The Spring Valley City Council met in regular session October 23. Members present included Tony Archer, Todd Jones, Mayor Jim Struzyk, Mike Hadland and City Administrator Deb Zimmer. Jessy Betts was absent. The council held a public hearing on the 2018 Street Improvement project.
Bryan Holtz (representing the firm of Bolton & Menk) stated, “We held our informational meeting last Thursday. It was pretty well attended. We invited 112 properties to come in and talk about the project. It went pretty well…”
One citizen, Ellen, spoke up, saying, “I can’t afford this, I’m on Social Security.” Zimmer replied, “We do have the option for those over 65 to do the bills on assessments.” No other citizens spoke during the public hearing, and it closed around 6:05 p.m.
Next, the council opened their regular meeting. First up, the council heard from Wayne Isenberg, representing SEMA Equipment. He explained that “We are in the process of a building project starting in the Grand Meadow area.” He said that SEMA operations from four communities (Austin, LeRoy, Spring Valley and Rochester) will be brought to the new facility, when it is completed. He added, “We’ll always support the community… But looking at three older facilities, versus putting it all together into one location, that’s what we decided to do… It’s about a 15-month project to get it all completed… The jobs everybody has, they’ll still have.”
Next, the council voted to pursue program funding from MnDOT for the local street improvement project. The council also voted to approve Resolution 2017-31 (for the street project) and the council also approved the work order for the project, partnering with Bolton & Menk.
The council OK’d Resolution 2017-32, Adoption of the Fillmore County All-Hazard Mitigation Plan, as submitted. The council then voted to accept the higher of two “farm bids,” with the accepted bid being to rent the plot for $252 an acre, for three years. Zimmer noted that the winning bid was from the current renter.
Next, there was discussion of the leaky roof at city hall. The council voted to accept the bid for a temporary repair of the roof, to halt further leaking and damage until the roof can be fully repaired. Zimmer said that, “The limestone ledge needs to be re-caulked… The roof was replaced in ’97.”
After discussion, the council voted to formally state that the mortgage requirements are “satisfied” regarding the Small Cities Block Grants of Troy Meisner, Steve O’Connor, and Matt Kolling, pending clean-up from the recent fire.
The council discussed EDA use of MIF funds, for Kingsland school’s proposed child care center. Zimmer said there are MIF funds that have been set aside for a long time (since the late ‘90s), and the city needs to soon decide how they should be used. She said such funds are very restricted in how they can be used, and this project would qualify. Mayor Struzyk pointed out that Spring Valley has a need for day care, and a lot of other schools are starting to operate day care centers, too. The council voted to OK this usage.
Library Director Jenny Simon informed the council that the library will be getting a new front door system installed. John Fenske, Parks Director, stated that the new pool pump will be installed, hopefully before Thanksgiving. The council reminds all citizens not to push leaves into the street, as this is not allowed. Looking ahead, they also gave a reminder for everyone to keep sidewalks shoveled as snow dictates. The next regular meeting of the city council will be Monday, November 13 at 6 p.m. The public is welcome.