On Monday, October 13, the Spring Valley City Council heard from Bill Spitzer, Director of Transportation for Semcac, who gave the council an update on Rolling Hills Transit, which is the public transportation system within Spring Valley. Rolling Hills works within a five county area serving 17 communities with 12 buses.
According to Spitzer, the year-to-date ridership for Spring Valley is at 2,593 and is poised to overtake last year’s total of 2,993.
The fares have stayed the same with rides in the Spring Valley Area at $2, $4 for a ride anywhere within eight miles of Spring Valley and $6 to Rochester.
“We are experiencing an surprising increase in public transit. In fact, system-wide we are up 10%, which is fantastic,” Spitzer shared.
Rolling Hills will be transitioning many of their buses to 10 passenger vans, which is a large cost savings and it will mean drivers will no longer be required to have a commercial drivers license (CDL).
“Our operating expenses next year will be about $2 million. Ten percent comes from the local areas, so we have to find $200,000,” Spitzer explained. The state of Minnesota covers 90% of the expenses.
The fares cover 8% of the 10%. Rolling Hills raises funds with the cities and counties support. The group is looking into selling ad space on the buses and vans to raise funds, as well.
Last year the council approved a resolution to allocate an annual contribution to Semcac for $5,925 for five years.
Staff Reports
According to council member John Dols who spoke on behalf of Parks and Recs Director John Fenske, the pool and restrooms are being winterized, Roto-Rooter is working to fix the issue that caused backups in the community center during the floods this summer.
Youth basketball will begin on November 12.
Economic Development Authority (EDA) Director Chris Hahn shared Fit Express and Active PT are now open and a new esthetician is now in Studios of 101 on Broadway.
The website has been updated with more tools for community members.
The Chamber of Commerce will be hosting their annual career fair at Kingsland on October 30. Hahn urged local businesses to participate.
Co-Ambulance Director Mike Zimmer told the council they continue to stay busy with 43 calls in September.
The ambulance service received a grant from Compeer Financial for $4,000 to put toward their Lucas Chest Compression System purchase.
Zimmer thanked the community support after he and co-directors Sue Puffer and Lucy Drinkall received the Citizens of the Year Award.
Fire Chief Dustin Johnson stated there were two calls in September, a lift assist and a barn fire.
The department trainings involved their grass rigs in preparation for harvest season.
Johnson thanked all those who came out for the pancake breakfast.
In written reports, Pubic Works Director Chad Hindt noted they have been doing daily rounds and weekly testing at the wastewater treatment plant. They installed a new effluent meter and had a pump repaired. Work is still being done to get the plant back to normal after the high waters.
Around town, the department has been hauling rock, mowing, working at the compost site, working on alleys and gravel roads, filling potholes, doing equipment maintenance, sweeping trails, and trimming and cutting trees.
The library will now be open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. except for holidays, according to Library Director Melissa Vander Plas.
Other Business
The council denied the sale of Countryside Acres lot 10 block 1 to Patricia Reyerson.
With council’s approval, the EDA and Planning and Zoning will continue working to assign market values of city-owned residential, commercial and industrial lots. The city will then list and promote the properties online through the LOIS database.
The council approved the drafting of covenants, conditions and restrictions for city-owned lots in Countryside Acres.
A recommendation to create a draft of a developer’s agreement for city owned SATA Drive lots and Countryside Acres lots was also approved.
The Tracy Road Improvement Project pay estimate of $280,524.59 was approved.
Resolutions were approved to impose liens on the properties at 117 East Grant Street and 508 South Section Avenue for nonpayment of utility services.
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