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The Victoria GAZETTE |
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January 2013 |
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HIGH COST FOR UTILITIES AT ASTER TRAIL ESTIMATING $51,500 ASSESSMENT/UNIT Council voted 5-0 on December 10th to authorize staff to accept the feasibility report and conduct a public hearing on proposed utility improvements for property at Aster Trail and Aster Circle in the northeast corner of the City of Victoria. The hearing is scheduled for Monday, January 28th. Stated City Engineer Cara Geheren, "This has been studied many times from back to 1989. An easement is needed for sewer. Water would be extended from South Lake Virginia Shores Park. We evaluated getting water from Shorewood to the north and Chanhassen to the east, but that's not as cost-effective. It's a low density area. Holly and I have been meeting with the property owners." "We're asking tonight for you to approve the feasibility," she continued. "We've studied this to death for the last 20 years. It's the neighbors requesting this." Cara revealed the costs to be $51,500 per unit. Of that amount, $17,800 is for water, $19,800 is for sewer, and $13,900 is for streets and stormsewer. Currently the area has private wells, septic systems, and gravel roads. Asked Councilmember Kim Roden, "Do you think there'll be a change in support of this, due to sticker shock?" Replied Cara, "The street and stormsewer costs seem pretty consistent with what we've seen," but, she added, "These are just the assessed costs. There are other costs for the property owners including connections from the home to the property line." Over the years, the neighborhood has considered and then rejected the improvements. Said Cara, "People keep hoping there are better answers, but the reality is, there aren't." There are 20 parcels in the Aster neighborhood owned by 19 property owners. There are 27 developable lots (units) within those 20 parcels. Some of the total assessments range up to $154,500 for one property owner. "It would be a 24-foot road," said Cara, "the same as at Auburn, Bayview, and Parkside, not the standard 28-foot road. Parking will be restricted to one side." Total project cost is estimated to be $1,927,500. The city's share is estimated to be $220,000 toward the watermain cost and $375,550 toward the street and stormsewer cost. Said City Manager Don Uram, "This will be a long term expense for the City of Victoria. The city's share is $595,550." Said Councilmember Roden, "Streets are a core mission function of the city. Godspeed to the next council." There will be a neighborhood meeting prior to the public hearing on January 28th, to review the project in greater detail.
A RENEWED SPIRIT OF COOPERATION BETWEEN THE CITY OF VICTORIA AND MCWD Eric Evenson, District Administrator for the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, spoke to councilmembers on December 10th. "I appreciate that you represent the city well and for everything you bring to the Watershed District," he said. "We've got a fairly robust program for 2013," he continued. "Boating season starts in about 90 days. Grant funding will be available to communities who want to be involved in inspection programs." About operating a successful decontamination station, where boats are checked for aquatic invasive species, Mr. Evenson stated, "You've got to really understand how boats are made." He mentioned there is a native weevil that can potentially help control milfoil in lakes. One of the District's capital projects includes that of Stieger Lake in Victoria, "to restore a wetland to clean up water before it gets into Stieger Lake," he said. "Also, Six Mile Creek runs through a large part of your community and goes into Halsted Bay on Lake Minnetonka, so you're definitely a part of that." About the "home" of MCWD, Mr. Evenson stated, "We're moving! We bought a building. We've been renting space for 40 years and it makes sense to buy now. Hopefully we're doing the prudent thing." They've been renting at 18202 Mtka Blvd. in Deephaven, and are moving to 15320 Mtka Blvd. in Minnetonka. Said Mayor-Elect Tom O'Connor, "Recently there's been a renewed spirit of cooperation between the City of Victoria and the Watershed. It's refreshing on our side. " Said Mr. Evenson, "The key is to keep talking. I will commit to doing that." Said Councilmember Kim Roden, "I'm in favor of safe unlimited access to lakes. People have very strong opinions on that. You also advance the cause of cleaner water. Keep the good fight going. I'm going to miss working with you guys." Mayor Mary Thun commented that Bill Olson, Victoria's representative manager on the MCWD, "has earned the respect of a number of communities."
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Lake Auburn Moravian Church Victoria 952-443-2051 |
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