At the regular meeting of the Spring Valley City Council on May 14, the council considered bids that had been submitted regarding the removal of the Tourist Information Center (TIC). The bids varied in their price and details about what would be done, but the council chose to accept the bid from Mike and Julane Gehrking. The council also discussed whether to install a new building in the vacated spot, or an electronic sign. Members shared their opinion that in the age of smart phones, an actual building is not as needed as it once was, so the consensus was to save funds until an electronic sign can be installed at that site. Members estimated such a sign may cost around $50,000, and will have two screens so it will be visible to motorists from both directions.
Present at the meeting were Tony Archer, Todd Jones, Mayor Jim Struzyk, Jessy Betts, and city administrator Deb Zimmer. Mike Hadland was absent. The council heard from David Drown regarding the 2018A bond issue for the city’s street and utility project. He highlighted information regarding the proposed General Obligation Bonds, totaling roughly $5.8 million. The city continues to enjoy an “A+ Stable” rating from the S & P Global Ratings, which helps the city get better interest rates. Drown explained that four potential buyers have submitted their bids for the bonds, and although the interest rates vary only slightly (0.17%), that results in overall cost differences of nearly $90,000 over the life of the bonds, in the example he showed. Drown added, “That’s why shopping around is worth doing.” The council voted to approve Resolution 2018-18 regarding the bond issue.
Deb Zimmer informed the council of a request from the Friendship Wagon Train, saying, “In the past, they have camped down where the old wastewater treatment plant used to be. They’re coming through town again here in June. They have asked to camp down there.” She added that the group is fundraising for Special Olympics, and said there have been no problems or complaints about the group in the past. The council approved their request.
Zimmer shared a request from Gary Peterson and the Southeast Minnesota Amateur Radio Club, to allow the NOZOD Repeater to be relocated from Spring Valley to Wykoff. The request letter states that this will improve communication coverage throughout the county during Skywarn activations, since the Wykoff location is on higher ground than the current spot. The proposed relocation is also expected to decrease static and interference that may be due to old connections at the Spring Valley location. It was clarified that only the equipment would be moved, and the tower would stay. The council voted to approve this as requested.
Mayor Struzyk informed the council that he had approved a wastewater treatment plant sampler, because the equipment was necessary, and “Better to have that than to get in trouble with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.” The council formally approved the purchase.
Zimmer informed the council that she recently sent out 61 letters to property owners who appear to be in violation of the city’s “junk ordinance” so that they can be working on coming back into compliance. The council also approved purchasing 300 folding chairs for the community center, at the lowest bid available.
A citizen asked about the lines painted for a crosswalk at the intersection of highways 16 and 63. He said it causes some motorists to think there is a stop sign (on Highway 16), when there actually is not, and this can be a hazard. Council members said it’s a state decision to have the crosswalk marked that way. The meeting adjourned about 6:30 p.m. Due to the Memorial Day holiday, the next regular meeting of the council will be Wednesday, May 30 at 6 p.m. As always, the public is welcome.