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The Valley City Council met on Monday night to discuss the updates surrounding the city’s old business, some of the new business and discuss several things that will be underway in a couple weeks.

“In the last meeting, we talked about the tennis courts,” said Councilwoman Kay Davidson. “Actually, Wanda received an email from Karen, who is our assigned project manager with the United States Tennis Association and Karen said she has submitted our photos and our questionnaire regarding the project.”

Davidson said in about three to four weeks, the council should have documentation available of a budget and concept training for the tennis court project.

Christmas

City Councilwoman Sara Day mentioned the festive event called “Christmas in the Park” is underway and should be finished by the end of the week.

“We do have the event in December on the 15th as well,” said Day. “From two to four for Santa and several characters such as Grinch and the elves coming to the park. It is called ‘Santa and Friends in the park’.”

Day said the festive event will take place on Sunday in the month of December and plans to find a photographer for the event so families who attend can have their photos taken with Santa.

Community Center

During discussion of old business, Mayor Wayne Labbe said the community center property listing is still underway with an agent from South Land Company, LLC, and said they do not have a signed a contract yet due to the amount that was agreed upon being incorrect.

“We got it Tuesday or Wednesday and the amount was wrong,” said Labbe. “We said 6% in here and he had 7% in the contract. Well, I talked to him Wednesday and he said that anything under $100,000 would be 7%.”

Not only was the percentage in the document wrong, the official amount for the project was wrong as well, according to Labbe.

“The amount was for $89,900 and he had $89,000 on the contract, and I talked to him about that and he was supposed to send us an amended contract and I had him send it to Wanda and I just in case neither one of us have received it,” Labbe said.

Labbe said currently, the situation stands as it is and that neither him or Wanda has received the correct document as of yet.

Other business

The council also discussed updates surrounding old business regarding the city prayer meeting that will possibly kick off next year, consisting of a few pastors within the area from Valley Grande, Summerfield and Selma.

“They have a date opened up,” said Councilwoman Jane Harris. “That is June 7, 2025. What we will be responsible for doing if we decide to do it, is to get the preachers involved and to get the T-shirts made and they would get some kind of singing going on.”

Harris said if the council participates in the event, it will start at 10 a.m. and conclude about 1 p.m. and if considered, the event will be held at the walking trail at Valley Grande City Park on 298 County Road 16.

Labbe went on to speak about the council’s financial report regarding the frequent amounts of electronic deposits that the city has accrued and mentioned to the council an alternative that he had that could help in the long run.

Labbe said he wants clarity on the city’s funds so one day, they can accrue enough to generate a proposal for an actual city hall that can be built on the city’s property and near the park.

The mayor’s report also mentioned the new updates regarding the Valley Grande Sports Complex and its process.

Labbe said currently the drawings for the complex are being duplicated, which is a little different from the paperwork that is getting done for the concession stand and the announcing booth section of the project. He also spoke about the paving allotment the council received to tie up the meeting.

The next council meeting is on Monday, Dec. 2 at 5 p.m.