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HOPING TO CONNECT REGIONAL TRAILS

GETTING COST TO LINK VICTORIA AND CHASKA

Council authorized TKDA, the city’s engineering firm, to prepare a cost estimate for construction of a trail that would connect trails between Chaska and Victoria.

According to the Metropolitan Council Parks and Open Spaces Commission, the trail will “provide a link between two regional trails lines and provide community residents and visitors from the community and visitors from the Twin Cities and other areas an enjoyable and scenic trail system. The cities envision that the Carver County Southwest Regional Trail corridor will be completed by 2020.”

Victoria councilmembers authorized the study at a cost not to exceed $2,500. The new construction would connect the existing trail on the east side of Bavaria Road in Chaska, extend north, and connect to the railroad bed trail that traverses downtown Victoria and crosses Park Drive and Rolling Acres Road in Victoria.

“That is a lot of trail,” said Councilmember Jim Paulsen. “If it costs $20 a foot, that’s over $100,000.”

“Let’s see how much it’s going to cost,” said Councilmember Tim Amundsen. “It could be a million dollars if you look at the topography. Place your bets.”

Councilmember Tom O’Connor asked if construction of this trail connection would crowd out the funding for other worthwhile trail projects in Victoria. Administrator Don Uram said the city is looking at other funding sources.

“The Park and Recreation Committee is working on a more detailed plan,” said City Planner Holly Kreft. “Staff is recommending approval.” She confirmed that the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum supports the proposed trail and has offered free arboretum access to all bikers and walkers.

IT’S NOT EASY BEING GREEN

VICTORIA COUNCIL HANDLES PILES OF PAPER

“Can we reduce the amount of paper and number of pages coming to us on a monthly basis?” asked Mayor Mary Thun, on April 27th, referring specifically to the thick council packets distributed at least twice a month. Among other things the mayor remarked, “There are 25 pages alone of payment of bills here and we get that at every council meeting!”

Agreed Councilmember Kim Roden, “I’m interested in receiving more analysis and less data. The value to me would be a one-page summary.” About the financial data she stated, “Most of this is looked at pretty carefully by the Finance Committee. I don’t need to see it every month.”

Councilmember Tom O’Connor also agreed, “I’d prefer to get something a lot less. We’re a board of directors here. We have to trust staff to take care of the line items.”

“We’re not green when it comes to paper use,” Councilmember Jim Paulsen acknowledged.

Said Councilmember Tim Amundsen, “I don’t need the minutiae. I think one paper copy should be available to us,” in order to meet fiduciary responsibility.

In response to all of the above, City Administrator Don Uram stated, “It is priority to me to provide financial information. Part of this is transparency and public disclosure.”

ICE CREAM MAN COMES TO VICTORIA

PURCHASES A $100 PEDDLER’S LICENSE

Council adopted an ordinance on April 13th that charges hawkers and peddlers an annual fee of $100 to conduct their transient street or sidewalk business in the City of Victoria. In the past there was only a fee of $35 per person per week for a license.

Councilmember Tim Amundsen asked about people who have, in the past, driven into Victoria neighborhoods with a group of out of state teenagers selling magazine subscriptions door to door. “We’ve documented problems,” he said. “It’s a question of public safety.”

City Attorney Mike Norton agreed that “some folks are very concerned about the public safety issue,” but pointed out the greater concern has been for the First Amendment right to freedom of speech to provide information.

The First Amendment reads: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Upon approval by city councilmembers, the staff recommendation became a city ordinance and the $100 fee was adopted. Council’s next motion was to approve an annual hawker’s license for Todd Rossi of Chaska, owner of Rossco’s Ice Cream, to sell ice cream treats, soda, chips -- “all pre-packaged food” -- door to door in Victoria. The business is a non-franchised business that operates out of a white van.

Stated Administrator Don Uram, “We did background checks and they’re okay.”

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Drs. Dungey, Menser & Associates

Victoria and Waconia. 952-443-2816