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The Victoria

GAZETTE

SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THE LMCC

VICTORIA WANTS ADJUSTMENTS OR OUT OF IT

Council voted 4-0 on May 13th to have City Manager Don Uram prepare a letter to be presented to the Lake Minnetonka Communications Commission (LMCC) asking for particulars as to the cost of their services to Victoria.

The LMCC collects $624,000 from its 17 member cities. Staff reported that the City of Victoria contributes $78,000 while nine cities contribute less than $25,000. City Manager Don Uram is recommending that a maximum contribution level, of $25,000 for example, be established to fund a base level of service, such as managing the franchise agreement with Mediacom and taping city council meetings.

Said Mr. Uram, "This is an ongoing discussion over the years. We've talked about various alternatives. Both Waconia and Chanhassen each have their own franchise agreement. Currently the Joint Powers Agreement doesn't allow a member to withdraw. We've spent a lot of money. My recommendation is that there's a cap, a maximum. I recommend a $25,000 cap for us. It would be a significant change for the LMCC."

"We've historically had a challenge trying to get representatives on their board," continued Mr. Uram. "The LMCC currently doesn't allow city administrators or city managers to be a voting member. I think a change in that regard would be good."

"Our fee is based on our number of households," said Mr. Uram. "I think it could be based on the number of households with cable."

"The financial piece will be a challenge to them," he added. "It would mean significant changes on their side to make it work. Without some changes, I'd recommend getting our own franchise with Mediacom."

Agreed Councilmember Jim Crowley, "It's not fair to the City of Victoria for the citizens to be paying that amount."

Said Councilmember Tom Strigel, "I generally support the recommendation."

Currently, said Mr. Uram, the money is collected by Mediacom, who disburses part of it to the LMCC. He said that if Victoria had its own franchise agreement, the city would have costs associated with equipment, cameras, and other outfitting. Now the LMCC pays for those things.

Said Mr. Uram, "I'd like to see the costs for just what Victoria has with them."

Stated Mayor Tom O'Connor, "I'm not at all confident that this will fall on receptive ears, but if you want to write the letter, go ahead."

Mr. Uram said that all Victoria would need is a part-timer to work the equipment, and that $75,000 worth of video equipment is going into the new City Hall. "Winsted also does it alone," he added. "There's also the fiber ring and there are opportunities there."

CONDOLENCES TO MATULA’S AND ROE’S

VICTORIA CITY MANAGER JOINED THE SEARCH

City Manager Don Uram commented on the headline case that involved David Roe of Victoria and Mandy Matula of Eden Prairie. Mandy Matula, 24, has been missing since May 2nd. David Roe, 24, her estranged boyfriend, was about to be questioned by the police but shot himself in the head and died. Search parties were organized to find the body of Mandy Matula.

Said Mr. Uram on May 13th, "In regard to the tragic incident that occurred a couple weeks ago regarding the Matulas and the Roes, my condolences to both families. It was tragic. My partner Sue and myself and her daughter participated in the search that was organized at the Victoria Elementary School on Saturday (May 11th). There was a fantastic turnout of people from all communities, all ages young and old, and I would guess that somewhere between 300 and 400 people showed up at Victoria Elementary. It was a fantastic turnout and well organized. We went out and did our search but unfortunately nothing came up. It was nice to see that people are united in helping to solve that situation. It's great for our community to see such volunteerism. I was excited to see that."

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City Scoop Continued

June 2013