SECOND EMERGENCY SIREN
FOR THE CITY OF VICTORIA
City Councilmembers approved the purchase of a second emergency weather warning siren to enhance the coverage within the existing city limits of Victoria.  Total cost of the purchase, including installation and shipping, will not exceed $17,100. 
City Planner Mark Kaltsas stated that additional sirens for the city can be added as needed, and that future developers can be asked to help fund sirens as part of their development plans.
As recommended by city staff, the siren will be located at the Lake Virginia Shores Park.  It can be moved if it doesn't perform adequately in that location.  In the future, developers will be expected to pay for sirens to accommodate the growth they request.
According to Mark, the Virginia Shores site was the best location for a siren because the city owns the property, the elevation is favorable, and the site is centrally located in an area that needs to be covered.

CITY STAFF LEARNS OF NEW DEVELOPMENT IDEAS
IN OTHER PLACES IN THE COUNTRY
City Administrator Steve Sarvi and City Planner Mark Kaltsas attended the Urban Land Institute Convention in Las Vegas last month.  In reporting on high-lights of the trip to councilmembers, they showed a video and reported on ideas they heard at the conference.
They were shown that the mixing of housing values on one block did not ad-versely affect the values of the homes on that block.  There is a greater demand for communities that offer services such as lawn mowing and snow removal.  Devel-opers are focusing on creating a commu-nity with community gathering places and more amenities such as recreation centers and swimming pools.

NEW STREETS PLANNED FOR PARKSIDE ESTATES
PUBLIC HEARING ON DECEMBER 12TH
Councilmembers held a special work-shop on Wednesday, November 20th, to present the feasibility report for street and drainage improvements in Parkside Es-tates, a neighborhood located on the west side of Schutz Lake.
City Engineer Jack Griffin proposed a 24-foot wide urban section street with curb and gutter at a total cost of $438,200.  Costs associated with reconstructing exist-ing roads are 70% assessed to residents.  New construction, such as concrete curb and gutter, is assessed 100%.  There are 30 benefiting properties.  A typical assessment for the project is $11,000 per parcel.  Residents expressed most concern about retaining the charm and character of the neighborhood. 
A public hearing on the project has now been called for Thursday, December 12th, at 7 p.m.  Council is then expected to pass a resolution ordering the improve-ment and preparation of plans.  Bids will probably be taken in February or March with possible construction to begin in June.

VICTORIA BUYS HOT PATCH TRAILER
TO HELP IN STREET MAINTENANCE
On November 21st Council approved the purchase of a hot patch trailer from Stepp Manufacturing Company for a cost of $14,968.58 plus tax.
According to Public Works Superin-tendent Bruce Osborn, "The trailer is used for blacktopping.  It hauls three tons of hot mix, 50 gallons of tack oil, and maintains both at the proper temperature.  This way we can work with it all day filling around manholes, potholes, and is much more efficient than the method currently in use."
Said Bruce, "The county has been good about letting us use theirs, but we've got enough developments to have our own."

DOWNTOWN RECONSTRUCTION OF STREETS
AND SEWER COULD BEGIN IN MAY
Council held a special workshop on Thursday, November 21st, to look at the downtown redevelopment and stormwater management plan.  In order to expedite development plans of Terry Hartman and the proposed downtown retail center, the city selected a pond and stormwater plan that does not involve Carver Park. 
Stated Mayor Mary Meuwissen, "We control our own destiny more with this Salter Park alternative."  Salter Park is city owned property near the Kirke-Lachen tennis courts.
The completed feasibility report is expected to be presented at the December 12th council meeting, with a hearing ten-tatively proposed for January 9th.  If plans proceed without great obstacle, the project could go out for bids on February 27th.  Total cost is estimated to be approximate-ly $1.5 million.  This includes downtown streets and restoration, storm sewer within the project limits, the ponding at Salter Park, and watermain.  It does not include lighting and landscaping nor downtown building demolition.
Contractor construction on the down-town street and stormwater project could begin in May, 2003.

STILL HOLDING TIGHT
BUT NO CIGAR
City Planner Mark Kaltsas reported on November 21st that the Hartman Brothers are moving forward with the retail office building proposed for down-town Victoria.  He also reported that the  $10 to $12 million condominium building proposed for along Stieger Lake Lane is also online, but the developers still have not put down the $100,000 to hold the property. 

THE BRIDGE IS DONE
RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY DECEMBE 9TH
The Bridge is Done.  It was only last month that the cement was being poured on the new lap of the city bridge in downtown Victoria at Stieger Lake Lane.  Today the bridge has been draped and is curing.  Streets on each side have been newly and differently constructed and striped to accommodate the slight change in traffic pattern.  A ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for Monday, December 9th, at 3:30 p.m.  The public is invited to the showing.  It's really quite good looking.

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