City Council Minutes

Pursuant to due call and posted notice thereof, the regular meeting of the Victoria City Council was called to order at 6:37 p.m. by Mayor Hershberger Thun in the Council Chambers at 7951 Rose.

Members Present: Mayor: Mary Hershberger Thun; Councilmembers: Tim Amundsen, Tom O’Connor, Jim Paulsen, Kim Roden.

Absent: None.

Staff Present: Don Uram, City Administrator, Holly Kreft, Community Development Director, Mike Norton, City Attorney; Ann Mahnke, Park and Recreation/Field House Director; Jennifer Kretsch, City Clerk; Jylan Johnson, Finance Director, Cara Geheren, TKDA.

Others Present: Unsie Zuege, The Chanhassen Villager; Sue Orsen, Victoria Gazette, and others.
 

Mr. Uram administered the oath of office to Mary Hershberger Thun for the Office of Mayor.

Mr. Uram administered the oath of office to Tom O’Connor for the Office of Council Member.

Mr. Uram administered the oath of office to Kim Roden for the Office of Council Member.
 

Mayor Hershburger Thun presented Rick Tieden with a service award for his eight years of tireless work on the Victoria City Council.

Mr. Tieden thanked the Mayor and Council for the award and noted he has been appointed to the Carver County Parks Commission.

Mayor Hershberger Thun gave some comments regarding the future of Victoria.
 

Mr. Uram asked that the Carver County Sheriff’s Office be added under Visitor’s Presentation. He noted he will also discuss the January 22^nd Council meeting under 15-A.

A motion was made by Councilmember Paulsen, to adopt the Agenda as revised above. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Vote: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays.
 

(5) OPEN FORUM:

None.
 

Eric Boeder thanked the Council for the opportunity to serve the City for the last four years and discussed his new position within the Sheriff’s office.

Josh Baker stated he has served the City of Victoria for the last year and a half on the night shift and looks forward to serving as town deputy.

Scott Hochstedler, Lennar, provided an update on Lennar, the Rhapsody community. He also discussed current and future marketing plans.

Councilmember Roden asked about the park. Mr. Hochstedler discussed the proposed plan and noted the timing is up to the developer, Lyman.
 

-A- City Council member Assignments, Consulting Staff, Fire Department Officers, Other Commissions and City Protocol/Miscellaneous Appointments

Mr. Uram presented the assignments, committee representations, and appointments.

A motion was made by Councilmember Roden, to Adopt Resolution No. 09-01, A Resolution Approving the 2009 City Council Member Assignments, Consulting Staff Committee/Commission Appointments, Fire Departments Officers, City Protocol, and Miscellaneous Items. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Vote: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays.
 

Mayor Hershberger Thun noted that the Council has decided not to read through the Consent Agenda, though any Councilmember or member of the audience can remove an item for discussion.

The Consent items were as follows:

Minutes of the December 11, 2008 City Council Workshop
Minutes of the December 11, 2008 City Council Meeting

-A- Resolution establishing Procedures Relating to Compliance with reimbursement Bond Regulations under the Internal Revenue Code

1) Agenda Statement No. 09-02
2) Exhibits
3) Resolution No. 09-02

-B- Accept the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT) dividend check in the amount of $4,976

1) Agenda Statement No. 09-03
2) Exhibits

-C- Financial Reports for the month-ending November 30, 2008

1) Agenda Statement No. 09-04
2) Exhibits

-D- Field House memberships and monthly financials

1) Agenda Statement No. 09-05
2) Exhibits

-E- Request authorization to hire staff for the Field House/Parks and Recreation

1) Agenda Statement No. 09-06
2) Exhibits

-F- Approval of a Field House Fitness Equipment Lease in the amount of $16,320 per year for four years

1) Agenda Statement No. 09-07
2) Exhibits
3) Resolution No. 09-03

-G- Baycliffe Neighborhood Area Street and Drainage Improvements ~ Payment Request No. 4 in the amount of $37,352.63

1) Agenda Statement No. 09-08
2) Exhibits

-H- Authorize staff to apply for a Community Forest Bonding Grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for up to $75,000

1) Agenda Statement No. 09-09
2) Exhibits
3) Resolution No. 09-04

-I- Summary of the City Administrators performance review held in Closed Session on December 11, 2008

1) Agenda Statement No. 09-10
2) Exhibits

A motion was made by Councilmember Paulsen, to adopt the Consent Agenda as presented. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Vote: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays.
 

