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On Stieger Lake * Victoria

952-443-1331

Island View Dining

Waconia. 952-442-2956

Chaska School of Dance

Mary Pieper 952-873-6781

Fahey’s Window Cleaning

952-467-2447

Fairview Jonathan Clinic

Chaska * 952-448-3500

Country Life Therapeutic Massage

Jan Sutton, M.A. * 952-474-0999

MVT Excavating

No job is too small. 952-446-9341

Weinzierl

Jewelers

Waconia 952-442-2885

“Trees Are Our Roots”

8099 Bavaria Rd * Victoria * 952-443-2990

LOOKING AT VICTORIA COUNCIL SALARIES

“LET’S NOT TALK ABOUT IT”

State City Administrator Don Uram, “Council salaries have not been increased for ten years. We are the lowest compensated city within the metropolitan area. I’m looking for council direction.”

“I’m not in favor of it,” stated Councilmember Kim Roden. “The timing for this is wrong. I don’t care what the numbers are. I think this Council has to tighten its belt. Taxpayers already are. I also don’t like this process. I think it should be with a committee. I think this sends a wrong message to the community. I say have a council policy.”

Referring to the actual numbers she said, “Even if you double the salary, it’s not a good part time job if you’re in it for the money ... We know what the pay is here when we volunteer to run. It’s the wrong time to even bring this to the community. I would not be in favor of putting it on any agenda. I’m not in favor of talking about it now. I am in favor of putting it into a process.”

Stated Councilmember Richard Tieden, “I asked [Finance Director] Jylan to see what a 3% raise would do for our $200 a month salary.”

He added, “Looking at a global perspective, across the country, it’s not a volunteer job. It’s a very specific job. We [the City] have had to lay some people off not because we don’t have the money, but because we don’t have the work for them. I think this is in the interest of the stability of the city ... I don’t turn in reports for [reimbursement of] gas money. I don’t think any of us do. I think we should review this.”

Richard pointed out that councils cannot raise their own salaries; they can only raise salaries for the next council. “There wouldn’t be any change for two years,” he said. “I don’t know of any position where you’d wait 12 years for a raise.”

Councilmember Jim Paulsen said that a certain expertise often comes with a candidate and membership on the council. “It’s about ability,” he said. “It’s about respect ... I’d say do what our neighbor are doing and have the city administrator make a recommendation.”

Jim also reported on the opinion of Councilmember Tim Amundsen who was absent from this September 25th workshop. “Tim said he was not for a raise. He wasn’t for it ten years ago either.”

“Well,” said Mayor Mary Thun, “I don’t think we have the votes so in my interest for efficiency, let’s drop it for now. I’d say if all of us kept track, we could easily legitimatize a raise just to cover costs. I don’t think residents really expect people to go backwards. I don’t think people run for council for the money, but I don’t think they want to lose money either.”

Victoria councilmembers currently receive $2,400/year. In the metro area, council salaries range from $2,400 (Victoria) to $7,800/year. Examples: Jordan $3,600; Waconia $4,000; Chanhassen $4,800; Spring Lake Park $5,787; Chaska $6,948.

Looking at small non-metro cities: Albertville $3,600; Cambridge $4,100; International Falls $3,600; Stewartville $4,000; Waseca $7,044; Glencoe $4,200; Montevideo $5,600; Worthington $6,000.

The Victoria mayor’s salary is currently $2,700/year, also the lowest. Other metro cities pay much more to their mayor.

The Finance Committe will be asked to study the issue and make a recommendation for future councils.

Mr. Uram asked councilmembers if they had any other ideas for revenue sources. Replied Councilmember Paulsen, “Nothing powers a city like a utility. That’s really where the juice is. NSP does not have a franchise agreement with Victoria. There’s lots of new land coming into Victoria. Who’s got the right to provide electricity to that land?”

VICTORIA CONSIDERS MINING BUSINESS

MAYBE FOR GRAVEL AT COUNTY ROAD 43

The City of Victoria owns 94 acres of farmland south of County Road 10 at its intersection with Co. R.d 43. Looking for additional sources of city revenue -- in addition to property taxes -- staff considered the possibility of mining that property for gravel.

The city currently rents the land to a local farmer. Said Planner Holly Kreft, “The farmer says there are numerous areas that are gravelly.” City staff recommended the consideration of soil borings on the property and presented soil and topography maps.

Councilmember Jim Paulsen’s first thoughts were, “It’s a good idea.” As discussion progressed, however, he stated, “How much would we have invested before we get our first scoop of gravel?” Holly said it could be around $50,000.

“We’d be in the mining business?” asked Councilmember Richard Tieden.

Replied Holly, “If there is substantial gravel, the city would lease it for gravel money and get a portion of the proceeds. We’ve guided that area for mixed use. Gravel money is really an interim use. It wouldn’t be a permanent use.”

Stated Administrator Don Uram, “Staff would have to come up with a restoration plan.”

Councilmember Kim Roden said there are more than monetary costs. “There are other costs like heavy trucks and dust.”

Mayor Mary Thun stated, “It think it sounds interesting but I’d like to see the total package. Is this really feasible for our community?”

“I agree with with Mary,” said Kim. “I don’t want to look at this incrementally. I’d like to see similar situations where other cities have done this.”

The city administrator will get information about actual costs for soil borings and talk with the city of Ostego where, apparently, there is gravel in the works.

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