The Spring Valley City Council met in regular session June 26. Members present included Tony Archer, Todd Jones, Mayor Jim Struzyk, Jessy Betts, and City Administrator Deb Zimmer. Mike Hadland was absent.
A public hearing was held just prior to the regular council meeting, on the topic of “Junk Ordinance” violations within the city. Two citizens spoke up about the issue, encouraging the council to take immediate action, and to “please stop it before it gets started.” Zimmer added that, “If they’re junking as a business, they need to have a conditional use permit.” Deputy Tim Rasmussen said he’d just visited one of the two properties the council is reviewing and, “They’ve made quite a progress… I didn’t notice anything that’s in violation other than that car.”
Zimmer shared that generally, the city sees a pattern in which junk violations will get cleaned up when the city enforces the ordinance, but then the property will gradually go back to the original condition. It was noted that both property owners have received letters stating that they are in violation, and that deadlines for cleanup have passed. The council voted to send a crew to clean up the properties (at owner’s expense) as soon as feasible.
Joe O’Connell addressed the council about his housing project at the former elementary property, saying, “I got some plans (drawn up), and talked to engineers,…they want $35,000 to engineer that property.” He asked if the city could approve him going forward with the project without having it engineered. A representative from Bolton & Menk (Brian) shared that, although he understands that the engineering cost is very significant on a project such as this, “There’s a state law that says that it’s got to be engineered, signed by a licensed engineer, for public infrastructure, and this development is no different from any other development in town.” The council said they understood O’Connell’s concern, and suggested perhaps he could “shop around” to see if a licensed engineer could provide just the bare necessity engineering for a lower cost. But the council said they cannot waive the state requirement. O’Connell said he is checking with engineers, but that this requirement “might kill the project.”
Alissa Blaha gave a presentation to the council on the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, and shared their annual report. She outlined the ways in which her organization is able to help area towns and businesses.
The council OK’d proposed street closures for a dance and fireworks for Ag Days. The council also formally adopted the safety program AWAIR (A Workplace Accident & Injury Reduction program) as submitted.
Deputy Rasmussen submitted a written report of police activity for the month of May, and said the squad cars are running well. Sue Puffer gave an update on the ambulance service, and shared that an open house will be held July 20 at the ambulance station for anyone who may be interested in joining the crew. She said that nurses in particular are encouraged to attend and apply, and that they do not need to take all of the classes required of non-nurses. Jessy Betts shared that the library’s summer reading program is going well.
Betts also mentioned that a section of sidewalk near Our Savior’s Church recently buckled in the summer heat, and is a safety hazard. The council discussed that this is the responsibility of the property owner to repair, so Zimmer will send a letter to the owner.
The next regular meeting of the city council will be Monday, July 10. There will be a public hearing on the proposed Exterior Maintenance ordinance at 6 p.m., immediately before the regular council meeting. The public is welcome.