Page Title

Waconia Dodge Chrysler Jeep

Highway 5 * 952-442-2010

Jay Swenson

Chanhassen 952-906-2405

Sue’s Album

A symphony of photos

and fewer than a thousand words

at www.VictoriaGazette.com

The Victoria Lions We Serve.

Lake Auburn Moravian Church

Victoria * 952-443-2051

ABC Family Chiropractic

952-443-3710

Call for a clinic near you.

952-442-8094

Headlines

and bylines

Front Page

Feature Story

From the

Editor

Addie’s

Drawing

Letters

to the Editor

Victoria

Moments

Hook

Line & Sinker

Calendar

of Events

Click here to

Advertise

the Gazette

Return to

Home Page

Order

paper Gazette

Notes and

Quotes

The Scoop

at City Hall

The Chief thanked Administrator Don Uram and Councilmember Tom O'Connor for their work with the Truck Committee, and he also thanked the Committee. "It's been a huge task," he said. "Thank you for making this effort move forward.

Administrator Uram reported the fire engine is being purchased from, and being built by, General Safety Equipment LLC, a subsidiary of Rosenbauer America, a company located in Wyoming, Minnesota.

Resolutions approved by Council that evening referred to HGAC. According to Mr. Uram, "HGAC is the purchasing cooperative that fire departments and cities can join to receive pre-negotiated, lower pricing on equipment such as fire trucks, dump trucks, squad cars, etc. Our research identified this as a faster, more effective, and most cost efficient way for cities to purchase equipment such as fire trucks. We spoke with fire chiefs and city managers from six local cities who have recently used, or are currently using, HGAC to purchase fire trucks. All strongly recommend it and indicated that they definitely received the best pricing available."

A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION

WHEN IT COMES TO LAND TRUSTS IN VICTORIA

Council voted unanimously on August 22nd to sell three city-owned, land-trust, single-family residential lots back to the developers, at their request, for $60,000 and/or $65,000 each -- with no decision at this time as to how or where those funds will be allocated in the city coffers. That decision will be made "in the future."

A motion to deposit the $185,000 into the Land Trust Fund failed with 2-3 vote. Mayor Mary Thun and Councilmember Kim Roden voted in favor of the Land Trust Fund.

A second motion to place the $185,000 into the city's General Fund failed with a 4-1 vote. Councilmember Jim Crowley had made the motion and, according to Robert's Rules and Mayor Thun, was therefore required to vote in favor of the motion, whether or not he changed his mind.

The developers of Rhapsody and Krey Lakes (also known as Lakebridge) were required to dedicate two lots in each subdivision to the City of Victoria for the land trust program. One of the four land trust lots is not being sold to the city.

Designating land trust lots in a development is a way for a city to meet affordable housing criteria set forth by the Metropolitan Council. Making an effort to meet affordable housing goals helps a city get grants from the Metropolitan Council.

According to Holly Kreft, Victoria Community Development Director, both developers asked to purchase the land trust lots in order construct single family homes that would be comparable to others built in the neighborhoods.

According to information provided by the city, homes on these land trust lots are sold at or below 80% of a household's median income. Property owners are required to maintain their yards. Homes are not allowed to be rented by the homeowners and must maintain residency for at least eight months out of the year. The Community Land Trust has the first option to purchase the home at the time it might be for sale. No homes have been built on the land trust lots in Rhapsody and Krey Lakes.

In summary, the developers initially gave the lots to the city, as required, and now the city is selling them back to the developer.

Asked Councilmember Tom O'Connor, "Is there any reason we can't use the dollars for General Fund purposes?"

Replied Holly, "Basically, the city has to meet affordability goals."

Asked Councilmember Tom Strigel, "Is there a penalty if we don't?:

Replied Holly, "We report annually to the Metropolitan Council how we are meeting the goals."

Asked Councilmember Jim Crowley, "What is the credit we receive?"

Replied Holly, "It's tied back to grants from the Metropolitan Council."

At this time the motion to place the $185,000 in the Land Trust Program failed. When Councilmember Crowley made a motion to place the dollars in the city's General Fund, there was strong difference of opinion.

Stated Mayor Thun, "We will continue to budget conservatively. This is such a small amount to contribute to affordability. This is for people who cannot afford $342,000 homes. My vote is absolutely NO! I want to make this a diverse city."

Added Councilmember Roden, "I can't agree more with the mayor."

Said Councilmember Crowley, "I'm looking at this as funding a program that doesn't work. Let's fund a program that works."

Click here to continue Land Trust Discussion.