Andi Arnold, of the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), addressed the Spring Valley City Council at their September 25 meeting.
“We wanted to thank you guys for your continued support. Spring Valley is a huge supporter and we are grateful to you guys,” Arnold expressed. “You are just a great community.”
SMIF serves a 20-county region within Southern Minnesota with focuses on early childhood needs, growing businesses and assisting community foundations. According the SMIF, they were able to turn the city’s contribution of $1,500 into $46,500 worth of investments throughout the community.
Arnold noted, “The Spring Valley Area Community Foundation is one of the examples we use for other surrounding communities because there are so many amazing things going on.”
She encouraged the community leaders to continue not only their support of SMIF, but also continue apply for various grants for the benefit of the community, specifically child care related opportunities.
Tax Levy
The council then reviewed the 2023 preliminary property tax levy, which will be collectable in 2024, with the numbers set as such the general operating budget at $641,573, the economic development authority (EDA) set at $81,263, parks at $178,259 and library at $155,250.
Along with special levies adding up to $766,074, the total preliminary tax levy will total $1,822,419.
WWTP
“We’ve been down this road before where we’ve patched our blowers together and we had another one break again the other night, so we are down to three,” Public Works Director Chad Hindt said of the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) blowers.
Hindt proposed the city replace all six blowers at a cost of $295,200. He noted it will be a 12 to 14 week lead time before the parts are received, at which time he can start a work order to have someone come install them.
“Realistically, we probably won’t have the blowers online until after the first of the year,” Hindt told the council.
The council approved the purchase.
Sewer Repair
“While we had Roto-Rooter in town they found a line that was cracked on Tracy Road and North Park Drive,” Hindt explained.
Instead of tearing up the busy intersection, Hindt and Drew Weber, of Bolton and Menk, agreed having Roto-Rooter do a spot repair would be the most noninvasive and cost effective way to repair the broken eight-inch sewer line.
The Roto-Rooter estimate of $4,960 was approved.
Hindt also wanted to make community members aware they may see city employees on their property as they are work on mapping storm sewers and sanitary sewers throughout the city. This will make future improvement projects more efficient.
Ambulance Rate Increase
Co-ambulance director Sue Puffer asked the council to consider raising the ambulance base rate of $925 up to $1,200 and the mileage rate from $17 to $25.
“It has been the same for years and everything has gone up, so we are just trying to get closer to what the regional ambulances have for their rates and mileage,” Puffer explained.
The council approved the increases.
Other Business
• The 2023 Farmer Street and CSAH 1 project pay estimate of $454,592.70 was approved. According to Weber this includes all work through August 15.
• The tobacco license for Brent Eisenman’s new smoke shop was approved.
• The lot purchase agreements for Bear Creek Ag and First Baptist Church were approved.
• Parks and Rec Director John Fenske noted Dylan Osterhus hosted a fundraiser, which raised $1,000 to go towards uniforms.
The next council meeting will be held on October 9 at 6 p.m.
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