City Council Minutes

Pursuant to due call and posted notice thereof, the regular meeting of the Victoria City Council was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Hershberger Thun in the Council Chambers at 7951 Rose.

Members Present: Mayor: Mary Hershberger Thun; Councilmembers: Tim Amundsen, Jim Paulsen, Kim Roden and Rick Tieden.

Absent: None.

Staff Present: Don Uram, City Administrator, Holly Kreft, Community Development Director, and Sarah Sonsalla, City Attorney.

Others Present: Sue Orsen, The Victoria Gazette; and others.
 

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

Mayor Hershberger Thun read aloud the items to be considered under the Consent Agenda.

The Consent items were as follows:

Minutes of the August 28, 2008 City Council Meeting
Payment of Bills $506,053.09

-A- Field House Membership Summary

1) Agenda Statement No. 08-250
2) Exhibits

-B- Approval of the 2008-2009 Three Rivers Park District Winter Trails Activity Permit

1) Agenda Statement No. 08-251
2) Exhibits

-C- Authorization to hire staff for Field House/Park and Recreation Department

1) Agenda Statement No. 08-252
2) Exhibits

-D- Baycliffe neighborhood Area Street and Drainage Improvements ~ Payment Request No. 1

1) Agenda Statement No. 08-253
2) Exhibits

-E- 2008 Street, Drainage, and Utility Improvements ~ Payment Request No. 3

1) Agenda Statement No. 08-254
2) Exhibits

-F- Approval of the Finance Director/Treasurer's Employment Agreement

1) Agenda Statement No. 08-255
2) Exhibits

-G- Accept Donations to the Victoria Fire Department from Deer Run Homeowner's Group and the Shores of Steiger Lake

1) Agenda Statement No. 08-256
2) Exhibits
3) Resolution No. 08-95

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

(4) VISITORS PRESENTATION:

-A- Victoria Fire Relief Association presentation of Audit

Jeff Nordeen provided a 2007 of the Victoria Fire Relief Associations 2007 audit. He explained that there were two findings in the audit. Mr. Nordeen summarized that the audit revealed minor issues including oversight, duty segregation and being well positioned to continue the goal of reaching and maintaining 100% funded ratio.

Mr. Nordeen reviewed the funded level status and noted that over the past five years it went from 55.5% to 94.5%. He said a big impact has been the city contribution.

Mr. Nordeen indicated that there are four potential retirees. One person has verbally stated they will be retiring in January or February of 2009.

Mayor Hershberger Thun commented on preparing and auditing the financial statements and asked how that will be handled. Mr. Nordeen said for this audit it will be left how it is. He stated there could be a potential of using the same auditor the city does and noted there could be some cost savings. Mr. Uram said they have discussed using the same auditors the city uses and they plan on pursuing it over the next six months. He noted he doesn’t see a problem with using the same auditors.

Councilmember Paulsen commented on the financial statements and investment results and commended the process. He asked that in the years ahead, to have a team of investment professionals so they aren’t stuck with one individual.

Councilmember Roden said in future years she would like to look at a table on how to accommodate the future retirees.

Councilmember Amundsen commended them for their service.
 

(5) OPEN FORUM:

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Ms. Kreft said the city was successful in being selected as one of the five communities for the 1000 Friends for Community Growth that will help with planning over the next five to six years. Ms. Kreft said there is an agreement attached that has been reviewed by the City Attorney. The final draft is available for execution and staff is recommending approval.

Councilmember Paulsen commended Ms. Kreft, staff and people who played a role in this that aren’t here.

Councilmember Roden noted that they have interviewed some firms designated by McKnight Foundation and 1000 Friends.

Councilmember Tieden said they are excited about the opportunities for development.

A motion was made by Councilmember Paulsen, to approve Resolution 08-96 as drafted. The motion was seconded. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Vote: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays.

-B- Lease of City-owned Property

Ms. Kreft explained that Southview Dairy is the current lessee of the property and they have requested a two-year extension to the existing lease. She said that currently the price per acre is $135 and staff is recommending an increase to $145 per acre. She noted there is the existing farm lease and this would be updated and brought back on a consent agenda.

Councilmember Paulsen said he thought they could get more than a $10 per acre increase. Ms. Kreft stated that as an alternate the City Council could choose to authorize for bids. Councilmember Paulsen said he does not want to commit to a two-year lease; it should be done annually to have more control over the asset. Ms. Kreft said she could ask if they are willing to do that.

