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VICTORIA SIGNS PURCHASE AGREEMENT

PUBLIC WORKS SITE ON BAVARIA ROAD $70,000/ACRE

         City Manager Don Uram reported April 8th that he was working on a purchase agreement for property at the Hartman Tree Farm as the location for a new Public Works site. 

         The Gazette reported last month that the property at 8099 Bavaria Road is owned by Caroline Hartman and son Jeff Hartman, who is the personal representative of the Estate of the late Marvin Hartman.

         Two weeks later, on April 22nd, council voted 4-1 to approve the purchase agreement with Hartmans for 10 to 12 acres located on the north end of a 27-acre parcel.   Mayor Tom O'Connor and Councilmembers Tom Strigel, Jim Crowley, and Lani Basa voted in favor.  Councilmember Joe Pavelko voted against it saying, "I feel I don't have enough information to spend that kind of money."

         Purchase price is $70,000 per acre plus about $78,000 for 270 trees to buffer the south and west boundaries of the Public Works campus and other areas. 

         Said City Manager Don Uram, "We were negotiating this document still today, until tonight about 5:15 p.m."  The city council meeting began at 6:30 p.m.

         "The site is obviously a tree farm," said Mr. Uram.  "There are 1,600 trees on the land.  Consideration has to be given to the timing of the moving of those trees.  Also we need some consideration for a buffer along the southern property line and the purchase of some of those trees by the city.  This document includes the purchase of about 270 trees for buffering."

         "Timing is a concern," he said.  "There are 90 days to get through this approval process.  It's important, if Council approves the purchase agreement, that we move forward quickly to the design process."

         In responding to questions from councilmembers, Mr. Uram said the trees would be purchased at fair market value with price comparisons.  "We need to plan so they only have to move the trees once," he said.  "Number of trees will be based on what the exact site plan will look like, based on what is approved by council."

         Mr. Uram said a 20-foot buffer for sewer and water is included in the amount of property needed and is part of the land cost.  He said it amounts to about a half acre.  The approximate cost to bring sewer to the property is $60,000 and the approximate cost for water is $5,000 to $10,000.

         Councilmember Pavelko added up the costs for the purchase of 12 acres:  $840,000 for the land, $78,000 for the trees, and $70,000 for sewer and water.  "That's $988,000," he said.  "In addition, have we discussed turn lanes at the intersection?  I want to make sure we know what we're getting into."  He was referring to the nearby intersection of Bavaria Road with Hwy 5.

         Said Mr. Uram, "My goal is to accommodate our future needs with the smallest amount of cost.  Carver County said turn lanes are based on traffic.  This does not generate a lot of traffic, based on our size."

         Said Engineer Cara Geheren, "It was the county traffic engineer we contacted.  Traffic and speed on Bavaria Road does not warrant turn lanes under their review."

         Mr. Uram estimated that if the five Public Works employees each made five trips per day, that would be 25 trips per day.  "Even if you double that to 50 trips per day, that is insignificant," said Mr. Uram. 

         Said Councilmember Jim Crowley, "My suspicion is that we'd be displacing some of the traffic to the tree farm."

         "What if the City Hall was co-located there?" asked Councilmember Pavelko.  "Is that an answer we could get?  I feel I don't have enough information to spend that kind of money.  This seems to be a way to make sure City Hall stays downtown.  We haven't even talked about funding.  I'm voting no."

         Replied Mr. Uram, "We have about $2 million set aside in our Capital Facilities Fund, specifically for a new Public Works building and new City Hall.  Depending on cost, there will be some bonding required."  He estimated total cost for new Public Works and City Hall at $7 million, working toward getting the number low as possible.

         Councilmember Crowley commented on the numerous alternative locations that the city has reviewed and researched for both Public Works and City Hall. 

         Regarding 8099 Bavaria Road for Public Works, Mr. Uram stated, "It's a great location, centrally located for efficient operation."  He cautioned that if council is considering co-location at that site with a City Hall and turn lanes ... "I believe you'd want to know that."

 

 

Click here to learn about the site chosen for the new City Hall.

May 2013