The upcoming street project was a main topic at the Spring Valley City Council meeting on March 12. Members present were Tony Archer, Todd Jones, Jessy Betts, and City Administrator Deb Zimmer. Mayor Jim Struzyk and Mike Hadland were absent, so Jones led the meeting. No visitors had signed up to address the council.
Zimmer shared a handout showing the basic costs involved in the street project, including Spring Park Improvements ($77,813), and Courtland Street ($85,043). These two portions are to be paid from the General Fund Street Capital Maintenance Annual Budget. The bonded costs of roughly $5.6 million includes a utilities share of roughly $780,000 and a city share of about $4.8 million, of which nearly $4.5 million will be assessable at $92.72 per linear foot. The estimated city share of the annual bind payment is $310,000 to $330,000. The hearing on the assessments was set for 6 p.m. on April 9 at city hall. Citizens will be notified as per usual practice.
The council discussed a request from a citizen asking the city to waive an ambulance bill, since she was unable to get it paid through insurance, despite repeated efforts by her and ambulance staff. Zimmer pointed out that although the city has a procedure for hardship situations, “The problem is, if you do it for this one, are you prepared to do it for others?” Jessy Betts shared his opinion that, “If this individual wants to do a payment plan, that’s probably all right, but we can’t possibly run an ambulance for free.” The council voted to deny the request to waive the bill.
Zimmer shared information about immediate and long range needs for upgrades at the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). She and Brian Malm (from Bolton & Menk Engineering) gave a summary of what is needed. Zimmer said some of the immediate upgrades are needed to help prevent MPCA violations that the city could be cited for, and that, “Some of the equipment that we have there, its useful life has been long gone.” Malm said the long range upgrades are part of a 20-year plan to replace outdated equipment and plan for growth. He added that the plan could also help the city qualify for grants and low-interest loans down the road. The council voted to approve the resolutions for the short-term and long range WWTP upgrades, as well as a proposal for WWTP permitting assistance.
Zimmer also explained a request for the WWTP to buy a cell phone and service, so that the automatic dialers at the lift station could always call that one number when problems arise. She said this would also eliminate giving out staff’s personal cell numbers. Zimmer also said the cost would not be greatly different than the current reimbursements made to staff for using their own phones. The council approved this new cell phone.
Regarding the fire department, Zimmer said they’re “asking to replace some equipment on the brush truck, the water pump and some other fittings. What they’re proposing is that the city pay for a third, they pay for a third, and the township pay for a third.” It was mentioned that the brush truck is the primary vehicle used in field fires. After discussion, the council voted in favor of this plan.
Tony Archer stated, “I wanted to give a shout-out to the ambulance crew for doing a good job with their inspection. Everything went good, with flying colors!” The meeting adjourned about 6:25 p.m. The next regular meeting of the council will be Monday, March 26 at 6 p.m. As always, the public is welcome.