ROLLING ACRES ROAD IN VICTORIA
CONCERNS ABOUT TRAFFIC, SPEED, DANGER
Two residents at Rolling Acres Road in Victoria spoke at the June 28th city council meeting about traffic, speed, and danger along that road.
"There are 21 homes with driveways onto Rolling Acres Road," said resident Debby Kelly, "plus there are another 87 homes on cul de sacs along that road."
"It's pretty typical to have vehicles going 70 mph," she said, speaking to many concerns.  "It should be a non-passing road ... I almost got hit by a semi ... I know it's a county road and not a city road ... We're wondering if ambulances could turn their sirens off in the night as they travel between Highway 5 and 7 ... Cars aren't aware of the bike trail crossing ... I'm sure the 300 to 400 people living along that road also have multiple scares."
Ms. Kelly made three proposals to improve the situation on Rolling Acres Road:  outlaw semi traffic on the road, paint white blocks on the road to mark the trail crossing, and have ambulances turn off their night sirens on that stretch of road.
Mayor Mary Thun said, "I'd encour-age you to contact our County Commis-sioner Randy Maluchnik, Ridgeview Medical Center, Three Rivers Park Dis-trict, Carver County Sheriff Bud Olson, and Carver County Engineer Roger Gus-tafson."  Those are the particular jurisdic-tions and people with responsibilities con-nected to improving the safety of Rolling Acres Road in Victoria.
Mayor Thun also advised that Mount Olivet Rolling Acres receive the commu-nication.  "The county needs to pay atten-tion to Rolling Acres Road," she said.
Said Rolling Acres Road resident Susan Lovering, "We moved here seven months ago from Chicago and have already had a few close calls.  I'm sure citizens can spare an extra ten seconds to travel slower between Highways 5 and 7." 
Councilmember Tim Amundsen also advised that residents contact the county.  "Focus your concerns to the various entities that can help you," he said.


TREATING VICTORIA CUSTOMERS
AS IMPORTANT AS TREATING THE WATER
David Dexter, a resident on Narcis-sus Street, asked Victoria councilmembers and staff on June 28th for the latest information regarding the noise abatement project at the Water Treatment Plant.
City Engineer Cara Geheren stated that the corrective apparatus was sup-posed to have been shipped the last week of June.  "A contractor is lined up for in-stallation in mid July," she said.  "I'm not sure how long the installation will take."
Councilmember Kim Roden referred to the task of determining responsibility and associated costs related to the prob-lem.  The city engineer said that TKDA has not been invoicing for expenses relat-ed to the issue.
Said Councilmember Tim Amund-sen, "It's unfortunate our residents have to pay for it with the continual noise."  He asked that the city's website be updated as requested by Mr. Dexter.  Mayor Mary Thun asked that water quality reports also be included in the website.
Said Mr. Dexter, "I'm hopeful and also apprehensive that the noise abate-ment will work ... Now that the plant is in full operation, it is roaring all the time, all of the time.  I am your customer, not the treatment plant." 
He also referred to water quality.  "Year after year Bruce would test the water at our long, dead end cul de sac.  The last time he did that was maybe 2001 or 2002."
On July 12th the city engineer pre-sented a water quality report that indicated the water treatment plant "is achieving the intended iron and manganese removal" and that the city's website contains the entire report.
The water treatment plant went online about a year ago, in June or July of 2006.  City Attorney Mike Norton said, "We have warranties and rights and people should be put on notice.  It's not clear to me when these issues began."
Said Councilmember Amundsen, "If we have these issues, I would expect city staff would take care of these things."

SPECIAL AGENDA AUGUST 9TH
FOR RESIDENTS NEAR WATER TREATMENT PLANT
On July 12th Engineer Cara Geheren reported, "Noise abatement is up and run-ning since Tuesday," and some residents have said the noise is gone but she hasn't heard from all neighbors to the plant.
At the suggestion of Councilmember Kim Roden, staff will contact the neigh-bors with a special invitation to attend the Thursday, August 9th, city council meet-ing and give their own report about the success or failure of the noise abatement program.
"I think it's important to show those neighbors that we didn't drop the ball," said Kim.  "It's not good enough for me to hear it second hand through staff.  I think it's appropriate that we invite them back.  We have that obligation ... We should also inform the citizens as to who's going to pay for the fix."
Agreed Councilmember Jim Paulsen, "I'd like a special spot on our agenda for them.  It would show the dignity of our in-tent."
Cara said that Jack Griffin, principal at TKDA, the city's engineering firm that designed the treatment plant, will also attend the August 9th city council meeting and give TKDA's side of the problems that occurred at the plant.

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