Page Title

Just West of Waconia on Hwy 5

952-442-5000

Sebenaler Chiropractic Center

Chaska * 952-448-9908

CORNERSTONE Insurance Agency

David Barsness * 952-448-5028

8661 Deer Run Dr. * Victoria

952-443-2351

MACKENTHUN’S MEAT & DELI

St. Bonifacius * 952-446-1234

Highway 5 in Victoria

952-443-2491

GOODBYE, STEVE SARVI

AND GOOD LUCK IN FUTURE ENDEAVORS

“We hope you’ll stay in contact,” said Mayor Mary Thun as City Administrator Steve Sarvi had one day left on the job in Victoria. “Thank you for the eight years you’ve been with us.”

“We appreciate your service here and overseas,” said Councilmember Kim Roden. “Good luck in your next phase.”

“It’s never a good time to leave,” said Steve, whose last day of employment as Victoria City Administrator was Friday, May 9th. “Cities outlast the people that serve them. Like Yogi Berra said, ‘I’ve come to a fork in the road and I’m going to take it.’ I tried to make Victoria a better place. God bless.” Steve, a resident of Watertown is running as a Democrat for the congressional seat currently held by Republican John Kline.

THERE’S SOME MUSIC IN THE ROOM

REGARDING WATER RATES IN CITY OF VICTORIA

“We hope you’ll stay in contact,” said Mayor Mary Thun as City Administrator Steve Sarvi had one day left on the job in Victoria. “Thank you for the eight years you’ve been with us.”

“We appreciate your service here and overseas,” said Councilmember Kim Roden. “Good luck in your next phase.”

A SLAP IN VICTORIA’S FACE

FOR PARENTS OF ELEMENTARY CHILDREN

“I have gotten emails and calls about school boundaries,” said Mayor Mary Thun on May 8th. “The plans are on the School District 112 website. Please go there and let them know your thoughts. Please register your opinions directly with the school ... I would like to see all of Victoria students in one high school. So many things happen at this level.”

School District 112 now has two high schools, Chaska High School and Chanhassen High School. The District has several elementary schools including Victoria Elementary School. This year many Victoria elementary students are being sent into other District schools.

“The Swiss Mountain neighborhood has to go to Bluff Creek Elementary this year,” said Councilmember Richard Tieden. “They worked very hard to get a school here in Victoria for their kids.”

Agreed Councilmember Jim Paulsen, “When the fight for Victoria Elementary was on, Swiss Mountain was in the first row. This is a slap in the face.”

Mayor Mary Thun reported, “Victoria Elementary School can’t hold all of the Victoria students because we’re growing so fast.”

“I don’t get it,” said Jim Paulsen.

“Are they talking about Victoria here?” asked Councilmember Tieden. “Sounds like they’re talking about a city on the east coast.”

It was reported that Mayor Thun and Councilmember Tim Amundsen will be meeting again with School Superintendent David Jennings.

LAKEVIEW MEADOWS APPROVED

WITH 18 NEW SINGLE FAMILY LOTS FOR VICTORIA

Council voted 3-2 on May 22nd to approve the final plat for Lakeview Meadows, an 18-single family home development on 25 acres on the north side of Schutz Lake on the former Swain property. It allows for three-quarter access onto State Highway 7; there is no left (west) turn out of the development. City staff recommended approval.

Asked Councilmember Kim Roden about previous dialogue with Scott Schmidt, a representative of Clearwater Development, “Do we care if a developer puts their properties on MLS before this [city platting approval] process is complete?”

Said Mr. Schmidt, “This is a commonplace practice. I’ve never not done this in fifteen years.”

“That doesn’t make it right,” said Councilmember Tim Amundsen.” Kim and Tim cast the two dissenting votes.

PULLING MANY PIECES TOGETHER

FOR DOWNTOWN VICTORIA MASTER PLAN

Council authorized staff on May 8th to seek proposals for collating current information and maps of Victoria’s downtown business district along with previous renditions of downtown development plans, street alignments, park improvements, the Hwy 5 corridor study, and the adjacent 13.5 acres.

Holly Kreft, the city’s Community Development Director, had reported that the city’s Business Development Committee wanted to see all of the above incorporated into the Downtown Master Plan. The study is estimated to cost around $15,000.

Stated Mayor Mary Thun, “I haven’t been on the council all that long -- six years -- and this is the third time we’re doing this. What are we going to get that’s different than what we already have? I want to make sure we’re using our money wisely.”

Council voted 4-0 to approve to move forward with the study. Councilmember Tim Amundsen was absent.

Click here to continue City Scoop.