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The Victoria GAZETTE |
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INTERSECTIONS ALONG VICTORIA DRIVE EACH OF THEM NEEDS COUNTY REVIEW City Engineer Cara Geheren gave an update on a citizen request to review the traffic situation at the intersection of Red Fox Drive and County Road 11. “There are three primary issues,” said Cara. She identified speed, site distances, and traffic congestion when school buses and children leave the nearby Victoria Elementary School at the end of the school day. “We’ve contacted the county,” said Cara. “They haven’t done a traffic analysis. They will do so and I’ll bring it back for council discussion.” Councilmember Tom O’Connor referred to another intersection on County Road 11 that needs review. “They should also make some analysis at Deer Run Drive, too. It’s in almost the same equation.” Stated Mayor Mary Thun, “I think we have to look at all those intersections along County Road 11. I think the county needs to take a look at all of those intersections. It’s very, very dangerous.”
LOW INTEREST TO FINANCE CITY BONDS PAYING FOR 2010 STREET AND UTILITY PROJECT Council voted 5-0 on October 25th to authorize the issuance and sale of general obligation bonds in the amount of $1,415,000 to finance the city’s 2010 street, drainage, and utility project in the Auburn Drive neighborhood of Victoria. Stated City Finance Director Jylan Johnson, “This will be a competitive bid for the sale of the bonds. The Finance Committee felt we should hold onto our cash reserves and finance the project at 2.6% interest.” “Our debt continues to go up as a city,” said Councilmember Kim Roden. “Why was bonding recommended?” “To preserve the cash for future maintenance and replacement expenditures,” replied Jylan, “and also because of the low interest cost at this time. We are not taking in as much today in development fees.” “If we’re in a bubble,” said Councilmember Jim Paulsen, “we’re on the right side.” Council also voted 5-0 on October 25th to authorize a competitive bid on a refunding bond that was issued in 2004 for street reconstruction. “We will be going out for bids at the same time as the previous issue,” said Finance Director Jylan Johnson. Refinancing the bond issue will achieve interest cost savings of at least $32,000, according to Jylan.
STREET ASSESSMENTS FOR 2009 PROJECT MUCH LOWER THAN PRELIMINARY ESTIMATES Council held a final assessment hearing on October 12th in regard to actual costs now known for the 2009 street, drainage, and utility improvements in the Hartwood and Lions neighborhood as well as work on 81st Street. Stated City Engineer Cara Geheren, “Actual costs are quite a bit below preliminary numbers. They range from 13% to 35% lower. Purpose of this hearing is to adopt the assessment. Written or oral objections will be accepted.” No objections were received. Resident Jerry Schmieg asked, however, if full payment of the assessment isn’t made immediately, can full balance be made at any time during the 15-year period of financing. The answer was yes. Final project cost was $2,440,716. (Preliminary estimate had been $2,696,285.) Final assessment to homes in the Lions Park neighborhood is $8,716. (Preliminary estimate had been $11,681.) Final assessment to homes in the Hartwood neighborhood is $9,899. (Preliminary estimate had been $11,375.) Final assessment to homes on 81st Street is $3,315. (Preliminary estimate had been $5,080.) The city’s total share of the project cost is $1,587,764. (Preliminary estimate had been $1,753,994.) City Councilmember Tim Amundsen congratulated City Engineer Cara Geheren and contractors for keeping change orders down to 10%. “That means you’re doing a lot of things right,” he said.
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Sue’s Album A symphony of photos and fewer than a thousand words at www.VictoriaGazette.com |
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November 2010 |
