|
Highway 5 in Waconia. 952-442-4411 |
|
8661 Deer Run Dr. * Victoria 952-443-2351 |
|
1915 Arboretum Blvd * Victoria 952-443-2808 |
|
Lake Auburn Moravian Church Victoria * 952-443-2051 |
|
Highway 5 in Victoria 952-443-2491 |
|
Take the worry out of winter.. Call 1-888-41-SEPTIC. |
|
The Victoria Lions We Serve. |
|
Sebenaler Chiropractic Center Chaska * 952-448-9908 |
|
Sue’s Album A symphony of photos and fewer than a thousand words at www.VictoriaGazette.com |
|
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 |
|
Floor to Ceiling |
|
33 West First Street * Waconia 952-442-4242 |
|
Home Page |
|
The Victoria GAZETTE |
|
City Scoop Continued |
|
Added Councilmember O’Connor, “As a partner, we ought to have some considerable say ... Conceptually we’re all for these things.” “I see it having an impact on state aid roads,” said Cara. “We do have gas tax money set a side for us.” Stated Councilmember Tim Amundsen, “I’d like to see a contrast of opinions from our state senator and our state representative. If they’re of the same opinion, fine. But if they’re not, I’d like to know why.” Said Mayor Mary Thun, “It’s not meant to be a funding source.” Discussion will continue at a future council session.
TALKING ABOUT 86TH STREET IN VICTORIA AND SHORT TERM OPTIONS FOR SAFETY City Administrator Don Uram spoke on January 11th about an accident the weekend of January 9th in the roundabout area at Kochia, near the Victoria Recreation Center. “It happened about 4 p.m. on Saturday, a minor accident involving a 16-year old male, as he approached the roundabout to go west on 86th,” said Mr. Uram. “Conditions were icy. He slid on the ice and started to fishtail and overturned the vehicle. There were no injuries. It was a combination of an inexperienced driver and icing. No traffic citations were issued.” He asked City Engineer Cara Geheren to speak about the upcoming improvements to 86th Street. “City staff has been putting together a timeline,” said Cara, “targeting a construction project for next year. In order to be ready to construct in 2011, we need to begin now. We need to acquire additional right of way. We need all of the right of way in order to designate it as a state aid road, by March 1st, and then we have till May 1st to request the state aid designation.” The city engineer also mentioned the possibility of virtual speed monitors and a cable barrier option as short-term improvements. “We will involve the community in the final layout with bidding in the spring,” she said. Added the city administrator, “We wanted to make sure we reviewed all the options. Our goal in redesign of the road is to slow traffic.” Acquiring right of way means dealing with utilities in those right of ways. Stated City Attorney Mike Norton, “It’s always challenging working with major utilities.” Agreed the engineer, “They like us to tell them now what we’re doing next year.” Replied the attorney in response to a question from Councilmember Kim Roden, “Having a franchise with a utility wouldn’t necessarily reduce cost to the city. It doesn’t translate to a win for the city.” Stated Councilmember Tim Amundsen, “There is a safety concern at 86th Street. How much does it cost to put those orange cones up as a temporary solution to answer some of the concerns of the community?” Replied Administrator Uram, “My initial concern is for pedestrians and which side would they walk on?” “I’d like to see a short term and a long term plan,” said Councilmember Roden. “I got quite a few emails from the neighbors there. In my opinion, we haven’t been very responsive to the neighbors.” Mayor Thun pointed out that the short term solutions identified at the November 23rd city meeting were increasing patrol and working with the City of Chaska. A resident of Allegheny Grove, the neighborhood along the north side of 86th Street, then spoke at the podium. “I feel defeated,” stated Jayme Kruse, “We’ve been talking about this for months on end. This car was flipped on its back -- a four-door jeep! -- and it landed in my neighbor’s yard, and you classify this as minor accident?” “Snowmobiles are also out there, on both sides of the road,” she said. “I get the long term solution and understand it, but the short term? As an elected official, it’s your responsibility to keep the community safe. Something is going to happen!” “I’m putting my home up for sale next week,” she continued. “I can’t stand it anymore and I’m putting my house up for $40,000 less than what I’m being taxed for on it.” Administrator Uram referred to the accident, “Based on preliminary analysis, speed bumps would not have made any difference. I’m reporting this as the deputy reported it to me.” Mayor Thun asked Jayme Kruse, “What would you recommend?” “If I were sitting on your side of the table,” she replied, “I’d do anything to slow down the vehicles. I keep hearing that speed bumps don’t work ...” The administrator re-stated, “We do not recommend speed bumps on collector roads, which this is. We’d have to remove them during the winter, so they wouldn’t have been there in the first place, for this accident.”
|
|
February 2010 |
