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Drs. Dungey, Menser & Associates

Victoria and Waconia.  952-443-2816

Specialized assisted living for those

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Victoria.  952-908-2215

Island View Dining

Waconia.  952-442-2956

Leuthner Well Company

Victoria * 952-443-2582

CORNERSTONE

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Mount Olivet Church-West Campus

Victoria  952-474-1148

City Scoop Continued

Dedicated to the sunshine of truth,

the moonshine of meeting deadlines,

and the starshine of Victoria.

STREETS CONTINUED.

         "There are factors that impact our operations," said Ann.  "Our last snow was a heavy wet snow.  Some of our employees may be on vacation.  Time of the snow event and equipment -- all play a factor in the operations."

         "So far this season we've spent $53,000 to $54,000 on snow and ice control, and we're not done," said Ann, who presented the total hours worked on snow and ice control so far this season:  2,425 hours at a cost of $53,962.  She broke that total down into 2,008 regular hours ($39,553) and 417 hours overtime hours ($14,409).  "A couple of times we had to come in on holidays," she added.

         Amount budgeted for repairs to plow equipment in the 2013-2014 snow season amounted to $13,500.  Salt costs totaled about $30,500.  "We had very cold temperatures this year," said Ann, "so we purchased treated salt.  The green salt melts the ice in low temperatures."

         "As of two weeks ago, we spent $22,622 on contracted services and I anticipate that number will grow," she said.  "Generally, with almost every snow, we have to haul out of downtown."  Other costs associated with contracted services include cul de sac snow hauling, parking lots contract, and machine rental.

         Ann said that total amount of snow this season is about 58 inches of snow being removed at a cost of $104,000.  "That does not include the last big dumper," she added.  The last big dumper was 7 to 10 inches of snow on Thursday, April 3rd.  And it does not include $187,000 for a new truck in the Capital Improvement Plan.

         Total hours spent on snow removal this season is double that of that last year (1,116 hours in 2012-2013) and triple that of the previous season (857 hours in 2011-2012).

         In responding to questions from City Councilmember Tom Strigel, Ann stated, "The addition of another body [an additional employee] this year really helped us out.  We've had new development and new streets and cul de sacs.  This year has been challenging because the snow turned into ice so quickly.  It took multiple runs to even look like we'd been through them.  We used a lot of salt.

         "Snow was over mailboxes in Deer Run.  We just tried to grade back to help us with the next snow event.  There were a lot of problems this year with blind intersections ... There's a snow school at Inver Grove Heights that all our guys go through.  We're always looking for opportunities for training."

         Councilmember Strigel also asked, "Is there anything the Council can do to help?"

         Replied Ann, "You can help with budget things."

         Mayor Tom O'Connor asked about city plowing of some trails or sidewalks.  Replied Ann,  "We do not do sidewalks unless it's on a route that connects public facilities.  If it fronts or sides a house, it's the homeowner's responsibility.  We try to get public walks cleared."

         How does snowplowing in Victoria compare to other communities?  Replied Ann, "I think we're doing a fantastic job, as I watch other communities.  This community has a lot of walkers and bikers and we try to get the main ones open.  That's where we can improve."

         Stated Mayor O'Connor, "By and large you do a great job.  I rode with Troy [Public Works employee] one time and it was amazing ... all the buttons on the equipment that he had to push ... for the front plow and the side plow and the bottom plow ... and I couldn't even see the curb."

 

SHORTER SCOOP FROM APRIL

DONATIONS CONTINUE TO CITY OF VICTORIA

         *Council accepted the following donations:  Chaska Dental Center ($200 for T-Ball and Coach Pitch), Boyer Building Corporation  ($150 for T-Ball and Coach Pitch), Justin Olsen ($100 for the Victoria Fire Department), Anonymous ($1,000 for Concerts in the Park).

         *Council approved the Water Obstacle Permit for the Schutz Lake Skiers Association for 2014  as applied for by residents Greg Kurowski and Scott Wright.  There have been no complaints or calls in regard to the slalom ski course, which is located in the middle of the lake and submersed immediately after use.

         *Council approved a minor subdivision at Aster Trail, which basically is a lot split, as requested by Eric Simmer.  It turns the approximate four-acre lakeshore property into two lakeshore lots.  Said Holly, "Aster Trail was done last year.  This is possibly the first of other lot splits in the area.  The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval."

         *Council postponed the public hearing for the vacation of easement for Lake Wasserman Wood to May 12th, 2014.  The preliminary plat was approved in February.  Size of the development is 40 acres.  Size of the project is 63 single family lots.  Why the delay?  "We're working with the developers," said Holly Kreft.

The Victoria GAZETTE

May 2014