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The Field House Levy proposed for 2009 is $326,800. Last year that levy was $515,306. As Jylan said, the reduction is due to partnership and payment of $400,000 from School District 112.

Jylan reported that the city portion of property taxes on a $367,000 home in 2008 was $1,363. In 2009 that home will pay $1,372 in city taxes or, roughly, a wash -- if the property valuation remains static, which it never does.

Councilmembers voted to schedule the annual Truth in Taxation hearing for Monday, December 1st, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall on Rose Street. Stated Jylan, “We are not required to hold this hearing but it is our custom to do so.

GOLF CARTS ON PUBLIC STREETS

APPROVED FOR DEER RUN AND LAKETOWN

1st Reading August 14th

“Cities can modify their ordinances to accommodate golf carts on certain city streets,” said Holly Kreft, Community Development Director for the City of Victoria, on August 14th during the first reading of a possible ordinance amendment. “It allows golf carts in certain areas without a permit. Users do need a driver’s license.”

She added that modification would include public streets in the Deer Run neighborhood and also the Laketown Neighborhood, which has direct access to the golf course. “It would be limited to these two neighborhoods at this time.”

The ordinance does not regulate carts driven on the golf course or clubhouse area since that is private property.

Stated Councilmember Jim Paulsen, “We have a simple document in front of us. We’re trying to do a very simple thing, and this privilege is only as good as the people using it. I’m in favor of it. It speaks to the fabric of the neighborhood. It’s a golf cart community.”

Erick Boder, Victoria Town Cop, responded to questions regarding penalties for abuse of the new privilege. “It would be a petty misdemeanor which is $150. It’s actually a community trying to do the right thing. The Sheriff’s Department doesn’t have a horse in this. I’m definitely in support of this ordinance. Golfers on the course and golf paths won’t need permits.”

“What about golfers from Wintergreen?” asked Councilmember Richard Tieden of his own neighborhood. When it was pointed out that accessing the golf course from Wintergreen would mean crossing a county road, he stated, “We can have bicycles on county roads.”

Said Councilmember Kim Roden, “It’s amazing how many golf cart injuries there are [12,000 annually]. They’re dangerous. People don’t wear seatbelts.”

2nd Reading August 28th

Council voted 5-0 to allow the operation of golf carts on public streets in the Deer Run and Laketown neighborhoods. Required permits will cost $25 per golf cart per year; a separate permit to cover the 80 golf carts at the Deer Run Golf Club will cost $200.

Actual city cost of the reflective decal permits are $2. “How did it go from $2 to $25?” asked Councilmember Tim Amundsen. Planner Holly Kreft pointed to “staff time, processing, and overhead.”

Mayor Mary Thun said she received comment that “people generally do not want any kind of charge to use golf carts on public streets.” The mayor added, “That is not possible, and the city does try and do the responsible thing.”

Resident Heather Cole gave a reason for the request from the Deer Run Home-owners Group: “We’ve had a lot of experience with underage kids using golf carts and we want a safe neighborhood.”

IT’S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING

VICTORIA NOW OWNS THE 13.5 ACRES!

Regarding the City of Victoria’s official swap of the 13.5 acres with Three Rivers Park District, City Attorney Mike Norton said on August 14th, “We have resolved the issue and are moving toward closing, hoping for the 26th.”

At the Thursday, August 28th, city council meeting he reported, “The City of Victoria now owns the 13.5 acres. The land swap has concluded. I am thankful to the Three Rivers Park District for their cooperation and to Kelly Hanson, the Carver County Recorder who made it possible to close last week.”

That shoreland property on Lake Auburn is vacant today, but it was not always so. The Lake Auburn Home for the Aged was constructed there in 1928. In 2003 the City of Victoria purchased the Home and 22 acres from MABSSCO for $1.5 million. About 15 of those acres of were deemed to be unbuildable wetland.

Discussions to trade the property for Three Rivers parkland located adjacent to downtown Victoria, just west of the city bridge at Rose Street and Stieger Lake Lane, occurred soon thereafter. The trade has been in process, and is now legally and formally completed.

With development, the 13.5 acres will double the size of Victoria’s central business district. To date, developers have either been turned down by the city or backed out themselves -- including Matt Crowe, Shingobee and Coburn’s, and now Doran and Walker Methodist.

“We received a letter from Doran and they have decided not to move forward with the purchase of the 13.5 acres,” said Holly Kreft, the city’s Community Development Director, on August 14th, 2008. She said that Doran backed out of the proposal based on market studies of Walker Methodist, a group that develops senior housing.

Stated Councilmember Kim Roden, “I’m disappointed but not surprised. Senior housing units are coming online in neighboring communities.”

“It’s a cyclical thing,” stated Councilmember Jim Paulsen.”

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