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August 2009 |
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The Victoria GAZETTE |
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City Scoop Continued |
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FLOYD’S SEWER AND WATER FEES: $72,493 ON NEW ADDITION IN DOWNTOWN VICTORIA Sewer and water fees paid by Rick and Lois Plocher due to the addition being constructed at Floyd’s amounted to $72,493. It included 12 SAC units for the Metropolitan Council Sewer Availability Charge ($24,000), City Sewer Core Fee ($27,000), City Water Core Fee ($19,800), and City Downtown Stormwater Fee ($1,693). Floyd’s requested there be a reduction in the city water and sewer core fees from $46,800 to $24,000, a figure equal to the Met Council fee, and a refund to the bar of $22,800. Council denied the request 4-1 with Tim Amundsen questioning the denial. City Planner Holly Kreft pointed out the Met Council already reduced Floyd’s SAC units from 18 to 9, plus 3 for the mezzanine area of the addition. “Other businesses have not received reductions,” said Holly. “Staff recommendation is to deny the refund.” Explained Lois Plocher, “When I spoke to the Met Council, they were able to reduce it from 18 because I pointed out the hallways and dance floor.” She also believes that the square footage used to determine fees is not fair to them. “If I am busy outside, I am not busy inside. It is a Minnesota patio,” she stated. “I think the state and the counties and the cities should look at this differently.” Lois added, “The Met Council has determined that I am a restaurant and not a bar, but we only use paper and plastic, recyclable, and not plates and dishwashers. These fees are far more than what we had thought they’d be. We’re here appealing what we feel is a high charge.” Said Councilmember Jim Paulsen, “Granted, these fees are large, but on the other side the city has large bills and we have to protect the health of our sewer and water core funds.” Said Councilmember Kim Roden, “This is a lot of money for Lois, for a business. Do we have payment options for a business rather than to get hit all at once? If we can do it for road assessments for property owners, why not something similar for a small business owner?” Councilmember Paulsen said the city shouldn’t be in the banking business. Councilmember Tom O’Connor said he preferred the city getting the cash upfront. Mayor Mary Thun said that helping a fixed income resident or a senior citizen with road assessments is different than helping a business owner. City Manager Don Uram pointed out that with all of the downtown street reconstruction occurring this summer, “There will be lots of fees to property owners coming up in the near future.” Stated Councilmember Amundsen, “The way we charge sewer and water fees seems to correlate with the way other cities do it, but there’s a lack of documentation here on why decisions were made. My questions are in the calculations for restaurants versus bars,” he said as he cast the nay vote.
WORKING VICTORIA’S STRATEGIC PLAN “THERE IS ONLY ONE NAME — DON URAM!” In reviewing the city’s Strategic Plan and goals as laid out and defined in a spring workshop and in past issues of the Victoria Gazette, City Administrator Don Uram stated on July 13th, “We’ll be working on this Plan for quite some time. It’s a work in progress.” He also said he will be giving Council quarterly updates. Said Councilmember Jim Paulsen, “It seems to me that when we use the word ‘Plan,’ we should attach the word ‘Cash.’ Is the Plan a dream? Seems we should have a Cash component.” Councilmember Kim Roden asked for a name to be attached as the owner of the various projects in the Plan. “I’d like a name,” she stated. Replied Mayor Mary Thun, “There is only one name in my opinion, and that’s Don Uram.” Council unanimously adopted the Strategic Plan Report and the action steps to bring the Plan to fruition. Among many details, goals, strategies, and plans are these statements: The city’s Mission Statement: To promote the geographical advantages and environment of our City by providing cost effective, customer service drive, innovative pubic service. The city’s Vision Statement: To create a livable, inclusive, and connected community. The city’s Primary Goals: Develop short term and long term financial plan. Ensure long term organization effectiveness. Market available land for development. Initiate long term partnerships. Develop and implement public buildings plan. Design and implement amenities plan with parks and trails.
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