The Spring Valley City Council met in regular session September 11, with all members present (Tony Archer, Todd Jones, Mayor Jim Struzyk, Jessy Betts, Mike Hadland and City Administrator Deb Zimmer). No visitors had signed up to address the council. The main items discussed were preliminary 2018 budget review, and asbestos removal options for the “Kasson farm” at 2500 Tracy Road.
In budgetary review, Zimmer highlighted a handful of areas, comparing the 2018 budget to the 2017 budget. She stated that workers comp expenses are expected to increase noticeably, due to several expensive cases the city faced. Zimmer also pointed out that there are either small decreases or no planned changes in the general fund budgeted amounts for legislative, administration, legal services, city hall (property insurance), fire department, street maintenance, historical society, community development, and general engineering. Increases included the areas of police (due to an expected increase of roughly 5% in the police contract costs), elections (since there was no 2017 election), and sidewalk construction (none was budgeted in 2017). She mentioned several changes in budgeted amounts for special fund expenditures (library, parks, ambulance, and EDA fund).
Regarding the preliminary property tax levy, Mayor Struzyk asked the council to “remember, once we set the (preliminary) levy, we can always go down but we can’t go up.” Jones added his opinion that it’s best to go up in small increments every year rather than a large increase all at once. The council voted to approve Resolution 2017-23 as submitted. Zimmer said it’s roughly a 3% increase.
Next, the council considered options for the “Kasson farm” house. It is scheduled to be burned September 23, but asbestos removal may push that date back. Council members agreed that getting the asbestos removed now is a priority, and they chose to accept the $4,840 bid from Asbestrol Inc. Mayor Struzyk stated, “Considering what we’ve paid in the past, this seems pretty reasonable.”
The council voted to approve paying Contractor’s Pay Request #1 on the industrial park pavement project, totaling $176,852.43. The council also OK’d resolutions 2017-21 and 2017-22, regarding redemption and prepayment of Bonds Series 2010A and 2010B. The council then considered an increase in the fire relief amount, which is currently set at $1485. After discussion, the council chose to increase it by $25.
The next topic was the property located at 304 N Broadway, which is currently zoned as “Downtown Commercial” but which the council felt should be changed to “R3 Multifamily.” The council voted unanimously to make this change. The next regular meeting of the city council will be Monday, September 25 at 6 p.m. The public is welcome.