The Spring Valley community has rallied around the Parks and Recreation Department, showing immense generosity for their numerous programs and parks.
As the Spring Valley Council met for their June 10 meeting, Parks and Recs Director John Fenske shared the sports park at Spring Creek Park is moving forward and donations are already coming in for the project.
At their May meeting, Fenske announced he was approached by Aaron Kolling to put in a multipurpose court at Spring Creek Park. At that point, Kolling was working to get funding to back the project. It was noted the only cost to the city would be the upkeep after construction is completed.
“It’s an exciting time in the parks. We’ve got a lot of changes coming,” Fenske expressed. “They have already started to break ground for the sports court. We did get $20,000 from the Spring Valley Area Foundation (SVAF) to go toward that. The (Kingsland) Booster Club also gave $20,000 so there’s $40,000 that has already been donated. That is an awesome start.”
The council gave approval for the purchase and installation of a new play system for Tower Park for a cost of $50,282.
Fenske thanked the SVAF, the Osterud-Winter Trust Foundation, Rack’s Bar and Grill and Miracle Playground for their donations toward the new play system.
Fenske added, “I’d like to also thank Brett Oeltjen and Tim Howard for volunteering their time to help out in the evenings with the softball program.”
Fenske went on to thank HD Construction, LLC who donated $700 for football uniforms, as well as Teresa House for donating $500 and Stellar 181 Taphouse for donating $500.
“I cannot say enough about how this community helps us out. It is unbelievable,” Fenske expressed.
Mediacom Extension
Prior to the meeting the council held a special meeting to to review and hear from the public on the request from Mediacom to extend their current contract an additional five years.
The current contract would expire on July 1, 2029, but with the extension it would expire in 2034.
The council voted to approve the extension request.
Staff Reports
Fenske noted the pool is now open and has been steadily busy. He is still looking to fill more lifeguards positions, but stated there will only be one day in June that may be affected by staff availability.
One hundred thirty-three youth signed up for Parks and Recs programs this summer. “That is a really good turn out for us,” Fenske said.
The community center is getting a new side door and Rob Johnson is installing new carpeting in the back room area.
Economic Development Authority (EDA) Director Chris Hahn shared the new brochure the Spring Valley Welcoming Committee created, which is available throughout the city.
Hahn also thanked the Spring Valley Street Department, Spring Valley Business Alliance, Spring Valley Garden Club and Rustic Rose for their work on the beautification of the downtown area.
A special thanks from Hahn and council members was given to Andrea Hindt for sharing her talents in creating the downtown murals.
“Thank you to all those groups. It is all the little things that make a big impact when people come to town,” Hahn said.
Finally, Hahn wished Mark Biermann the best in his retirement from State Farm Insurance.
Library Director Melissa Vander Plas shared 75 youth are participating in the summer reading program. There will be programs held on each Wednesday through July, with the exceptions of holidays, which will include a visit from Eagle Bluff and their raptors, a storyteller and a magician. There will be a carnival-style celebration on July 24 for the last day of the program.
Vander Plas noted the Friends of the Spring Valley Public Library will be selling Flapdoodle Ice Cream during the upcoming Wednesdays on Broadway. Funds raised will go toward the library.
The library received a grant of $800 from the SVAF to help with the purchase of children’s books for the summer program. They also received a grant of $750 from the Osterud-Winter Trust Foundation, which covered the cost of the Eagle Bluff program and offset the cost of craft supplies and incentives for the program.
According to Ambulance Co-Director Sue Puffer, the department had nearly 50 calls in the month of May.
Puffer thanked the community for making their annual breakfast fundraiser a success.
Fire Chief Dustin Johnson told the council the department responded to three accidents last month and had electric vehicle and stored energy training and an emergency medical responder (EMR) refresher training.
Johnson asked the council to review the purchase of a new battery operated fan, which will be used to create positive ventilation when needed in emergencies, at the cost of $4,000. The previous fan is gas-operated, so it is limited in where it can be used.
The council approved the purchase.
Council member Luan Ruesink thanked all community members getting the city ready for the upcoming Relay for Life event, those working on the sports courts project and those involved in success of Music in the Park.
Council member Greg Brooks reminded residents not to blow their grass clippings into the roadway.
Council member John Dols praised the Downtown Business Alliance for their Wednesdays on Broadway and all the efforts going into bring people to the downtown.
Mayor Tony Archer stated there is an opening in the Planning and Zoning committee and those interested in the position can contact the city offices.
Other Business
• A request to close Broadway Avenue from Courtland Avenue to CSAH 1 at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 12 for preparations for the Relay for Life was approved.
• The resolution appointing Amber Zigan, Jordan Lieffort, Pat Blahnik, Ann Thon, Audrey Erickson, Brenda Brekke, Tom Angerman and Jeff Thauwald as election judges was approved.
• The council approved a pay estimate, totaling $99,382.82, for the Farmer Street and CSAH 1 improvement project, as well as, a pay estimate for the Broadway Avenue and Territorial Road improvement project which totaled $139,501.25.
• A chip seal quote of $65,495 from Pearson Brothers, Incorporated was approved. This will include sections of Sata Drive, Park Drive, Park Street, Church Street, High Street, Franklin Street, Fremont Street and Washington Street.
• The council reviewed a purchase agreement from Patricia Ryerson for a lot in Countryside Acres. Ryerson offered $10,000 with the $6,000 escrow, which is required for security as this is a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) lot so there are income limits that must be followed. The council countered with $13,500 with the $6,000 escrow.
• Archer recommended Nate Johnson, program director of Good Earth Village, to be considered for the rural position within the Spring Valley Library Board. The council approved the appointment.
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