Victoria MN Newspaper

Floor to Ceiling

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VICTORIA PUBLIC WORKS BLDG UPDATE

EXTENDING UTILITIES, BUYING EQUIPMENT

Construction began on the new Victoria Public Works facility on Bavaria Road in mid June. The project was approved on April 14th. It is located between Arboretum property and the Hartman Tree Farm.

July 14th

"We're only about a week behind schedule," reported Director of Parks and Public Works Ann Mahnke. "Grading is occurring, the silt fence is up, and trees have been relocated. We're looking at July 21st for the footings. We too have several items to purchase. The project is progressing very well."

Council approved pay request number one in the amount of $6,640 to two contractors and the amount of $20,114 for general conditions like dumpsters, cleanup, insurance. Total contract amount is $1,080,937.

July 28th

Council accepted low bid of $164,244 from Widmer Construction to extend city sanitary sewer and watermain to the new Public Works site on Bavaria road. City Engineer Cara Geheren reported, "The water is being extended from across the street and the sewer will be extended from Madelyn Creek." Three bids were received.

Also on July 28th, Council approved equipment expenditures for the new building that total $73,027. It includes the installation of Three Phase power by MN Valley Electric ($34,281), a crane and hoist system from Midwest Overhead ($26,166), and fuel tanks and pumps from United Farmers' Cooperative ($12,580).

Said Ann, "The crane and hoist is to install wings on trucks. We don't have these things today. They'll increase efficiencies."

TOTAL REFINISH OF GYM FLOOR

AT THE VICTORIA RECREATION CENTER

Council voted 5-0 on July 28th to refinish the gymnasium floor at the Victoria Recreation Center. Staff solicited two proposals and recommended low quote of $18,900 from Athletic Performance Solutions.

Said Ann Mahnke, Director of Parks and Public Works, "We were going to do a buff and refinish as we've done before, but the company said we really need to do a sand-off, add a coat of sealer and paint lines, and two more coats of finish. It takes about a month to complete. It really needs to be done before the next big season. The floor is ten years old now. Holy Family used Athletic Performance Solutions and was happy with them."

It was also reported that the current floor surface is peeling down to the wood. The gym will be closed during September

VICTORIA HAD CITY ATTORNEY’S ADVICE

SEVEN RESIDENTS COMMENCED LAWSUIT

According to a resolution adopted on July 14th, those individuals identified as having commenced a lawsuit against four Victoria city councilmembers include Thomas Funk, Carolyn Funk, Marvin Gregory, Jerry Osmonson, Jane Piney, Mark Bjornlin, and Karen Bjornlin. They are alleging violation of the Minnesota Open Meeting Law.

The lawsuit is against Mayor Tom O'Connor, Jim Crowley, Tom Strigel, and Lani Basa.

The resolution states that the Victoria council's defense is that they received advice from the City of Victoria's legal counsel regarding the Minnesota Open Meeting Law and followed that advice. Victoria's legal counsel was Mike Norton of Kennedy & Graven.

In order for the city councilmembers "to disclose the legal advice, it is necessary for the Victoria City Council to waive the City of Victoria's attorney client privilege with respect to communications with Kennedy & Graven during the periods relevant to the lawsuit regarding the open meeting law."

It was waived only for the purpose of the lawsuit. Kennedy & Graven continues to be Victoria's City Attorney Firm.

ANOTHER WATER TANK FOR VICTORIA

THIS ONE UNDERGROUND AT RHAPSODY

Council voted 4-0 on July 14th to authorize the preliminary design phase of an underground water storage facility (versus an elevated water tower) to be constructed on the Ambergate property, immediately adjacent to and north of Rhapsody Park. Its general vicinity is south of Lake Wasserman.

Said City Engineer Cara Geheren, "Our water use continues to be high and our city continues to grow. We are adding new houses to the system. People are using water at an unacceptable rate. We've had the wettest year on record, and people are still watering their yards.

Cara continued, "I don't think we'll get our users to reduce their water use. People are paying to use all of that water. The problem is not going to go away anytime soon. Maybe we should have a meeting with the highest water users."

Click here to continue Another Water Tank for Victoria.