Victoria MN Newspaper-The Scoop at City Hall

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ANOTHER WATER STORAGE FACILITY

VICTORIA NEEDS IT TO GROW INTO THE FUTURE

Council authorized TKDA and Barr Engineering to proceed with "minimal final design" of an underground storage facility to be located in the Ambergate development currently under construction at County Road 43 in Victoria. Cost of design work is not to exceed $90,000.

Council did not, however, choose the 500,000 gallon or the 750,000 gallon tank. And they did not agree to spend the estimated $3 million to construct the facility. In fact, there was no decision to actually build the facility. The motion did, however, "keep the momentum going forward," in the words of City Councilmember Lani Basa.

Said City Engineer Cara Geheren, "I recommend authorizing final design. They would like to receive bids yet this year. It'll take an entire construction season to construct." She said that in determining needed size of the new facility, they estimated approximately 150 new homes being built in Victoria per year.

Cara explained that in doing a city budget, new home estimates are normally on the conservative side (so the city doesn't count on building permit income that may not arrive), but in doing a water storage facility, estimates are on the liberal side in order to assure adequate water supply.

Stated Councilmember Jim Crowley, "We just spent $6 million on new facilities. I can't see spending another $3 million." Estimate to build the 750,000 gallon tank is $3 million. For the 500,000 gallon tank, it's $2.73 million. The city engineer has recommended constructing the larger volume facility.

Stated Councilmember Joe Pavelko, "I'm definitely not comfortable spending this money. I think it should be a comprehensive package, also looking at our water rate structure."

In responding to questions, Finance Manager Kelly Grinnell stated, "It is possible to pay the $3 million with cash. We will have $3.5 million in the water fund by the end of 2014. I don't see that we have to raise water rates for this, but we would have to bond to build the next well." She estimated well cost at $1,380,000. The well would be drilled the following year."

Responding to another question, Cara stated, "Costs generally balance out between elevated tanks or underground storage tanks."

She added, "You are approving plat after plat after plat. We need to provide fire protection. You're going to have to build this facility. You can wait three years and pay more ... I'd have to go back and review which plats to recommend against. Ann [Public Works Director Ann Mahnke] is uncomfortable with the water supply we have now. We can't put it off any longer. If there was a fire when people are watering lawns, we wouldn't have enough water."

"We don't have a choice," said Mayor Tom O'Connor.

Continued Cara, "With water and sewer, you can't wait until you need it. We need to make commitments for lift stations, for example. You can't build it as you go."

Stated Tom O'Connor, "Ouch. Three million dollars. During the summer I'd hate to have my house on fire and not be able to put it out. I'd also hate to not approve plats as they come to us. We're still a desired community, as long as we provide services. It pains me to say this, but I support your recommendation, Cara, as long as we also have an aggressive approach to water conservation."

The mayor had mentioned earlier that evening, "We used more water this year in June than last year in June. This is going to get a lot of attention!" June 2014 was the wettest June on record.

Said Councilmember Pavelko, "I've got a heavily fertilized, well-watered lawn. I like it that way."

Said Cara, "We've got all these ponds in the city that we should be able to pull irrigation water out of, but we use our treated water to dump on the lawns that runs into the ponds and the lakes."

Concluded Councilmember Crowley, "This is not a yes or no decision. It's not a binary decision. It's whether we go with the 500,000 gallons or the 750,000 gallons."

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City of Victoria 952-443-2771

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