Valley City Council approves multiple resolutions and ordinances, confirms appointments and construction payments

The Valley City Council on Feb. 10 confirmed multiple appointments, approved several resolutions and two zoning ordinances, and authorized construction payments tied to the water treatment plant expansion.

Council elected Melanie Hayden as council president by unanimous roll call (YES: J. Lewis, Socha, Dean, Hayden). City Clerk Christie Donnermeyer read election results and City Attorney Matt Munderloh administered the oath of office to newly elected council members Bill Socha and Jimmy Dean.

On formal actions, the council passed Resolution No. 2026-05 establishing a policy for employee reimbursement of training costs upon separation; Resolution No. 2026-06 setting fees for cutting into paving, curb or sidewalk; Resolution No. 2026-07 authorizing payoff of the Valhaven Nursing Home bonds and disposition of proceeds; Resolution No. 2026-08 addressing resignation/removal and naming a successor for the City of Valley Leasing Corporation board; Resolution No. 2026-09 approving fireworks sale for American Legion Post 58/Legion Baseball; and Resolution No. 2026-10 approving a fireworks sale application for the Valley Days Foundation. All passed by unanimous vote.

Council adopted Ordinance No. 845 rezoning Lot 1, Flatwater Development Addition Replat 3 from medium/high density residential (R-2) to lakefront residential (R-3) after a public hearing with no speakers. Council also adopted Ordinance No. 846 re-zoning a tract described in Section 4, Township 15 North, Range 10 East, from transitional ag/highway commercial (TA/C-3) to all highway commercial (C-3), following a presentation by Jeff Stoll of E & A Consulting Group.

Planning items: the council approved the preliminary plat for 275 LLC after staff review and Douglas County comments about driveway approaches. The council granted a conditional use permit (Resolution No. 2026-11) for a Casey's convenience store/gas station at Lot 2 Valley Landing Replat 1; Casey's representative Aaron Wolfe said the existing Casey's location would remain open.

On capital expenditures, the council passed Resolution No. 2026-12 authorizing payment no. 13 in the amount of $661,500.00 to Eriksen Construction for the water treatment plant expansion. The council approved Contractor's Change Order No. 1 (final) with Luxa Construction for a decrease of $1,918.25 on Valley Landing street paving and passed Resolution No. 2026-13 authorizing disbursement of $25,990.05 to Luxa Construction and $5,981.52 to the City for engineer fees. City Engineer Perry said water-main replacement work will begin in late spring.

Operations and updates: PeopleService reported about 90% of meter readings are being completed and no discolored water complaints related to low usage; March hydrant flushing will begin and notices will be sent. City Administrator Mike Gorman reported a grant from Congressman Bacon's office is pending details, said the Pool failed an electrical inspection and cannot reopen at this time, and indicated the Fareway project timeline targets a 2028 opening. City Attorney Munderloh reviewed future agenda items and Mayor Linda Lewis reminded the public of the Valley Days Foundation meeting on Feb. 17.

Votes at a glance: nearly every formal motion and resolution passed unanimously with recorded votes showing YES by J. Lewis, Bill Socha, Jimmy Dean and Melanie Hayden. No motions failed or were tabled.

What’s next: several drafted items (including the Ginger Cove speed-sign resolution and an ordinance to add a fifth council member) were assigned to the City Attorney for presentation at the March meeting. The council adjourned at 8:20 p.m.