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LOOKING SOUTH OF LAKE WASSERMAN VICTORIA AUTHORIZES PRELIMINARY DESIGN Council voted 5-0 on April 9th to authorize the preliminary design for getting trunk sanitary sewer and water to the recently annexed property located on the south shore of Lake Wasserman. Developers are hoping to develop when they have access to city utilities. "The item tonight specifically deals with the first step," said City Engineer Cara Geheren. "We solicited proposals from our pool [of engineering firms]. We received four proposals and evaluated them. The preliminary design is the most important part of this project, getting sewer and water down there through a very narrow corridor." "Over the whole life of the project," continued Cara, "TKDA came in with the lowest cost, just under $57,000. They came in with a more efficient team, a team that has done a lot of work in Victoria." The figure includes engineering fees for the project from preliminary design phase through the construction phase services. Stated Administrator Don Uram, "This is what the city has strived to get to [with a pool of engineers]. I support Cara's recommendation to go with TKDA on this project." "What's the timeline?" asked Councilmember Jim Crowley. "Essentially, the preliminary design phase is done in the next two months," replied Cara. "Final design is authorized after we're happy with the preliminary design. Completion date would be July of 2013, assuming we can get the easements we need." "Have affected property owners been contacted about easements?" asked Councilmember Tom Strigel. "Yes," said Cara, "some of them several times over five years. There's always risk with easements. Discussion has been favorable but the devil is in the details." In that regard, City Attorney Mike Norton stated, "If you approve the project, there may be a condemnation action to move the project forward and on track. Neighbors can make up their minds what they want to do." Asked Mayor Mary Thun, "How do we bring other people [engineering firms] up to speed to do work in Victoria or is that not our concern?" TKDA was the city engineering firm for Victoria for several years, Cara Geheren worked for TKDA until she helped form Focus Engineering. Replied Cara, "To a certain extent, it's their responsibility. From a staff perspective, we'd enjoy working with another firm but the difference here was $15,000. I think we are also seeing a reduction in cost related solely to competition." "I agree we don't have an obligation to incent anybody," said Councilmember Tom O'Connor, "but there's a possibility we'll come to be seen as a TKDA shop." Said Cara, "We want to look at using others. We are really interested in best value, not lowest cost. It's a balancing act. All the firms did a nice job on their proposals." Other firms in the city's engineering pool include Barr Engineering, Stantec Consulting, and WSB & Associates. Council authorized the first phase only (preliminary design) in an amount not to exceed $21,000.
NOTERMANN BUILDING FOR SALE MOST SPACE IN EXTENDED LEASES Scott Kragness of Wakota Commercial Advisors spoke to city councilmembers on April 23rd. "I am working with the owner of the Notermann Building," he said. "We're focusing on the sale of the building. A local owner/operator would be a great fit. We have a real accommodating owner who is willing to work with someone." Asked Mayor Mary Thun, "What are you doing to market it?" Replied Mr. Kragness, "The leasing of it was turned over to us in February. We have a lot of short term leases that have been extended. My goal is to engage in the community, become familiar with people so I got the face of a potential owner. We've received a potential candidate from Minneapolis. Now we have a chance to get something going." "What percent of the space is leased?" asked Councilmember Tom O'Connor. "One hundred percent of the upstairs is leased. The insurance space and the Hanger space is vacant at this time. Of the 12,000 square feet, 3,000 is vacant." Said Councilmember O'Connor, "It's sure been a tough slug. Good luck."
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