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The Victoria GAZETTE |
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September 2011 |
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Said Councilmember O'Connor, "I agree wholeheartedly with your comments. We don't want 'credit.' We want people living in houses. I want affordable housing also but I'm not at all anxious to fund something that doesn't work." Then Brenda Lano, representative with the Carver County Community Development Agency in the audience, went to speak at the podium. Among other things she said, "You can take that money and help eight families in Katy Hills instead of four in Rhapsody and Krey Lakes." Councilmember Crowley's second motion approved for the sale of the three land trust lots to Lennar and D.R. Horton (the developers), with the allocation of the resulting city funds to be decided in the future. Staff will come back to councilmembers with recommendations to consider in that regard.
IMPROVEMENT AT LIONS PARK AT VICTORIA’S SOFTBALL AND BASEBALL FIELDS Council voted 5-0 on August 22nd to spend $21,000 to improve the softball and baseball fields at Lions Park. Ann Mahnke, Directory of Parks and Recreation as well as Victoria's Public Works Director, explained the situation. There is not enough money for a new fast pitch softball field, she said, which would cost about $80,000 but improvements such as a new fence backstop, increased dugout fencing, and sideline fencing could be done for $16,000. Ann reported that the City of Victoria received a $5,000 Twins Community Matching Grant that can be used toward the fencing, bringing that improvement cost down to $11,000. Also, said Ann, "the fencing is not so good at the Poppitz baseball field. Mike [Poppitz] said that if we helped with the material, he'd get the labor and we'd maybe have an expenditure of $10,000 or so. He has made significant donations to field improvements there. He's raising money for a new scoreboard and a press box." Ann said the $21,000 total could come out of the Park Fee Fund. As for continuing field improvements, she added, "We're going to try and take baby steps over time. This is the first step we can address." "I'm all for girls softball," said Councilmember Jim Crowley, "but we really need a Public Works facility." Explained Mayor Mary Thun, "This is a dedicated fund [Park Fee Fund] and it can't be used for anything else except park improvements." The Parks and Recreation Committee recommended approval of the field improvements in the amount of $21,090.
GETTING READY TO ADOPT LEVY FOR 2012 AND FACING THE “STORM OUT THERE” August 8th, 2011 Finance Director Jylan Johnson presented "assumptions and financial strategies" on August 8th in preparation for a long term financial plan and the 2012 tax levy and budget for the City of Victoria. Although reviewed and recommended by the Finance Committee, it seemed to not sit well with some councilmembers. Main contention was related to what seemed to be an either/or proposal as the Finance Committee had sought to minimize the tax impact on Victoria citizens for 2012. Either the street maintenance plan gets funded or a new Public Works facility gets funded or the tax rate is floated (rather than stable at 37.4%) or the unreserved fund balance drops to 30% (it was 50% in December 2010). The Finance Director said the city's street maintenance currently averages $100,000/year but will be closer to $200,000/year. She said there is $1.15 million to date in a reserve fund for public facilities like a new Public Works building. "I don't like the either/or option," said Councilmember Kim Roden. "What are the other trade-offs? We've made major investments in our streets and I'm not willing to forego maintenance. We built 30-year roads. We have a maintenance program. That's not an option to me. It's ironclad." Asked Councilmember Tom O'Connor, "Has this been extensively reviewed by the Finance Committee?" "Yes," replied Jylan. "And they approved it?" "Yes," replied Jylan. Members of the Finance Committee include residents Greg Evansky and Tom Vogt, Mayor Mary Thun, Councilmember Tom Strigel, Finance Director Jylan Johnson, and City Administrator Don Uram. Stated Councilmember Roden, "I'm wondering why the city isn't looking at the global picture. We've been discussing the Public Works facility and this city facility [City Hall] as well." She asked why a referendum wasn't being considered, "like with schools, when they go to the people."
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City Scoop Continued |
