Victoria Gazette - The Scoop at City Hall

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APPROVING A WALL BETWEEN NEIGHBORS

COST TO BE CARRIED BY THE CITY OF VICTORIA

Council voted 5-0 on October 8th to approve an expenditure of $5,940 towards the construction of a retaining wall on Woods Drive in Wassermann Lake Woods. The retaining wall is to be constructed on a lot line between two single family homes, where there is a sharp three-foot drop between the properties. Said Kelly Grinnell, Finance Director sitting in as Interim City Manager that evening, "Staff has talked about this and the precedent that could be set. Staff agreed it's a private property issue." Mayor Funk, however, asked that the city pay for the construction of the retaining wall.

GRADING BETWEEN VICTORIA HOMES

MORE COMPLEX WITH SMALL SIDEYARD SETBACKS

Council held a workshop on October 22nd to talk about who is responsible for the proper grading of lots in the city, who is responsible for the inspection and review of that grading, how can the city ensure six inches of topsoil, and how to prevent clear cutting of trees. The workshop came about because of discussion on October 8th about the grading problem between two single family homes (above).

CITY OF VICTORIA PLOWS PUBLIC PARKING LOTS

PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS PLOW THEIR OWN LOTS

Responding to a request from Mayor Funk, Public Works and Parks Director Ann Mahnke reported on the city's downtown snow removal policy "No event is ever the same," said Ann. "It takes roughly nine hours for a six-inch snow event. We use two bobcats and one pickup truck to clear the parking lots and sidewalks. We use one bobcat and four dump trucks to haul snow. All the businesses assist with clearing the walks. The businesses really help if the snow is during the day."

VICTORIA’S COMPOST SITE CLOSES JAN. 2019

CONSIDERING OTHER OPTIONS FOR RESIDENTS

Interim City Manager Doug Reeder had introduced the compost item that evening. "The county is notifying us that they're closing their compost site. Victoria has a very small compost site, only 2500 square feet. As Victoria gets larger, the site will be totally inadequate. It's not great enough nor accessible enough. We could end up with a traffic jam like the county has. We spend $25,000 to run the site. It's probably better to close the door now, in the short run. Staff is recommending that Council consider we no longer operate the site. We have received comments from residents that they use the site."

LOOKING TO CUT VICTORIA CITY BUDGET

MAYOR FUNK WANTS 3% CUT ACROSS THE BOARD

At the request of Mayor Funk, a workshop will be scheduled to look at what items in the preliminary city budget could be cut. A final budget is not approved until December. Said Mayor Funk, "I've been looking at credit card statements and salary increases and consultant expenditures. I'm not saying we cut police or fire. Our budget went up 8%. I'd like to see a 3% cut. I think that's a valid discussion. We're doing well with our AAA spending. I want to give a 3% target to see if its achievable."

Stated Councilmember Tom Vogt, "There are only 26 full time employees and 12 to 15 part time employees. This initiative looks good politically. The perception is that this looks good, but it's on the backs of the employees.”

VICTORIA PREPARES FOR EMERALD ASH BORER

COULD REACH THE CITY IN ABOUT FIVE YEARS

Council voted 5-0 on October 8th to hire Rainbow Treecare to create a Boulevard and Park Tree Management Plan and an Emerald Ash Borer Management Strategy, at a cost not to exceed $37,500.

SHARON EKLUND KEEPS HER APPOINTMENT

ON VICTORIA’S DOWNTOWN PARKING TASK FORCE

Back in August, Council appointed ten members to a Downtown Parking Task Force. On September 24th, Sharon Eklund was removed from the Task Force because she signed up to be a candidate for the Victoria City Council. In her place, Jim Paulsen was appointed but he declined the appointment, having not expressed an interest in the position. There were other residents on a list, however, who had expressed interest in the appointment. On October 8th, Council voted 5-0 to reinstate Sharon Eklund to the Parking Task Force.

VICTORIA HAS 43 MILES OF STREETS

“AND GREAT PEOPLE IN ITS NEIGHBORHOODS”

City Engineer Cara Geheren gave an overview of Victoria's Street Improvement Program on October 8th. "This is to start a discussion," she said, pointing out that nearly all of the city's streets have now been improved. Implementation of the program began in 2003 with the downtown street and utility improvements.

RENTAL AGREEMENTS FOR LIONS PARK PAVILION

BUILDING HAS YEAR ROUND CAPABILITIES

On October 22nd, Council approved the rental agreement and rental fees for the Lions Pavilion. The new facility has year-round rental capabilities and, as Ann Mahnke reported, "is a significant upgrade as a rental option." Major changes, compared to the previous old shelter, include allowing alcohol on premise and also sale of alcohol on premise.

THE LONG CITY SCOOP IS LOCATED IN THE PAPER EDITION.

The Victoria Fire Department

City of Victoria 952-443-2771

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