Hadland asked for the total number of COVID cases in the county, as compared to the total population. When told that Fillmore County has had 55 confirmed cases, and a total population of 21,093, he asked what that percentage is. Rath responded that it is .002 (which equates to roughly one-fourth of one percent).
Regarding the parade, Chris Danielson asked who would be assuring that appropriate social distancing would be observed. Mike Hadland replied, “The people in this town know that. We’ve been dealing with this since March. I’m thinking people can stand six feet apart… I’m going to the parade, if we have it, and I’m going to have my family right next to me.” He said he, and anyone else attending, could be responsible to assure appropriate social distancing between their own families.
Regarding the suggestion of having a first aid tent to deal with any medical emergencies (including anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19), the council discussed that the city would first want to assure that the ambulance crew was fully staffed, before any of the ambulance staff would be able to help at such a first aid tent or station.
Chris Danielson directed a COVID liability question to Brett Corson, asking, “What are the ramifications, if something happens, for the city?” Corson replied that the city should direct that question to their private attorney (city attorney) but he added that the main responsibility is “Education, education, education. Trying to persuade people to maintain that distance, wear their masks, do all the other precautions that we’ve been talking about.”
Later in the meeting, Hadland thanked all those who showed up to the meeting, and he thanked those who provided information about the COVID guidelines. He then summarized his feeling about Ag Days, saying, “If you don’t want to show up for it, don’t show. It’s pretty simple. If you’re sick, don’t show.” He added that he has heard from many citizens, and that, “People are tired of being confined.”
Mike Zimmer gave an update on the ambulance service, explaining, “We’ve been busy… approaching real close to 300 calls so far for the year, which is on track to break the record. Staff has been tight but we’ve been able to keep it covered.” He also offered thanks for the donation of around $1,500 that the crew recently accepted from the Harley Ride that came through and donated to Rushford, Houston and Spring Valley. The council approved the list of quarterly ambulance “bad debt” write-offs.
The council approved six resolutions relating to uses for the CARES Act funding the city has received. The next regular meeting of the council will be Monday, August 10, 6 p.m., at the community center. The public is welcome.
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