Victoria MN Newspaper

LAKE MINNETONKA AT RECORD LEVELS

VICTORIA’S SHARE OF LMCD BUDGET GOES UP

Greg Nybeck, executive director of the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District, attended the June 9th city council meeting in Victoria and talked about the LMCD 2015 draft budget and levy. It's going to be more costly for the City of Victoria in 2015.

Six of the 14 cities in the LMCD paid more than the City of Victoria in 2014, but Victoria's share of the total levy is increasing in 2015 more than any of the other lake communities. Eight cities are seeing increases in their share of the LMCD levy while six cities are actually seeing decreases next year.

While the total levy of the LMCD is proposed to be only .6% higher in 2015 than in 2014, Victoria's share of that levy is proposed to be 6.1% higher in 2015. Total 2015 LMCD levy is being proposed at $342,492. Victoria's share: $23,344.

Said Mr. Nybeck, "The maximum levy to a city is a percentage of the total taxable market value. Your net tax capacity went up." Tax capacity is 1% of the taxable value. The Taxable Market Value of Victoria in 2013 was $998,285,000.

Stated Mayor Tom O'Connor, "We don't have the power to veto this, but we can object to it. We're anxious about an organization that can tax us without our control."

Stated Councilmember Tom Strigel, "Victoria is seeing a large increase compared to other communities, but it seems to be going in the right place."

Ann Mahnke, Director of Parks and Public Works, was asked to comment on the various ways the LMCD is treating invasive species on Lake Minnetonka. "We need to have a balance of treatment options," she agreed.

Mr. Nybeck spoke of continued harvesting of milfoil, chemical treatment in the bays, and boat inspections. "There are a lot of qualified marinas on Lake Minnetonka, and they are a good reason for the success of the lake," he said.

He also referred to the recent record high water levels on Lake Minnetonka. "The lake has been in high water level, over 930 feet, since May 13th," he said. "It went up four to five inches in 48 hours. We're at historic levels. There was a unanimous vote for minimum wake on the entire lake. The feedback so far has been positive."

MOUNT OLIVET EXPANDS CHURCH BUILDING

FOR ADDITIONAL CLASSROOMS AND OFFICES

Council voted 4-0 (Jim Crowley absent) on June 23rd to approve a conditional use permit to allow Mount Olivet Lutheran Church to expand its existing building on Rolling Acres Road in Victoria. The 29,000 square foot expansion is to include classrooms and offices for the church.

Said Holly Kreft, Community Development Director, "This is an amendment to an existing conditional use permit from 2004. It is needed because of the height of the building." The addition to the south side of the church is higher than the 35 feet allowed in city code, as was the original construction ten years ago.

"The Planning Commission held a hearing and recommended approval," said Holly. "It is in the process of being reviewed by Carver County." The county said turn lanes would not be required at the entrance to the property.

Mount Olivet was asked by the resident to the north to replace an existing chain link fence with a six-foot opaque fence. Said Mr. Tom McNally of Mount Olivet, "We're willing to do that, absolutely."

SHORTER CITY SCOOP FROM JUNE

VICTORIA LIONS RESUME PULLTABS IN VICTORIA

*Council approved the Victoria Lions Gambling Application to operate pulltabs at Floyd's Bar and Vic's Blue Dog. The Chaska Lions have been doing pulltabs in Victoria since 2002, but now the Victoria Lions have equipment and certifications to resume pulltab operations. Victoria's city ordinance requires that 50% of all net profits from each gambling site be donated within the city's area plus 10% of net profits from each gambling site to a city fund. The Victoria Lions have designated that their 10% be for Parks and Recreation.

*Council approved ten liquor license renewal applications: Hi-5 Liquors, Crossroads Liquor, Cuzzy's Victoria House, Deer Run Golf Club, Enki Brewing, Floyd's Bar, School of the Wise, Vic's Blue Dog, Victoria Lions Club, Victoria Vics. One new license was approved for Enki Brewing for Sunday Liquor.

*The City of Victoria hired 101 Development Resources Inc., a company out of Arlington, to provide building inspection services in June while Tom Gray, Victoria Building Official, was on medical leave.

*Council accepted donations from Kwik Trip ($150 for T-Ball Sponsorship), Marsh Lake Hunting Preserve ($100 for the Fire Dept.), Stieger Lake Condo Association ($500 for the Fire Dept.), Harry and Margaret Teder ($75 for the Fire Dept.).

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