Spring Valley, MN

Agenda City Council Regular Meeting Monday October 13, 2025 6:30 p.m. City Council Chambers PLEDGE OF ALLIGENCE CALL THE REGULAR MEETING TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Members: ____Justin Mlinar, Mayor ____Luan Ruesink ____Chris Danielson ____John Dols ____Brent Kohn Staff: ____Deb Zimmer ____Chad Hindt ____John Fenske ____Melissa Vanderplas ____Chris Hahn ____Puffer/Drinkall/Zimmer ____Dustin Johnson APPROVE THE AGENDA Motion_______________ Second_______________ CONSENT AGENDA Minutes of the 09/08/2025 Council Meeting October Preliminary and September Final Accounts Payable. Motion_______________ Second_______________ VISITORS ROLLING HILLS TRANSIT UPDATE—BILL SPITZER Motion________________ Second_______________ Consider the Sale of 802 Sata Drive (Countryside Acres Lot 10, Block 1) to Patricia Reyerson for the amount of $13,500 EDA made no motion specifically regarding on the sale Planning and Zoning voted 5-0 not sell (Countryside Acres Lot 10, Block 1) to Ms. Reyerson for $13,500 Motion _______________ Second ________________ Consider determining and assigning market values of city-owned residential, commercial, and industrial lots, and listing and promoting them for sale online. (LOIS) Spring Valley EDA passed a motion (5-0) in support of this action on October 1st Planning and Zoning passed a motion in support of this action (5-0) on October 7th, adding that city owned residential lots on Sata Drive (Countryside Acres Lots 1-10, Block 1) be listed at a value of $2 …

Council Work Session City Hall Council Chambers September 3, 2025 6:00 p.m. (COUNCIL ACTION IN ITALICS) Council Present: Luan Ruesink, John Dols, Justin Mlinar, Chris Danielson, Council Members absent: Brent Kohn City Staff Present: Deb Zimmer (Clerk-Treas), John Fenske (Park)s, Mike Zimmer (Amb), Chad Hindt (Public Works), Dustin Johnson (Fire), Tony Sturzyk (Fire) Guests Present: None Mlinar opened the Work Session at 6:00 p.m. Roll Call was taken with Brent Kohn being absent 2026 Preliminary Budget Review It was noted the preliminary budget included a 3.5% wage adjustment and in 2026 the State will assume FMLA which will require a payment of .88% of payroll to the state. Legislative, Elections, Administration, Legal, Employee Safety Planning & Zoning, City Hall and Police preliminary budgets were presented by Zimmer. It was noted a small increase compared to the 2025 budget. Discussion occurred with no changes. Johnson presented the Fire Department proposed 2026 budget. Discussion occurred with no changes. Dols presented the Emergency Management budget. Discussion occurred with no changes. Hindt presented the Street Department budget. Discussion occurred noting utility costs are increasing with the decision to increase utility expense from $57,000 to $65,000. Street Maintenance costs including chip sealing and crack filling were discussed. It was noted two catch basins also need to be replaced. Consensus was to increase the budget from $150,000 to $200,000. Zimm …

Regular Council Meeting City Hall Council Chambers August 13, 2025 6:00 p.m. (COUNCIL ACTION IN ITALICS) Council Present: Luan Ruesink, John Dols, Justin Mlinar, Chris Danielson, Brent Kohn Council Members absent: None City Staff Present: Deb Zimmer (Clerk-Treas), John Fenske (Parks), Chris Hahn (EDA), Sue Puffer (Amb), Mike Zimmer (Amb) Guests Present: Paula Barness, Katie Eaton, Sarah Kohn, Drew Weber, Greg Melartin, Shelley Skindelin, Jason Howard, Ashley Fenton Mlinar opened the Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m. Roll Call was taken with all members present. Approve Agenda Dols/Kohn unanimous to approve the agenda. Consent Agenda Danielson/Dols unanimous to approve minutes from the July 14, 2025 meeting, August preliminary and July final accounts payable. Visitors-none Project Updates Drew Weber gave an update on the 2025 Tracy Road Improvement Project and the 2026 Active Transportation Grant. Ruesink inquired if the delineators in front of the Community Center could be taken down noting it is difficult for those with mobility issues. Ruesink/Dols unanimous to remove the delineators in front of the Community Center. 2025 Tracy Road Improvement Project Pay App #1 Weber noted the amount of the pay app is $160,013.56 also noting there were no outstanding issues. Danielson/Kohn unanimous to approve the 2025 Tracy Road Improvement Project pay app #1 in the amount of $160,013.56. 2025 Tracy Road Improvement Project Change Order #1 Weber noted the change is a result of a ch …

