City Council Minutes

Pursuant to due call and posted notice thereof, the regular meeting of the Victoria City Council was called to order at 6:35 p.m. by Mayor Hershberger Thun in the Council Chambers at 7951 Rose Street.

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

Absent: None.

Staff Present: Don Uram, City Administrator, Jylan Johnson, Finance Director; Cara Geheren, Engineer; and Mike Norton, City Attorney.

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

A motion was made by Councilmember Roden, 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:

Councilmember Roden removed item 3.B.

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

-B- Accept Donations from Mount Olivet Rolling Acres, Wintergreen Association, Thomas and Susan Gray and Charles and Denise Warta

Councilmember Roden said she removed this to acknowledge the donations to the Victoria Fire Department from the following: Wintergreen Association in the amount of $150, Thomas & Susan Gray in the amount of $150, Charles and Denise Warta in the amount of $300 and a donation from Mount Olivet Rolling Acres to the City in the amount of $300.

A motion was made by Councilmember Roden, to Accept Resolution No. 08-134, A Resolution Accepting Donations to the Victoria Fire Department as outlined in Agenda Statement 08-325. The motion was seconded. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Vote: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays.
 

(4) VISITORS PRESENTATION:

None.
 

(5) OPEN FORUM:

Don Solie, 6360 Maple Ridge, said he has provided a letter and showed a picture of the junction box on the side lot line of their home, adjacent to Baycliffe Road. He requested that the City take some action and said they were never told that this was going to be there. He said it is a huge distraction and distracts from the value of their home. Mr. Solie commented on calling XCel energy and said there are not junction boxes of this size in the City. He stated the junction box is in a residential neighborhood and it is not acceptable. He noted they are trying to work with the City and Staff. Mr. Uram said progress has been slow and they have been in conversation with XCel energy for about two months. He said XCel energy sent a letter saying they would relocate the box at a cost to the City of $9,000 and showed the recommended relocation spot by the other utility boxes. Councilmember Roden asked how the Solie’s feel about the alternative location. Mr. Solie said their preference would be that it disappears. He said they have had no viable explanation of what this box does and why it is needed right on their property. Councilmember Roden questioned managing the road construction projects and who is responsible. She stated it is not right to have an 8 foot tall box on their property that was not approved. Councilmember Roden asked that this be fixed within the next 30 days.

Councilmember Paulsen asked if this was in the plans. Ms. Geheren said it was not in the plans. She said there is an ongoing problem with the right-of-way process and they need to review it.

Mr. Uram said there is a bigger issue with XCel energy and he asked that the City Council give Staff the ability to work with XCel energy. He noted there will not be a quick fix. Mayor Hershberger Thun commented on talking to XCel energy about this box and all the other ones. Councilmember Paulsen said that XCel energy does not have a franchise agreement with the City of Victoria. Mayor Hershberger Thun stated they are not paying ahead.
 

None.
 

-A- 2009 Street, Drainage and Utility Improvements

Ms. Geheren reviewed the history of the street capital improvement program. She explained that all the projects identified are to be complete in 2011. She showed a map of the Lions Park project area. Ms. Geheren said that they are recommending a reclaim with draintile for 81^st Street and a full reconstruction on the other streets. She said the alligator cracking is a sign of complete structural failure. She noted that an overlay would provide 3-5 years and would not be a good solution.

Ms. Geheren stated the total reconstruction cost is $1,559,300. The assessment amount would be $11,681 which works out to approximately $1,204 per year at 6% with a 15-year levy. The total cost for the reclaim with draintile is $113,766 and the assessment amount would be $5,080, which would be $524 per year at 6% with a 15-year levy. Ms. Geheren noted that the numbers can’t go up, but they are not anticipating a significant reduction in the final assessment. She stated this does not include any sanitary sewer repair costs.

Ms. Geheren explained the deferment of special assessment process and said it is available to property owned and occupied by persons 65 years of age or older, or retired by virtue of a permanent and total disability whose sources of income do not exceed low income limit as established by HUD, which for 2008 is $43,050 for a single person household and $49,200 for a two person household. She stated the maximum time the assessment can be deferred is 15-years and interest is accrued during that time period. Ms. Geheren noted that residents may contact the City Clerk to obtain an application for deferment of special assessments.

