The Spring Valley City Council met in regular session October 9, with all members present (Tony Archer, Todd Jones, Mayor Jim Struzyk, Jessy Betts, Mike Hadland and City Administrator Deb Zimmer). The council held a public hearing on the proposed Solicitation Ordinance. Zimmer explained that, “We’ve had several complaints this year, and in the past, about what we’d call peddlers or solicitors… They get really aggressive with some of our older residents…” She added that the proposed ordinance would exempt businesses on their regular delivery routes (such as Schwann’s) and non-profit organizations such as Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts. No citizens spoke up during the public hearing. Following the public hearing, the council voted to adopt the ordinance as submitted.
A public hearing was also held on the proposed TIF District 1-13. Shannon Sweeney, representing David Drown Associates, addressed the council, saying, “In your packet was a copy of the TIF plan… that contains some very specific information that’s required by Minnesota statute in order to create a Tax Increment District. Now, a Tax Increment District captures new property taxes that are generated as a result of new development… In this instance, we’re intending to capture new property taxes attributed to new homes that will be built on the former school site.” He explained that for the homes, there will be income requirements based on family size. After the public hearing closed, the council voted to establish the TIF District as proposed.
During the regular council meeting, the council heard from Alan Meyer, chairman of the board and CEO of Peopleservice. He explained that regarding Spring Valley’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, “We’ve been here for 26 years. It’s been a great partnership, and we’d of course like to see that partnership extended. The contract is up for renewal, and you have sent us a letter of termination, (but) we don’t want to give up that easy.” He went on to highlight the experience and services that Peopleservice brings to the table, including preventative maintenance. He also pointed out that the contract pricing has been relatively stable for the past five years, and that Peopleservice uses CPI figures to make minor yearly adjustments to the cost. He closed by saying they’d like to continue working with Spring Valley. Mayor Struzyk thanked Peopleservice for their presentation, and said the council will consider their request.
The council discussed, and approved, swimming pool pump repairs. Zimmer explained that it is not expected that the current equipment would last through next year, and costs of needed equipment would likely be higher if the council chose to wait until next year. The council also OK’d a MnDOT Limited Use Permit, which Zimmer said was for the bike trail area along Highway 16.
Regarding a request for a Christmas on Historic Broadway street closure, Zimmer explained, “They want to close off the two blocks of the one-way…we’ll set out barricades, so that there’s no parking.” The council OK’d the request. The council also approved quarterly ambulance write-offs as submitted. The council also OK’d paying the Industrial Drive project Pay Estimate #2, for roughly $6,700.
The council thanked the local firefighters (including crews from neighboring towns) who helped put out the major fire downtown. Jones spoke up regarding continuing to enforce the “junk ordinance” stating, “If we’re going to have an ordinance, let’s follow it.”
The next regular meeting of the city council will be Monday, October 23 at 6 p.m. The public is welcome.