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The Victoria

GAZETTE

FIBER AT CITY HALL AND FIRE STATION

ALSO BRINGING FIBER TO THE REC CENTER?

Extending fiber to the Victoria Recreation Center was on the Consent Agenda for May 13th but was pulled by Councilmember Jim Crowley, discussed at some length that evening, and then tabled to the following council meeting on May 28th. Councilmember Crowley had asked, "Are we saving money going this route?"

Referring to the 10MB internet service, he said, "We're getting less capacity than with our local cable company to my home, so what are we paying for?"

Carver County has been installing fiber to various public buildings in the county including to Victoria City Hall and the Victoria Fire Station/Water Treatment Plant as formerly agreed. This was funded as part of a Federal Stimulus Grant. Additional connections (laterals) must be paid for by the benefitting entities. The one-time cost of lateral construction to the Rec Center is $14,086. Annual maintenance is $368.

"We have three primary facilities, ultimately four," said City Manager Don Uram, referring to a new Public Works Building as the fourth lateral. "So Carver County went out and got bids to do the Recreation Center. We have IT equipment at three facilities, none of which are connected to each other. This will allow us to do things we currently can't do. This was in the 2012 budget, but we didn't do it then so it was set aside."

Stated Councilmember Crowley, "We put in a race track and we're getting a pinto. What are the costs associated with our current implementation?"

Councilmember Tom Strigel asked if the city has a role with fiber much like Mediacom with cable. City Manager Don Uram replied, "Yes."

Said Councilmember Joe Pavelko, "Fiber was billed as the greatest thing, paid for with $7 million from the stimulus package. Where's the long term plan that let the people who pay for it, use it? It's hard for me to understand why we can't get a little deal from Carver County. I've got 10 megabytes at my house for less than this."

"Our City Hall and Fire Hall are already connected," said Mr. Uram. "I would leave it up to the County to answer those questions." It was suggested that Carver County Commissioner Randy Maluchnik be invited to attend a council meeting.

Mr. Uram expects to present a report on the fiber project to the city council at their June 10th meeting.

REQUEST FOR STOP SIGN AT LAKETOWN

VICTORIA POLICY SAYS IT’S NOT WARRANTED

Councilmember Jim Crowley asked about getting stop signs in his Laketown neighborhood at the intersection of Cavaletti Court and Red Oak Drive.

"I am biased," said Councilmember Crowley. "I live in the neighborhood. Neighbors have come to me. Our primary concern is safety. We have buses that stop there and wait when they're ahead of schedule. Cars speed around them. There are kids out there. Our dog got hit. I'm very concerned. We've got to slow traffic down. Traffic is only going to get worse with development to the south. We have a concern. It's our jurisdiction. What can we do?"

It was pointed out that the warrants at that intersection do not dictate a stop sign. Some of those warrants are related to number of accidents that have occurred at that intersection and number of vehicles traveling at that intersection.

City staff's recommendation is to continue following city policy.

Said City Engineer Cara Geheren, "There is ongoing education. Red Oak Drive is going to be a major collector road. We design curves on streets to slow traffic. We use law enforcement. The speed limit is 30 mph. I'd be surprised if a deputy clocked people going faster than 30 mph."

"On Narcissus Street the city installed stop signs outside the policy," said Cara. "I to think we need to contact the bus company. They shouldn't be stopping there to wait, without their arm out."

Said Councilmember Crowley, "I don't have any other ideas how to slow it down."

Said Councilmember Tom Strigel, "If the residents are disposed to that solution [a stop sign], I think we can address that."

Councilmember Crowley said he'll contact the Homeowners Association about the possibility of gathering signatures. As stated in city policy, residents can petition the city for a stop sign installation with signatures of over 50% of the property owners (one vote per property) whose property lies within a 600-foot radius from the intersecting street center lines. The city engineer then makes an analysis of the request and City Council makes the final determination.

Said the city engineer, "The city can make any decision it wants to make. We need to figure out how to make people more cautious drivers. It's very frustrating. There's only so much we can do as an engineer."

Said Mayor Tom O'Connor, "We have a duty to help monitor and patrol ourselves."

Added City Manager Don Uram, "We can kind of step up our deputy patrol too."

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City Scoop Continued

June 2013