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CARVER COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION

HAS A VACANCY FOR A VICTORIA APPOINTMENT

Mayor Mary Thun reported that Carver County Commissioner Randy Maluchnik wants Victoria to nominate someone to fill a vacancy on the Carver County Planning Commission, stating that it's Victoria's turn to have a member appointment to the Commission.

"We want someone who can commit the time to do this, who will represent Victoria well and represent the county well," said Mayor Thun. "We are very interested in having someone from Victoria."

Councilmember Kim Roden recommended Gordy Simanton for the position. Administrator Don Uram will get information to councilmembers on the work and time commitment that is involved with membership on that commission.

ACQUISITION OF LAND BY THE MCWD

TO BE CONSIDERED ONE CASE AT A TIME

Last year the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District wanted to purchase prime developable property near Lake Wasserman, and the Victoria City Council was not pleased with that possibility since it would disrupt the city's plans for future infrastructure. Now the Watershed District is proposing to purchase property located at Carl Krey Lake, property that Hartman Communities has listed for sale.

As Administrator Don Uram said on March 28th, "It's an issue of land acquisition by public bodies, and I'd like council recommendation. Council was opposed to acquisition of developable properties. The Watershed is looking for direction, too. Water quality and conservation is important, but more important is the development of the City of Victoria, property taxes, and our growth. It's all inter-related."

"We'd like the opportunity to evaluate the situation," continued Mr. Uram. "The Watershed doesn't need the authority of the City Council, as does the [Three Rivers] Park District to acquire property. Tonight I'd like a high level policy discussion on this, with nothing specific at this point."

Stated Councilmember Jim Crowley, "I'm of a mindset that it never hurts to listen."

Said Councilmember Tom O'Connor, "I think it's safe to say we take a back seat to no one when it comes to clean air and water. But we have to take into consideration private development. We have to decide what the variables are. We have fairly expensive and productive property that will be developed when the recession ends."

Added Mayor Mary Thun, "I'm open to working with the Watershed. My concern is when land is available, I'd like the Watershed to work with us so we can get our infrastructure through rather than go miles and miles around to connect. We're very interested in preserving wetlands and habitat. I'd like to move beyond what we did last year."

"We all learned that we have to have discussions early and often and we can accomplish both parties' objections," said Mr. Uram.

Said Councilmember Tom Strigel, "The open discussion is the most rational way to approach it. I, of course, would expect we preserve resources even within the context of development."

"I'd like some kind of guiding thoughts," said Mayor Thun.

"And a further definition of 'benefits,' which are in the eye of the beholder," added Councilmember O'Connor.

Mark Ten Eyck, Director of the Land Conservation Program with the Watershed, stated, "It's all about partnering. The whole program is designed to partner, so I don't know how it went off track last year. I didn't work with that project on a day to day basis. I look to partner with the city staff and council. There may have been conflict in the past, but that's not what our Land Conservation Program is all about."

Concluded Administrator Uram, "I believe I understand the direction, which is to work on a case by case basis."
The Hartman property consists of two parcels, 80 acres and 40 acres. The 80-acre parcel is largely undevelopable, but the 40-acres parcel is developable and adjacent to the Rhapsody neighborhood.

FIRST TIME GATHERING ON APRIL 18TH

OF ALL VICTORIA COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS

Monday, April 18th, marks the first time all of the City of Victoria committees and commissions will gather at one time, "to meet each other in an informational sharing opportunity," said Administrator Don Uram, "to provide each other with information as to what each of them is doing."

Stated Mayor Mary Thun on March 28th, "I believe in giving credit where credit is due. This is an idea that Randy Miller came up with." Randy Miller is a member of the Victoria Business Development Committee.

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Drs. Dungey, Menser & Associates

Victoria and Waconia. 952-443-2816