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COMMUNICATING WITH THE WATERSHED VICTORIA SEEKS ANSWERS, SENDS LETTER Council voted 3-2 on March 9th to draft two letters to be sent to the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, stating concerns and asking questions about the District’s intentions in nearby Laketown Township. The District is trying to purchase land that will be annexed one day to the City of Victoria and downsize the city’s development plans. Those in favor of the letters: Councilmembers Jim Paulsen, Kim Roden, and Tom O’Connor. Those against: Mayor Mary Thun and Councilmember Tim Amundsen. As he introduced the agenda item on March 8th, City Administrator Don Uram said he did receive a batch of questions from the councilmembers, as discussed last month, that a letter was drafted, that he re-drafted that letter, there was significant discussion, and more drafts. “If Council could reach a consensus, we could prepare a final draft letter,” said Mr. Uram. “A unified front would be more effective.” Content of the letter or letters, and questions, to the MCWD centers on land use, wasting dollars to purchase green space that the City of Victoria gets free through development agreements, and rules of the game. “What obligation does the Watershed District have to respond to us?” asked Councilmember Roden. “Nothing probably legal,” replied City Attorney Mike Norton, “but out of respect they might.” Stated Councilmember Amundsen, “I think this is an issue where we grab the ball and run with it, as Senator Ortman has said.” He added, however, “I’d like to get the answers in a dialogue and not a duel.” “This is addressed to the Watershed District, but it’s far larger than that,” said Councilmember Paulsen. “It’s my assessment that the letter wasn’t written; it was built.” Said Councilmember O’Connor, “There are two audiences for the letter. First is the Watershed District, and the next is yet to be defined.” Mayor Thun spoke about the letter and the language in the letter. “Unfortunately, I cannot be in favor of this,” she said. “The way the original letter has been drafted, I cannot support it. One of the most important things to me is to work with other entities and that list is endless.” “Having studied all of the documents, having talked to one of the Hennepin County Supervisors, I think some of the language is inappropriate,” continued the mayor. “Regardless of the size of our city, we have an obligation to be at their meetings if we feel it’s necessary. “We have received letters from the District president. I’m not comfortable with saying to another agency that they have not been communicating to us ... “I believe we as a council, as a city, have very important questions to ask the Watershed District. I don’t believe a letter or letters should be in a lecturing tone. I strongly request that you take a look at the letter that I have prepared. I believe I’ve removed all of the lecturing or repetitive statements.” Stated Councilmember Roden, “I don’t see the statements as lecturing but as putting things on record. If someone wants to get offended, that’s certainly their choice. We’re just stating facts, which is an appropriate thing for us to do.” “I’m at the point where we should be very clear about what we believe,” continued Councilmember Roden. “I’m not opposed to hearings alternatives to the letter, but I’m looking for answers. I don’t interpret the letter as lecturing. They can tell us where we’re wrong. It’s transparency. I don’t see a need to be overly diplomatic. Another body has told us how to do our job, so there’s a lot of offense to go around.” Council voted 3-2 on March 9th to draft two letters to be sent to the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, stating concerns and asking questions about the District’s intentions in nearby Laketown Township. The District is trying to purchase land that will be annexed one day to the City of Victoria and downsize the city’s development plans. Those in favor of the letters: Councilmembers Jim Paulsen, Kim Roden, and Tom O’Connor. Those against: Mayor Mary Thun and Councilmember Tim Amundsen. As he introduced the agenda item on March 8th, City Administrator Don Uram said he did receive a batch of questions from the councilmembers, as discussed last month, that a letter was drafted, that he re-drafted that letter, there was significant discussion, and more drafts. “If Council could reach a consensus, we could prepare a final draft letter,” said Mr. Uram. “A unified front would be more effective.”
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April 2010 |
