|
Chaska Community Center Victoria Memberships. 952-448-3176 |
|
Dine in Downtown Victoria * 952-443-2858 |
|
Victoria * 952-443-2022 |
|
St. Bonifacius * 952-446-1338 |
|
Take the worry out of winter.. Call 1-888-41-SEPTIC. |
|
1915 Arboretum Blvd * Victoria 952-443-2808 |
|
Call for a clinic near you. 952-442-8094 |
|
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 |
|
Birthright. Pregnant and need help? 952-442-4026 |
|
Home Page |
|
The Victoria GAZETTE |
|
NEW PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING IN VICTORIA BEGINS WITH $3,800 ANALYSIS PLAN There was preliminary discussion July 12th about a time-line for inclusion and construction of a new Public Works facility in the city’s Strategic Plan Update. Councilmember Jim Paulsen pointed out that a new P.W. facility and city office complex is currently slated in the plan for 2015-2016. “We would not be able to build those facilities at that time and maintain our current tax rate,” he said, implying that city taxes would need to be increased to accommodate the projects. “Our Public Works facility is woefully inadequate,” said City Administrator Don Uram. “For $3,800 we can get a plan started.” He recommended this move, especially considering that $10,000 had been budgeted for this purpose and the much lower amount quoted from a firm was a nice surprise. “What do we have other than a guess as to what a Public Works facility might cost?” asked Councilmember Tom O’Connor. “We’ve got square footage numbers,” replied Mr. Uram. “We put $200,000 last year in a fund for this,” said Councilmember Kim Roden. “Are you anticipating putting another $200,000 in this year for the Public Works facility?” “I’m very supportive of a savings program,” replied Mr. Uram. “It’s not unusual for cities to set aside savings to help fund things.” “This is not a for-profit business,” said Councilmember Tim Amundsen. “We’ve got land and we need a facility. The $3,800 seems to be a fiscally responsible focus.” He added, “Where the current Public Works facility is located has significant value.” At the following July 26th council meeting, there was more than discussion. There was a unanimous vote to authorize a planning analysis of a Victoria Public Works facility. Stated Administrator Uram, “For $3,800 they will do site planning and floor planning.” He reported the amount will also include cost estimates for construction, fees, expenses, telecom, and inspections. Commented Councilmember Kim Roden, “The likelihood that we’ll build it is quite a ways off.” Replied Mr. Uram, “We are trying to set money aside for it. From my perspective, a Public Works Building is a need.” Said Councilmember O’Connor, “This, in my mind, is an appropriate first step. I’ve visited our current building and something has to be done.”
TRYING TO GET THE LOAD OUT LOOKING AT A COUPLE OF VICTORIA LAKES The MCWD wants to decrease the load of phosphorous in Stieger Lake (where the load is not very high) while the Victoria City Council questions why they wouldn’t instead try to decrease the load of phosphorous in Lake Wasserman (where the load is very high). High phosphorous content in lakes increases the amount of algae. Algae blooms form green scum on top of the water which may have a foul odor and it can disrupt the natural systems in a lake. City Planner Holly Kreft reported that the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District has a capital project planned for the Stieger Lake sub-watershed in 2012 to reduce phosphorous by 28 pounds per year. Holly also reported that Stieger lake is not identified as an impaired lake but it drains into Parley Lake, which is impaired. Councilmembers listened to a presentation by James Wisker, a planner with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, on July 26th and followed up with questions and discussion but did not make a recommendation at this time. Mr. Wisker said he had already gotten feedback from Victoria residents in the area of Narcissus Street and a holding pond which drains toward Stieger Lake. From the council he said he’d like “a resolution of opposition or support” for the MWCD plans for Stieger Lake. He said the MWCD is 181 square miles in size, and that 251 acres, mostly residential, drain into Stieger Lake. He presented four options for the Victoria project, each of them requiring a weir, which is a low dam built up upstream to raise water level or divert its flow in order to further filter water before it flows into the lake. “The city is obligated in some fashion to reduce the load by 28 pounds,” said Mr. Wisker. “The Watershed District is responsible to reduce the load by [an additional] 67 pounds. We don’t expect the city to go out and slay the dragon in one year. We review the progress on an annual basis.” He said Stieger Lake has 40 micrograms of phosphorous per liter, and the goal is to reduce it to 30 micrograms per liter. The 2012 project would be designed in 2011. Project cost would range from $154,000 to $325,000, he said. Asked Councilmember Kim Roden, “What portion of that is the city’s responsibility?”
|
|
Sue’s Album A symphony of photos and fewer than a thousand words at www.VictoriaGazette.com |
|
August 2010 |
|
City Scoop Continued |
