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PLANNING FOR VICTORIA EMERGENCIES
AND THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AND THE USA
Scott Gerber, Director of Risk and Emergency Management in Carver Coun-ty, addressed Victoria City Councilmem-bers on January 26th.
He said he spent 16 days in the Gulf Coast Area after Hurricane Katrina. Some cities there no longer exist.
He said that for an area in Minnesota to receive a Presidential Disaster Declara-tion, it has to reach or exceed $5 million in uninsured losses. "Since there are about 5 million people in Minnesota," he said, "that amounts to about a dollar per person. Most people in Minnesota have coverage."
Mr. Gerber said that Integrated Emer-gency Management Systems (IEMS) in-cludes four steps: Prevent, Prepare, Res-pond, and Recover. "We're required by state statute to have an Emergency Man-agement System," he said.
Victoria Fire Chief Tim Walsh is the EMS Director for the City of Victoria. Sometimes cities choose their Police Chief or Public Works Director for that appointment.
Mr. Gerber pointed out there are 11 Fire Departments in Carver County that work together in times of emergencies.
Fire Chief Tim Walsh also addressed the council in this regard, speaking in par-ticular of potential Minnesota hazards and Victoria hazards that people might not always think of as hazardous. He referred to agricultural chemicals, to science and chemistry labs at Holy Family Catholic High School, snow emergencies and power outages, wildfire threats at Carver Park, and other potential hazards.
Tim spoke of meth labs in Carver County, bus crashes, natural flooding dis-asters where there can be all sorts of floating hazardous wastes from people's garages, including floating LP tanks.
Said Mr. Gerber, "We do have a plan, a tool. We think it's very useful. It in-cludes a compilation of resources, policies, and procedures." He said a good resource for residents is the website at www.Ready.Gov.
"The main thing that makes this work is relationships," he added, suggesting a Communication Post be identified somewhere in town in the event electricity or cell phones go down, perhaps a pillar at the Victoria Field House.
He said that the Red Cross is the primary organizer for shelters. The Vic-toria Village Hall is currently identified as the city's shelter and also Holy Family Catholic High School. Other sites could include the Victoria Field House and the new Victoria Elementary School.
INTRODUCING JACKIE COFFMAN
FINANCE CLERK FOR THE CITY OF VICTORIA
Jackie Coffman was recently hired as Finance Clerk by the City of Victoria. Her first day on the job was January 18th. One of Jackie's priority tasks is to perform utility billing for the city. As such, her voice will most likely be the one heard responding on the phone to questions and giving information to residents in that regard. Among a long list of responsibilities of Finance Clerk is performing Accounts Payable/Receivable on a daily basis and auditing the cash drawer on a weekly basis. Her immediate supervisor is Jylan Johnson, Finance Director for the City of Victoria.
Jackie is currently enrolled at the Minnesota School of Business to obtain her Associates Degree in Accounting. She is also coaching a volleyball team for the Wayzata Area Youth Volleyball Association and coaching soccer for girls in the Plymouth Soccer Association. She enjoys running, baking, and cooking.
Jackie lives in Plymouth, has two daughters, and was formerly Utility Billing Clerk for the City of St. Louis Park. She was born and raised in Iowa, is Norwegian in ancestry, and she loves lutefisk and lefse. Welcome to Victoria, Jackie.
100% IN FAVOR OF STREETS AND WATER
DESPITE LARGEST ASSESSMENT IN VICTORIA
After a most agreeable and courteous public hearing on January 26th, Victoria councilmembers voted to bring new streets, stormsewer, and municipal water to residents at Hyacinth. Each of the 12 single family homes, located in a neigh-borhood near 78th Street and Bavaria Road, is expected to receive an assess-ment of approximately $16,000 plus an additional $2,000 if they hook up to city water.
City Engineer Jack Griffin reviewed for councilmembers that the City of Vic-toria accepted a petition in October, 2005, for improvements that was signed by all 12 families. The feasibility study was ordered in December, 2005.
The gravel roads will be replaced with a 24-foot asphalt street, curb, gutter, stormsewer, and drain tile service stubs. Total cost for this part of the project is $227,000. The city pays for half that amount, and the other half is paid for by the 12 families, each being assessed $9,400.
Private wells will be replaced, for the most part, with the installation of munici-pal water lines. Total water assessment per family is anticipated to be approxi-mately $6,600. In addition, is a $2,000 per family water core charge.
Resident Glenn Overturf said they're hoping to sell their home, and don't know how much they'll see of a return in this investment, yet stated about the large pro-ject, "It's definitely going to be an asset to the neighborhood."
Andy Hagen, who was described as a road wash-out victim, said he put in a new private well last week which should be good for 25 years, but still he was not against the city water project.
Brad Krantz said, "I appreciate all the time the council has spent looking at this. I think it's time to put it to bed and get it out of the way."
Steve Giambruno said, "I appreciate the studies you've done. It's not going to get any cheaper."
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