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When the council meeting re-convened approximately five to ten minutes later, Mayor Thun stated that the reason for ruling Councilmember Roden out of order was related to her disrespectful manner. She added, “Your questions are not in the record.”

Councilmember Roden stated, “I have every right to speak as an American citizen. I don’t care whether you agree or disagree. I did what I needed to do. I intend to get answers to these questions. You can stop a meeting, but I have every right to ask these questions. My constituents have not been treated respectfully by the Metropolitan Council. As far as I’m concerned, I was doing my job tonight. If you think you are absolutely lily white on your standards, you are mistaken. You cut me off. We’ll never agree on this.”

Councilmember Tim Amundsen asked if there was ongoing litigation regarding Phase One of this regional sewer project. “It potentially places the city in a problematic position. Am I overstating the risks to the city?” he asked.

City Attorney Mike Norton replied, “So far as I know, the city is not named in litigation.” He said such a situation “could be problematic.”

Continued Councilmember Amundsen, “There’s a difficulty I have in pursuing this in this manner, pursuing questions in this manner.” He added, however, “It’s not that it’s not within your right.”

Said Councilmember Roden, “But they [the Metro Council] don’t answer those questions! That’s why they’re in litigation. Those questions came to me, not as a part of litigation. As far as I’m concerned, Phase One and Phase Two are connected.”

The next quarterly update and review of the regional sewer project will occur at an August council meeting.

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At the May 24th council meeting, Councilmember Roden walked to the podium in the audience during the Open Forum part of the agenda and spoke on record as a citizen of Victoria. “Repairs are finally processing on Phase One,” she reported. “We have a right to expect timely communication. As a city we are stakeholders in a construction project. This issue is not going away, unfortunately. It is just beginning.”

CODE OF ETHICS OR COMMON SENSE

VICTORIA CONSIDERS ORDINANCE AMENDMENT

Council held the first reading of a Code of Ethics ordinance. As authored and presented by Councilmember Kim Roden, it is “an effort to continue to bring transparency and a spirit of high ethical standards to the staff, elected and appointed officials in Victoria.”

Stated City Administrator Don Uram, “A lot of it is common sense.” He also said that only 52 people out of several thousand in the state responded to a request to comment on the Code of Ethics. “Seventy percent of those responding felt it would be useful.”

Said Councilmember Tom O’Connor, “At the risk of sounding anti-ethics, I think this document leaves a lot to be desired.”

Added Councilmember Tim Amundsen, “I don’t think adopting a formal code meets needs. There has been no ringing endorsement from any elected official in the State of Minnesota.”

Said Mayor Mary Thun, “I think it would help newly elected and newly appointed officials” and could be provided each year to these people in a packet.

Second reading of the Code of Ethics is scheduled for June 19th.

FIXING UP SIX STORMWATER PONDS

WORKING TO BE PROACTIVE IN VICTORIA

Council voted 4-1 on May 10th to approve stormwater maintenance and repair projects as outlined for six of Victoria’s stormwater ponds and structures needing repair to improve their safety and efficiency. Total cost: $51,290.

Stated Ann Mahnke, Victoria City Public Works Director, “Leaving them to further erode would increase the cost of repair. These six high-concern areas we’d like to get going on immediately. We’re getting quotes from various vendors and would like permission to move forward.”

Councilmember Tim Amundsen said, “We are woefully remiss in documentation. It’s got to change. We’ve got to keep records on this. Relocating soils on a project doesn’t always work. It was an abomination. Track it so you know what’s going on.”

Ann Mahnke, Victoria Public Works Director, stated, “We are making some progress in that area and our Public Works guys have really assisted.” She said it’s an ongoing maintenance process.

“I commend you for this plan,” said Councilmember Amundsen. “It’s proactive rather than reactive.”

The six pond structures needing immediate repair are located at County Road 11, Deer Run, Savanna Valley, Aster Trail, Hwy 7, and Ridge Ponds.

Councilmember Jim Paulsen voted against the motion.

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Drs. Dungey, Menser & Associates

Victoria and Waconia. 952-443-2816