Victoria Gazette - The Scoop at City Hall

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KELLY GRINNELL IS “STOLEN”

BY VICTORIA’S LARGE NEIGHBORING CITY

At the end of a long meeting, once again more than four hours, Interim City Manager Doug Reeder walked from his seat at the dais to the podium. "I have to make a presentation that I thought I'd never have to make," he said. He continued without interruption in a solemn and otherwise quiet room, speaking to the four councilmembers present December 10th. The mayor was missing.

TOM STRIGEL AND JIM CROWLEY

EACH GAVE EIGHT YEARS TO VICTORIA RESIDENTS

At the end of the last city council meeting of the year on December 10th, a final salute was given to outgoing Councilmembers Tom Strigel and Jim Crowley who, after eight years in their positions, chose not to run for re-election this past November. Said Interim City Manager Doug Reeder from the podium that evening, "We have to try to say goodbye to two very important people on our council."

VICTORIA COMPLETES ITS 2040 COMP PLAN

AND APPROVES REQUESTS FOR SOME CHANGES

Council voted 4-0 on December 10th to approve all requests for changes to the draft 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Those requests came from people who own properties south of Marsh Lake Road. They preferred different densities and uses than outlined in the draft plan.

CONTINUING CONCERN ABOUT

POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST

As Interim City Manager Doug Reeder reported on Monday evening, December 10th, "Councilmember Tom Strigel requested this item be put on the agenda in order to allow a discussion on the potential conflict of interest which Councilmember Tom Gregory may have when the city begins development of the 13.5 acres of city-owned property.”

REGARDING THE 13.5 ACRES

AND ITS PROXIMITY TO THE GREGORY HOME

"It will improve the value of your home. It will improve the value of Mr. Vogt's home. It will probably improve the value of Mr. Crowley's home. My home has been there 30 years. I have a substantial investment in that home. It is not slated for redevelopment. To suggest that some big developer is going to swoop in and buy my home is ... We have a ton of money in it.

VICTORIA CITY LIMITS EXPANDING AGAIN

THIS TIME SOUTH OF MARSH LAKE ROAD

Council voted 4-0 on December 10th to complete the final design phase services for the "South Area Street and Utility Improvements" in an amount not to exceed $89,810. This is not unlike services that brought utilities and development to the area west and south of Lake Wassermann.

HOPING FOR PARTNERSHIP WITH STAFF IN 2019

AS KELLY GRINNELL LEAVES VICTORIA POSITION

Said Jon Carlson, “Congratulations to Kelly Grinnell on her new position. Tomorrow is her last day with us. She is quality, experienced, competent, and will be dearly missed. Kelly works behind the scenes. We're losing a very good person. For the City of Chaska, it's their gain. It's a great promotion and validates the work she has done and the strength of the financial position we have."

VICTORIA’S FINAL 2019 BUDGET AND LEVY

REVEALS CONCERNS ABOUT CITY’S LIABILITY COSTS

Kelly reported that, based on the 2018 tax rate, the property tax is divided up to the school (43%), the county ($28%), the city (25%), and other entities (4%). She stated, "Victoria bucks the trend. We have had the highest population growth and the lowest growth in our levy in that time frame (2010 to 2018).

VICTORIA RESIDENT WANTS RESOLUTION

ON PROPERTY DAMAGE CAUSED BY PAVING CONTRACTOR

Brad Johnson, a resident on Marigold, spoke to councilmembers December 10th about the poor work by a contractor on their recent city street improvement project and inability to get satisfaction.

VICTORIA’S $800,000 IN EXCESS TIF FUNDS

TO BE DEBATED AND DECIDED IN 2019

City staff estimated that approximately $800,000 in excess Tax Increment Financing will be available in coming years. Councilmember Tom Strigel asked there be an open discussion about how or where the city might use those funds. Should they be used only in the district that created them or might they be used anywhere in the downtown area? The $800,000 includes about $300,000 from Victoria Flats and the rest is from other TIF areas.

THE FULL SCOOP IS REPORTED IN THE PRINT EDITION.

The Victoria Fire Department

City of Victoria 952-443-2771

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