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"The neighborhood has one of the last gravel roads in the city," said Cara.  "It has been studied several times.  The studies did not move forward.  The project has since been slated for 2012.  We wanted to make sure we had some neighborhood buy-in because feasibility studies have costs associated with them."

         "There is a gravel road with a lot of parcels of varying sizes from one to five acres," said Cara.  "Larger parcels would be developable if they had sewer and water."

         The engineer said that if the entire project -- the construction and/or installation of sewer, water, and street -- were to move forward, the overall project cost is estimated to be $1.7 million.  The city's share of that cost would be about $550,000.

For property owners, Cara pointed out, "This results in a pretty significant assessment of $34,000 to $36,000 per unit.  Larger parcels could see up to $146,000 in assessments."  She said that past feasibility studies that were performed for the Aster Trail neighborhood didn't have the technology to look at the parcels in such detail. 

         Recognizing the large assessments that would be necessary to construct the project, Cara stated, "The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District has a grant program to help people replace failing septic systems, to help reduce sanitary sewer costs."  Septic systems would be replaced, in the proposed project, by city sewer.

         "Also, another funding source is possible because Lake Virginia is an impaired water," said Cara.  "A potential source of the phosphorus in the lake could  be failing septic systems.  If residents would give us access [to their properties for testing], we could apply for clean water legacy funds."

         "We've been seeking resident input all the way along," said Cara.  "I get frequent calls and emails.  Sixteen of the 19 residents don't have city sewer.  The three that do are in the Tall Trees development.  Fourteen of the 19 want some or all of project.  There is a lot of support for city sewer.  There is pretty good support for street improvements.  There is less interest in city water." 

         Explained Cara, "If the project is to move forward, we need a feasibility report.  We'll likely need easements to get the sewer project done."

         She added, "I've been here in Victoria a long time and to have this much momentum on a project indicates widespread support.  It doesn't make sense to keep studying something and then not do anything.  I feel confident in recommending that we move ahead."

         Stated Councilmember Kim Roden, "The price on this project seems higher than Lake Auburn and Bayview projects."

         "This area is less dense than those and requires a more complex structure compared to those," said Cara.

         Asked Councilmember Roden, "Could the costs potentially come down as they have on other city projects?"

         "Yes," replied Cara.  "A big part of that has been the bidding economy.  This is a bit tricker project with more nuances."

         Stated Councilmember Roden, "The cost of this feasibility is less than others.  Seems like we're getting sharper pencils."

         Replied Cara, "Altogether the study will be about $17,000."  She recommended that all three utilities -- streets, sewer, and water -- be part of the feasibility.

         Stated Councilmember Tom Strigel, "If this was all free to the residents, most likely everybody would say yes to it.  What is the cost of replacing a failed septic system?"

         Cara said it can range from $15,000 to $25,000.  She pointed out at least three of the septic systems at Aster are failing.

         "What if a resident can't afford the assessment?" asked Councilmember Strigel.

         Replied Cara, "Our assessment policy allows deferral if they meet the hardship criteria.  Historically, there are 15 years to pay.  Maybe we could extend it to 20 years."

         Councilmember Tom O'Connor asked if there would in fact be a decrease of phosphorous in Lake Virginia if septic systems were replaced with city sewer.  Cara replied, "Yes, probably significantly."

         Councilmember O'Connor asked about the city cost of maintaining the gravel road.  Cara replied that the blade certainly has to be maintained and "it takes a long time to get to that neighborhood with a big piece of equipment."

         Asked Councilmember Jim Crowley, "Is there any benefit to the city to combine this project with new developments in the south part of the city?"

         Replied Cara, "I'll have to give that some thought.  They are far apart geographically."

         "If this doesn't go through, what's your next priority?" asked Councilmember Strigel.  Cara said 78th Street and Ridge Ponds Drive need work, "but they already have sewer and water so the cost would be significantly less."

 

Click here to continue Aster discussion.

April 2012

CHASKA SCHOOL

OF DANCE

Mary Pieper

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