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REVIEWING FINANCE DIRECTOR POSITION POTENTIAL COST SAVINGS FOR VICTORIA Administrator Don Uram reported on May 14th that the Personnel Committee met and discussed the opportunity to re-evaluate the city's Finance Director position since the resignation last month of Jylan Johnson. "We could replace the Finance Director with the job description as currently drafted," he said. "Or we could modify the current job requirements. We're in the process of trying to find an HR person. We could transition some of the Finance Director work to myself. Debt management is not a big time commitment. I talked to Ann Mahnke about the utility billing. There is a potential cost savings with this option. I suspect Kelly Grinnell would be interested in the position. I'd be supportive of that." Kelly Grinnell is currently the city accountant. Asked Mayor Mary Thun, "How long is this going to take?" "I'd like to fill the position as quickly as I can," replied Mr. Uram. "It's not unusual to promote from within. That would certainly shorten the process. We could advertise and interview and have someone on board in less than two months ... Kelly is currently doing the Finance position." Stated Mayor Thun, "I suggest we go outside to just look." "My concern is spreading people too thin and their workload," said Councilmember Kim Roden. "How long is this sustainable?" Councilmember Tom Strigel spoke to Mr. Uram, "I sense the opportunity to re-balance, and I thank you for taking the time to do the review [of options]." The motion to "go outside" to take a look at what or who is available as the position of Victoria Finance Director is being re-evaluated, and to compensate at this time the person currently doing the extra finance work with a wage increase, passed unanimously.
PURCHASE AGREEMENT APPROVED VICTORIA SELLS PUBLIC WORKS SITE TO LENNAR "We have a purchase agreement with Rhapsody for them to purchase the 4.5-acre Public Works site," said Administrator Don Uram about Victoria's earlier chosen site at County Road 43 for the city's new Public Works building. "Lennar approved our purchase agreement. They plan on a neighborhood meeting to show 12 single family lots for that parcel. They want to get started this summer." That site was deemed too small for the needs of Victoria Public Works. The city hopes to choose another site in 2012. Rhapsody is already a neighborhood of single family homes. Mr. Uram said the purchase price for the 4.5 acres is $250,000, "as initially negotiated." "I'm inclined to approve this," said Mayor Mary Thun. Councilmember Tom O'Connor's motion to approve the purchase agreement passed 5-0. The buyer is U.S. Home Corporation doing business as Lennar. Lennar builds homes in 18 different states across the nation. The acreage is actually located near Church Lake Road and Vogel Farm Road. It was noted that the sale went through the city process and is recommended by the city attorney as well as the city administrator. Mr. Uram said that a sketch plat for the property will probably come before Council by July 1st.
LMCD GETS $20,526 FROM VICTORIA A COORDINATED EFFORT SINCE 1967 On May 29th, city councilmembers received the draft 2013 budget of the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District. Proposed levy is $330,602 which is a 2.6% increase over their 2012 levy. Victoria's share of the budget is $20,526 which is an increase of $426 over 2012. Bill Olson, Victoria representative on the LMCD as well as a Carver County Manager on the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, spoke to councilmembers that evening about where the money comes from and where it goes. He said the milfoil harvesters don't fight milfoil; they keep the channels open. "We don't use city tax funds to fight AIS," he said. "Homeowners and volunteers contribute to that. We've spend $507,000 on herbicides and management in the last three years. Waterway inspections are a big deal for us. The DNR helps out. We expanded the solar light program [lights on buoys], making it easier to travel the lake at night. There is a new product that in some instances can kill zebra mussels. There is a task force that is very focused on preventing zebra mussels and working to make a policy for both mural and metro areas. Hydrilla is the next aquatic invasive species that is like milfoil on steroids.
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