Victoria Gazette - The Scoop at City Hall

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MAYOR FUNK TELLS MN STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL

TO DISREGARD LETTER FROM THE CITY OF VICTORIA

After lengthy discussion on July 24th among three councilmembers -- Funk, Gregory Vogt -- they voted 3-0 to send a supplemental letter from "the Residents" to the MN State Attorney General. The other two councilmembers -- Crowley and Strigel -- recused themselves to another area of City Hall during discussion that evening because of "conflict of interest." Mayor Funk decided he was no longer conflicted.

MAYOR FUNK AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST

SAYS HE HAD IT AND NOW HE DOESN’T

On July 24th, 2017, Mayor Funk stated that he removed himself from having a conflict of interest in regard to the ongoing lawsuit which he initiated, has been judged, and which he appeals. He said he's not conflicted. He said he spoke with other attorneys, that initially he was "new" and "overly cautious."

MAJORITY OF VICTORIA CITY COUNCIL

CONFIRMS MAYOR FUNK HAS CONFLICT OF INTEREST

At the close of that July 24th city council meeting, Councilmember Tom Strigel made a motion to confirm that Mayor Funk is conflicted regarding issues related to his lawsuit. The motion passed 3-1-1. Those in favor: Councilmembers Vogt, Strigel, and Crowley. The mayor voted against the motion. Councilmember Gregory abstained.

ADDRESSING PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALKS

TRYING TO CROSS COUNTY ROADS IN VICTORIA

Council discussed pedestrian crosswalks in Victoria, where they should be, where they have been in the past, and where they are not. No decision was made at this time, pending an updated county policy on crosswalks over county roads, some of which are located in Victoria.

VICTORIA ACCEPTS POOL FEASIBILITY REPORT

MAKES NO COMMITMENTS AT THIS TIME

Council voted 5-0 July 10th to accept the final swimming pool feasibility study. As City Manager Laurie Hokkanen stated, "Accepting a feasibility report doesn't commit the city to a pool." It was in April 2016 council authorized an expenditure of $20,000 for the study.

APPROVING VICTORIA ROAD PROJECTS

SAME AS ALWAYS, A 50/50 PROPOSITION

Council voted 5-0 on July 10th to approve a resolution offering the sale of $1,225,000 in general obligation improvement bonds to pay for the 2017 street and utility improvement projects in Victoria. As Finance Director Kelly Grinnell has explained, "The financing plan is to issue bonds that will be repaid from debt service levy (property taxes) and special assessments to benefitting property owners."

MADDISON PARK COMES TO LIFE IN VICTORIA

FOR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS AT WATERMARK

Resident Mike Amundsen spoke before a crowd of approximately 80 people at the July 10th city council meeting. Council unanimously approved his request, made on behalf of friends and neighbors, to rename Watermark Park to Maddison Park.

WATERFORD LANDING AT SCHUTZ LAKE

FINAL APPROVAL FOR 32 NEW VICTORIA HOMES

Council unanimously approved final plat for Waterford Landing, a 32 home development on the northeast shoreline of Schutz Lake.

PROPOSALTO RENAME VICTORIA LANDMARKS

IN HONOR OF THE LATE RANDY MILLER

Council voted 4-1 July 24th to table proposals to rename Bayfront Plaza to Miller Plaza and to name the nearby alley Randy Way in honor of the late Randy Miller who died in April. Councilmember Jim Crowley, in favor, of the proposal, voted against tabling.

ELEVATIONS OF DETACHED VILLAS AND TOWNHOMES

OF THE NEW 215 NEW HOMES AT WHISPERING HILLS

Council voted 5-0 July 24th to approve final plat for Whispering Hills 2nd Addition. It includes 35 detached villas (36 in 1st Addition) and 84 townhome units (60 in 1st Addition). The property is located in the SE quadrant at intersection of Hwy 5 and Kochia. "Sales have been really good," stated Community Development Director Ben Landhauser

SITE PLANS AND BUILDING MATERIALS

APPROVED FOR VICTORIA LIONS PAVILION

Council voted 5-0 on July 24th to approve the site plan and building materials selected by the Victoria Lions for a reconstruction project at the North Shelter at Lions Park. Lion Al Orsen gave a 3D presentation on the proposed building which exhibited rotating views from all angles.

COUNCIL APPROVES LOAN TO VICTORIA LOANS

TO BE FULLY REPAID PLUS WITH 3% INTEREST

Council voted 5-0 on July 24th to approve a loan of $345,000 to the Victoria Lions at 3% interest, to be paid by the Victoria Lions over ten years, possibly sooner. Monthly payment to the City of Victoria will be $3,331 starting on January 1st, 2018.

LARGE EXPANSION OF MOUNT OLIVET LUTHERAN WEST

MUCH ADDITIONAL SPACE FOR THE VICTORIA CAMPUS

Council voted 5-0 July 24th to approve site plan and building materials for an addition to Mt. Olivet Church-West Campus on Rolling Acres Road. The plan includes an addition of 69,000 square feet and will include classrooms, sanctuary, rehearsal space, and much more.

SHORTER VICTORIA CITY SCOOP FROM JULY

THE CORRECT SPELLING IS . . . S-T-I-E-G-E-R!

Council passed a resolution that declares the correct spelling of Stieger in the names Stieger Lake and Stieger Lake Lane and Stieger Shores to be S-T-I-E-G-E-R, rhymes with eager.

LONG SCOOP AVAILABLE IN THE PAPER EDITION.

The Victoria Fire Department

City of Victoria 952-443-2771

WATERBROOKE

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