Victoria MN Newspaper

APPRECIATING NEW COUNCIL CHAMBERS

AND THE ABILITY TO HEAR EACH OTHER

Said City Manager Laurie Hokkanen on February 9th, the night of the first city council meeting in the new digs on Stieger Lake Lane, "I thank the mayor, the council, and residents for this facility. Staff has been here since January 18th"

About new City Offices, Laurie said, "It is appropriate. We look forward to sharing it with the community."

About new Council Chambers, she appreciated the acoustics. She said that at the Old Hall, where council meetings were previously held, she was projecting her voice so the audience could hear, but she felt like she was screaming to the council who were seated next to her.

On February 23rd, at their second council meeting in the new Chambers, just prior to adjournment, Councilmember Jim Crowley said he felt a new tone in City Hall, a positive feeling, compared to the last six months in Victoria.

"I want to make an observation," he said. "Tonight it all kind of came together. Do you feel the difference in tone and attitude at these meetings? This is tremendously positive and I want to thank staff for their hard work. I want to thank the citizens of Victoria, a majority of the citizens of Victoria, for their support. We're just getting going and we will not be dissuaded."

Agreed Mayor Tom O'Connor, "As I said a couple of weeks ago, we are now a real city. I sense the vibes you're talking about. You can see it in the informal work sessions too. People seem to really like each other. What a phenomenon. We're a real city now."

Said City Attorney Bob Vose, "I don't know enough about esthetics to speak to that, but functionally it's a great Hall. I can see and hear you. We can see and hear each other."

Added Mayor O'Connor, "And soon we'll able to see leaves on the trees outside."

THE REVENUE STABILIZATION FUND

PAYING FOR VICTORIA’S PUBLIC WORKS BLDG

On February 9th, 2015, Council approved the transfer of $183,518 in building permit revenues from 2014 to the Revenue Stabilization Fund. This policy was adopted in 2009, whereby when more building permits are issued than budgeted for, the excess dollars go into the Fund to cover possible future shortfalls.

In 2014, the city budgeted for income from 75 new homes, but issued permits for 110 new homes -- thus the transfer to the Revenue Stabilization Fund.

In 2014, Council authorized the transfer of $593,000 from the Revenue Stabilization Fund to pay toward construction of the new Public Works Facility. After the transfer, the 2014 year-end balance in the Fund was $189,305.

The new Public Works facility also required $1,510,000 from the city's Capital Facilities Fund. This Fund gets its dollars from money earmarked each year by Council in its annual budget planning.

VICTORIA ON RADAR OF GREATER MSP

LEARNING FROM OTHER’S KNOWLEDGE

City Manager Laurie Hokkanen reported on February 23rd that she was part of a meeting with Greater MSP. "It's an economic development organization," she said. "The Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area is the 13th largest market in the county, but some people don't know this is a great place to do business. When people move here, they don't want to leave."

About Greater MSP, Laurie stated, "It was great to get on their radar." She mentioned, for example, that HEI in Victoria is currently going through bankruptcy proceedings. "Greater MSP can work to help fill that space more quickly. It's a way to take advantage of other people's knowledge and expertise."

Agreed Mayor Tom O'Connor, "It extends our reach considerably, potentially."

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