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GENERATOR FOR THE RECREATION CENTER TO SAVE CITY AND SCHOOL THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS Council authorized the purchase and installation of a generator for the Victoria Recreation Center. Preliminary quotes for a 600 kw generator range from $150,000 to $250,000 plus the cost of installation. Said Administrator Don Uram, "This will reduce the electrical cost at the Rec Center which amounts to $137,000 so far this year. There would be a payback of about four years. Electrical costs will continue to increase as we move forward. Savings will also increase. The generator will benefit both the School District and the City, saving thousands of dollars." Mr. Uram said that the School District will pick up 75% of the capital cost with the City of Victoria paying the remaining 25%. The Victoria Recreation Center is a partnership between the school district and the city. Mr. Uram said that Minnesota Valley Electric is offering a $50,000 rebate in 2012 as an incentive to help reduce the initial capital cost of the generator. Said Ann Mahnke, Director of Park and Recreation, "We'll be working collaboratively with the school district for plans and specs. There will about $10,000 in annual maintenance." With maintenance taken into consideration, actual savings in electricity is estimated at $40,000/year. Ann said the generator will be located on the northeast side of the building in a steel cabinet called a sound actuator. "Generators have come quite a long ways in noise reduction," she said. In regard to noise concerns, she said that Holy Family Catholic High School has a generator twice that size that the city could visit.
UPDATES ON PUBLIC WORKS BLDG & CITY HALL DESIGNS AND COSTS COMING IN DECEMBER "Both projects are moving along as quickly as they can," said City Administrator Don Uram on October 15th. "We continue to work on schematic design." "Originally, City Offices was to be a two-story building plus a basement," he said. "Actually, we're exploring a three-story building because of the cost of a basement." A new City Office building is being considered for downtown Victoria next to the Post Office. Mr. Uram explained that constructing to a zero lot line and taking advantage of as much property space on the lot as possible means digging so close to the Post Office that the foundation of the Post Office could cave in, and so remedial structural costs would be high. Said Councilmember Kim Roden, "I'm glad to hear about three stories rather than a basement." She said windows are good for workers. Mr. Uram cautioned, "No decision has been made in this regard." On October 29th he reported that first floor options being considered include retail space or city council chambers. "I would caution that this is very early in design," he said. Stated Councilmember Tom O'Connor, "It's meant to start conversation." Councilmember Kim Roden commented on the obvious need for public accessibility to council chambers if not on the first floor and the solution is probably as easy as an elevator, she said. In regard to planning for storage in the new City Offices building, Mr. Uram said the city is scanning documents which means less storage space is necessary. "It's the cost of scanning versus the cost of storage. We're looking at all the options." As for the new Public Works Building, it is being planned for a seven to ten-acre parcel in the eastern portion of the 94 city-owned acres in Laketown Township. "The challenge we're facing is primarily related to the site," said Mr. Uram. "We're trying to make it the most cost effective." Said Councilmember Tom O'Connor, "There is a wonderful opportunity on that parcel for commercial development. There is value there that we can retain for the city." Mr. Uram said that by the December 10th city council meeting, there should be a first-time linkage of costs to each of the proposed new city buildings. "That will be a good night for us," he said.
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November 2012 |
