The Spring Valley City Council met in regular session on Monday, November 14, 2016. Members in attendance were Tony Archer, Todd Jones, Mayor Jim Struzyk, Bill Bires, and city administrator Deb Zimmer. Jeff Vehrenkamp was absent.
Mayor Struzyk canvassed the election results, showing himself re-elected to a 2-year term as mayor, and Jessy Betts and Michael Hadland elected to 4-year terms on the council. A visitor, Kenny, asked, “I am wondering about having two police officers on the council, if that won’t be a conflict of interest?” Mayor Struzyk explained that the officers would need to abstain any time the council voted on contractual issues related to police services and the county sheriff’s office, but otherwise there are no concerns. Deb Zimmer said she’d checked with the League of Minnesota Cities, and was told that because the officers are contracted through the county, it’s OK. She also said she is double-checking now that both officers are in town, to be sure that isn’t a concern. The council unanimously accepted the election results (Struzyk abstained).
The council considered a contract renewal with Gold Cross Ambulance Service. Zimmer said, “The main part stayed the same, it’s the amounts that changed. The total would be $87,253.” Todd Jones added, “I think it’s been a good transition so far.” The council voted to accept the contract as submitted. After discussion, the council voted to OK an increase in the Fire Relief Benefit amount, from $1,460 to $1,485. The council also OK’d raising the ambulance crew on-call flat rate to $2.50, as an effort to make it easier to fill the ambulance crew schedule. Zimmer said it might not make a difference to some of the crew, but “It’s something we have to try.”
The council considered the Lyndale Fremont Pay Estimate #6, totaling $84,078.80. Todd Jones asked about a concern of some homeowners regarding what happens if the sod doesn’t grow (homeowners had noted the sod was sitting for a long time before it was installed). Zimmer said, “They still have the creek crossing to fix, they’ll be doing that in December,” and she added that there will be a final review in the spring to be sure everything is as expected. She said if the sod or any other problems are noted, they would be fixed then. The council OK’d the pay estimate as submitted.
Next, the council considered a letter from American Tower, regarding the city’s cell tower lease. The current lease runs through June 2024, and American Tower is proposing an extension for an additional 40 years, at an annual rent of $2,293 paid to the city. Since the current lease is good until 2024, Tony Archer stated, “There’s no urgency…I recommend not (extending the lease).” After discussion that the city might want to use the land for another purpose sometime before 2064, the council voted to decline signing the 40 year extension at this time.
The council reviewed a request to provide funding to purchase Lifetrail exercise equipment to have along the bike trail. It was explained that different equipment would be tailored to the specific location, such as kid-friendly equipment near the school. Zimmer said Spring Grove has installed this type of equipment, and it’s worked well. The council voted to allocate $10,000 toward exercise equipment for the trail, contingent on getting other matching grant funds. The next regular meeting of the council will be November 28 at 6 p.m.