Victoria MN Newspaper

Floor to Ceiling

It was suggested by Councilmember Pavelko that developers should do things on their own, without the city. Said Mr. Uram, "The city has been involved with every development in downtown Victoria." He specifically identified Fresh Seasons Market, Kid Talk, Clocktower, Wensmann Condominiums, and the Notermann Building. "That's the intent of TIF, to spark interest. This is not unusual," he said.

Mr. Uram said the Victoria Drive site is the last best site for something in downtown Victoria that will pay taxes.

"To summarize," said Councilmember Tom Strigel, "The city is paying a little more for the Lakeside property at this time but TIF will reimburse the city many times over. It ends up being a free site for us."

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Some of the major deal points:

The Lakeside Site

•Hartmans' proposed commercial building (for the center section) is approximately 4,620 square feet in size. Actual land available to the City will be 11,654 square feet including the Plaza section.

•The City will accept the Bayfront Park Plaza in lieu of cash for parking fees.

•The Plaza, approximately 2,500 square feet in size, includes land valued at $75,000 plus amenities that will be constructed and paid for by Hartman and plans must be approved by the City.

•Hartman has the opportunity to review and comment on City Hall/Library architectural design prior to approval.

Victoria Drive Site

•Some of the square footage will be retained for parking and sidewalks.

•The City will pay for removal and abatement of the Johnson home.

•City will pay for site improvements and reimburse itself through Tax Increment Financing.

•Hartman is responsible for all building construction activities.

•Size of the commercial building will range from 10,000 to 14,000 square feet.

•Existing City Hall will be vacated and made into public parking known as the Rose Street Lot.

•Parking for the commercial building will require 17 to 23 spaces depending on the building size.

•Parking spaces in the Rose Street Lot would be allocated to the Victoria Drive building and other adjacent buildings.

•The City agrees to leave the Rose Street Lot as at-grade parking for 20 years after issuance of Certificate of Occupancy which can be altered on mutual agreement.

On November 18th, Council also authorized (4-1) an interfund loan so city costs to improve the Victoria Drive site (demolition, etc.) can be paid. Explained Mr. Uram, "The city has several funds that we keep money in. With this resolution, we can take cash from any of these funds with the understanding that it will be returned. This is pretty common for cities to do this."

VICTORIA’S CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN

PROJECTING OVER $14 MILLION THROUGH 2018

Victoria's five-year Capital Improvement Plan, covering 2014 through 2018, is projecting capital expenditures totaling $14,453,101. Finance Manager Kelly Grinnell presented the draft plan on November 12th. Final approval is expected at the December 9th city council meeting.

Said Mayor Tom O'Connor, "We have come light years since you began making presentations." Kelly Grinnell was originally hired as an Accountant for the City of Victoria in 2008 and then promoted to Finance Manager in 2012.

The CIP now includes not just the project name, cost, and projected year of expenditure. It also includes a description of the project, justification for the expenditure, useful life of the project, and funding source.

The CIP projects the replacement of lift stations, replacement of various city vehicles, upgrading of IT equipment, the purchasing of new vehicles, construction of new parks, improvements to old parks, construction of new trails, upgrading of old trails, new park shelters, specific street improvements, new street reconstruction. Among the many expenditures, a new $2 million water tower is projected in 2015.

As Kelly reported, "The CIP is adopted as a planning tool and is not an automatic approval of a project."

Capital improvements projected for 2014 total $2.85 million and include, among other things, $175,000 for an additional dump truck, $45,00 for a new bobcat, $1,737,501 to improve 78th Street and Kochia Lane, $350,000 to build the park at Lakebridge, and $50,000 in neighborhood trail renovations.

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