Regular Council Meeting City Hall Council Chambers July 14, 2025 6:00 p.m. (COUNCIL ACTION IN ITALICS) Council Present: Luan Ruesink, John Dols, Justin Mlinar, Chris Danielson, Brent Kohn Council Members absent: None City Staff Present: Deb Zimmer (Clerk-Treas), John Fenske (Parks), Chris Hahn (EDA), Dustin Johnson (Fire), Melissa Vanderplas (Library), Sue Puffer (Amb), Mike Zimmer (Amb) Guests Present: Paula Barness, Doc Shipton, Greg Melartin, Drew Weber, Alex Slifka, Sarah Kohn, Stacey Rath Mlinar opened the Regular Meeting at 6:05 p.m. Roll Call was taken with Dols being absent but arriving at 6:10 pm. Approve Agenda Kohn/Ruesink unanimous to approve the agenda with changing item 9 listing from Park Board to Park Committee. Consent Agenda Ruesink/Danielson unanimous to approve minutes from the June 9, 2025 meeting, July preliminary and June final accounts payable, Ag Days temporary liquor license and fireworks permit, removal of flower pots and delineators at Courtland intersection for Ag Days. Visitors-none Project Updates Drew Weber gave an update on the 2025 Tracy Road Improvement Project, the MPCA Resiliency Grant and the Active Transportation Grant. He noted there is a project website for the Tracy Road Improvement and encouraged those interested to sign up for notifications on the website. City Logo and Signage Greg Melartin noted he plans to form a committee to come up with a city logo, signage and possible funding to recommend to Council. He is asking for C …

Regular Council Meeting City Hall Council Chambers June 9, 2025 6:00 p.m. (COUNCIL ACTION IN ITALICS) Council Present: Luan Ruesink, John Dols, Justin Mlinar, Chris Danielson, Brent Kohn Council Members absent: None City Staff Present: Deb Zimmer (Clerk-Treas via phone), John Fenske (Parks), Chris Hahn (EDA), Dustin Johnson (Fire), Melissa Vanderplas (Library) Guests Present: Paula Barness, Gwendolyn Haddad, Doc Shipton, Greg Melartin, Aaron Johnson, Drew Weber, Dan Freeman, Alex Slifka, Ashley Fenton, Sarah Kohn, Mitchel Plaehn, Trenton Hyland Mlinar opened the Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m. Roll Call was taken with all members present. Approve Agenda Ruesink/Dols unanimous to approve the agenda. Consent Agenda Dols/Kohn unanimous to approve the minutes of the 05/12/2025 and 05/21/2025 Council meetings, June preliminary & May final accounts payable and liquor license renewals for TJ’s, Racks, Stellar 181, Valley Lanes, Kwik Trip, Casey’s and Bluff Brothers Brewery. Visitors Greg Melartin reported he is interested in forming a committee to look at city signage. It was noted this would be added to the next Council agenda. SMIF Presentation Aaron Johnson gave an update on the work SMIF is doing in Fillmore County including child care, business loans, grants, books for children, community foundations and REV. He thanked the city for their donation to support SMIF, Active Transportation Work Order City Engineer Drew Weber presented the work order for the Active Transportatio …

Regular Council Meeting City Hall Council Chambers May 12, 2025 6:00 p.m. (COUNCIL ACTION IN ITALICS) Council Present: Luan Ruesink, John Dols, Justin Mlinar, Chris Danielson, Brent Kohn Council Members absent: None City Staff Present: Deb Zimmer (Clerk-Treas), Mike Zimmer (Amb), John Fenske (Parks), Chris Hahn (EDA), Dustin Johnson (Fire), Melissa Vanderplas (Library) Guests Present: Paula Barness, Greg Melartin, Ashley Fenton, Doc Shipton, Drew Weber, Alex Slifka, Dan Freeman, Gretchen Lovejoy, Todd Pearson, Sarah Kohn, Stacey Rath Mlinar opened the Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m. Roll Call was taken with all members present. Approve Agenda Dols/Danielson unanimous to approve the agenda. Consent Agenda Ruesink/Dols unanimous to approve the minutes of the 04/14/2025 Council meeting, May preliminary & April final accounts payable and Ag Days street closures. Visitors Sarah Kohn made a public announcement regarding activities at Kolling Court. She noted there are issues with the kids using the court misbehaving and cursing. She suggested a neighborhood watch to keep an eye on the activity. Todd Pearson followed up on some of the discussion at the Town Hall meeting noting we may not be as neighborly as we think we are. He encouraged instead of building fences work with your neighbors. He then asked Council members why they decided to run for Council and asked how they proposed to be a good neighbor. Project Updates City Engineer Drew Weber noted the 2025 Tracy Road Improveme …

