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Continued: On the west side of the Hwy 5 bridge is the Dairy Queen intersection, which was not originally part of the project but became part of the project at the City of Victoria’s request. “We have to prepare the layout for turn lanes at the DQ intersection,” said Cara. “The county has agreed to pay for those turn lanes there. We’ve had discussions with the property owner.” The road intersecting Hwy 5 at the point is County Road 11 heading north. Victoria’s city engineer reported that MnDOT is designing this project in-house. “I’m at their monthly meetings,” she said. “There were 30 MnDOT people at the last meeting.” February and April of this year 2011 will require municipal consent from the cities of Chanhassen and Victoria and a public hearing to acquire a little public right of way. Meetings with Victoria businesses are scheduled along the way, beginning in May 2011. Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2012. As City Engineer Geheren stated, “Funding has been approved. The financing is complex but they’re full steam ahead on 2012.” She added the MnDOT has been very communicative to her and City Planner Holly Kreft. “One of my big issues,” said Councilmember Roden, “is the rerouting of traffic. Regarding detours, we want to identify what the problems are going to be. It’s better to be proactive than reactive. And I would like to see the interconnection of trail systems.” Councilmember O’Connor suggested contacting homeowner associations in Victoria to help inform the public about what will be happening. Mayor Thun stated that if MnDOT could do the Interstate 35W Bridge in minimal time, they can do the Hwy 5 in minimal time. Councilmember Jim Crowley mentioned two downtown Victoria business concerns: “How long will it affect me? And when will it affect me?”
VICTORIA’S CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN TOTALING NEARLY $13 MILLION OVER FIVE YEARS Council approved the five-year Capital Improvement for the City of Victoria that covers years 2011 to 2015. Stated City Finance Director Jylan Johnson, “Each project is identified and given a priority in the plan. Council approves the CIP plan annually. It is not, however, a request for funds. Each department must come back to Council for each item request.” Items in the plan that cost more than $10,000 must be approved by the Council, said Jylan. Purchases less than $10,000 may be approved by the City Administrator.” As Councilmember Tom O’Connor stated, “The intent here is to look at an item in the context of other expenditures and the overall mission.” Total cost estimate of capital expenditures listed in the five-year plan is $12,734,392. The largest capital expenditures cited in the plan include $4,500,000 for a new Public Works facility in 2015; $2,500,000 for street improvements over 2011 and 2012; $855,000 for a new Fire Truck in 2015; $800,000 for trail connections made from 2011 through 2014; $400,000 for lights at Lions Park over 2012 and 2013; $300,000 for renovations at Lake Virginia Shores Park over 2013 and 2014.
VICTORIA APPROVES 2011 CITY WAGES DOES 1% PLUS 1% EQUAL MORE THAN 2%? Councilmembers approved the 2011 City of Victoria Compensation Plan on January 10th. It gives a 1% increase in base pay for full time city employees plus a 1% wage increase. The Plan also gives step increases for five of the city’s 19 employees. Step increases maintain pay equity (also known as comparable worth so that equal pay goes for equal valued work) or reward outstanding performance. According to Administrator Don Uram, the 2010 wage base was $1.114 million. The 2011 wage base is $1.159 million. The increase will be offset by revenue from the City of Minnetrista for building inspection services from the City of Victoria. Part time and seasonal employees may receive the same 1% pay adjustment at the discretion of the city administrator. In a second motion that evening, councilmembers approved the 2011 Pay Equity Implementation Report to the State of Minnesota. Statutes require pay equity for employees of all local governments. As reported, “Pay equity is the principle that men and women should be compensated equally for work requiring comparable skills, responsibilities, and effort.”
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February 2011 |
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City Scoop continued |
