THANK YOU, STEVE SARVI.
WE'RE GLAD YOU'RE HOME!
Steve Sarvi returned to city offices in September after a lengthy tour of National Guard Duty on behalf of the United States of America.  Since 9/11 the Victoria City Administrator has been called to active duty three times -- to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, to Afghanistan, and most recently to Iraq.  Welcome back, Steve.
We've missed you.

VICTORIA ANTICIPATES HWY 5 STUDY
AND IMPROVING PARK DRIVE INTERSECTION
Council voted to not submit an application for funds through the MnDOT Cooperative Agreement, funds that could be a possible source for improving the in-tersection at Hwy 5 and Park Drive in Victoria.  A left turn lane has been pro-posed to help increase safety at the dangerous intersection.
However, according to information received by City Engineer Cara Geheren, "There have been a very limited number of incidents at that intersection, only three crashes since January of 2002.  Traffic counts are considered to be quite low.  There are no warrants for a signal light.  You wouldn't be ranked too high to re-ceive funding.  The city would be assigned all design costs, an estimated city contribution of $40,000."
The engineer pointed out that the upcoming Trunk Hwy 5 Corridor Study, in which the City of Victoria is participat-ing with $50,000, will be looking at all the intersections along Hwy 5, including the one at Park Drive, and also all of the various funding sources. 
She said that in looking specifically at Park Drive at this time, "It seems we have the cart before the horse ... And I'm not sure the turn lane is going to do it [make it safer] anyhow.  I think we'll need something more comprehensive."
Stated Councilmember Kim Roden, "Rick [Councilmember Tieden] and I started working on this issue a couple years ago.  As much as I am disappointed, it's hard for me to make an argument in a tough budget year.  Logic and common sense says to not spend the money now if we're not going to get a return for it."
Councilmember Tim Amundsen said, "I bet the people who live there can each count the number of close calls on both their hands and their feet."
"It's a dangerous intersection," said Councilmember Tieden.

On September 27^th Mayor Mary Thun said the Hwy 5 traffic study will take a year to complete and then there's an environmental study that has to be done at a cost of up to $500,000.  The next step is determine just where the widened highway will actually lie; this step is another $500,000.  "We are not even on the radar screen yet," the mayor added.

THINGS DON'T SMELL RIGHT
AT THE CHEVALLE PROPERTY IN VICTORIA
Mayor Mary Thun reported Septem-ber 13^th that there is "huge heavy equip-ment" traveling on 86^th Street in Victoria that is related to the development and construction occurring on the Chevalle property in Chaska. 
"Chevalle really is quite beautiful," said Mayor Thun, "but why should Victoria get the hit?  Their lots alone are at $900,000.  With houses they'll be $2 million to $3 million and here's Victoria trying to keep our roads in shape."
Said Councilmember Tim Amundsen, "How is it that they're putting an equestri-an facility on conservation property?  We're not just talking a horse barn.  And they're putting it in Victoria without any consultation."
Most of Chevalle lies within the city limits of Chaska; but a corner of the prop-erty does lie within the city limits of Vic-toria and holds a conservation easement.
Commented Councilmember Richard Tieden, "It just doesn't feel good."

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