(9) PAYMENT OF BILLS:

A motion was made by Councilmember Paulsen, to approve January 8, 2009 claims roster in the amount of $946,900.14. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Vote: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays.
 

(10) DONATIONS:

A motion was made by Mayor Hershberger Thun, to Adopt Resolution No. 09-05, A Resolution Accepting the Donation from TKDA to the Victoria Fire Department. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Vote: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays.
 

Councilmember Roden noted that as a follow-up to previous discussion, the Deer Run golf cart permits are required to re-up on an annual basis in order to comply with insurance requirements.

Mayor Hershberger Thun opened the public hearing at 7:15 p.m.

No one spoke.

Mayor Hershberger Thun closed the public hearing at 7:15 p.m.

A motion was made by Councilmember Roden to hold the 1^st and 2^nd Reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 365, An Ordinance to Adopt the 2009 Fee Schedule. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Vote: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays.
 

Mr. Urban discussed the bids received for general contractor, mechanical contractor, and miscellaneous contractors. He noted the asbestos and mold remediation are already underway.

Councilmember Roden noted there continues to be a need for a larger City Hall at some point in the future to accommodate staff. These renovations are being done to make the current City Hall safe for staff.

A motion was made by Councilmember Paulsen, to Approve Resolution No. 09-06, A Resolution authorizing execution of contracts for service and providers listed above. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Vote: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays.
 

Mayor Hershberger Thun thanked Mr. Moja for his service the last four years on the Park and Rec Committee.

A motion was made by Mayor Hershberger Thun, to accept, with regret, the resignation of Jerald Moja from the Park and Recreation Committee.

Councilmember Roden stated her husband, Mr. Moja, really enjoyed his time on the committee and would be happy to help out anyone with questions.

With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Vote: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays.
 

Mr. Uram presented the staff report. He noted staff is also discussing opportunities for Mr. Schwanke to perform some types of engineering services to help reduce miscellaneous costs incurred by TKDA. He noted the City Engineer is fully supportive of that.

Councilmember Roden discussed the possibility of exploring a rental ordinance. She also raised the possibility of discussing vacant homes due to the significant safety concerns. Mr. Uram stated vacant homes do indeed present an issue.

The Council discussed the pros and cons of City inspections of vacant homes.

A motion was made by Councilmember Amundsen, to Adopt Resolution No. 09-07, A Resolution Concerning the Temporary Layoff Employment of William D. Schwanke. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Vote: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays.

Mr. Uram presented the staff report.

The Council and Mr. Uram weighed the benefits of moving the meetings to either Mondays or Tuesdays.

Approving the City Council meeting dates, with the exception of the meetings moving to the 2^nd and 4^th Mondays beginning February 9. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Vote: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays.

-C- Strategic Planning Update

Mr. Uram discussed the qualities of Richard Fusman as a facilitator for the City’s strategic planning.

The Council discussed the pros and cons of utilizing Mr. Fusman’s services for strategic planning sessions.

Councilmember Amundsen suggested department heads also participate.

With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Vote: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays.
 

-A- City Administrator

Mr. Uram proposed the Council meet at the community education room in the water plant for the January 22^nd meeting. He also reported he will be on vacation the last week of January.

-B- Mayor and Council

Mayor Hershberger Thun reported on several upcoming meetings she has been invited to.

The Council discussed the future of Highway 5 and recent discussions with Mn/DOT.

Councilmember Roden discussed the Minnetonka Citizens Academy, the purpose of which is to educate citizens about local government. She suggested Mr. Uram look at the academy and whether it could be replicated in Victoria; it may develop into a feeder system with which to populate the City’s committees.

Councilmember Amundsen discussed the City’s snow-plowing policies.
 

None.
 

There was no closed session.
 

A motion was made by Councilmember O’Connor, to adjourn the meeting at 8:21 p.m. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Vote: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays.
 

Respectfully submitted,

Allison Burr
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.