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In response to Councilmember Pavelko, Councilmember Jim Crowley asked, "Where have we not been transparent? Everything has been done in public. Where have we not been transparent? At this time, negotiations have to be made. The fact that it's not listed on the website does not mean it's not transparent." Councilmember Strigel commented that the potential changes are related to values. "We're trying to find ways to be more cost efficient," he said. City Attorney Mike Norton weighed in on the issue. "From a legal standpoint, the city is required to be transparent. It could be to the taxpayers' detriment to not negotiate privately. We try to keep pricing and strategy private. It is a balancing act and you folks have to be involved in it. It is certainly appropriate and legal to do it this way." Councilmember Pavelko asked why the city has money to construct a City Hall and a Public Works Building but not money to build a trail connection, referring to the proposed connection between Victoria neighborhoods at Rolling Acres Road and Minnewashta Parkway. Replied Mayor O'Connor, "It's a matter of degree and necessity. It takes a certain amount of money to run a city. We absolutely need these two buildings. Citizens have to take comfort in knowing they can take part in any future approvals. It seems like we've been at this way too long, but it's part of the cycle." *** Also on March 11th, after the regularly scheduled council meeting, there was a Closed Session to discuss real estate acquisition strategy for the Hartman property. When council reconvened later that evening, Councilmember Tom Strigel made a motion directing City Manager Don Uram "to proceed with acquisition discussions at the price discussed. Councilmember Joe Pavelko amended the motion to include actively marketing the 94 acres with all proceeds used to pay off the Hartman site. The motion and the amendment passed with 4 in favor and one abstention. Councilmember Jim Crowley abstained because it was always agreed that the sale of any land would be used to offset the new P.W. Building and City Hall. Also at the reconvened council meeting, council debated pros and cons of possible sites for a new City Hall. *It could still be constructed on the 13.5 acres west of the city bridge. This is more expensive because the property has no utilities -- no water, sewer, or streets. *It could still be constructed downtown next to the Post Office. Purchase of Mrs. Johnson's home next door is a consideration in order to obtain more buildable space for City Hall. *It could be located on the second floor of a building not yet constructed but in the draft and planning stage for some time. The property on Stieger Lake Lane, near the Regional Trail and overlooking Stieger Lake is owned by Hartman Brothers LLC. Leasing cost for the 4,600 square feet would be approximately $100,000 per year. A five-year lease is being considered. The space is not large but would give the city an opportunity to clean up its current location on Rose Street.
STRONG OBJECTION TO LMCD REQUEST WOULD HAVE DOUBLED VICTORIA’S TAX After a short discussion on March 11th in regard to the LMCD's request for additional funding, Mayor Tom O'Connor declared, "I make a motion to strongly object." It passed unanimously. City Manager Don Uram had introduced the matter. "Our LMCD representative called us about the milfoil and curly leaf management plan," he said. "The LMCD budget is $91,000. Victoria's share iss $5,700. They propose to increase their funding for AIS by $75,000. It would double Victoria's share." The funds for Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) are used only on Lake Minnetonka, which is why it's called the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District. Only one mile of the lake's shoreline is located in the city limits of Victoria on Smithtown Bay, and Mr. Uram said the money would not be spent on Smithtown. Asked Mayor Tom O'Connor, "Are these the right people to be doing this? Their current budget is $91,000 and they want $75,000 more?" Said Councilmember Joe Pavelko, "This whole AIS is starting to get to me. We've done nothing to actually eradicate it. Why spend another $5,700? It's not going to remove the problem." Said Councilmember Jim Crowley, "What's the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results." "I'd like to know what the long term strategy is," said Councilmember Tom Strigel. Nobody was in favor of doubling Victoria's tax for AIS.
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April 2013 |
