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GLOWING COUNCIL REVIEW OF CITY MANAGER LAURIE HOKKANEN A closed session had been scheduled but Laurie asked that her review be held in open session. Four councilmembers spoke highly of Laurie in all regards. Mayor Funk said he needed more information.
LAURIE THREATENED WITH LITIGATION ASKS FOR REFINEMENT OF CONTRACT LANGUAGE "There have been threats of litigation against me," said City Manager Laurie Hokkanen on August 14th. "I would like to see the refining of language in my contract with the city.” Laurie also said that there have been specific threats made against her job as City Manager and also Ben Landhauser's job as Community Development Director.
MEMO OF CITY ATTORNEY BOB VOSE ADDRESSING THE MAYOR’S CONFLICT OF INTEREST In part, the memo reported, “A local elected official may have a disqualifying conflict of interest where any direct personal interest exists -- not just a financial interest. The Mayor has demonstrated a very significant personal interest in this issue.”
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES CORRECTED AGAIN TO BE ACCURATE ABOUT VICTORIA PROCEEDINGS Minutes from the July 24th city council meeting were pulled by Councilmember Tom Vogt for correction on August 14th. "Statements have been omitted!" he declared. "Especially minutes by City Attorney Bob Vose stating that the mayor does have a conflict of interest.”
RESIDENTS SPEAK UNDER VISITORS FORUM ABOUT THE FUNK ET. AL. LITIGATION IN VICTORIA Several people spoke in August under the Visitor's Forum to Mayor Funk and other councilmembers about the continuing lawsuit, initiated in 2014 by Tom Funk and 12 other residents against councilmembers.
MAYOR FUNK ADDRESSES LAWSUIT ISSUES FROM LEGAL FEES TO CONFLICTS OF INTEREST After the public censure of Mayor Funk on August 14th and before the Personnel Review of City Manager Laurie Hokkanen that evening, Mayor Funk read a statement that took nearly a half hour to read. He said he doesn’t have a conflict of interest.
WILL MAYOR FUNK ATTEND MAYORS’ MEETING? DOES VICTORIA PAY HIS $30 REGISTRATION FEE? A consequence of the mayor’s censure included that he "shall cease participation and appointments with outside committees, organizations, and individuals. This includes business leaders and developers. Fellow city councilmembers and city staff will assume these duties."
FINDING 68 NEW PUBLIC PARKING SPACES ALONG STIEGER LAKE LANE EAST OF CITY HALL Council agreed on August 14th to construct parking for 68 new parking stalls along the south side of Stieger Lake Lane from City Hall east toward Hwy 5 — 15 parallel spaces and 53 diagonal spaces.
DECISION DELAYED FOR ONE-WAY SECTION OF STIEGER LAKE LANE IN DOWTOWN VICTORIAE Council held off on August 14th with a decision on making the current temporary one-way portion of Stieger Lake Lane into a permanent one-way. They determined that such a decision should not be made until the feasibility study by Bolton and Menk is completed.
IDENTIFYING 2018 STREET PROJECTS VICTORIA MMOVES AHEAD WITH FEASIBILITY STUDY The streets include parts of Marigold Circle, Narcissus Court, Rhoy Street, Aretz Court, Grace Court, Kelzer Pond Drive, Hawthorne Place, Bayberry Circle, and Thurshwood Circle.
CONSIDERING VICTORIA COUNCIL AGENDAS A WRITTEN POLICY WILL BE DRAFTED FOR REVIEW It was agreed Laurie will draft a written policy for council review, whereby items are formally/officially added to city council agendas.
DRAFT CITY OF VICTORIA BUDGET FOR 2018 UNDER REVIEW BY CITY COUNCILMEMBERS Tax rate for 2017 was 32.84%. Tax rate under the 2018 draft budget would be 33.45%. The median valued home in 2017 was $371,500. It is estimated to increase (under the 2018 draft budget) to $396,700 because of "big increases in valuations from the county."
VICTORIA’S ECONOMY VERY STRONG MANAGEMENT, POLICIES, PRACTICES, VERY STRONG Council approved the sale of $1.2 million in General Obligation Improvement bonds to pay for 2017 street projects. The city has an AA+ rating, stable outlook, and attracted good bids.
DUTY CREW AT THE VICTORIA FIRE STATION FOR QUICKER RESPONSE TIME, OTHER BENEFITS
THE MEADOWS OF WASSERMANN LAKE WHEN/WHERE TO INSTALL VICTORIA STOP SIGNS
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September 2017 |