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The Victoria GAZETTE |
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City Scoop Continued |
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December 2009 |
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ST. VICTORIA TO EXPAND CEMETERY COUNCILMEMBERS ASK FOR MASTER PLAN Council approved a request from the St. Victoria Catholic Church for a conditional use permit to expand their existing cemetery. Stated City Administrator Don Uram, “The church wants to expand its cemetery to the north, adjacent to County Road 11. There are about 20 lots left in their cemetery, which is about one year’s worth. The expansion comes closer to County Road 11 than the existing cemetery. The Planning Commission had discussions about landscaping to the north and expressed some concerns. The church agreed to consider a long term master plan.” Mr. Uram pointed out the Planning Commission listed several conditions related to the existing driveway, parking for funerals, landscaping, decorative fencing. The church’s plan proposes compact burial plots in a concentric shape and the construction of a columbarium, which is a monument for housing ashes. The columbarium is proposed to include 96 niches and 192 urn spaces. Stated Councilmember Jim Paulsen, “We’re dealing with a very small increment of a very large problem. The new church was built for 1,500 families.” Replied Mayor Mary Thun, “The church does understand they’ve got a significant problem coming down.” When Councilmember Paulsen broached the subject of a municipal cemetery, Administrator Uram said, “Really, anything is discussable. My understanding is that municipal cemeteries can be challenging long term.” Said Councilmember Tim Amundsen, “The church has a significant parcel of land, all the way down to Church Lake. right now it’s wooded.” Bill Sanders, landscape architect for the St. Victoria project, informed councilmembers that Deacon Ray Ortman, the church administrator, was not able to attend this meeting because he was leading a tour to the Holy Land. He acknowledged, “There are a number of issues to be looked at here, like soils and wetlands.” The motion to approve the permit included the stipulation that St. Victoria come up with a total master plan for its cemetery needs by June 30th, 2010.
HOPING TO ADD INSTEAD OF SUBTRACT VICTORIA TO PLACE LIEN IN ORDER TO COLLECT Councilmembers voted unanimously on November 9th directing the city administrator and attorney to file a lien in pursuit of $5,256 owed the city by the Clearwater Development Group LLC. In 2007 Clearwater had proposed a single family residential development for 21 acres, “the Swain property,” located on the north end of Schutz Lake off Highway 7. The $30 million development was to be called Lakeview Meadows. The city received the $5,500 filing fee for the preliminary plat application but also incurred expenses for professional services to review and process the application. Responding to city staff recommendation to use a collection agency, Councilmember Kim Roden said, “I’m entirely in favor of turning it over to a collection agency. And I’m wondering if we should rethink our process. Is this something we need to look at? I’d rather not find ourselves in this position moving forward.” Replied Administrator Don Uram, “It is an opportunity to review policies and procedures.” “Are there any lots sold there?” asked Mayor Mary Thun. “The final plat was never recorded,” replied Planner Holly Kreft. Councilmember Jim Paulsen offered another option. “Why don’t we just file a lien on the land and collect interest besides? Some day they’ll come to see us. We could be their worst nightmare. We’re talking about addition, not subtraction.” Stated City Attorney Mike Norton, “It would be relatively easy to get a judgment. You’re have to figure out if this was an unsecured debt. It is a valid debt.” Councilmember Roden acknowledged that the Council spent a “ton of time” on the proposal trying to figure out road access. “Have we contacted the property owner to tell him his developer hasn’t paid?” Holly did meet with the owner.
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