A motion was made by Councilmember Paulsen, to Approve Resolution 08-97 and move forward to lease the 90 acres the City owns to Southview Dairy for one year at $145 per acre terminating December 31, 2009. The motion was seconded.

Councilmember Roden noted her concern with the petitioner not being at the meeting Mayor Hershberger Thun said there would be an option to revisit.

Mayor Hershberger Thun asked where Southview Dairy is located. Ms. Kreft responded on County Road 43.

Mayor Hershberger Thun said she thinks $145 per acre and two years is very good. She noted that it is difficult to rent farmland.

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

-C- Potential Land Sale

Ms. Kreft explained that the city was approached by the Spargo’s regarding a sliver of property owned by the city. She stated the small piece was acquired by the city in 1974 as an outlot to the Yetzer’s Addition. She noted that staff is unable to locate the deed and is working with the land record’s department.

Councilmember Paulsen said he is not inclined to sell the land. He commented on doing a plan for all the land on the east side of Rolling Acres Road. He said there should not be spot zoning. Councilmember Paulsen stated there should be comprehensive plans for whole areas. He said the city needs to consider all the parcels and that a plan needs to be done that envisions the future. Councilmember Paulsen noted that he visited with Mr. Vanderlinde on his plan and said they are showing two access points.

Mayor Hershberger Thun asked if the property owners had any concerns with the approval of the development at the last meeting. Ms. Kreft said they did not raise any concerns.

Mayor Hershberger Thun asked about the property to the north. Ms. Kreft said that the Planning Commission looked at ghost planning to the north as part of the review with Bavaria Acres. Councilmember Paulsen questioned having a comprehensive plan with rural and ghost planning and commented on all the parcels fitting together in one plan. Ms. Kreft explained that the zoning and comprehensive plan guiding for this area is in conflict. She said the Vanderlinde piece is zoned and guided agricultural and the parcels to the north were zoned as residential but guided as agricultural. The recommendation from the task force was to guide the Vanderlinde property as residential to match the existing zoning. Councilmember Paulsen asked why they don’t slow down and get in done in a comprehensive manner. Ms. Kreft said they have been looking at this for the past year. Councilmember Roden said there were discussions with the comprehensive task force.

Councilmember Paulsen asked how many access points where going to be on the Vanderlinde property. Ms. Kreft said they envisioned one access point on to Bavaria Road.

Ron Spargo, applicant requesting the purchase of this property, said he lives to the north of the piece of property. He noted he built his house 30 years ago and since that time his family has been maintaining the 60 feet of property as if it were their own. He stated this request is to ensure that they can continue to do that and nothing will change. He noted it does not allow him to subdivide the property. Mr. Spargo explained the reason they are so close to the property line is that when they built staff recommended the house be positioned on farthest south line of the property.

Randy Vanderlinde, showed a sketch of their property which was made up before the Cornerstone development. He said he is concerned about the compatibility. Councilmember Paulsen said this is a 2030 land plan being put adjacent to a rural land plan and that is the issue. Ms. Kreft clarified that this is the same plan presented to the Comprehensive Task Force. Mr. Vanderlinde said yes. Ms. Kreft noted the discussion with the Comprehensive Task Force was about density and guiding. Councilmember Amundsen reiterated that it is now guided as residential and they need to look at how that is going to tie in with that area.

Mr. Uram commented on the rural subdivision being problematic and said it may be incompatible with future land uses.

Councilmember Amundsen asked what the cons are to selling the property. Councilmember Paulsen said the con is not knowing if it is needed or not.

Mr. Uram said if the City Council is interested in selling the piece of property he would recommend advertising for bids from a fiduciary standpoint.

Councilmember Amundsen said a piece of property aligns up directly across from a trail on the west side and that trail ends. He commented on the potential connection to the east. Mr. Uram noted that if the city was interested in extending the trail that they work with the property owner.

A motion was made by Councilmember Roden, to authorize staff to advertise for the sale of the public property located in outlot A of the Yetzer’s Addition. The motion failed for lack of a second.

Councilmember Paulsen said this should be tabled to get the plan together.

Councilmember Amundsen commented on if there is any interest from the Cornerstone development.

Mr. Spargo requested that the motion be tabled until the deed to the property is found which may indicate what the property was intended to be used for. He said he also spoke with Mr. Snader and his wife regarding this and he is in favor of something being done with it other than what is being done now.

