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Just West of Waconia on Hwy 5

952-442-5000

Sebenaler Chiropractic Center

Chaska * 952-448-9908

CORNERSTONE Insurance Agency

David Barsness * 952-448-5028

8661 Deer Run Dr. * Victoria

952-443-2351

MACKENTHUN’S MEAT & DELI

St. Bonifacius * 952-446-1234

Highway 5 in Victoria

952-443-2491

MOVING TOWARD REAL OWNERSHIP

OF THE 13.5 ACRES FOR DOWNTOWN VICTORIA

The 2006 agreement between the City of Victoria and the Three Rivers Park District regarding a swap of land referred to as “the 13.5 acres,” was amended on April 10th, 2008. The city property was/is located on Lake Auburn. The Park property was/is located between the DQ and existing downtown Victoria business district.

An amendment was necessary because the agreement called for a trail to be constructed across 100 feet of eastern Lake Auburn shoreline that is owned by the Lake Auburn Moravian Church. The agreement called for the City of Victoria to obtain an easement from the Moravian Church for the trail and also contribute $514,500 in “base trail costs.” This included construction of a 10-foot wide bituminous trail from the existing LRT to County Road 11.

That same agreement called for the Park District to pay any trail costs over that amount of $514,500.

It was learned, however, that the Moravian Church owns 600 feet of shoreline, not only 100 feet, making it more difficult to obtain an easement. The two parties [City and Park] have now agreed that the connecting trail should be constructed in back of the church property, through park property, making a church easement unnecessary. The April 2008 amendment agrees that the City of Victoria will pay 50% of trail cost overruns. Because the Park is not requiring that the trail extend to the Lake Auburn Campground, the cost overrun should be minimal, perhaps $500.

Said Holly Kreft, Victoria Director of Community Development, about the 600 feet of shoreline owned by the church, “It didn’t show up on any maps.”

Mayor Mary Thun, recognizing that the City of Victoria still does not have clear title to the 13.5 acres next to the business district, asked, “When will we get this signed? It’s been four to five years now.”

Replied City Attorney Mike Norton, “Now that we have these issues out of the way, I’d like to say in May, but I’ve been wrong before.”

Also on April 10th, City Administrator Steve Sarvi reported that the Doran company is “still very interested” in developing the 13.5 acres. As he said, “Shingobee didn’t seem to have the right mix ... They’re no longer in the game.”

Holly Kreft, Victoria Planner, stated, “Doran would like to execute their original letter of intent with the city.”

“They want to move quickly as well as close on the property,” said Steve. Doran is the company that proposed senior housing through Walker Methodist. There have not been precise details given as to what type of senior housing is being proposed.

Said City Attorney Mike Norton, “I don’t recommend that any of my clients sign a letter of intent. It doesn’t offer any protection to the city ... The contingencies are all basically on their side.” The city attorney recommended instead the usual developer’s agreement.

On April 24th City Attorney Mike Norton reported, “The Three Rivers Park District is reluctant to have us spend more money on title work, which might not be current. We would have to reorder it again, for a closing in June, for example.”

About the city and the Park working together, Attorney Norton said, “There is dynamic tension in the relationship, which is only appropriate.”

ANOTHER UNIT OF GOVERNMENT?

VICTORIA COUNCILMEMBERS NOT VERY INTERESTED

Councilmembers agreed to send an ambassador to a meeting of the Association of Carver County Elected Leaders, and not two representatives from the Victoria City Council as requested by that group. Last month Bob Roepke of Chaska spoke to councilmembers about this new organization composed of members from various units of government.

Stated Mayor Mary Thun about sending an ambassador from Victoria, “I want it clear this is only to get information. I have some serious questions. We are not committing ourselves to anything with this. We have in no way agreed to money, governments, or anything.”

Mayor Thun said, “By agreeing to send two people, we’d be agreeing to the bylaws of the group. When I got this, I was pretty surprised. It’s another level of government. We’ve already got city councils and a county board. This group could end up asking for staff ... I’m a big proponent of working with others, but we already have representatives and senators and school boards and us councilmembers.”

Said Councilmember Kim Roden, “I’m not in the position to take on another meeting for myself. I can’t take it on. If someone else wants to do it, fine.”

Councilmember Tim Amundsen said, “It smells like a metropolitan council appointed by us. I’m not ready to move forward or participate in this.”

Added Councilmember Roden, “I don’t want someone telling us we have to appoint two people, when that’s our decision.”

Asked Councilmember Jim Paulsen, “Why would we do this when it has no central authority?”

Although City Administrator Steve Sarvi had originally recommended the appointment of two city councilmembers to this new unit of government, it was his impromptu recommendation that evening that Council followed. “My recommendation is to send an ambassador to the meeting and see what this is about,’ he said.

“I’d be willing to give it a try,” said Councilmember Richard Tieden, who accepted the ambassador job.

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