Victoria MN Newspaper-City Scoop

Said Mary Thun, "I set up a meeting at the condos. There were some 50 to 60 people there. A majority of them were in favor and pleased with the project. The city and donors will be making recommendations ... I can't let it go by. This city is a very dynamic city and we have no way to go but up. The condo people are very welcome to participate in these developments ... We continue to work with the Victoria Business Association to bring more people downtown. The Band Stand will be good for the city and the region. This city will become important in Carver County. This project should bring interest to the development of the 13.5 acres next door."

She said the Band Stand can't look exactly as it does in the sketch because the area includes many trees and will come to include landscaping as well.

Councilmember Jim Crowley thanked Mary Thun and her team "for this asset to the city." The goal is to work with Three Rivers Park District for a dedication of the Band Stand in June 2014.

PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND PRICE

OF $182,000 ON JOHNSON HOME STANDS!

Council voted 4-1 on Wednesday, September 4th, to execute the original purchase agreement contract with Ruth Johnson for her house located on Victoria Drive in downtown Victoria. The agreement, signed by both parties -- the City of Victoria and Mrs. Johnson -- back in May 2013 includes a purchase price of $182,000.

Mrs. Johnson attended the September 4th council meeting and asked for more money because "it's a prime piece of property." She asked that the $17,000 in unpaid assessments against the property be forgiven. It was pointed out that the agreed upon purchase price was $165,000 plus the $17,000 in assessments.

Councilmember Joe Pavelko voted against the motion saying, "We don't need to buy it. We can walk away. It's not normal to go back and forth like this. I think there's a lack of communication between Mrs. Johnson and our city manager."

Some of the "back and forth" included a request by City Manager Don Uram in August for Mrs. Johnson to share in the $30,000 cost to remove hazardous waste from the site. The request was turned down. The closing date shall not exceed October 31st. "We hope to close sooner," said City Manager Don Uram.

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Said Mrs. Johnson at the start of the September 4th council meeting, "The cheapest single family home in Victoria is $174,000. I've lived here 43 years and I want to stay here. You're spending millions and I'm only asking for you to forgive the assessment and interest so I can buy a home in Victoria. I'd like the same consideration that other people got when they sold their home in Victoria and got to stay in Victoria. I figured it doesn't hurt to ask."

Asked Councilmember Pavelko, "Do we have an agreement or not?"

Replied Mr. Uram, "I wasn't aware there was going to be an official request for this until now." He pointed out that the actual assessment on the property was for $9,000 which grew to $17,000 because of interest over these past ten years.

"The city's policy is that we charge 2% above our bond rate," he said. "We have a signed purchase agreement for $182,000.

"Mrs. Johnson, did you sign that?" asked Councilmember Pavelko.

"Yes, I did," she replied.

Said Councilmember Tom Strigel, "$165,000 was more than fair market value, and we gave consideration for assessment and interest to basically pay that for you. We've basically paid that adjustment."

Said Mrs. Johnson, "But you've got to agree I've got a prime piece of property."

Said Mr. Uram, "The Johnsons and myself have been having this discussion for quite a long time. We've got a signed purchase agreement."

"This is tough," said Mayor Tom O'Connor. "This is a tough one, with a 43-year resident ... The price established was at least fair market value ... The asbestos amount was an abnormal amount, and we asked to amend the contract for it and the answer was no."

Said Councilmember Jim Crowley, "My concern is that Mrs. Johnson understands what she's getting into. I want to make sure we have an understanding."

City Attorney Mike Norton stated, "Don has been in regular contact with Matt Johnson, a grandson who is an attorney. I'm confident she understands."

Mr. Uram spoke to the deferred assessment on the Johnson property. "This deferment itself doesn't show up on a property tax statement. From a city perspective, we need to take it upon ourselves to send out annually a notice of deferred assessment. That would be a reason for some consideration. If Council is interested, you could take the interest down to the bond rate. Reducing to the bond rate would save Mrs. Johnson $3,000. That would be an option. I'd be willing to do that."

Click here for more Johnson Home.