At its Jan. 3 regular meeting, the Eden Valley city council heard from city engineer Kent Louwagie about a proposed Southwest Improvement Project. The project involves street, water and sewer improvements to Church Street, Rails Avenue, Meeker Avenue, and two alleys on either side of Church Street to the southwest of Highways 22 and 55 in Eden Valley. The council approved moving forward with preparing a report on the improvement project. Bolton Menck plans to apply for grant funding for it. The project likely would be a 2025 project for the city.
Pat Becker will remain Acting Mayor, as needed.
The council approved an amended fee schedule for 2024.
Police Chief Evan Borscheid reported an increase in calls for service, especially traffic stops, in 2023 over 2022 figures. This is largely because of the addition of officer Hunter Henkels early last year.
There was discussion about candidates to fill the Public Works department position. So far, no one has had the qualifications to be Public Works director, so the council decided to pursue two maintenance workers who have the potential to advance in their careers as they gain certifications and qualifications.
At its Dec. 6 meeting, the council approved its 2024 tax levy. The levy is the same as last year, $600,000, $10,000 less than first anticipated. No one attended the meeting who had any concerns or questions regarding the 2024 levy.
They went on to approve the 2024 budget.
The council approved hiring three new members of the Eden Valley Fire Department: Kayla Schmitz, Cherice Vogel, and Jake Borman. And they approved three new hires for the Rescue Department: Angela Haan, Tiffany Press, and Brian Stelling. A new fire chief will take over soon, after January elections in the department, as Chad Kuechle’s six-year term as chief ends this month.
Police Chief Evan Borscheid reported an increase in school bus stop-arm violations. There is no possible excuse for blowing through a school bus’s stop arm, and everyone will be ticketed when caught. The school bus company now has good cameras fitted to each bus that can catch such violators in the act.
The next regular meeting and workshop of the Eden Valley council is at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, and there is a regular meeting at
7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7. Meetings are live-broadcast on the city’s website, and recordings are available for viewing.