On Monday, August 11, Drew Weber, of Bolton and Menk, gave the the Spring Valley City Council an update on several ongoing projects.
According to Weber, the plans for the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) have been certified and waiting on the funding process to see where Spring Valley will fall within the funding list. This is expected to come out sometime in September or October.
The survey for the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s (MnDOT) Active Transportation (AT) grant has been completed.
“We are just processing all the data and will be formalizing that draft for the preliminary engineering report over the next couple of months,” Weber said.Discussion then moved on to the Tracy Road Project.
“As a general project update, they should finish the storm sewer in that Tracy Road and Section Avenue intersection by Wednesday (August 13), so they can start sub-cutting that road and building it back up. There are a lot of utilities both public, that we removed and replaced, and private, with gas and electric and all the communication lines in that intersection, so it has taken a long time to get through that intersection,” Weber stated. “As early as next week we should see that road base being built up, so you’ll start to see some visual progress.” The tentative goal for completion of the intersection is August 22.
“The intent would be to build that road base up, get the concrete work done, so curb and gutter on either side then fill it up with gravel all the way to the top. Then we’ll open it up to traffic and let the traffic help with the compaction. That will allow us to open that intersection in a timely manner,” Weber said.
The council was also presented with their first pay estimate for the 2025 Tracy Road Improvement Project, which was from Snow Contracting, LLC. It was approved for $160,013.56.
“This is for the work through August 1. It is mainly the removal and underground utility work at the Tracy Road and Section Avenue intersection along with some of the other pavement removals,” Weber explained.
A change order was presented and approved, for the project regarding a watermain configuration change, modifications to driveway locations and sizes per property owners’ requests and a clarification that all temporary water service connections and disconnections need to be made or inspected by a licensed plumber.
VFW Greenspace Update
Shelly Skindelien, representing the Spring Valley Business Alliance (SVBA) and Jason Howard, of JJBK Construction Partners LLC, updated the council on the new VFW Greenspace Project.
Skindelien shared a groundbreaking ceremony for the project will be held on Wednesday, August 20 at 9 a.m.
“The project is underway and the hardscaping will be done this fall, which includes the concrete work, the retaining walls, the pergola over the deck and the electrical,” Skindelien stated. “We are hoping we can raise enough money this fall to do the landscaping next spring.”
As the SVBA was planning this project, they noted the sidewalks along the front of the space could be a safety concern.
“They are in pretty tough shape,” Skindelien said. “Since this will have walkways on either side of the space and is going to be a heavily used space, we are concerned about the safety.”
Howard, who has been working with the SVBA, presented the council with a bid, which includes the removal of the existing sidewalk and the replacement.
“They are sinking a lot of money into the greenspace, so it would be nice if the front matched the back,” Howard said. “Whether you go with my bid or not I still think it needs to be done.”
The council voted to award the project to the lowest bidder after they have solicited more bids.
Staff Reports
Park and Rec Director John Fenske told the council Chevrolet of Spring Valley donated $500 to the Park and Rec program.
The flagpole, donated by Rack’s Bar and Grill, is up. Fenske thanked Tim Howard and the public utilities crew for doing the installation.
In a bit a bad luck, both air conditioners went out at the community center. Fenske stated Ryan Reuben was able to fix one of the units, but it was determined it would be more cost effective to replace the rooftop unit.
The council approved the replacement, which will they are hoping to have installed in time for Ag Days festivities August 11-17.
Summer rec finished the first week of August and fall rec quickly picked back up for the season.
The pool will have its last day on August 21. Once closed, Fenske will collect estimates to fix the ongoing leak issues.
Fenske thanked Thrivent Financial for another successful free Family Night at the pool. Donations were also collect that night for the Spring Valley Food Shelf.
Economic Development Authority (EDA) Director Chris Hahn let the council know there are a couple of Southeast Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) grants available.
The EDA will be updating their business listings for Spring Valley for the website, as well as the new business retention expansion.
Co-Ambulance Director Sue Puffer reported there were 55 calls in July, with were eight times both trucks had to go out. “I can’t thank our staff enough for filling that second truck,” Puffer expressed.
The new Lucas Chest Compression System will be going into service.
Stacy Tart will soon be retiring after 26 years of service on the ambulance crew.
Councior Brent Kohn noted the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Department has installed cameras at the recycling bins and is already giving tickets, as those bins are meant for rural residents.
Other Business
- After hearing a recommendation from council member Luan Ruesink, the council voted to remove the delineators from the front of the Spring Valley Community Center. It was found their placement had become an issue for people with mobility issues.
- The council voted to approve the final draft of the Park and Rec Committee. Mlinar asked those interested in being on the committee to please drop a letter off at city hall by August 18.
- Angie Gensmer and Steve Volkart were appointed to the Tourism Board.
- A resolution seeking the acquisition of parcel 36.0111.000, which is located on the west side on Hudson Avenue across from Spring Creek Park, was approved.
- The council approved the sale of the forfeited parcel located at 300 Main Street West.
- The council approved a resolution that will authorize applications for credit enhancement on the proposed Public Utilities bonds related to the Tracy Road Improvement Project.
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