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OVER 100 CITIES WORKING TOGETHER

NEW STORMWATER RULES FOR CLEAN WATER-

Councilmembers held a public meeting on June 13th to discuss its stormwater pollution prevention program. As City Engineer Cara Geheren stated, "This is a meeting we are required to hold annually."

"We are in the process of implementing a five-year plan," said Cara. "We do work together as a staff in Victoria. We work on it jointly. Public education is ongoing. Stormwater maintenance had been a focus in 2010 and we're making major repairs this year. I'm happy to report that after significant time and effort by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, the new stormwater rules were adopted at the end of May."

"This document represents well over 100 cities working collaboratively," said Cara. "We are quite committed to our lakes and our parks. The purpose tonight is to see if the public has any comment."

Asked Councilmember Kim Roden, "Why do we have a moving bar on this issue? It seems every year the bar gets raised and there's an increase in cost. Is this increase due to increased knowledge or what? We certainly all want clean water."

Replied Cara, "We're regulated slightly to dealing with this in Minnesota. Other states don't have watershed districts. Flood control is pretty critical in the state, but in the metro area we're constantly reacting to mandates coming from several different entities. It's a real challenge for every city in the state."

Stated Councilmember Roden, "It's good to follow where science leads us, but how much is good enough?"

Replied Cara, "All the different parties only regulate one thing -- water quality, but the city has to balance many things -- water, fire, streets, and so on. We have conflicting things to spend our money on."

"We're kind of lucky up here in Minnesota with our clean water," said Councilmember Roden.

Stated Councilmember Tom O'Connor to Cara, who is Victoria's city engineer with TKDA, "You and your team deserve an awful lot of credit. We've come a long way. Not long ago we were at a loggerhead with the watershed district."

Asked Councilmember Jim Crowley, "Is there a definition as to what clean water is?"

"Not necessarily," replied Cara. "Generally, the definition is not changing. What's changing is what we have to do in working toward it. It's a continuous process to try to get there."

VICTORIA NOT WAITING FOR STATE MONEY

YET HOPING 2012 HWY 5 PROJECT WON’T BE STALLED

*Council briefly discussed on June 27th possible impact to the City of Victoria if state government actually shuts down as threatened. Stated City Engineer Cara Geheren, "There is concern among MnDOT staff that if the shutdown occurs, it could prolong the construction schedule of Hwy 5." Actual construction date is the summer of 2012, but MnDOT's work toward that goal is ongoing. Outside of the 2012 Hwy 5 project through Victoria, Mayor Thun said, "We don't get any money from the state so we won't be sitting here waiting for state money."

*Council accepted a Community Partnership Grant in the amount of $1,550 from CenterPoint Energy to be used for emergency communication equipment for the Public Works Department. Stated Mayor Thun, "This is very much appreciated."

*Council approved the hiring of summer seasonal positions, including Jack Biebighauser, Samantha Brown, Hannah Anderson, and Emily Schimshock for playground positions; Danielle Schmischock for a daycare position; Shelly Heger for a t-ball coach.

*Council approved a license agreement with Tim Clark as a personal trainer at the Victoria Recreation Center. The City of Victoria will receive 10% of fees collected.

*Council approved the sale of $1,010,000 in "general obligation permanent improvement revolving fund crossover refunding improvement bonds" that resulted in a benefit of $33,644 to the City of Victoria. Finance Director Jylan Johnson reported the city got almost an interest rate of almost 4.5%. "This will result in a $5,000 to $6,000 savings on our levy," she said.

*Council accepted the following donations from the Victoria Lions Club: an automatic defibrillator ($1,516), lighted traffic cones ($192), an HP scanjet photo scanner ($147), and lighted traffic paddles ($427).

*Council approved raffle permits for the Miracles of Mitch Foundation (for a function at Deer Run) and the St. Victoria Catholic Church (for their Sunset Fest).

*Council approved the 2011-2012 Fire Aid Agreement with Laketown Township. The township's fee for this fire protection from Victoria will be $19,617.

*Councilmember Kim Roden commentted on the large amount of information that Ann Mahnke prepares for the Parks and Recreation Committee and suggested that it be made more accessible to councilmembers. Mayor Thun proposed the information could be sent to them electronically.

Drs. Dungey, Menser & Associates

Victoria and Waconia. 952-443-2816