City resident Brad Musel spoke to the city council at their meeting on Monday, January 9, regarding the enforcement of a noise ordinance the city has on the books.
“I’d like to know what the penalty is (for violating the ordinance),” he said. “It doesn’t seem to quit happening, and it is all hours of the day (the noise)… This keeps on going on and going on.”
Mayor Tony Archer said that it’s the sheriff’s department’s job to respond and hand out citations for noise violations.
Majors sidewalk decision
Resident Steve Majors made a request to the council as part of the proposed Farmers Street/County 8 construction project slated for this coming summer, asking that proposed sidewalk (as part of the project) would not be built on his driveways or between his driveways.
“The problem that I have with having the sidewalk go across my driveways and between my driveways is a safety concern,” Majors said. He stated the safety concern creates a hazard when he is backing out of his driveways at 517 North Section Avenue because of the narrowness of his garage. Majors also has concerns over parking and snow removal with the construction plan that is in place.
Drew Weber, city engineer, countered the safety concerns presented by Majors. “It’s about expectations. For pedestrians and people driving on that road. If a sidewalk is available, pedestrians expect to walk on the sidewalk. If you eliminate it (sidewalk) from a portion of the project, now there’s some uncertainty about what to expect.”
The council voted 3-1 to continue with the original plans for the project with the sidewalk on both sides. Majors countered after the vote, asking why he is the only resident that will not be able to fully back out of his driveway without coming into contact with the sidewalk. He also expressed concerns about snow removal. It was noted that he could park in his driveway, partly blocking the sidewalk.
Other items
The council voted to hire several new ambulance staff including Brittney Clark, Andrea Drury and Melissa Hunemueller, pending EMT certification.
Library Director Jennifer Simon said they are working on a collaborative program with Fillmore County Discussion on Race and the school in conjunction with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, for children and youth to create art or essays on their ‘‘dreams’’ for Fillmore County.
In the ambulance report, it was stated that in 2022, there was a total of 547 ambulance calls. As on January 9, they already had 17 calls.
The Spring Valley the city council will meet again on Monday, February 13 at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers. The public is welcome to attend.
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