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The Victoria

GAZETTE

952-474-7377

PURCHASE AGREEMENT CONTINUED.

Councilmember Pavelko countered by referring to the city purchase of the 13.5 acres (which was actually a swap with property the city had purchased on Lake Auburn) and the city purchase of the 96 acres in Laketown Township. Neither of these purchases has, so far, turned into development or monetary benefit for Victoria.

Councilmember Crowley replied that those two properties don't qualify as similar decisions. For one thing, those properties don't have utilities and roads, he said.

At this point, Mayor O'Connor stated, "I want us to be recognized as a viable significant city and not a bar between Chanhassen and Waconia. We're not a small town anymore. This purchase gives us negotiating leverage. My vision is that this is a significant city. The impact on the citizens is understood. We've just approved 250 sketch plat units. It's starting to turn. We should have the courage and the guts to do this. It's a reasonable goal."

Added Councilmember Crowley, "The city can borrow money today at an extremely low rate. This city office building we're in is a potential liability to the city. Don's office is sitting on top of a petroleum tank. Do the math."

When asked about the safety of city employees, Mr. Uram replied, "All my staff has survived, but the petroleum odor has come creeping back."

Asked Councilmember Crowley rhetorically, "Is it true that our Public Works employees are in a trailer next to the Public Works Building?"

Replied Mr. Uram, "Our Public Works employees are in a trailer." The existing P.W. building is unsafe and unsanitary. The trailer was moved onto the site in January 2011. It serves as office space, meeting space, and employee lunchroom.

Said Councilmember Lani Basa, "We have this discussion every time the subject of a City Hall and Public Works Building comes up. I'd like to make a motion to purchase the property at 7948 Victoria Drive." Mayor O'Connor seconded the motion. It passed 4-1. Accommodating a specific request of Councilmember Strigel, staff will try to ascertain the appreciable market value of the combined Johnson and city-owned parcel.

Mr. Uram said the city has from 90 to 120 days to close on the purchase of the Johnson property. He also reported that Mrs. Johnson prefers to receive the amount of $182,000 and will pay, herself, the assessments of $17,000 against the property.

BITING DOG AT SCHUTZ LAKE PARKSIDE

DETERMINED TO BE “POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS”

City Manager Don Uram informed councilmembers May 13th about a dangerous dog ordinance. "There is a dog in Victoria that has had encounter with a UPS driver and two other dogs," he said.

"I think the question before the council is, we don't have a dangerous dog ordinance," he said. "It's a pretty significant process. Chanhassen has a Dangerous Dog Ordinance. Our CSO and our deputy have been involved. The process with our county ordinance is to get a review of what our CSO and deputy have to report. They made the recommendation that the dog is indeed dangerous. The county attorney currently has the report."

"Does the council want to entertain a dangerous dog ordinance?" he asked. "I don't know how many dog owners we have. I know it's hard for a neighborhood."

Said City Attorney Mike Norton, "If you were to adopt an ordinance, I'd adopt the county's ordinance. I don't know what you'd do differently. It's usually an issue of enforcement."

Said Mr. Uram, "From a due process, I think the county is doing everything it can. I've been here five years and this is the first time a dog issue has gotten this high up. Reports have been filed. We're waiting for a decision from the county attorney's office. It's expected after May 20th."

"This is unconscionable," said Mayor Tom O'Connor. "We can't wait for the next incident. It seems ineffective to adopt an ordinance we already are under."

"We are waiting a decision," said Mr. Uram. "The attorney that reviews these cases is not in the office. The county attorney and sheriff are aware of the situation. I'm told the individual understands the seriousness of the situation."

Asked Councilmember Joe Pavelko, "How many strikes does a dog get? Seems excessive for a dog. Seems silly we should be waiting for the fourth round. Seems a dog shouldn't get four or five rounds."

"Any dog that receives a definition of a dangerous dog ... there is sufficient language in the ordinance to address that situation," said Mr. Norton.

"Having an ordinance is great," said Councilmember Pavelko, "but the dog still bites.”

Click here to continue Biting Dog.

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City Scoop Continued

June 2013