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The Victoria GAZETTE |
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City Scoop Continued |
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ADOPTING GOALS, NOT GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS NO SPACE NEEDS STUDY APPROVED AT THIS TIME Council adopted the 2010 Strategic Plan Action Steps on March 22nd as summarized and outlined by City Administrator Don Uram. The Plan lists city goals, the steps required to reach those goals, and who is responsible to take those steps. The Plan was formulated after a work session that involved the city administrator and city councilmembers earlier this year. The Plan doesn’t include a funding plan for a future City Office Building or new Public Works Building, and Administrator Uram addressed this issue on March 22nd. “I think it’s important to get a funding plan in place for a Public Works Building and City Offices,” he said. The stated flexible target date for this new construction is 2016. “The Public Works facility is very limited on space,” said Mr. Uram. “I am recommending we move forward with a space needs analysis. We’ve budgeted $3 million and I don’t think that’s adequate.” Stated Councilmember Jim Paulsen, “Didn’t we agree that everything’s good financially for us because we’re not building?” “I’m concerned about setting aside sufficient financial resources,” said Mr. Uram. “I personally think that discussion in a public forum is advisable,” said Councilmember Kim Roden. Councilmember Tom O’Connor said to Mr. Uram, “I’m sensing a heightened sense of urgency in your comments tonight. Has something changed from two months ago?” “I’ve talked to Public Works,” he replied. “My budget issue is how much money will be needed and how much square footage.” Said Mayor Mary Thun, “I don’t think things have changed at all. Isn’t that something you can do in your office, discuss those things with your Public Works people? You don’t need our approval for that.” Replied Mr. Uram, “I’m actually looking for something more formal than that.” Council did not move forward with anything that would require spending some money. The Plan was adopted as written, with no space needs study at this time.
TRANSPORTATION FOR VICTORIA CITIZENS A MATTER OF DREAMS AND REALITIES March 8th Although City Administrator Don Uram was looking for councilmembers to take a stand on constructing County Road 18 in Victoria from Bavaria Road west to County Road 11, Council voted unanimously March 8th to table the issue. They directed Mr. Uram to check with the cities of Chanhassen and Chaska to see how the proposal fits into the entire system. City Engineer Cara Geheren reported that Carver County does have a cost sharing policy and they want to move forward to get a study done. Councilmember Tom O’Connor, who attended a related meeting, stated, “Basically, if they start now with the study, the project could be done by 2013, and I’m hopeful, but it may not start now.” Mayor Mary Thun saw difficulties with supporting this request from the county. For one thing, she said, Highway 5 through Victoria will suffer closures in 2012 because of improvements on both sides of downtown -- on the east side by the sink hole and on west side by the bridge. She has concerns about the re-routing of traffic during that time, and the increase in traffic in general. In regard to constructing a new road in Victoria, Mayor Thun also stated, “I thought our priority was Highway 5. I have a hard time delegating funds to take traffic off Highway 5 and away from our businesses. We need to know what we’re getting into here. I’d like to know which way the council would like to go -- Highway 5 or County Road 18.” Asked Councilmember Paulsen in that regard, “What’s the dream and what’s the reality?” He pointed out that improving Hwy 5 to four lanes west from Hwy 41 carries a price tag of $25 million. Agreed Councilmember O’Connor, “County Road 18 is in the realm of possibility. Holy Family Catholic High School is in favor of it. It’s an alternative to divert traffic off Hwy 5. I don’t find fault with that. Money is coming from two different pots.” Councilmember Tim Amundsen pointed out that increase in traffic is projected for both Highway 5 and County Road 18. “We have to have both to manage the vehicular traffic. They are not mutually exclusive. Roads are built to accommodate travel and growth. We’ve got to find ways to fund it and build it. We need to have transportation for our citizens.”
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Sue’s Album A symphony of photos and fewer than a thousand words at www.VictoriaGazette.com |
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April 2010 |
