Victoria Gazette - The Scoop at City Hall

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HOTEL BEING PROPOSED FOR VICTORIA

COUNCIL INDICATES A LEVEL OF INTEREST

Council and staff held a workshop on November 14th to discuss the possible sale of land in the city's 13.5 acres to a hotel developer. Stated City Manager Laurie Hokkanen, "This is a fairly informal discussion about a fairly high level idea." Stated Community Development Director Ben Landhauser, "We are just looking for feedback. We've been talking to this hotel developer for some period of time. We want to present a couple of different options."

DESIGNING DOWNTOWN VICTORIA WEST

KNOWING INFRASTRUCTURE COST REDUCES RISK

Council voted 4-0 (Lani Basa absent) on November 14th to hire Stantec Consulting Services and Hoisington Koegler Group to complete preliminary design phase services for infrastructure in the city's 13.5 acres, also known as Downtown West. Cost for the design services is not to exceed $133,000. "This is something we've given a lot of thought to," said City Manager Laurie Hokkanen. "The Citizens Survey placed highest priority on downtown development and commercial development."

WECAB FILLING A NEED IN VICTORIA

AND IN SURROUNDING CARVER COUNTY

Mary Hershberger Thuns addressed council and staff under the Open Forum part of the agenda on November 14th. The topic was WeCAB, which is a network of volunteers that provides supplemental transportation to citizens for such things as medical appointments, grocery shopping, church services, and errands.

VICTORIA LIONS PROPOSE YEAR ROUND FACILITY

REPLACING PPORTION OF EXISTING SHELTER

Council and staff received on November 14th a concept proposal that would replace a portion of the existing shelter at Lions Park. It was presented by Al Orsen, 40-year member of the Victoria Lions and new Treasurer of the Club. No public dollars would be used. It would be paid for entirely by the Victoria Lions. Council determined that the next steps would include a trip to the Victoria Planning Commission and Park and Rec Committee for their comments and recommendations.

SNOW EMERGENCY IDEA PROPOSED

WHEN 2 OR MORE INCHES FALL IN VICTORIA

City staff asked councilmembers to consider a snow emergency plan and related parking restrictions in Victoria. Current city code declares no parking on streets after an accumulation of two or more inches, but it doesn't allow for the city to declare a snow emergency. By being able to declare a snow emergency, residents can be notified and reminded to move their vehicles.

MORE DISCUSSION ON 2017 VICTORIA BUDGET

FEW CHANGES SINCE SEPTEMBER

Council held a workshop at 5:30 p.m. November 28th to once more review the city budget and levy proposed for 2017. The preliminary budget was adopted this past September. The final budget will be adopted in December.

Stated Finance Director Kelly Grinnell, "We've talked about the budget and levy a few times this year. "In June we asked department heads for preliminary requests. We got a general feel from Council that you wanted the levy and tax rate kept flat. The tax rate actually went down. We met with the Finance Committee throughout the year. We've held workshops and many months of discussion. We always welcome citizen feedback; we've not gotten a lot to date."

Council also reviewed the various city utility funds as proposed for 2017.

VICTORIA CITY PROJECTS COMPLETED

BEFORE WINTER SETS IN

Three city projects completed before December 1st included Phase One of the Rose Street Parking Lot, Sewer and Water Extension to the new location of Alphabet Junction just north of the Dairy Queen, and the Street and Drainage Improvements on 78th Street and Kochia Lane.

SHORTER CITY SCOOP FROM NOVEMBER

FLOYD’S BAR UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

Council approved the liquor license for Floyd's under new ownership. Previous owner Lois Plocher paid for the license in full. The balance was transferred to the new owner Katie Jensen, who is the past Floyd's manager.

COMPLETE CITY SCOOP REPORTED IN PAPER EDITION.

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City of Victoria 952-443-2771

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