Victoria Gazette - The Scoop at City Hall

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AT LEAST THREE VICTORIA COUNCILMEMBERS

ARE CONNECTED TO THE ONGOING LAWSUIT

The claims roster was removed from the Consent Agenda on February 13th because it included an invoice to the Hoff Barry lawfirm, hired to defend four city councilmembers in the Funk lawsuit against them, first filed in 2014.

CITY OF VICTORIA IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE

FOR PAST VIOLATIONS OF OPEN MEETING LAW

Lawrence Gubbe, a resident on Bavaria Road, and original plaintiff in the lawsuit, spoke to councilmembers as part of the Open Forum on February 13th, about invoices the City of Victoria has paid and is paying to the Hoff Barry lawfirm in regard to the lawsuit that embroils both city and councilmembers.

MOST CITY COMMITTEE AND COMMISSION MTGS

TO BE AUDIO OR VIDEO RECORDED IN VICTORIA

After more discussion on February 13th, agreement was reached in regard to the several city committees and commissions including City Council, Planning Commission, Park and Rec Committee (and Swimming Pool Subcommittee), Finance Committee, Victoria for a Lifetime, Comp Plan Steering Committee, and Water Use Task Force.

CITIZEN GROUP TO LOOK AT SMALL LAKES

FOR CONSISTENT DEVELOPMENT IN VICTORIA

Beverly Tokarz, a resident on Rolling Acres Road and Schutz Lake, spoke as part of the Open Forum on February 13th about a recent council meeting and the decision to approve Waterford Landing. "We felt the city council truly listened to our concerns," she said about the January 23rd council meeting.

VICTORIA’S FIRST FULL TIME FIRE CHIEF

ANNUAL REPORT SHOWS CONTINUED GROWTH

Andrew Heger is in the midst of his first year as Victoria's full time fire chief, which means his office at the Victoria Fire Station has taken on a whole new full time role. He reported the Department now includes 35 people, six of them newly hired in 2016.

$1.2 MILLION STREET PROJECT IN 2017

INCLUDES SEVERAL VICTORIA NEIGHBORHOODS

Council held a public hearing February 27th on the 2017 street and utility improvement projects and subsequently voted 4-0 to order the improvements and prepare plans and specs. Mayor Funk was absent. There were 50 to 60 people in attendance. Five spoke at the podium said they didn't see a need for the proposed scope of project.

USING PERSONAL EMAIL FOR CITY BUSINESS

VICTORIA CITY ATTORNEY ADVISES AGAINST IT

On Feb. 13th Councilmember Tom Strigel spoke to the mayor. "I hoped this would not be necessary," he said. "After listening last month to the city attorney present in a clear and concise way, a summary of our roles and responsibilities, and closing by imploring all councilmembers to only use our city email accounts to conduct city business, and in the past election and the wide range of misstatements, half-truths and pledges of real transparency, I then listened to you invite your followers to continue using your personal email address.”

VICTORIA COUNCIL MINUTES UNDER SCRUTINY

FOR ACCURACY AND FULL DISCLOSURE

On February 13th, Mayor Funk asked for revisions to the minutes of the January 23rd city council workshop, including a line that referred to a "campaign promise." He said his intention was different than the minutes reflect. Stated City Attorney Bob Vose, "Minutes are meant to reflect what actually happened, not what was intended."

ALGAE AND CARP AND STORMWATER FUNDS

THERE’S A LOT OF WATER IN CITY OF VICTORIA

On February 27th, Council continued a discussion of water quality on Schutz Lake. This was not an item seeking or requiring a decision but, instead, an item requesting feedback from Council.

MCWD TO BUY LOT ON LAKE WASSERMANN

TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY OF THE LAKE

On February 27th, Council held a discussion regarding the sale of 30 acres of land on the west side of Wassermann Lake, that is being discussed for purchase by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District.

NEW LEADERSHIP FOR VICTORIA BUSINESSES

COUNCIL ASKS VBA TO KEEP THINGS GOING

Joe Lieser introduced himself to council and staff on February 13th as the new President of the Victoria Business Association. He is a Victoria resident on 77th Street and mortgage broker at KleinBank.

CDA IS VICTORIA’S PREFERRED PARTNER

IN BRINGING SR. HOUSING PROJECT TO TOWN

After the 5:30 p.m. workshop on February 27th, it was generally agreed that the City of Victoria would like to partner with the CDA (Carver County Community Development Agency) to get a senior housing project built on a piece of the city's 13.5 acres near the DQ.

The Victoria Fire Department

City of Victoria 952-443-2771

WATERBROOKE

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