Regular Council Meeting City Hall Council Chambers April 14, 2025 6:00 p.m. (COUNCIL ACTION IN ITALICS) Council Present: Luan Ruesink, John Dols, Justin Mlinar, Chris Danielson, Brent Kohn Council Members absent: None City Staff Present: Deb Zimmer (Clerk-Treas), Sue Puffer (Amb), Mike Zimmer (Amb), John Fenske (Parks), Chris Hahn (EDA), Dustin Johnson (Fire), Melissa Vanderplas (Library) Guests Present: Paula Barness, Greg Melartin, Ashley Fenton, Doc Shipton, Drew Weber, Mitchell Plaehn, Doug Plaehn, Dave Foster, Kristina Radar, Joel Huebner Mlinar opened the Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m. Roll Call was taken with all members present. Approve Agenda Dols/Kohn unanimous to approve the agenda. Consent Agenda Dols/Danielson unanimous to approve the minutes of the 03/10/25 and 03/31/25 Council meetings, April preliminary & March final accounts payable, Octoberfest street closure, Fins & Films street closures and Car Cruise parking. Visitors-None Final Pay Estimate 2022 Fremont Street Improvement Final pay estimate is in the amount of $54,972.23. Danielson/Kohn unanimous to approve the final pay estimate to Ulland Bros. for the 2022 Fremont Street Improvement in the amount of $54,972.23. Local Road Improvement Program Grant Agreement The grant agreement is for the 2025 Tracy Road Improvement. The grant is in the amount of $1,500,000 and is a city/county project. Kohn/Danielson unanimous to approve the Local Road Improvement Grant Agreement with MNDOT. Resolution 2025-20: …

Public Hearing & Special Council Meeting City Hall Council Chambers March 31, 2025 6:00 p.m. (COUNCIL ACTION IN ITALICS) Council Present: Luan Ruesink, John Dols, Justin Mlinar, Chris Danielson, Brent Kohn Council Members absent: None City Staff Present: Deb Zimmer (Clerk/Treas.) Guests Present: Drew Weber, Chris Rolli, Gary Daggett, Jennifer Vreeman, Brad Vreeman, Kevin Hoornaert, Luann Garrison, David Garrison, Brenda Brekke, Sheri Ramaker, Joey Bernard Mlinar opened the Special Assessment Public Hearing at 6:00 p.m. Roll Call was taken with all members being present. Review Special Assessments for the 2025 Tracy Road Improvement Project Drew Weber reviewed the project and special assessments. Weber noted a neighborhood meeting was held March 27, 2025 to review the project in more detail. Public Testimony Gary Daggett noted his desire not to have a sidewalk in front of his home located at 609 Warren Avenue. Weber noted the grant submission included the sidewalks with some scoring of the grant based on improved safety noting it would be difficult to justify removal of the sidewalk. Kevin Hoornaert questioned if the linear foot measurement of his property was correct. Weber noted in addition to the information listed on the Fillmore County GIS site a survey was done to confirm the measurements. Luann Garrison spoke on behalf of the Spring Park Home …

Regular Council Meeting City Hall Council Chambers March 10, 2025 6:00 p.m. (COUNCIL ACTION IN ITALICS) Council Present: Luan Ruesink, John Dols, Justin Mlinar, Chris Danielson, Brent Kohn Council Members absent: None City Staff Present: Deb Zimmer (Admin/Clerk-Treas), Sue Puffer (Amb), Mike Zimmer (Amb), John Fenske (Parks), Tony Struzyk (Fire), Isaac Hurst (Fire), Mitchell Plaehn (Fire) Guests Present: Paula Barness, Greg Melartin, Ashley Fenton, Ryan Rubin, Holly Eisenman, Brent Eisenman, Alex Slifka, Sarah Kohn, Gretchen Lovejoy, Kali Lentz Mlinar opened the Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m. Roll Call was taken with all members present. Approve Agenda Danielson/Kohn unanimous to approve the agenda. Consent Agenda Dols/Kohn unanimous to approve the 02/10/25 & 02/24/25 Council minutes, March preliminary & February final accounts payable and Sportsmen Club raffle permit. Visitors Sarah Kohn thanked John Fenske and the city for working with the Kingsland Drama Club and their use of the Community Center. 2024 Audit Presentation Kali Lentz presented the 2024 audit. The property tax levy represented 43% of revenue and LGA represented 25% of the revenue. General fund expenditures were under budget $158,317, Library fund was over budget $8,060, Park expenditures were over budget $8,912, EDA was under budget $2,594. The General Fund unassigned balance as a percentage of expendi …

