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The Victoria GAZETTE |
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June 2012 |
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MADELYN CREEK GETS PLAYGROUND DEVELOPER PAID THROUGH RECREATION FEES On May 29th councilmembers approved the purchase and installation of playground equipment for Madelyn Creek in the amount of $29,677. An additional $5,000 is needed for excavation, border, and drain tile. Recreational fees collected from Madelyn Creek to date are $42,400 and will be $75,000 when the development is completed. Park fees from Madelyn Creek included three acres of land + $189,685 in cash. Ann Mahnke, Director of Parks and Rec, stated, "Seven proposals were received and reviewed from five vendors. The Flagship Recreation proposal ranked highest and that's our recommendation. Their equipment had elements of play for both younger and older children." The Parks and Rec Committee based their recommendation on aesthetics and design, play elements and play value, creativity of design, durability and warrant and price. Said Ann, "The intent is to have it done by the end of July." Madelyn Creek is a 120 unit townhome development in which 68 units are currently developed, at the intersection of Hwy 5 and Bavaria Road in Victoria.
VICTORIA STILL WANTS FOUR-LANE ROADS “MnDOT IS NOT DONE WITH US YET” Mayor Mary Thun reported on Tuesday, May 29th, that she attended a meeting of community people where the consensus was that the current improvements being made to Highway 5 are not the end of the story. "We have not lost sight of the fact that we need a four-lane highway," said Mayor Thun. "Everyone made it clear that MnDOT is not done with us yet. This whole area is crying for a four-lane road -- Hwy 5 and Hwy 7 -- and the completion of Hwy 212."
CITY OF VICTORI ACTS AS CONDUIT FOR HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL On May 29th, Victoria city councilmembers authorized the City of Victoria to act as a conduit for Holy Family Catholic High School in Victoria to refinance their tax-exempt bonds. The city acted as the conduit for the original bond issue in 1999, and has done the same thing in the past for Emerald Crest, Mount Olivet, and the Minnetonka Ice Arena. Stated Administrator Don Uram, "They can take advantage of our tax exempt status to get a good interest rate. The city is not on the hook in any way." He said the school will save approximately $200,000 annually with the refinancing and a public hearing has been tentatively set for June 25th. Said Councilmenber Jim Crowley, "It's like co-signing but without any responsibility." It's permitted by both state and federal law.
SEEKING BETTER CHECKS AND BALANCES CONSENT AGENDA NOT FOR CAPITAL EXPENSES Councilmember Jim Crowley commented May 14th on the significant amount of city expenditures that appeared on the consent agenda rather than the discussion agenda. He pointed specifically to $327,000 being spent on radios, generator, sealcoating, and two lawnmowers. "I'm surprised at this," said Councilmember Crowley. "None of these items came through the Finance Committee for review. Am I way off the deep end here?" Stated Administrator Don Uram, "We had capital expenditure and general fund expenditures. The expenditures themselves have been presented. The specific piece of equipment? No line item for that." Asked Councilmember Tom O'Connor, "If an expenditure is in a planning document, it's [automatically] approved for purchase?" "Correct," said Mr. Uram. "I'm not sure it should have been on the consent agenda," said Councilmember O'Connor. "It should come to a closure in front of the council. At least three items in here merited discussion. The purchases could have been aired." Stated Mayor Mary Thun, "I think the generator and lawnmowers should not have been on the consent agenda." Said Councilmember Tom Strigel, "Also, if we could see a more analytical detail such as manufacturer recommendations or estimated lifetime of equipment. It doesn't need to be a lengthy discussion. I'd like to see that kind of check and balance." "So anything of consequence should not be on the consent agenda," said Councilmember O'Connor, "and we want more details presented." "I was troubled as well," said Councilmember Kim Roden. |
