|
The Victoria Lions We Serve. |
|
Weddings, Proms, All Formal Occasions Waconia 952-442-6383 |
|
St. Bonifacius * 952-446-1338 |
|
Holy Family Catholic High School Victoria * 952-443-4659 |
|
Victoria * 952-443-2022 |
|
MACKENTHUN’S MEAT & DELI St. Bonifacius * 952-446-1234 |
|
St. Bonifacius * 952-446-1338 |
|
Leuthner Well Company Victoria * 952-443-2582 |
|
Headlines and bylines |
|
Front Page Feature Story |
|
From the Editor |
|
Addie’s Drawing |
|
Letters to the Editor |
|
Victoria Moments |
|
Hook Line & Sinker |
|
Calendar of Events |
|
Click here to Advertise |
|
the Gazette |
|
Return to Home Page |
|
Order paper Gazette |
|
Notes and Quotes |
|
The Scoop at City Hall |
|
Home Page |
|
The Victoria GAZETTE |
|
“None of it,” replied Mr. Wisker. “It’s paid for through the collection of taxes. The city can choose an option. There are trade-offs in all of them. They’re all long term solutions to long term problems.” Asked Councilmember Tom O’Connor, “Why are we talking about a roughly 100-pound problem when Stieger Lake is not impaired?” Replied Mr. Wisker, “Goals were set through a long visioning process, to get the lake to what it was originally. It has moderate to good quality water and is 37 feet deep.” “We’re talking roughly $200,000 for this,” stated Councilmember O’Connor. “Convince me that this makes sense. Convince the citizens that this makes sense. You’re spending a lot of money when the water quality is okay.” “For the Watershed District, it’s worth the money,” said Mr. Wisker. “It’s a project for the future. A lot of water bodies are already impaired, and it costs a lot more to repair than maintain.” “I’d like you to make a convincing argument,” repeated Councilmember O’Connor. “Two hundred thousand dollars is a lot of money but 70 pounds of phosphorous removal is pretty impressive,” said Mr. Wisker. Asked Councilmember Jim Paulsen, “Why wouldn’t we take on our largest problem first?” He pointed out that Stieger Lake, surrounded by park land, “is probably as pure of an environment as you’re going to get,” while Lake Wasserman is an impaired lake and is very high in phosphorous. “There were not good options there,” replied Mr. Wisker. “We are interested in preserving Wasserman as well but we’re not going to forcibly build ponds on agricultural land or make farmers take out their drain tile.” “Have you been working with MnDOT?” asked Mayor Mary Thun. “Your watershed project on Hwy 5 is precisely where road construction occurs in 2012. We will be pushing MnDOT to get the Hwy 5 project done quickly for the sake of our business community. It will not sit well with us if you delay that project or make it last longer.” “You go ask your board managers, if they had to run for elective office in November, how would they justify this expenditure?” continued the mayor. “Nobody is against clean water, but I’m not sure you’re given us a compelling reason.” (Watershed managers are appointed and do not run for office.) “In the face of Lake Wasserman, which is a known problem, we have to take a stand and say, ‘Clean Wasserman first,’” said Councilmember O’Connor. Asked Councilmember Kim Roden, “Why not allocate the money, or a percentage of it, to build up a fund for Wasserman?” “We can’t identify dollars to Wasserman until we have a solution for Wasserman,” said Mr. Wisker. Kent Harris, a resident on Narcissus Court, asked to speak to the issue. “I’m very familiar with this [Stieger Lake] wetland. It seems like an opportunity to me. They’re not asking for any money from the city. I’m a little shocked that it got shot down like that. I’ve lived here since 1988. The pond up here is an eyesore. It smells. Nothing has been done to it since I’ve lived here. I certainly understand what the Watershed is saying. I hope it hasn’t been killed.” Stated Mayor Thun, “First of all, we didn’t blow him off. Also, this council is careful of taxpayer dollars no matter where they’re coming from.” She said the city is working on a pond maintenance program for the city. City Engineer Cara Geheren said she is doing an inventory of city ponds -- how they were built, when they were built, who owns them, applicable maintenance agreements and easements -- and “we’re just stepping through that process now. Public Works is prioritizing the ponds, which ones need attention first.” Councilmember Tim Amundsen pointed out that the Watershed District recently tried to purchase city property near Six Mile Creek without prior communication with the City of Victoria. “Having the Watershed District here in the first place tonight is a great step forward,” he said.
LOOKING TO INCLUDE DQ INTERSECTION IN HIGHWAY 5 IMPROVEMENTS IN VICTORIA About the time-line for Hwy 5 improvements in Victoria, City Engineer Cara Gehern stated, “The plan is going to occur in 2012. We’re looking for additional funding to improve the intersection of Hwy 5 at the Dairy Queen. It isn’t part of the current project.” She said the approximate cost of improving the intersection is $420,000 with $363,000 of that amount eligible for funding from MnDOT. City participation would be approximately $57,000. “It certainly would be bid as part of the original project,” said Cara, about the 2012 date. “MnDOT is supportive of this request.” City Administrator Don Uram pointed out that the City of Victoria owns the 13.5 acres adjacent to the intersection, “so we’re very supportive of this.” Council voted 5-0 to request funding from the MnDOT for the additional improvements to Hwy 5.
|
|
August 2010 |
|
City Scoop Continued |
