The Broadway Project brought a packed house at the Spring Valley City Council’s November 13 meeting as news of a potential grant opportunity was presented.
It has been a year since the consideration of the Downtown Project began, which included a community survey to hear residents’ thoughts on improving the downtown, a formation of a committee who dedicated themselves to a two-day workshop brainstorming and discussing the project, an open house for residents to see the ideas and share feedback, which led to the demonstration phase and then the final surveys to get feedback on the demonstration.
The committee will soon reconvene to go through the survey results and apply the information gathered to the project. From there they will discuss where the project will go next.
Drew Weber, of Bolton and Menk, shared a grant by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has been made available. In October they were asked for a letter of intent and project scope to see if the project would fit the grant perimeters.
“We received feedback and they said this fits the scope of the grant, so please apply,” Weber explained. “Just because you received a letter to apply doesn’t mean you are going to get it. It is just the first step to say this meets all of our criteria. It is an opportunity.”
The grant is for construction only and can range from $50,000 to $1,000,000.
Community members and members of the Spring Valley Business Alliance (SVBA), which has been the resounding voice and drive behind the project, expressed their feelings on the project and this new opportunity.
SVBA member Sarah Kohn reminded the council it was always the SVBA’s intent to have the project funded by grants, fundraising and donations. She also noted this is just the first project the alliance has planned for the city.
Fellow SVBA member Greg Melartin agreed, saying, “The Spring Valley Business Alliance is working on several projects, including the popcorn wagon, signage and we are discussing the pool so hopefully we will be engaged in revitalizing that.”
Melartin noted the project as currently designed is over $1 million, but that the design could be modified or the SVBA could work to raise the remaining amount.
Shelly Skindelien, owner of the Shiny Hiney, addressed rumors regarding the proposed bump outs at the entrance to downtown.
After speaking with Public Works Director Chad Hindt, Skindelien was assured the city’s current plow will still be able to do its job. And as a former firefighter herself, Skindelien expressed no concern on for emergency vehicle access, saying, “I know that this fire equipment and emergency equipment can get wherever they are needed.”
Skindelien also noted that since the delineators were installed, traffic has slowed down and there was a significant decrease in wrong way traffic.
After hearing from the community and Weber, the council voted to keep moving forward with the project and to apply for the grant.
“When this started, we as a council made a decision to form a committee and let them evaluate this and it would have been a huge slap in the face to them and all the people who have worked very hard on this to not vote to move forward with this project,” Councilor John Dols expressed. “When you make a commitment, you need to follow it through and if you don’t, what is the purpose of us being here?”
WWTP Contract
Bolton and Menk have been assisting the city in finding a new interim operation for the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) until city staff have obtained their necessary licenses.
“Rick Lohman, one of our staff members, has been assisting the city of Spring Valley in their interim operations. Rick has been an amazing asset. He left retirement to help Spring Valley and he was willing to stick it out as long as he possibly could, but he wants to retire,” Weber explained. “Kudos to your staff because they know how to run the plant very well, license or not, but you still need the license.”
Weber recommended MMS Environmental, LLC, saying, “This is what they do and they are good at it.”
The council approved a contract with MMS Environmental, LLC effective January 1, 2025.
Staff Reports
Parks and Recs Director John Fenske told the council Tower Park’s playground equipment has been installed and is being enjoyed already. The dugouts at South Park have also been completed. Fenske thanked all the donors who made these projects possible.
The fence enclosing Kolling Courts has been installed.
“Deb (Zimmer) got us a $10,000 grant, so now that was free for us. That is over $85,000 donated toward that court and the city has no money in it at all, so thank you to the community,” Fenske expressed.
The rec basketball season will begin November 28. Fenske is looking for anyone interested in refereeing or running the game clock for the season.
Economic Development Authority (EDA) Director Chris Hahn asked residents to fill out the EDA’s housing survey. The information gathered will be used in their Housing Study. The survey will be sent out in utility bills and is posted on the EDA website springvalleyeda.org/.
Hahn thanked Councilor Justin Mlinar for his work on the Discover Spring Valley Facebook page.
“It has been a pleasure to provide that service,” Mlinar, who is stepping down from the position, said. “It would be nice to find someone to improve that so if you do know someone please let Chris know, Deb know, or myself.”
Hahn congratulated the Spring Valley Chamber of Commerce on their successful Spring Valley Area Career Expo.
He noted the Spring Valley Area Community Foundation will be holding a Give to the Max event at Bluff Brothers on November 19.
The library is wrapping up their year’s programming, according to Library Director Melissa Vander Plas. The upcoming program is with author Teresa Wilhelm Waldof on November 19. She will be sharing the story of Dr. Harley Wilhelm, a scientist from Iowa, and his intriguing role in the events of World War II.
Vander Plas is working with The Friends of the Spring Valley Library to create a holiday workshop in early December. They are also planning an adult reading program for January and February.
Work continues to move forward with the EFIS project, as Vander Plas has begun working with contractors for the project. Earlier this year, the library was awarded a Library Construction Improvement Grant from the Minnesota Department of Education for $146,850 to repair the exterior surface of the building along with other minor repairs.
After receiving an ovation, Co-Ambulance Director Sue Puffer expressed her gratitude to the ambulance crew, who has been dealing with a high call volume over the past several months.
“We have a great group of people on our ambulance crew. They are all busting their butts doing the best they can,” Puffer said. “It has been a wild couple of months.” In September there were 56 calls, in October the service had 49 calls and as of November 13 they have had 25 calls.
A crew from Sentence to Serve have been repairing floor damage to the ambulance facility during the flood. Garage doors are also getting repaired.
The ambulance service worked in conjunction with Kingsland Community Education to put on a CPR class for thirteen 15- to 16-year-olds. There will be another class offered in February.
The service is always looking to add to their team. There will be a class in Grand Meadow coming up in the new year for those interested in joining the ambulance department.
Fire Chief Dustin Johnson shared the department responded to one vehicle accident, one ambulance lift assist and two carbon monoxide calls. Johnson reminded residents to check their batteries on their carbon monoxide detectors and make sure they are not expired.
The department has been training in their Mustang Suits, which allow them to perform ice and water rescues, a training with their thermal cameras and a self rescue training.
Other Business
Weber noted the 2022 Fremont Street project and the 2023 utility improvements on Farmers Street/County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 8 project, and the 2023 street improvements which included Broadway Avenue and Territorial Road are all nearing finalization.
The council approved a payment of $156,930.91 to Rochester Sand and Gravel for the Willow Park Trail work.
A resolution canvassing the general election and declaring results was approved.
The council approved a resolution to allocate an annual contribution to Semcac for $5,925 for five years. This will help Rolling Hills Transport with the local match funding which will assist in purchasing replacement vehicles.
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