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HOW ABOUT "CHURCH LAKE BOULEVARD?"
AS THE NAME FOR COUNTY ROAD #18
The City of Victoria had been asked to review the name for County Road 18, a road still under construction. Carver County had suggested the name Lyman Boulevard. The City of Victoria was interested in considering more suitable names for this road that runs through Victoria.
The Planning Commission generated several names for consideration and submitted three of them to the Victoria City Council for review. Those names were: Church Lake Boulevard, Big Woods Boulevard, and Oak Knoll Drive. Victoria councilmembers opted for Church Lake Boulevard since it connects directly with the existing Church Lake Boulevard at its intersection with Victoria Drive.
The road continues on, to run near Church Lake and the Kirke-Lachen development. The name has been submitted to Carver County for review.
VICTORIA APPLIES FOR $50,000 GRANT
TO HELP CONNECT THE CITY'S TRAILS
On February 22nd Council unanimously agreed that Victoria Park and Rec Director Mary Saarion should follow through with her proposal to apply for a $50,000 grant that would help Victoria connect its trails to the Southwest Regional LRT Trail. The project will be awarded by July, 2001.
Said Mary, "This would be a nice connecting circular route for our community. It connects several different things associated with children - the community park, the Catholic high school, and the parcel purchased by District #112 for an elementary school, as well as several housing areas."
"We would have three years to complete it. The grant criteria is an 8 to 10' wide trail. They find that 6' is not wide enough. There are so many uses now such as bikers pulling those baby carriages and rollerblading.
"The $50,000 would only pay for a small portion of it. It's important to get this first grant and for them to see there is commitment to connect our trails. Then it's easier to get other grants."
Total cost of the project is $95,040 for 7,920 linear feet. The city is request-ing $47,520 grant assistance with a city match of $47,520. The City of Victoria would also provide in-kind services to ensure the success of this project including engineering, inspections, planning, information distribution, and maintenance.
Councilmember Richard Tieden ex-pressed concerns about which side of County Road #18 the trail would lie and the trail width at Wintergreen. He was assured that approval of the grant application still leaves flexibility as to where the trail would be constructed.
Mayor Mary Meuwissen pointed out that the situation is different now than last fall because County Road #18 is a reality today. "We may end up with people who now want the trail," she said. "Families and parents might say this is the most important thing in the world to them. They will want safety for their children." She suggested a workshop with all concerned residents to work on solutions.
COPLIMENTING PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
DEALING WITH THE YEAR'S LARGE SNOWFALL
Public Works Superintendent Bruce Osborn thanked the mayor and council-members for hiring more city staff and putting a team together that helps him perform his own job better. "I've given a lot of my responsibility to Mary Saarion and Mark Kaltsas and Boyd Bailey. I think we're doing a fine job. I appreciate working with staff."
Bruce commented that with the snow-plowing season, there have been a couple issues with downed mailboxes. "Actually, there were four mailboxes," he said.
Said Councilmember Richard Tieden, "I think it's phenomenal with the amount of snow we've gotten this year that you've only got a few mailbox issues."
Said Mayor Mary Meuwissen, "Good compliments have come our way. Keep up the good job."
LOOKING TO BUILD AN ORPHANAGE
BUT PROBABLY NOT IN VICTORIA
Mayor Mary Meuwissen reported on a tour through Caring and Sharing Hands in Minneapolis. She said that Mary Jo Copeland feeds from 1,200 to 1,500 people per day and takes no money from government. She has set up apartments and efficiencies …
"There isn't a speck of dust in her place," said Mary. "She works with the people all day long. It's absolutely incredible. Mary Jo Copeland is looking for a community where she can put an orphanage. What a treasure she'd be for the town of Victoria. It was so inspiring. She grew up in filth and made a commitment that the homeless would never live in filth at her place."
Said the mayor, "Only 4% of what she receives goes toward administration. It's all done by volunteers. She does have some big contributors like Target and Lyman Lumber … She's looking for a place to have an orphanage. There is a community that has stepped forward so I don't think Victoria will be blessed to have her here … I bet only 1% of Victoria has homes as spotless as hers."
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