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July 2009 |
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The Victoria GAZETTE |
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City Scoop Continued |
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PART OF ARBORETUM’S GRAND PLAN INCLUDES ALL-AROUND TRAIL CONNECTIONS Council approved a resolution in support of the City of Chanhassen’s “Application for Transportation Enhancement Funds for Trunk Highway 5 Bicycle/Pedestrian Underpass and Trails.” The application is for federal funding. The affected intersection, which could become a lighted intersection, is located within the City of Victoria. The underpass is slated to connect a trail on the east side of Minnewashta Parkway north of Hwy 5 (near Faith Lutheran Church) to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum on the south side of Hwy 5. Holly Kreft, Victoria Planner/Community Development Director, reported that Pastor Bill Monday believes the proposal would be received well by the congregation. If funding is received, the project could occur in 2011. It is estimated to cost $1 million, including all improvements, with the City of Chanhassen providing a 20% match. Said Holly in summary, “North of Hwy 5 connects to the regional trail. South of Hwy 5 connects to interior Arboretum trails. They may request financial assistance from Victoria, but not tonight.” Stated Councilmember Tom O’Connor, “ A million dollars to support a trail for 25 people to walk under seems extravagant. If you’re asking me for $5 out of my own pocket for this, I’d say No. In this economy, I don’t think this is correct.” Said Mayor Mary Thun, “This intersection has been identified in the corridor study as one that needs to be improved, so in the long run this is where the Arboretum wants their entry point. The Arboretum probably isn’t going to charge any money for their easement.” Asked Councilmember Kim Roden, “Does not approving this send the wrong signal to the Arboretum? Part of me says any time you can make amenities more accessible, that’s good, but I do have concerns about the money, too, Tom.” Councilmember Jim Paulsen made the motion to approve the resolution, stipulating that in the future the City of Chanhassen will support any effort to assist Victoria in getting a trail on Victoria’s south side. The motion passed unanimously.
VICTORIA’S RETENTION PONDS WORKING WHICH MEANS THEY WILL NEED DREDGING Council held a public hearing June 8th on the City Stormwater Pollution Program. Information was presented by City Engineer Cara Geheren who stated, “The city was required in 2002 to develop this program. There are 43 pages available for review which were put together by the PCA, basically.” Continued Cara, “Currently there are 42 pollution control devices in Victoria. All of them need to be inspected and cleaned regularly. Victoria also has 70 stormwater ponds built over the past 20 years. We need to look at a maintenance schedule for them. Typically they need to be dredged every ten to twenty years.” “It costs $5,000 to $15,000 for a pond dredging,” she said. “The need for dredging means the ponds have done their work. They’ve collected sand and debris from the streets. It’s part of the life cycle of the pond system.” The city engineer suggested the city choose four or five ponds at a time and bid the project together. “Primarily, you’re dealing with phosphorous,” said Cara. “What is the source point for phosphorous?” asked Councilmember Kim Roden. “Mainly it’s coming off the existing landscapes,” replied Cara. “We do look for opportunities for education.” “How about putting vegetation around the ponds?” suggested Councilmember Roden. In that regard Councilmember Tim Amundsen stated, “We need more than 16-foot back yards. We need more buffer requirements. People are mowing in order to capture more backyard.” “Every city pond has been inspected so it would be easy to identify those areas,” stated Engineer Geheren. Six minimum measures are required by cities in order to receive a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency: 1) Public education and outreach, 2) Public involvement and participation, 3) Illicit discharge detection and elimination, 4) Construction site stormwater controls, 5) Post-construction stormwater management for development and redevelopment, 6) Pollution prevention and good housekeeping for municipal operations.
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