Ms. Geheren reviewed the impacts of delay with the stormwater rule changes. She said the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District has a goal to have the new rules finalized by June 2009 and projects planned for 2010 construction will be subject to new rules. She noted they have not come up with the specific language with the stormwater rule but the goal is to tighten regulations on road projects. The volume control rule is abstraction (infiltration) of first 0.50 to 1.0–inch over either project area or impervious surface. Ms. Geheren stated the possible added cost of $200,000 to $500,000 would result in an additional $1,500 to $3,700 per unit. She showed a table of the impacts of delay for the total reconstruction and the reclaim with draintile.

Ms. Geheren talked about the options. Councilmember Roden noted that possible delays don’t include the annul maintenance cost or the increased cost of the feasibility studies. Ms. Geheren said the new stormwater requirements will require them to update the CIP.

Councilmember Roden said the two choices are to go forward with the current standards and price or wait and have increased costs to the homeowners and the City. Ms. Geheren said that is correct. Councilmember Roden clarified that the recommendation is to go forward as planned. Mr. Uram said that is correct.

Ms. Geheren stated they have reviewed the sanitary sewer televising information and said that half the sewer will need to be replaced.

Councilmember Amundsen asked what the policy was in 1996 for the City’s portion. Ms. Geheren said it was 70/30.

A motion was made by Councilmember Paulsen, to approve Resolution No. 08-127, A Resolution Ordering Improvement and Preparation of Plans and Specifications as outlined. The motion was seconded. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Vote: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays.

Councilmember Paulsen suggested having a more formal report from the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and have it include the potential impacts on the downtown development and the 13 acres.

Councilmember Amundsen said that this is the type of presentation that should be given in the future so the people know all the facts.

Councilmember Paulsen recommended looking at GIS data that is available.

Councilmember Roden said she agrees with Councilmember Amundsen on the presentation.

The City Council took a technical break at 7:32 p.m.

The City Council reconvened at 7:38 p.m.
 

Ms. Geheren showed a map of the Hartwood neighborhood which consists of Lilac Street, Marigold Street, 79^th Street and 79 ˝ Street. She said they are currently planned for improvements in 2010. Ms. Geheren stated a petition was received from 40% of the property owners asking for the improvement to be moved up to 2009. She showed the project schedule. The feasibility report was completed in 2003 and they are anticipating they could have that updated by the 22^nd so it would be on the same schedule as the Lions Park project and bid together. Ms. Geheren said the cost is estimated to be about $700,000. She said if they did all the projects it would be about 3.5 million. Ms. Geheren said the residents viewed this as an opportunity to reduce their costs.

Ms. Johnson stated by moving the project from 2010 to 2009, the impact would be approximately $30,000 to the levy.

Councilmember Roden asked if the residents have an estimate of what the cost will be. Ms. Geheren said they have been given a range of what the assessments have been.

Councilmember Paulsen commented on the debt and asked for stress tests. Mr. Uram said that it balances out in the long term and there is the opportunity to combine this project with the two other projects. He said they are working on putting together a financial plan.

A motion was made by Councilmember Amundsen Declaring Adequacy of Petition and Ordering Preparation of Feasibility Report by Approving Resolution 08-139. The motion was seconded. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Vote: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays.
 

-A- City Hall Update

Mr. Uram said he is aware of the financial conditions and continue to look at the most cost effective alternative. He stated there will be a full report at the next City Council meeting on December 11^th. Councilmember Amundsen commented on the Lions Club and asked the City to consider them as an extension of the City services and find them accommodations.

Mayor Hershberger Thun provided a handout from the Southwestern Corridor Coalition. She noted they are talking about projects that are ready.

Mayor Hershberger Thun reminded the City Council to turn in the City Administrator evaluation forms by Friday.

The City Council cancelled the December 22^nd meeting.

The City Council discussed transportation and partnerships.

Mayor Hershberger Thun said the Ye Old Spirit Fest Senior Holiday Party will be on December 9^th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
 

None.
 

None.
 

A motion was made by Councilmember Amundsen, to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 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.