A NEW PARK SHELTER
TO COME ONLINE IN VICTORIA
Council authorized final payment on the Water Booster Station No. 1 and park improvements constructed on city property just west of County Road 43 (also known as Church Lake Boulevard) adjacent to the Rhapsody residential subdivision.  Total contract amount on the combined project was $543,642.  It was designed by TKDA, the City of Victoria's engineering firm, and built by TDJ Construction Inc. of Waconia.  Costs were shared by Lyman, developer at Rhapsody, as well as by utility fees and parkland fees paid to the City of Victoria. 
According to City Administrator Dave Urbia, the shelter has bathrooms and will probably have picnic tables.  He suggests that reservations, eligibility, and fees to use the shelter will probably be the same as for the Lions Park shelters.  Shade trees are being considered for purchase and planting.  The shelter is not yet open to the public, as improvements - especially the field - are still not finished.  There is room for one ballfield in the adjacent open space area.  Details are still being worked on.  Administrator Urbia added that notice will come from the Victoria Parks and Recreation Department when more information is available.

SUPPORTING HWY 5 IMPROVEMENTS
TRANSPORTATION ALWAYS TAKES MONEY
Mayor Mary Thun thanked Carver County Commissioner Randy Maluchnik, who attended the March 8^th Victoria city council meeting, for his support of im-proving Highway 5.  Traffic has been backing up through Victoria during morn-ing and afternoon rush hours for several years already.
Reported Randy, "I was in Washing-ton D.C. last week and met with Jim Oberstar.  I didn't get a 'Heck, no' and I think that's a good thing."
Stated Councilmember Kim Roden, "There's no way that roads will get built without spending money.  We need better roads in the state."
Agreed Commissioner Maluchnik, "Generally people don't complain if you do a good job on roads."
Stated Councilmember Jim Paulsen, "I would like a road map that shows hierarchy of jobs in the state.  We need a road map!"
Replied the commissioner, "It looks like out-state Minnesota will win this time."
The commissioner also stated, "The mayor contacted me about County Road 11 being closed later this year, and maybe other roads.  We want to promote cooperation with the local government units," he said. 
According to Carver County Engi-neer Roger Gustafson, County Road 11 (in the area where it coincides with County Road 147) is currently closed between existing Hwy 212 and future Co. Rd. 61 as part of the new Hwy 212 Design/Build project.  A detour for this closure is in place.
Engineer Gustafson also informed the Gazette that the county's Public Works Department held an open house in early March about the County Road 11 realignment project between Hwy 212 and Co. Rd. 10 scheduled for 2009 or 2010 construction.
As for 2007, Roger reported that Co. Rd. 10 west of Co. Rd. 11 to Waconia will be closed to through traffic this construc-tion season, although portions of the corridor will be incrementally open.  He is not aware of a 2007 Co. Rd. 11 closure north of Co. Rd. 10.

Click here for more City Scoop.