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KUDOS CONTINUED. "We received RFPs from four firms," said City Manager Don Uram, who solicited from eight municipal law firms. "The Personnel Committee, as well as members of the staff, reviewed the proposals. The consensus was that the proposal from Kennedy and Graven was the most appealing. The Personnel Committee recommends we continue a contract with Kennedy and Graven. The new contract would begin July 1st." Said City Councilmember Jim Crowley, "The mayor and I are on the Personnel Committee. By far, Kennedy and Graven's responses were the best. I believe it's called Depth of the Bench." Said Mayor Tom O'Connor, "To me it wasn't even close." Mike Norton, attorney with Kennedy and Graven, attends nearly all Victoria city council meetings. Said Mr. Uram, "Mike has been instrumental in all the things we've worked on ... from the school to the Rec Center to the new buildings. Now Mike is moving on to do other things." Mr. Uram said it's been a good working relationship with City Attorney Norton. "He always tells me what I'm doing wrong, and I tell him what he's doing wrong." Said Mike, who noted he was sort of caught unawares by this public notice, "I've been here since 2003. Victoria has been a great place to work. This staff and council have dedication. I'm going to retire and will stick around over the next few months until the projects get going" -- referring to the new City Hall and Public Works bldg. New to Victoria will be City Attorney Bob Vose and Assistant City Attorney Rylee Retzer, other legal consultants with Kennedy and Graven. Mike will help in the transition.
MET COUNCIL SHOULD PULL ITS NOSE OUT OF SOCIAL ENGINEERING AND CLIMATE CHANGE The ire of Victoria city councilmembers was evident Monday evening, April 14th, as they reviewed the 2040 Metropolitan Council Comprehensive Plan. It is billed as a "policy document that will guide the region and communities as they update their comp plans by 2018." Community Development Director Holly Kreft drafted a letter and mentioned one of the city's concerns to city councilmembers. "The Plan expands the Met Council's role beyond the traditional three areas of wastewater, stormwater, and water supply," she said. Said Mayor Tom O'Connor, "It frosts me that this group of un-elected people ... They're going to get into social engineering! This is a 130-page book of what they're going to do for you. Does it do any good to howl?" "I'll howl with you," said Councilmember Jim Crowley. Continued the mayor, "This is a significant document that is taking away things that we have. A letter written with stronger language to them and the county would make me feel better." Said Holly, "Council may provide comments to me and I'll incorporate them in the letter." Added the mayor, "They can restrict their scope to their three chartered areas. They're talking about climate change! What if I don't agree with climate change? And who among us wants 5 units per acre as the density standard for Victoria?" Said Councilmember Joe Pavelko, "They're trying to push Minneapolis and St. Paul values on us." Mayor O'Connor said of the Met Council's Plan, "Rather than investing to help Victoria grow, we'd be investing money to help everything grow between Victoria and the Cities. I'm angry and frustrated over this. Everybody wishes there was something more we could do. At least we can go on record against it." Holly reported the Met Council wants a role in water supply, income and racial equity, renewable energy, and greenhouse gas reductions. Said Holly, "Other cities are also working on letters, and we're also working with Metro Cities, of which Victoria is a member. I will submit a letter by April 28th."
FIXING KOCHIA LANE AND 78TH STREET PUBLIC HEARING IN MAY, CONSTRUCTION IN 2015 Council unanimously accepted the feasibility report on improvements to 78th Street and Kochia Lane on April 14th and called for a public hearing on the street and drainage improvements. The public hearing is scheduled for Tues., May 27, at City Hall at 6:30 p.m. City Engineer Cara Geheren estimated total project cost to be $1,507,000 with units assessments of $11,100 per lot. She said since it's a state aid road, it can use the city's state aid funds of $800,000. The remainder is then split 50/50 between the City of Victoria and the benefitting property owners. Cara said there are 32 units -- one per home plus 13 units on the undeveloped Lano-Burau (former Tony and Sally Kerber) property and 7 on the undeveloped School District 112 property. She added, "There is a purchase agreement on the Burau-Lano property. They know we need easements."
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The Victoria GAZETTE |
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May 2014 |
