Victoria Gazette - The Scoop at City Hall

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VARIOUS WAYS TO LOOK

AT CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN VICTORIA

After comments and presentations, council voted 5-0 to follow state statutes in regard to conflict of interest. Stated City Manager Laurie Hokkanen, "A perceived conflict of interest is a political matter. It's typically not going to be a legal conflict of interest.

TALK OF SETTLEMENT IN VICTORIA, BRIEFLY

DIFFICULTO UNDERSTAND WHAT’S GOING ON

As part of his April 24th summary report and review of several Kildow letters and communications, City Attorney Bob Vose said that there had been talk of settlement in the lawsuit that continues to embroil the City of Victoria, but that settlement was not reached.

MR. FUNK’S ATTORNEY ADDRESSES COUNCIL

BIG PRO BONO VERSUS LITTLE PUBLIC SERVANTS

"My name is Alan Kildow, K-I-L-D-O-W, and I am a lawyer with the lawfirm of Briggs and Morgan. And for the past approximately three years I've represented the plaintiff in this suit against violations of the Open Meeting Law.

MORE THREATS OF LAWSUITS FOR VICTORIA

AGAINST CITY MANAGER, CITY ATTORNEY, ETC.

Council voted 3-2 to make city policy to provide legal protection for its elected officials. Those in favor: Tom Vogt, Tom Strigel, and Jim Crowley. Those against: Mayor Funk and Tom Gregory.

GETTING CITY BILLS PAID IN VICTORIA

WHEN A QUORUM CAN’T VOTE

Mayor Funk said he couldn't vote on the Claims Roster on April 10th because of a conflict of interest. "Herman's Landscaping is related to my wife's sister's business," he said. Stated City Attorney Bob Vose, "That's not a legal conflict of interest."

THREE OPTIONS FOR VANDERLINDE PROPERTY

ANTICIPATING 20 TO 31 NEW VICTORIA HOMES

Terry Hartman and Hartman Communities of Victoria offered and presented on April 10th three sketch plat proposals to develop the Vanderlinde property on the east side of Bavaria Road, formerly owned by the late Ed and Mary Vanderlinde.

SOMEBODY WANTS THE ENTIRE 13.5 ACRES

VICTORIA COUNCIL IN FAVOR OF THE PROPOSAL

City Manager Laurie Hokkanen introduced a developer team in April who is proposing a comprehensive purchase and development of the city's 13.5 acres. The plan for the acreage shows a large footprint retail building, four small footprint buildings for retail/office, a parcel for the CDA project, a cooperative housing, and trail connections.

QUESTIONING LOYALTY OF VICTORIA MAYOR

ASKING FOR THE LAWSUIT TO BE DROPPED

Judy Black, a resident on Woodstone Drive, spoke at April council meetings. "I'm hoping to persuade you to drop the lawsuit," she said to Mayor Funk. "I offered to start a petition, hoping you have no objection to the wording or the intent. I've got everything ready to go.”

ADDRESSING PERSONAL AGENDAS OF MR. FUNK

AND THE “COMBATIVE” LEADERSHIP STYLE

Resident Carol d'Alise spoke in April: "Mr. Funk, I ask that you take time to self reflect and see if this job of mayor is really one that you want. From my perspective, you don't look like you enjoy your time on the council or your interactions with the group.. If you feel this job of mayor is not for you, it is only appropriate for you to step aside and let someone else sit in that seat.”

ACCUSATIONS REPEATED IN APRIL

VICTRIA’S OPEN FORUM GETS WORKOUT

Two residents who are neighbors on Bavaria Road — Bill Ryder and Lawrence Gubbbe — spoke under the Open Forum part of the council agenda on April 24th, each in regard to the Funk lawsuit.

PROPOSING MEADOWS OF WASSERMANN LAKE

CONSISTING OF 88 NEW HOMES FOR VICTORIA

The 59 acres is proposed to be developed into 88 single family lots. The property is located east of Lakeside Estates Second Addition and South of the Wasserman Lake Woods development.

WEST SIDE ACREAGE ON LAKE WASSERMANN

NATURAL PARK AREA FOR VICTORIA RESIDENTS

Council agreed it's worth pursuing a partnership with the Watershed District whereby the City of Victoria would acquire acreage on Lake Wassermann at a cost of $800,000. Said Mayor Funk, "I think we can come up with $80,000 a year [over ten years].”

LOOKING TO INCREASE PARKING POSSIBILITIES

FOR VICTORIA’S DOWNTOWN BUSINESS DISTRICT

Council agreed that adding parallel parking along both sides of Stieger Lake Lane as it's being reconstructed from City Hall east to Hwy 5 would be the most cost effective way to increase city parking

VICTORIA TO SEEK OPINION

OF THE MN STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL

Only two city councilmembers, Tom Vogt and Tom Gregory, participated in a dialogue related to legal fees paid, accumulated, and ongoing by the City of Victoria due to the Funk lawsuit.

FURTHER DETAILS AND DISCUSSION IN PAPER EDITION.

The Victoria Fire Department

City of Victoria 952-443-2771

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