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March 2012 |
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Replied Mr. Lim, "I think we can very adequately address some of those concerns. We still have the opportunity to address the concerns." Stated Councilmember Jim Crowley, "This was in front of the Real Estate Committee last fall and the design has changed significantly. Thank you." Councilmember Roden said that "highest and best use" should be a consideration. "Sometimes highest and best use is related to tax capacity," she said. "Is there a 5% or a 10% difference? Would the neighborhood prefer a higher density owner occupied development rather than a higher density rental development?" City Administrator Don Uram stated that for an owner occupied development to be financially viable, the land would need to be free to the developer. "I think it is a question of timing," he said. "I don't want to sound critical," continued Councilmember Roden, "but this isn't my first rodeo. I'm not comfortable with this. What's the rush? The job I feel I have up here is to represent the residents. I'm not in a hurry to do this." Councilmember O'Connor verified that "this proposal does not require the land to be free." It's accurate. Said Councilmember Roden, "I don't think anybody up here has a clue as to what the market will do." Councilmember Tom Strigel referred to the highest and best use of a property. "This proposal is certainly a higher and better use than a Public Works site because Public Works would pay no taxes. As for comparing it to an owner occupied project, that doesn't exist right now. That's a hypothetical." "This probably won't have my vote," said Councilmember Roden. Said Councilmember O'Connor, "Certainly there's time for the developer to get community input." Responding to a question, Mr. Lim replied that the development would not have a Homeowners Association but, rather, a Project Management Company. Mayor Thun asked the city administrator to speak about the property. "This is not a choice piece of land. Is that a correct statement?" she asked. Replied Mr. Uram, "There is a lot of berming so there is not so much useful space, but it's a great site for the right project." After the feedback discussion, Mayor Thun said to the developer, "Thank you for thinking of Victoria. We appreciate it."
CHANGING TERM OF VICTORIA MAYOR FROM TWO YEARS TO FOUR YEARS Council held a first reading February 27th of an ordinance that will change the mayor's term in Victoria from two years to four years. Stated Administrator Don Uram, "This would give the mayor the opportunity to develop partnerships and business relationships. It takes a year or so to understand how to operate in the position. Two years doesn't give a mayor a lot of time. Mayors in adjacent communities have four-year terms. It would not be unusual for Victoria to do this." Mr. Uram said that it was back in 1975 that the City of Victoria chose a city administrator versus city manager form of government and also a two-year term for the mayor. Prior to that, in fact, there was only a City Clerk without a real city office. A second reading of the ordinance will be held at the March 12th city council meeting. If approved, the four-year term will be effective with the next election this fall 2012.
HWY 5 PROJECT AWARDED TO HENTGESE BIDS 10% HIGHER THAN EXPECTED City Engineer Cara Geheren updated city councilmembers February 27th on progress being made toward the Highway 5 reconstruction project which is scheduled to consume most of the summer of 2012. She reported that S.M. Hentges of Jordan, MN, with the lowest bid of $10,050,879 was awarded the project and has started work on preparing a detailed schedule. High bid was $11,576,286 from The Mathiowetz Construction Company, Sleepy Eye, MN. Seven bids came in. "Overall the bids came in about 10% high," said Cara. "We don't know yet what our number is going to be." Originally Victoria's share of the project was estimated at $165,000. A more recent number is $217,000. "MnDOT is putting out some stakes along the corridor now," she reported. "Smaller utility construction is beginning in March and April. Some tree removal is happening. We are working on details of the communication process."
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