Posted: 10/17/06
Traffic, transportation concern council
By Jane Palen
Managing Editor
The Caledonia City Council has agreed to mark a right turn lane for traffic exiting Esch Drive onto Highway 44/76.
City zoning administrator Mike Gerardy said that marking the lanes will help traffic move more efficiently through that intersection.
Gerardy said that he has contacted the school superintendent Michael Moriarty and Caledonia Police Chief Randy Shefelbine, and both were in favor of marking the intersection.
With development along the highway and the location of the middle/high school, the safety of the intersection has been a concern of the city and school. There are crossing guards stationed there before and after school, and flashing yellow lights alert motorists to the school crossing ahead.
Transportation amendment
explained, promoted
In another transportation matter, Kermit McRae of Caledonia Township asked for the cityís support of the transportation amendment that will be on the ballot in the general election.
The amendment would dedicate the revenue from taxes on vehicle sales to roads beginning in June of 2011. The wording specifies that at least 40 percent must be used for metro transit and no more than 60 percent for highways.
Funding for highways in Minnesota has been affected by several factors said McRae, a former highway engineer with MnDOT.
The gas tax, which provides some of the funding for roads, has remained at 20 cents per gallon since 1988.
Another source of income is license tab fees. When Gov. Jesse Ventura was in office, he lowered the registration fee which resulted in a decrease in revenue for transportation. Tabs are capped at $189 for two years and $99 subsequent years.
Article 14 of the state constitution established the highway user tax distribution fund and earmarks the motor fuel tax and vehicle registration fees to be distributed, with 62 percent going to state trunk highways; 29 percent to transit and 9 percent to city streets.
The other source of funding is the sales tax on vehicles, which is what the amendment addresses. Currently, only 46 percent of the sales tax collected on vehicle sales goes into the stateís general fund. Transit receives 23 percent, and 31 percent goes to highways.
McRae said that if the amendment passes, an additional $300 million will be available for transit and state highways.
There is a concern that the wording of the amendment could result in a disproportionate amount of funds going to metro transit, McRae said.
ěThatís not how it works,î said McRae, adding that he believes the metro and outstate legislators would work together to come up with a fair split.
One of the reasons that the change is being presented in the form of a constitutional amendment is that the governor made a ěno new taxes pledge.î He vetoed legislation that would have created the $300 million shortfall in the general fund, but he cannot veto an amendment passed by the voters.
In order to amend the constitution, a majority of the voters must vote in favor of the amendment. If a voter leaves the question blank, it counts as a ěnoî vote.
McRae noted that some of the local highways, such as Highway 44, are already beyond their life expectancy and badly in need of repair.
Ambulance discussed
In other news, the council discussed the purchase of a new ambulance with ambulance director Robert Augedahl.
The ambulance being replaced is 14 years old. Augedahl said that it is difficult to bid an ambulance, which would cost up to $100,000, so that the bids can be compared equally. He presented information on two units that are available.
In the past, the city has been able to purchase a demo unit which has kept the price down.
ěIf you can find a demo, thatís the way to go,î said Clerk/Administrator Robert Nelson.
Update on arbitration
Attorney Mike Murphy updated the city on its arbitration with American Plumbing of Winona. The situation goes back about 15 years to work done at the wastewater treatment plant. American Plumbing sued the city after being replaced from the project, and the city counter-sued and was awarded $90,000. American Plumbing has been paying until recently. A balance of $13,740 remains on the settlement.
The city directed Murphy to negotiate with the firm for payment of what is owed. The city agreed that it would settle for 75 percent of the balance.
In other news, animal control officer Mike Gavin reported to the city that this year he has responded to calls for 64 dogs, 81 cats, 11 squirrels. 12 skunks, four chipmunks and two bats.
Gavin reported that bees were very plentiful this year.
He also noted that city police are issuing more tickets for barking dogs, which seems to be helping that problem.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com