After the October council meeting where there was some consternation about fees charged (or not charged) for using the Event Center which is owned by the city. The Eden Valley Area Library uses one portion of that building for the library, but often spills into the Event Center with events because of the numbers they draw for author talks, movies, and the kids?Äô reading program.
Board members Nancy McNab and Judy Thielen attended the Nov. 2 council meeting to present a plan. The board proposes paying a flat fee of $150/month for the Library to use the Event Center as needed, and when not reserved by other groups. In addition, they propose to pay $30 (or the standard fee) for events for which they charge a fee, or at which someone makes money. For instance, an author making a presentation likely will sell books (and make money), so the Library would pay $30 to use the Event Center for such an event.
The Library has scheduled adult and kids?Äô movie nights (separately) in the Event Center. The Library has access to even the most recent movie releases for this. They charge $2 per person, and popcorn and beverage are free. They had been told they cannot advertise movie titles, as that may conflict with local theaters. Since the nearest theater is 15 miles away, and this week they are advertising Friday night?Äôs movie (?ÄúJack Reacher?Äù), it would seem that is no longer a restriction.
The council unanimously approved the Library board?Äôs proposal for a $150/month flat fee plus $30 per event where money is made or exchanged.
John Derichs of Jack?Äôs Oil came before the council to update them on the status of his new project, a Jack?Äôs gas station and convenience store on the site that formerly was Mike?Äôs Bait & Tackle.
MnDOT is involved with the project because of highway access to his business. MnDOT has approved access to the new Jack?Äôs from Highway 22 contingent that it is the only access from the highwa therey. Other properties nearby will need to use the Jack?Äôs driveway to access their own properties. Derichs has no problem with them using his driveway. The city?Äôs alley will be the only other access in that area.
The council unanimously approved this request by MnDOT to restrict access from Highway 22 to Jack?Äôs and the city alley. There is no cost or involvement by the city to improve, maintain, or remove snow from this property.
The council also unanimously approved Derichs to remove the city street light that sits where the driveway needs to go, at his expense. If the city chooses to reinstall it somewhere else, that will be at the city?Äôs expense. (Derichs believes that the illumination from the Jack?Äôs sign th be installed there should be bright enough, and that no street light will be needed there.
The council asked about the possibility of selling groceries there. Derichs responded that there will be room for groceries, but that he?Äôs not sure that will work. It works for KwikTrip, he added. But he hasn?Äôt ruled it out yet here.
Planning & Zoning reported that there are 25 rental inspections ongoing.
Codification of the city?Äôs ordinances has been extended to Nov. 21; the council will meet again at
7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, to continue working on this.
There was only one delinquent utility/garbage bill (for $205.47) that will be certified to the property owner?Äôs taxes.
Clerk Mona Haag reported that the credit card processing company the city uses will add a $20/month fee because of low volume of usage (otherwise it would be free). There are more people using it now, so that fee may go away. (All costs are paid by residents who choose the convenience of paying by credit card; there is no cost to the city, other than this added fee.)
Police chief Ernie Junker reported that there were no problems with Halloween. He will have a report next month.
The next regular meeting of the Eden Valley city council will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7. Meetings are recorded, and broadcast Thursdays on Arvig cable.