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The Scoop

at City Hall

In favor of doing the entire project as recommended, Mr. Brown said, “There is no other project where the city will pick up 50% of the cost, like in building a deck or whatever. It’s important to do something to increase the value of our homes. I’d say do it all now. It’s only to get more expensive. My water is terrible. It’s important to have good clean monitored water. There is a continued cost for Public Works to maintain what we have.”

Resident Ben Carlson said his backyard floods and that particular problem will not be addressed by the proposed project. He added, “These are tough economic times. We taxpayers are making less now than we used to. The cost per neighbor is higher than other neighborhoods in Victoria. I’m not asking for these things. I chose to live here as it is.”

When Councilmember Kim Roden asked the city engineer about the pulse of the public during the neighborhood meetings, Cara replied, “Generally I try not to speak for the residents. I’ve been to meetings where I’ve heard loud strong opposition, and there was only a little of that here.” She added, “I usually recommend doing water at the same time as the road. Otherwise you end up ripping up the road and, even ten years later, it affects the integrity of the road.”

But when Councilmember Roden moved to construct the roads and forego city water at this time because of high assessments, more Auburn residents in the audience asked to speak. Said resident Steve Johnson, “I’m not sure which way I want to go, but I don’t want to split it up. Address it all down the road or do it all now.”

Resident Mae Schmid said, “I’m 88 years old and I’ve lived here since 1968. The road has been a disaster ever since I’ve lived here. It all needs to be fixed.”

Todd Brown stated, “Do all of it or none of it.”

Kim’s motion on the floor failed 2-3. The new motion to do all of it passed 4-1 with Tim Amundsen casting the nay vote.

CONSIDERING TERM LIMITS

FOR APPOINTED POSITIONS IN CITY OF VICTORIA

Administrator Don Uram commented February 8th on the number of openings for appointments available in the city including five positions on the Business Development Committee, two on the Park and Recreation Committee, two on the Planning Commission, and five on the Senior Commission. With applications accepted through February 26th, appointments are being made March 22nd.

Councilmember Tim Amundsen suggested looking at term limits for city-appointed positions “to give even more citizens the opportunity to serve.” Other councilmembers agreed.

Councilmember Kim Roden pointed out that, in the past, the city has had more applicants than positions available and this would allow more of the talent in the city to be used for the city.

Stated Councilmember Jim Paulsen, “There’s something to say about gray hair, from time to time. Maybe the limit should be at three terms, rather than two.”

SPEED DISPLAY SIGNS FOR 86TH STREET

CAN BE RELOCATED TO OTHER PARTS OF VICTORIA

Council approved the purchase of two “permanent variable speed display signs” on February 22nd, to be installed at two different locations along 86th Street this spring. The purchase, which totals over $11,000 plus tax and shipping, is in response to speed and safety concerns of residents in the nearby Allegheny Grove neighborhood.

The signs are short-term solutions; long term solution is reconstruction of the road next year.

In response to questions, City Administrator Don Uram replied, “Once the reconstruction project is done, we can relocate the signs to other parts of the community. It takes about a half hour to install. We have approximately 40 mile of streets in the community. I see a long term application for these signs.

The vote to approve this purchase was 4-1 with Mayor Mary Thun casting the dissenting vote. “I cannot support spending $11,000 period! That road is going to be reconstructed. We’re supposed to get that speed trailer from Chanhassen.”

Said Councilmember Tim Amundsen, “Given the discussions on this issue these past months, it seems this purchase is the least we can do.”

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