Victoria MN Newspaper

Left to right: Carver County Commissioner Tom Workman, Victoria Community Development Director Ben Landhauser, Victoria City Manager Laurie Hokkanen.

VISITING CITY OF VICTORIA COUNCIL NIGHT

COUNTY COMMISSIONER TOM WORKMAN

Carver County Commissioner Tom Workman stopped by the January 12th Victoria city council meeting to congratulate the two re-elected councilmembers, meet new Victoria Community Development Director Ben Landhauser, and say hello to new Victoria City Manager Laurie Hokkanen. Laurie was the Assistant City Manager of Chanhassen, hometown of Tom Workman, prior to being selected and hired by Victoria.

Commissioner Workman clarified that he represents District 2 which includes Chanhassen plus those Victoria residents who live north of Highway 5.

"More and more issues are popping up," he said, "like Rolling Acres Road. I plan to stop by more often. I'm mainly here to listen and not bloviate. I was sworn in a week or so ago." Tom was re-elected in November 2014 to his long-held Commissioner seat.

"I enjoy representing Chanhassen and I know a lot of great characters from this town."

Responding to questions, he replied, "We plan to spend every dollar the taxpayers send us. I voted for the county budget even though I was pinching myself as I did it. I hope we do not get too far ahead of you or your residents." Stated Mayor Tom O'Connor, "You are always welcome."

AN UNCOMMON 3-2 VOTE IN JANUARY

GOV’T MOVING INTO BACKYARDS OF CITIZENS

Council tabled an issue on January 12th because they were concerned about potential liabilities and setting precedents. On January 26th they approved the issue with a split 3-2 vote. Most council votes in recent times are 5-0, sometimes 4-1.

Developers at Lake Wassermann Ridge, 2nd addition, installed a rear yard draintile system for a string of homes in the development because of groundwater, clay soils, and wet backyards. The draintile is more or less parallel to Marsh Lake Road. The developers asked that the City of Victoria maintain the draintile.

By approving the drainage easement agreement on January 26th, as asked by the developer and as recommended by City Engineer Cara Geheren, the City of Victoria will maintain the draintile installed on private property at Lake Wassermann Ridge.

Those in favor: Mayor Tom O'Connor, Councilmember Jim Crowley, Councilmember Lani Basa. Those against: Councilmember Joe Pavelko and Councilmember Tom Strigel.

January 12th

Asked Councilmember Joe Pavelko, "Is this normal practice for the city?"

Replied City Engineer Cara Geheren, "We've been dealing with this for a very long time. It's a Catch 22. There are problem areas for homeowners. This is the path that staff has headed down. The city would offer technical expertise."

Asked Councilmember Tom Strigel, "How does this affect our liability?"

Replied Cara, "The city's responsibility would be to flush the system. The biggest concern is if people start planting trees on top of the system."

Ann Mahnke, Director of Parks and Public Works, responded, "All the drain tile in front of homes is our responsibility, so this is about the same idea except it deals with backyard drainage."

Click here to continue Gov’t in Backyards.