Special Council Meeting City Hall Council Chambers February 24, 2025 6:00 p.m. (COUNCIL ACTION IN ITALICS) Council Present: Luan Ruesink, John Dols, Justin Mlinar, Chris Danielson Council Members absent: Brent Kohn City Staff Present: Deb Zimmer (Clerk/Treas. via phone), Chris Hahn (EDA) Guests Present: Dan Freeman, Drew Weber Mlinar opened the Special Meeting at 6:00 p.m. Roll Call was taken with Kohn being absent Approve Agenda Ruesink/Danielson unanimous to approve the agenda. Resolution 2025-11: Resolution Declaring Cost to be Assessed and Ordering Preparation of Proposed Assessments Weber reviewed the construction bids noting Snow Contracting LLC was the low bidder at $2,554,605.30. The proposed assessment were reviewed with it being noted the total amount to be assessed is $224,029.33. Discussion occurred with it being noted the contract does include liquidated damages. The assessment is approximately $100 per linear foot. Danielson/Dols unanimous to adopt Resolution 2025-11 declaring cost to be assessed and ordering preparation of proposed assessments. Resolution 2025-12: Resolution Setting Hearing on Proposed Assessments Weber noted the assessment hearing would be scheduled for Monday, March 31, 2025 at 6:00 pm. A neighborhood meeting will be held the week before the hearing. Kingsland School, Olmsted Clinic and Spring Valley Senior Living will have one on one meetings to discuss the project. Dols/Ruesink unanimous to adopt Resolution 2025-12 setting the heari …

Regular Council Meeting City Hall Council Chambers February 10, 2025 6:00 p.m. (COUNCIL ACTION IN ITALICS) Council Present: Luan Ruesink, John Dols, Justin Mlinar, Chris Danielson, Brent Kohn Council Members absent: None City Staff Present: Deb Zimmer (Admin/Clerk-Treas), Sue Puffer (Amb), Dustin Johnson (Fire), Mike Zimmer (Amb), Melissa Vanderplas (Library), Chris Hahn (EDA), Mitchell Plaehn (Fire) Guests Present: Paula Barness, Greg Melartin, Ashley Fenton, Drew Weber, Doc Shipton Mlinar opened the Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m. Roll Call was taken with all members present. Approve Agenda Dols/Kohn unanimous to approve the agenda. Consent Agenda Dols/Danielson unanimous to approve the minutes of the 01/13/25 meeting, accounts payable, Wednesdays on Broadway street closures and Tri- County Trailblazers raffle permit. Tobacco License Renewals License renewals for Casey’s General Store, Kwik Trip, Sunshine Foods, Dollar General and Smoking Guns Smoke Shop. Dols/Mlinar unanimous to approve tobacco license renewals pending receipt of the renewal application and fee. Project Update Drew Weber noted the 2023 Farmer Street Improvement final pay estimate paperwork has been submitted for approval. The 2025 Tracy Road bid opening is scheduled for February 18th with a special Council meeting on February 24th to order assessments and set an assessment hearing date. The Active Transportation grant was submitted with awarding of the grant on April 30th. 2023 CSAH 8/Farmer St Impr …

Regular Council Meeting City Hall Council Chambers January 13, 2025 6:00 p.m. (COUNCIL ACTION IN ITALICS) Council Present: Luan Ruesink, John Dols, Justin Mlinar, Chris Danielson, Brent Kohn Council Members absent: None City Staff Present: Deb Zimmer (Admin/Clerk-Treas), Sue Puffer (Amb), Dustin Johnson (Fire), Mike Zimmer (Amb), John Fenske (Parks), Melissa Vanderplas (Library), Jackson Rindels (Police) Guests Present: Paula Barness, Greg Melartin, Ashley Fenton, Ben Swinton, Drew Weber, Todd Moore, Todd Pearson, Gretchen Lovejoy Mlinar opened the Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m. Roll Call was taken with all members present. Oath of Office was taken by Brent Kohn. Approve Agenda Dols/Danielson unanimous to approve the agenda. Consent Agenda Ruesink/Dols unanimous to approve the minutes of the 12/26/24 and 01/02/25 meetings and the January preliminary accounts payable. Visitor’s Todd Moore noted his backyard neighbor is burning garbage and plastic causing an odor in his house. It was noted the neighbor has been sent a letter. Todd Pearson congratulated Mlinar, Danielson and Kohn noting he is looking forward to see what they do. He noted he was frustrated at a previous meeting but he was disappointed with the reaction of the election judges when he voted. Resolution 2025-01: Resolution Naming the Official Newspaper The resolution names the Fillmore County Journal as the official newspaper. Danielson/Kohn unanimous to adop …