At its April 5 regular meeting, berganKDV presented its annual audit report for 2016. Everything was consistent, and the city has about a 9.5-month cash fund balance (a six-month minimum is the city?Äôs policy). The city?Äôs general fund is $59,524 over budget, with slightly reduced receipts (1.3 percent) and slightly reduced expenditures (1.4 percent). The water fund has increased assessments (2.6 percent) and increased operating expense (10 percent); the fund shows $63,000 in income. The sewer fund has reduced revenue and increased operating expense, with an operating loss of about $5,600. Brookview Apartments fund shows consistent activity. The audit went smoothly, and the council approved the report unanimously.
The council unanimously approved the Eden Valley Hawks?Äô request to have pulltabs at DeeDee?Äôs Corner Bar.
They approved the Eden Valley Fire Relief Association request for street closures and temporary liquor license for Valley Daze, contingent on a certificate of insurance and paying the fee.
The Eden Valley council unanimously passed a resolution supporting local controls, needed because of proposed state legislation to take away local powers.
Zoning administrator Brian Peterka reported on progress with rental inspections and compliance. ?ÄúIt?Äôs going pretty well,?Äù he reported, with about 63 percent of first inspections complete.
Public Works has requested an automated meter reader system. He received three bids, and the council approved the lowest (and also the best) bid: $174,760 from DSG; this includes installation, software, hardware, and training, but not about $1,000 per year for support. The automatic meters come with a 20-year-life battery, but they are prorated after 10 years. The meters can be read by iPhone, tablet, or laptop. Warranty information needs to be checked on. The next question is how to pay for it. Rural Water offers a microloan at 2.95-percent interest; it shouldn?Äôt be a problem to finance through them, and it should be about a 1- to 2-week turnaround. The cost of financing would be $3,800, but it would save bonding costs, etc. The council unanimously approved a $180,000 loan for 15 years.
Some Eden Valley homeowners have a separate meter for irrigation (so they don?Äôt pay sewer costs on that portion of their water usage); there are about 20 in town. The meters cost $160 each, and the homeowner pays for these.
Mayor Brent Bengtson will look at the Initiative Foundation Thriving Communities program (which could be similar to the Healthy Communities program the city went through some years ago). The application deadline is April 28.
The city has applied for a $150,000 DNR outdoor recreation grant; now they wait for a response. If the grant is not awarded, the Lions have donated $100,000 to start the $160,000 shelter, and additional money has been donated for playground equipment. The planned splash pad, a modest one, will cost about $35,000.
The Eden Valley Citizens4 Progress has requested the Event Center name be changed to ?ÄúCommunity Center.?Äù
Police chief Ernie Junker gave his report. The department passed its audit last Tuesday and should be good for another five years; there were minor policy issues that are being dealt with. The in-car camera has been installed, but they are working out bugs (like no sound yet on body-cam mics, and the sirens don?Äôt work).
Street sweeping is being done now; irrigation will start soon; speed bumps will go up April 6. The railroad is doing soil borings, looking for contamination and observing, along Meeker Avenue, Church, Maple, and Hwy. 55.
Mayor Bengtson reported on the council?Äôs legislative visit in St. Paul. They were able to meet with all four legislators, but only for 15 minutes each. He will set up meetings again after this session is done.
A public hearing and special meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, regarding 2018 project strategic planning.
The next regular meeting of the Eden Valley city council will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 10.