Stated Councilmember Kim Roden, "I'm going to vote for this because I think attorneys can help us avoid a lot of pain and suffering down the road."  She added, "I think we did not have adequate work done upfront by city staff - with the speed study and now with this odor control facility.  I want staff to come to us with a conclusion."
The motion passed 4-1.


IT'S FINALLY GOING TO HAPPEN
GOOD STREET FOR PEOPLE AT VICTORIA CIRCLE
On Monday, December 3rd, council-members held hearings for the 2008 street and utility improvements.  Stated City Engineer Cara Geheren, "This is a process we've been working on since 2005 - the reconstruction of streets and maintenance schedule."

For 2008, the projects center on two areas of the city - Victoria Circle and the 80th Street Neighborhood.
The project for Victoria Circle totals $584,900 and entails a per lot assessment of $10,440.  Financed over 15 years and paid with the property taxes, that amounts to $1,080 per year. 
Stated the engineer, "Victoria Circle was originally scheduled for 2010 but residents asked that it be moved up."  She said the project in this area includes the installation of storm sewer, a new street section with curb and gutter, the repair of utilities [sewer] as needed, drain tile, and service stubs to each property.
The city picks up 50% of the tab.  There are 28 assessable units.  A hardship deferment is available.  Construction will occur during the summer of 2008 to 2009, hitting the 2010 property tax statements.  Parking will be restricted to one side of the 24-foot street.
Resident Dave Kocka spoke to the issue.  "I sat in your seat many years past ... You're on a subject very near and dear to my heart.  I am interested in getting this job done.  We're looking for a solution."  Dave is a former two-term mayor of Vic-toria.
Resident Ralph Olinger said, "I was here 37 years ago.  We're certainly look-ing forward to this.  We still get a lot of water from uptown, as we say it."
Resident John Ehlen referred to the retention pond in the area of Victoria Circle next to Church Lake.  "That pond is supposed to be for a 100-year flood but it's always full.  It's always the same level as the lake.  Something's wrong with it."
The engineer said the pond and its function is part of the plan for this area. 
Resident Amy Schesso said, "We are really ready to have this done.  Thank you for taking us seriously."
Resident Jan Olinger asked if there were any guarantees of the project getting completed by a certain date.  The engineer replied, "We have a pretty good historical record of meeting schedules.  It will be a messy access [to your area] but you will have access [during the construction process.]"
The 80th Street Neighborhood project means an assessment of $7,420 for resi-dents at 81st Street and $3,360 for those at 82nd Street.  Overlay work at 80th Street is not assessed because it's a maintenance issue.  Construction will occur along with the Victoria Circle project, during the summer of 2008 to 2009.


WATCH YOUR SPEED ON NARCISSUS STREET
IT'S A FAMILY NEIGHBORHOOD WITH KIDS
A speed study was conducted in October on Narcissus Street and council-members subsequently took several addi-tional steps on Monday, December 3rd, to try to alleviate the speed problem for residents at Narcissus Street. 

Several residents spoke to the issue that evening.  "We'd like to see something pretty aggressive done ... Our problem is particularly acute during rush hour ... I'm questioning if your two-day study was enough."
The study showed that approximately 94 to 99% of the traffic is traveling below 35 mph.  Residents have proposed a 25 mph speed limit with stop signs and per-haps speed bumps.
Asked Councilmember Jim Paulsen, "How much safer are we at 25 than 35 mph?  And, let me tell you, stop signs don't work.  They didn't work at Deer Run."
Stated Town Cop Erick Boder, "The traffic study reflects what's happening.  I'm not surprised at all.  I agree with staff recommendations."  He added that all the citations issued in Kirke-Lachen, after complaints about speed, were all Victoria residents.
A motion directing staff to work with the neighbors and do the warrants for stop signs passed 3-2 with Jim Paulsen and Kim Roden dissenting.
A motion to draft an ordinance lower-ing the speed limit to 25 mph died for lack of a second.
A motion to request additional en-forcement and monitor the situation passed 5-0.  City staff was also directed to explore other signage opportunities to slow traffic on the street.


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