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SPENDING TIME WITH THE POWERS THAT BE

HEARING THAT IT LIES IN THE CITY OF VICTORIA                  Victoria City Councilmembers held a workshop dialogue with Senator Julianne Ortman, Representative Paul Kohls, and Metropolitan Council Representative Craig Peterson on Monday, October 26th, at Victoria Council Chambers.  Carver County Commissioner Randy Maluchnik was in the audience.

         “The purpose of this gathering is to discuss a number of questions,” stated Mayor Mary Thun.  The questions, which were prepared and cumulated in advance by Victoria councilmembers, and the replies and dialogue among them, occurred more or less as follows.

       #1) The lack of adequate transportation infrastructure in the southwest is one of the biggest problems facing Carver County communities.  What is the State doing in regard to prioritizing transportation improvements for this area, and what funding sources have been dedicated to those improvements?

         Rep. Kohls: “Thank you for the opportunity to be here and to have this kind of conversation.  I generally agree with the premise of the question.  This is a huge problem all around the metro area and all around the State.  There isn’t enough money to meet the needs that exist.

         “We’ve seen some improvements in the last couple of years.  The biggest question for me is Highway 5.  What is the State doing?  Trying to map out limited resources.  There are no immediate plans to upgrade to a four-lane highway.

         “The challenge MnDOT is facing is that they’re flush with cash and projects right now, trying to accomplish some of the Federal bill projects.  The State continues to do its planning and projects.  As a result of Federal money coming into the State, other projects can move up the ladder. 

         “Four lanes for Hwy 5 from Hwy 41 to Waconia is a long term objective.  Everything I’m hearing from my colleagues is that we’ve got huge needs.  We’re all dealing with these problems across the State.  I don’t have a better answer right now.”

         Met Councilman Peterson:  “Because of Hwy 212, our priority as an area is taking a little bit of a second seat.  To overcome that is not an easy task.  Hwy 212 got done with a lot of dedicated people.  We as an area need to be up-front and very vocal.  A new five-year plan is coming next year.”

         Commissioner Maluchnik:  “We’re waiting for the contractor on County Road #18 to get back to us.  We think we’ve moved it up from 2030 to 2013.”

         Rep. Kohls: “What is it that the Victoria Council wants me to advocate for?  I’m one of 134.  I’m happy to bang the drum.”

         Mayor Mary Thun: “Last year this Council contributed $50,000 for a Hwy 5 Study.  We as a city are committed to that lifeline.  The Hwy 18 extension and study is designed to help traffic in Victoria move eastward without going through our neighborhoods.  That extension would really help Victoria and is something we’re supportive of.”

         Rep. Kohls:  “That’s a county project.”

         Commissioner Maluchnik:  “We’re not waiting for State money.  We’re going to build that road because it’s a public safety issue.”

         Victoria Councilman Jim Paulsen:  “If you think about Hwy 5, you’ve got to think about Hwy 7.  Each has about 20,000 to 25,000 cars per day.  I think the future of Victoria is south.”

 

Click here to continue the dialogue.

November 2009

Senator Julianne Ortman of Chanhassen, Representative Paul Kohls of Victoria, and Craig Peterson, resident of Chanhassen and member of the Metropolitan Council representing the district that includes Victoria.