The Spring Valley City Council began their Monday, August 10, meeting with an update on the 2026 Downtown Project including a change order to expand the project slightly.
“We were made aware of some sanitary sewer issues associated with the community center. After talking with city staff and the contractor we have in town, there is an opportunity to extend the sanitary sewer to elevate some of the back up issues happening during high water events,” Drew Weber, of Bolton and Menk stated.
The change order would include extending the sanitary sewer on the west side of the community center and the removal and replacement of the retaining wall at city hall. According to Public Works Director Chad Hindt, there is money left in the sewer fund if needed.
The council approved the changes.
Phase two of the 2026 Downtown Project continues as the concrete curb and sidewalk is about to be installed.
Weber noted they will be focusing on completing work in front of the community center due to all the events happening in the upcoming weeks.
“We are going to keep pushing to provide the best access we can for all of the events around Ag Days,” Weber expressed.
The council approved pay estimate three to A-1 Excavating, Inc for $363,042.69, which covers work through the end of July.
AMD expansion
AMD is looking to expand an additional 15 acres in the Spring Valley Industrial Park. Both the Spring Valley Planning and Zoning Committee and the Spring Valley Economic Development Authority (EDA) have voted in favor of the preliminary plats for this project.
The recommended preliminary plat for the industrial park fifth subdivision, block one was approved.
With council approval, there will be a special meeting on Monday, August 31 to hold a public hearing regarding the proposed right-of-way (ROW) vacation.
The lot purchase will also be on the August 31 meeting. The proceeds of the sale would be designated for the industrial park’s infrastructure development including the extension of Kasten Drive.
Artesian Spring
Restoration Proposal
EDA Director Chris Hahn explained behind the bait shop there was a natural artesian spring. Aaron Kolling and Steve Volkart, along with help from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are working on finding ways to restore the the spring to make it more of a feature in town.
Hahn asked the council to consider allowing the hiring of Bolton and Menk for the primary engineering of the project to determine the cost of such a project. This would also help with finding future grants. It was noted the engineering costs will be donated. The council voted to approve.
Staff and council reports
The Public Works Department has been busy with regular testing at the wastewater treatment plant, mowing, trimming, spraying, filling potholes, along with crack repair, spray patching and chip sealing on the scheduled streets. They have also been cleaning up after the flooding, doing safety training and cleaning catch basin tops.
Summer Rec is done and youth football has kicked off for the Park and Recs Department.
Due to staffing shortages, the pool will be closed August 17 and 18. August 21 will be the last day for the pool.
As summer draws to an end so does the summer reading program at the Spring Valley Public Library. Library Director Melissa Vander Plas shared that around 170 children signed up for the summer reading program with a total of 1,200 hours read. She thanked all the local businesses who donated for prizes.The interior painting is nearly completed and the staff bathrooms will soon be handicapped accessible.
Co-Ambulance Director Sue Puffer shared there were 66 calls in July with the second truck out seven times. Puffer thanked her crew for their dedication and hard work.
There will be an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) class on September 3. All interested parties for this class should call the ambulance facility, as well as anyone interested in Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) training.
Puffer thanked Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service for assisting on Wednesday, August 12, so their ambulance crew can attend the celebration of life for long-time Ambulance Co-Director Mike Zimmer.
Fire Chief Dustin Johnson stated there was one two-vehicle accident, two lift assists and one carbon monoxide (CO) call. The CO call was at the Kingsland School, but the CO was contained to the boiler room in the basement of the facility. For trainings they did a preplanning tour of the local nursing home and did an EMR refresher.
Hahn noted the EDA has been busy with the AMD expansion. The Ag Days schedule is now available on the EDA’s website.
Other Business
The council formally terminated their contract with Snow Contracting, LLC for the 2025 Street and Utility Improvement Project. According to the letter sent to the company from the city’s lawyers Dunlap Seeger, this is a result of abandonment of the project, failure to pay subcontractors and a bankruptcy rejection. The company filed for bankruptcy in February 2026.
The library did not receive any bids for their exterior construction project. Weber stated he will be speaking with plan holders to determine their concerns on the project. Once addressed the project will be rebid for 2027.
The council appointed Sarah Kohn to take over the empty library board chair.
After the recent passing of Mike Zimmer, Kevin Burrichter and Logan Zimmer will be taking over his duties for Emergency Management, alongside John Dols.
Tom Oeltjen will be joining the Parks and Recs Committee for the remainder of this year.
Kathy Griener addressed the council about the her neighbor’s ongoing noise and fire ordinance violation. On the council’s advice she will continue to handle the situation with the aid of the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Department.
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