Victoria MN Newspaper

CITY MANAGER LAURIE HOKKANEN

ON BOARD IN VICTORIA ON NOVEMBER 10TH

Stated Mayor Tom O'Connor on October 13th, about hiring the new Victoria City Manager, "The good news is that there was almost universal support for Laurie Hokkanen. She begins here on November 10th." Council passed a resolution that evening to make it happen.

Mayor O'Connor thanked Interim City Manager Ed Shukle for his help since the resignation of City Manager Don Uram. "He has done a wonderful job. He's been keeping more than ten fingers in the dyke. You deserve our thanks and gratitude for a job really, really done well."

The mayor reported that applicants for the city manager position were whittled down to twelve by Richard Fursman and his executive search firm, that councilmembers selected five to interview and made a motion to offer the position of Victoria City Manager to Laurie Hokkanen, the Assistant City Manager at Chanhassen. Much of the story and photos of the applicants appeared in the City Scoop pages of the October issue of the Gazette.

According to the City Manager Employment Agreement, the compensation to perform all duties is at the annual rate of $107,000. After a satisfactory performance evaluation in May 2015, an adjustment in wages shall be considered up to the amount of $110,000.

On October 27th council authorized Richard Fursman to conduct an "onboarding" process to improve the efficiency on getting the new city manager on board.

Mr. Fursman said such a process helps the new hire "to understand the culture of the organization, council expectations, answer questions of decorum, and potential conflicts."

"Research shows it takes at least six months for a hire of this magnitude to break even and earn the salary they're making," he said. "It takes an incredible amount of time to get comfortable so they can take risks and do their job. The onboarding process is designed to amp up their entrance so they can hit the ground running rather than standing still and observing."

Stated Mayor O'Connor, "I support the onboarding process. So does Laurie."

Council voted 4-0 to approve an expenditure of $950 for the two-week process that will involve both councilmembers and staff. Councilmember Lani Basa was absent that evening.

In the meantime, said Mayor O'Connor, "We would have been in deep trouble without you, Mr. Shukle, and your willingness to step in. You've been an excellent help."

Added the mayor, "Ed has been meeting weekly with Laurie. I can see Ed being around for at least several weeks. This is not about handholding for Laurie but about effecting a good transition."

Ed Shukle was hired as the Interim City Manager for a length of time "up to six months." He was hired in July 2014.

Said Councilmember Jim Crowley, "I'd like to see what Laurie would like."

Said Councilmember Tom Strigel, "I'd like to see what the staff has to say also."

It was agreed that Ed Shukle will stay with Victoria at least through November.

MPCA DISHES OUT PUNISHMENT FEE

TO VICTORIA DUE TO JUNE’S 100-YEAR RAIN

Victoria councilmembers are not happy with the $5,540 fee conferred upon the City of Victoria in October by the MPCA because some silt was washed into the wrong area.

Reported City Engineer Cara Geheren, "The MPCA received an anonymous call about the silt. The city has never before received this penalty. It was a very wet spring. We can't dispute the violation occurred. The contractors acted in a speedy manner to correct it. I don't know what the contractors could have done differently.

"The violation occurred in an area where both Ryan Construction and Minger Construction were working. The contractors responded in a timely manner ... All that water came in the spring before vegetation was established. The sediment was promptly removed."

Asked Councilmember Tom Strigel, "Considering the weather, was it even possible to comply? We had flooded homes in Victoria and sandbagging ... The parties involved did what was prudent. I'm really troubled by this."

Councilmember Jim Crowley recalled this area being problematic in the past because of runoff from the nearby Hesse farm. He asked, "Is there a way to note our objection to the penalty and tell them of extenuating circumstances? We could register a strong letter of disagreement. I'd like the head of that MPCA department to come and speak to us." His motion to draft such a strongly worded letter, requesting an explanation and extension of deadline for payment passed unanimously.

Stated Mayor O'Connor, "We had a 100-year rain. The MPCA is an appointed bureaucracy." Appealing the judgment would be much more costly than the fine.

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