The Spring Valley City Council meeting on February 11 was led by Mayor Pro tem Mike Hadland, due to Mayor Tony Archer being absent. Luan Ruesink, Chris Danielson, John Dols, and City Administrator Deb Zimmer were also in attendance.
The council heard a request from Greg Melartin, following up on an email he’d sent to the city on February 6, regarding the Fins and Films event to be held in July. His email stated a request for several street closures from 8 a.m. to midnight on July 6 for the event. The street closures requested are listed as: South Broadway and N Vine from Main to Jefferson, Jefferson from South Broadway to Highway 63 and Courtland Street from the west alley to Highway 63. The email said “Fins and Films will ensure that the food bank, The Pizza Place and all other businesses are provided access as necessary.”
It also mentioned a request to allow tent and camper camping in Willow Park, and vintage camping along Spring Creek on July 5 and 6, as well as a large bonfire on July 5, which Melartin said would be similar to the Kingsland Homecoming bonfire. Melartin estimated the event may have around 1,000 to 1,500 in total attendance, including two to 10 vintage campers and 50 to 100 modern campers. He said the modern campers would most likely be in tents, and that Willow Park would be the ideal location for them. Melartin stressed that the event is a great way to bring people into the city, and that local businesses would see a great benefit.
Hadland pointed out that the homecoming bonfire is actually held outside of city limits, and that the city’s ordinance allows fires only up to three feet tall and wide. Council members voiced concerns about the camping requested along the creek and in Willow Park. Hadland said the area along the creek is usually wet, and regarding Willow Park, he stated, “That’s flood plain and that’s wet, and that’s DNR,… we can’t touch it. All the taller grass, we can’t even mow that.” He explained that because Willow Park is on top of a former junkyard, the DNR does not allow any fires there, and is very strict about things there. Hadland also suggested the bonfire might be best outside of city limits.
Other council members spoke up in agreement with these concerns. Ruesink made a motion, stating, “I’ll move to approve the street closures, the use of the semi parking lot for camping, allow them the use of the camper parking area outside of town but not approve camping along the creek…and Willow Park, and not allow the bonfire within city limits.” The council unanimously approved this motion. No other citizens addressed the council.
The council approved the annual Ambulance Subsidy Contract, about which Zimmer said, “This is the same as it’s been for several years, including the dollar amount.” The council approved the hiring of two new firefighters, who have gone through their physical exams, other than the agility testing. The council’s approval was contingent on the new hires passing the agility testing.
Zimmer reminded the council of the upcoming SMIF Sprout event, which she said is free and will be held at Four Daughters Winery on April 25. She encourages any available council members to attend. The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m. The next regular meeting of the council will be Monday, February 25 at 6 p.m. As always, the public is welcome.