Victoria MN Newspaper

THESE PUBLIC PROJECTS ARE REQUIRED

FOR THE SAFETY OF VICTORIA EMPLOYEES

When Manager Don Uram presented Council with a possible timeline for the design, bidding process, and construction of the new City Hall and Public Works buildings on October 14th, he acknowledged that the timeline will be continually adjusted. "The intent is to start construction on buildings by May 1st, 2014," he said.

Said Councilmember Joe Pavelko, "It seems odd to me that we're going to build the buildings before we have the cash in hand. Why wouldn't we get the plans, then the bond money, and then build it?" he asked.

Replied Mr. Uram, "Until we actually know what the bids will come in at, we don't know what we need to bond for. Issuing before we have a project is historically not done. Our costs may come in less, and then we don't have to bond for as much."

"It just makes me nervous that if it comes in $2 million more," said Councilmember Pavelko.

"My recommendation is that we issue capital improvement bonds," said Mr. Uram, although this method of financing allows for residents to get a petition of 5% of the voters to try and halt the process. That amounts to maybe 250 signatures.

"Another option is lease revenue bonds," he said, "which is not subject to recall."

Said Councilmember Pavelko, "I'd hate to have construction started and then have the voters not want it. I believe there'll be a big push to get the 250 signatures. There are a lot of residents who aren't too crazy about this and they could mobilize and get 250 signatures which is simple and I know they'll get it and then we're stuck in a hard place."

Replied Councilmember Jim Crowley, "There's a fundamental question we have to look at. We have a responsibility as a council to look at what's required to run the city. Just this last week we had to evacuate and send some people home from City Hall because of fumes. We cannot have city employees working in an environment like this ... If people want to sit down and understand facts of the case -- it's our responsibility to explain facts of the case to them -- they'll come to an understanding that this is a requirement. We have to do this."

Added Councilmember Lani Basa, "Not to mention the alternate costs we'll incur trailering people off site. There's a potential of other buildings that would need to be purchased or leased in order to continue to have people and equipment and other components along that line if we don't do something about this situation."

Stated Councilmember Jim Crowley, "We need to fly in formation on this, and if we're not going to fly in formation on this, I want to know right now. I'm going to ask each one of you right now. Are you in support of this? We need to know right now where the concerns are and get them on the table. Joe, are you in favor of this?"

Replied Councilmember Pavelko, "I agree we need the buildings, but I don't want to go against the taxpayers."

"Tell us what we're doing wrong," demanded Councilmember Crowley.

"If taxpayers want to file a petition, they're going to," said Councilmember Pavelko

"If that petition comes out," said Councilmember Crowley, "are you going to be on the side of the explaining why this is important? Or are you going to be on the side of the petition that says no we shouldn't build this?"

Mr. Uram stated, "The city council can decide at any point how they want to finance this deal. The most cost effective way to do this is by issuing capital improvement bonds. If there is a reverse referendum and the council decides to do an election, there's a cost to that election. We don't have to have an election if we get a valid petition. You can declare that you're going to issue these revenue bonds. We should put together the metrics of financing and what it means to the taxpayers."

Continued Mr. Uram, "City Hall was closed last week because of petroleum fumes. Staff cannot work in this building forever. The furnace on this side of the building shut down today and it was 60 degrees in here this morning. This is a serious concern for myself, the council, the staff."

Stated Mayor Tom O'Connor, "There has been consistency of thought and action that this needs to be done. I am convinced that the plan we're about is right for this city and I'm prepared to go forward. Councilmember Crowley asked a good question. Most of the voters have been favorable for this, going back to the previous council. Consensus of this council has been clear."

"I would like to personally conduct tours of both buildings to anyone that announces they are against this," said the mayor. "It boggles my mind that anyone could walk through that Public Works facility or come in here and not think that something significant has to be done."

"Our goal is to build the most cost effective buildings there are," he said. "I say, build the buildings! Build the buildings! What if you had to go to work every day and open all the doors first just to let out the fumes so you could breathe? What if it was 10 degrees outside? We're not going to live like that."

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