Victoria MN Newspaper-The Scoop at City Hall

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VICTORIA COUNCIL READY FOR THE NEW YEAR

BIG VISION FOR DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT

The Master Plan Draft includes an expansive concept for the existing parking lot property across from the new City Hall and Library. Long ago that parking lot was the former site of Victoria Auto Body. The Draft Plan shows, in that location, an elongated north-south building that would front on Quamoclit Street, all the way from Stieger Lake Lane to a new access drive, street extension, east off Tower Boulevard. The proposed new building would face Vic's on the north end and the Gannon Building on the south end.

CITY OF VICTORIA INITIATES

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD

Council approved an awards program, as recommended by staff, to start a Citizen of the Year Award in Victoria. Annual cost will be around $100 for an engraved plaque plus in-house prepared certificates and letters. Purpose of the award is "to boost public awareness and appreciation for the many residents who work, often behind the scenes, to better the city's quality of life."

VICTORIA DOESN’T WANT HIGHER SPEED LIMITS

ASKS COUNTY TO WORK WITH MNDOT

Councilmembers spent some time at the December 14th city council meeting in conversation with Kate Miner, Traffic Engineer with Carver County. The first task was to convince her that the speed on County Road 11 through Victoria should not be increased from 50 mph to 55 mph, primarily because of the two dangerous intersections with Red Fox Drive and Deer Run Drive. The second task was to convince her to work with MnDOT to cooperate with Victoria's wishes and take seriously Victoria's concerns for safety of its residents.

GETTING A JUMP START IN VICTORIA

TO DO STREETS AT DEER RUN AND WINTERGREEN

Council approved plans and specifications for the upcoming street projects in the Deer run and Wintergreen neighborhoods and the advertising for bids, expected to be received on January 21st. A contract could be awarded for the project on February 8th. Deer Run streets will be reclaimed and draintiled, and sump pump service stubs will be installed. New bituminous pavement will be installed. The Wintergreen streets will be milled and overlayed with a new bituminous wear course.

CITY SIDEWALKS DRESSED IN HOLIDAY STYLE

IN THE AIR A FEELING OF CHRISTMAS

Ann Mahnke, the City of Victoria's Director of Parks and Public Works, answered questions from the Gazette about the new lighted decorations in downtown Victoria. Replied Ann, "The City of Big Fork, Minnesota, originally bought the snowflakes but was not using them. Chuck has a connection there and asked if we could purchase them, which we did. They are metal frames Trevor Latzke (PW employee) was tasked with putting the lights on all 23 snowflakes. Chuck chose blue because he has a great sense of color."

ENKI AND HARTMANS ONE STEP FURTHER

TOWARD NEW RETAIL SPACE IN VICTORIA

Enki Brewing would own and occupy the two-story portion of the former HEI building, which is actually a 1996 addition to the original one story building. Hartman Communities would own the one-story and propose turning it into retail space and possibly a restaurant.

SPRING START FOR RESERVE ON THE PARK

PLANNING 16 NEW TWIN HOMES IN VICTORIA

Council voted 5-0 December 14th to approve rezoning the former Virginia Hedtke/Stowe from agricultural to residential and PUD. Property owners today are Sherman Stowe and Phyllis Bergstrom. The 4.6 acres are located on the northwest corner of Hwy 5 and Park Drive, adjacent to the regional bike trail and Carver Park Reserve.

VICTORIA’S 2016 BUDGET/LET SET

SAME TOTAL NUMBERS AS PRESENTED IN FALL

Numbers are the same as in the preliminary budget presented in September and reported at length in the October issue of the Gazette.

COMPLETE SCOOP IN PAPER EDITION OF THE GAZETTE.

The Victoria Fire Department

City of Victoria 952-443-2771

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