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The Victoria GAZETTE |
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City Scoop Continued |
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VICTORIA APPLIES TO BECOME AN LGU ELIMINATING SOME REDUNDANCY Council voted unanimously on May 10th to become a Local Government Unit (LGU) for some programs that are currently administered by the Minnahaha Creek Watershed District. As Holly Kreft, Victoria Community Development Director, said, “Basically, this allows cities to interpret and enforce certain rules.” Council accepted staff recommendation that the City of Victoria become the permitting entity for Erosion Control (also known as Rule B) and Stormwater (also known as Rule N). City Engineer Cara Geheren pointed out that, with permitting in these two areas being done by the city rather that the Watershed District, the process becomes more streamlined for builders and homeowners. “It’s really a matter of customer service,” she said. “They’ve only got to go through one entity.” City Administrator Don Uram said that the city becoming an LGU would eliminate some redundancy. Holly added, “We would be able to order a stop work order in a more timely manner.” She also pointed out that the city’s permitting requirements would have to be as restrictive or more restrictive than those of the Watershed District. Councilmember Tim Amundsen asked that staff research Rule D, which regulates the permitting process for Wetlands, and bring that information back for Council review. His suggestion was made part of the motion to approve the City of Victoria becoming an LGU for Rule B and Rule N. Before Victoria actually becomes an LGU, Holly said, “There’s still quite a bit in the process that needs to be done.”
RAIN GARDEN PARTY, ANYONE? PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH Council held a public hearing on May 24th concerning the city’s Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program. City Engineer Cara Geheren introduced the matter. “We talk about stormwater more in the last couple of years,” she said. “The current permit has been in place since 2002. There is a new one for 2012 and permit revisions. The PCA has begun auditing the program to see if we’re doing what we say we’re doing. Public education and outreach is part of the program. In 2010 we’re looking for someone to host a rain garden party on Lake Virginia. Schutz Lake is hosting an event at Mount Olivet.” Ann Mahnke, Victoria Director of Public Works, stated, “Public Works is responsible for maintenance of storm ponds and structures. We have 70 stormwater ponds in the city, 33 pollution control structures, 84 outlets, 1800 manholes, and 33.8 miles of stormwater sewermain. Existing problems include severe erosion and broken pipes. We’re starting early. We don’t have a lot of dredging that needs to be done.” It is expected that all work proposed for 2010 will be completed within the approved budget of $100,000. Asked Councilmember Tim Amundsen, “What’s the fine for failing to clean up the stormwater drainage in the street in front of your house?” Holly Kreft, the city’s Community Development Director, replied that it was a misdemeanor.
UNDERSTANDING THE OFFER TO RELOCATE READING THE LINES AND BETWEEN THEM Last month it was reported on these pages that City Administrator Don Uram had said, “My understanding is that Deep [owner of Hi-5 Liquor] turned down an offer to relocate to Fresh Seasons.” First of all, the question from Council-member Kim Roden was, “Do you know if the existing liquor store owner was offered the opportunity to use the space that is currently being proposed for the new liquor store?” The exact reply from Administrator Uram was: “My understanding and I’m not speaking for the owner is that there was some very early discussion with him regarding the possibility of relocating into the Clocktower expansion area. My understanding is that he turned down that option and again my understanding is that because of that earlier discussion, the space was not offered to the existing liquor store owner but the owner of the building may be able to provide more insight into that question.” The owner of Hi-5 Liquor has confirmed that he was offered the possibility of relocating into the Clocktower expansion and chose to remain at his current site.
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Sue’s Album A symphony of photos and fewer than a thousand words at www.VictoriaGazette.com |
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June 2010 |
