Victoria MN Newspaper

A FIRE AT THE REC CENTER

DIRTIES AND DAMAGES THE GYMNASIUM

A fire in the gymnasium at the Victoria Recreation Center damaged the floor which was just refinished by Athletic Performance Solutions in August to the tune of $18,900.

Said Ann Mahnke, Victoria Parks and Public Works Director, on September 22nd, "The floors need to be redone. We had the adjustor out. Basically it's to clean off all the walls, the trusses, the ventilation system. The estimate is $25,000 to $75,000 when all is said and done."

Cause of the fire? Replied Ann, "There was a plastic garbage can in the center of the court and buffer pads in it with chemical on them. We're learning toward that as the cause. Our intention is that the contractor pays for it. We hope to be painting lines this week. We're four days behind schedule. We'll probably be down to one gym for two weeks. It's quite a process."

PAVING THE TRAIL ALLEGHENY GROVE

MOST VICTORIA TRAILS ALREADY PAVED

Council voted 5-0 on September 8th to pave the trail at Allegheny Grove at a cost of $34,470 by Prior Lake Blacktop. The section is 2,360 feet long and nearly 7 feet wide.

Said Ann Mahnke, Director of Parks and Public Works, "It costs about $5,000 annually for weeding and gravel maintenance. We're looking at a seven-year payback."

City Engineer Cara Geheren said the trail was constructed in 1991 when the neighborhood was developed. Neither Cara nor Ann knew why the trail wasn't paved when it was constructed, since they both started working for the City of Victoria after that date. The trail at the Woodlands neighborhood is also not paved.

Centex developed Allegheny Grove. Rottlund Homes developed Woodlands.

VICTORIA NEEDS NEW WATER TANK

DESIGNING FOR 750,000 GALLON CAPACITY

Council voted 5-0 on September 22nd to expend funds for TKDA and Barr Engineering to move into the final design phase of a 750,000 gallon underground water tank to be located between the Ambergate and Rhapsody neighborhoods, south of Lake Wasserman.

The issue a couple weeks ago was not so much whether to construct another water storage facility, but how large it should be, and what can Victoria do to conserve water. Council followed City Engineer Cara Geheren's recommendation in authorizing design for 750,000 gallons.

Said Victoria Parks and Public Works Director Ann Mahnke, "This item has been before you several times. Basically, the tank would be between a half million and one million gallons. The Finance Committee recommends three-quarter million gallons. Staff also recommends that size."

Said Mayor Tom O'Connor, "It seems futile to add capacity without attacking the problem. Every resident wants a green lawn, but we need some teeth in some regulations and insisting on an aggressive education [conservation] campaign."

Councilmember Jim Crowley asked if it would be possible to have a conservation plan by next spring.

"It's possible," replied Ann.

Councilmember Tom Strigel advised associating the expense of watering and water usage to the cost of the new water storage facility. "There's already a progressive rate structure in place," he said. Cost of the new storage facility is estimated to be around $1.7 million.

Stated Councilmember Joe Pavelko, "Instead of discouraging water use, let's incentivize conservation."

The underground tank was not approved at this time. Only its final design was approved. As Ann Mahnke pointed out, "This is not authorization to go out for bids. This is a 2015 project."

Victoria currently has a 500,000 gallon tower near the Holy Family Catholic High School and a 600,000 gallon underground tank at the Water Treatment Facility.

MORE PAYMENT REQUESTS APPROVED

CONSTRUCTING VICTORIA’S NEW FACILITIES

New Victoria City Hall. On September 8th Council approved pay request number three for $301,601 on the City Hall/Library project. As City Engineer Cara Geheren stated, "This represents 30% of the total contract amount." Current total contract amount is $1,901,565.

Council also approved pay request number four from Stahl Construction for the City Hall/Library project in the amount of $9,673. This represents 23% of the total contract amount of $190,615. Stahl Construction was hired as the Construction Manager.

Said Cara, "We meet every week. I think it's going well. I can't imagine how much work we'd have without Stahl."

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