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City Attorney Mike Norton, who has been working with Three Rivers on behalf of the City of Victoria, said, “There have been legal technicalities for quite some time. From my perspective, it’s up to the Park District whether they agree with Don [City Administrator Uram] and Cara [City Engineer Geheren] and Holly [City Panner Kreft] and what they want to do about it, if they agree with us or want some other modification.”

Said Mr. Carlson, “We are very much willing and ready to look at a solution and work with the city in solving that. We want to get it wrapped up relatively quickly.”

Councilmember Jim Paulsen said he has some trouble with “the lack of specifics” and added, “We’re a pretty conservative bunch here. We need to work together, over time.”

Replied Mr. Carlson, “I will reiterate all of your comments to the staff.”

It was after the unanimous motion approving the sale of the Hedtke property to Three Rivers that Gregg Hedtke got up to speak at the podium. “My brother Bruce and I jointly own that property right now. It was my father’s and mother’s estates. I thank you for approving this, and what’s really rather ironic, all of the property that is lying to the north and west of our property was literally our family’s, on both sides. My mother’s parents’ farm was directly north. My grandfather’s farm was all around Stieger Lake to the east, so it’s just a final closure of the Park actually acquiring all of our property.’

Said Councilmember Jim Paulsen, “It might be appropriate for some notation or sign made on that property. A property has a tendency to define you when it’s been in the family that long.”

“It’s quite a legacy,” said Councilmember Tom O’Connor. “It would be a shame to lose that history.”

“It’s a very powerful legacy,” said Councilmember Roden.

According to information from Three Rivers Park District, “Purchase of this property would allow the forest along Schutz Lake to be extended to Park Drive and 73rd Street West, creating additional wildlife habitat and establishing these roadways as the Park boundary in this area. Utilizing roadways as Park boundaries minimizes encroachments from adjacent property owners and habitat disturbance from pet and cultured invasive plants. In addition, purchase would also allow tree planting along Park Drive, opposite the large wetland, to screen any future development activities in the area.”

REORGANIZING VICTORIA PUBLIC WORKS

TO BE MORE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE

The City of Victoria is reorganizing its Public Works Department. With a unanimous vote on October 13th, Council approved the recommendations of the Personnel Committee. The Personnel Committee includes the city administrator, the mayor, and one councilmember. This year that councilmember is Tom O’Connor.

The recommendations as approved:

1) Ann Mahnke, the current Interim Public Works/Parks & Rec Director, is now the permanent Public Works Director, effective October 16th.

2) Bruce Osborn, the current Public Works Superintendent, is now the Public Works Water Treatment Plant Operator/Maintenance Worker, effective January 1st, 2010.

3) City will immediately advertise for a new Public Works Superintendent.

City Administrator Don Uram had stated, “We’re looking at ways we can better provide services to the residents of Victoria. We’ve spent several months evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of the operation. We came to a couple of conclusions, generally ...

“The Department works quite well with the possible exception of our Water Treatment Facility. We concluded the city would best be served by designating an individual to be specifically responsible for the Water Treatment Plant and Utilities. In addition, he’d also be required to do the work in the field, such as snowplowing. Bruce is the one person on staff to run the Water Treatment Plant. The Personnel Committee approved this recommendation.”

Stated Councilmember Kim Roden, “I’m excited about this. I think it’s a great recommendation ... Ann does have Public works experience from another job so definitely comes qualified.”

Said Councilmember Tim Amundsen, “It’s a rare individual who can push a shovel and also know how to do spreadsheets. I defy you to find such a person. As we look to fulfill our needs [for a Public Works Superintendent], it would be an outside of the box paradigm shift.”

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