With the majority of the members voting in favor, the motion carried. Vote: 3 Ayes (Councilmember Paulsen, Councilmember Tieden, Councilmember Amundsen, 2 Nays (Mayor Hershberger Thun and Councilmember Roden).
 

-A- Update on 13.5 Acres

Mr. Uram said there is no new news and they will continue to meet with developers.

Mr. Uram explained that the Park and Recreation Committee are in favor of doing something with the soccer fields and a plan has gone to the school district. He noted there should be a new grading plan within a week.

Councilmember Amundsen commented on the grading being designed to save on costs and asked how much clay or black dirt there is and what the impact would be. Mr. Uram said this was discussed and they don’t know exactly what will be pulled out of the pond. He noted they talked about doing soil borings on the existing soccer fields and making sure they don’t have sentiment in the future. Councilmember Paulsen said the Park and Recreation Committee talked about doing everything they can to help the school district with the costs.

Mr. Uram stated that they have received a lease proposal from the Creamery project to lease approximately 8,000 square feet. He recommended having a workshop on October 9^th at 5:00 p.m. to discuss the City Hall. Councilmember Amundsen said they also need to look at the parking. Councilmember Paulsen commented on having an executable, controllable plan so the parking problem isn’t passed on to future City Councils. Councilmember Roden noted she may not be able to make the workshop. Mr. Uram said they could look at the second meeting in October. The City Council decided to hold a workshop on October 23, 2008 at 5:00 p.m.

Mr. Uram noted there will be a workshop on September 25, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. to discuss Council salaries and the consideration of the city to look at alternative revenue sources for future needs.

Councilmember Roden reported the Park and Recreation Committee worked on an education project in Kirklachen with rain gardens. She said there were 30-40 volunteers. She stated that the total project cost was approximately $47,000 of which the city contributed $10,000, the Minnehaha Watershed District contributed $7,500 and the rest was donated through sponsorships or financial contributions. She thanked staff, the committee members, volunteers, companies, and the neighbors. Councilmember Roden stated that rain gardens are a depression designed to absorb rain water runoff from impervious urban surfaces. They also assist with storm water management and are good with reducing pollution

Councilmember Paulsen talked about an emergency preparedness meeting and asked for support from the City Council to advance the emergency preparedness issue. Mr. Uram said he agrees there needs to be a specific plan for the City of Victoria. Mayor Hershberger Thun asked for a timetable at the next meeting. Councilmember Amundsen commented on having education and making sure all the work is done before money is spent.

Councilmember Paulsen commented on a meeting regarding transit and toll roads and said they should work with Waconia on the tax. He said they should also consider a site for a park and ride in downtown. The City Council agreed.

Councilmember Paulsen asked what the deliverables are with the Highway 5 study. Ms. Kreft said the plan will be ready in October and Mn/DOT is working on a pictorial. She noted the final draft will come back before the City Council and the next step would be to have the cities along the corridor decide if they want to officially map the right-of-way. Mayor Hershberger Thun noted this is a corridor study that only gives a preferred alternative plan. Councilmember Paulsen asked if this will be part of the comprehensive plan. Ms. Kreft said that has not been the intent. Councilmember Paulsen asked for a hard copy of the comprehensive plan.

Mayor Hershberger Thun commented on the advocacy for Highway 5 and noted information will be available for Volksfest. She said they will be having quarterly meetings with Mn/DOT to keep the focus.

Councilmember Tieden talked about the Association of Carver County Elected Leaders meeting regarding the fiber optic. He has asked a Steve Taylor to come and give a detailed presentation. He reported that they chose the vendor, Jaguar Communications to provide the fiber. Councilmember Tieden noted the county has 22 different T-1 lines which are copper lines for the transmission of data. He said the speed of communication would be 700 times faster. Councilmember Tieden said there are nine hubs and about 70 miles. He stated the proposed amount of money is $2.5 million dollars. He explained that they need to get the cable across the river to Scott County. He noted they anticipate the cost to pay for itself in seven to eight years. Mayor Hershberger Thun said one of her questions will be how much money, in the long run, will Jaguar make out of this deal. Her other question is how long will it take the residents of Victoria to get this.
 

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A motion was made by Councilmember Tieden to adjourn the meeting at 8:04 p.m. The motion was seconded. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Vote: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays.
 

Respectfully submitted,

Tanya Schmieg
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.