ENFORCING EXISTING LAWS
AS THEY AFFECT SNOWMOBILING IN VICTORIA
Snowmobiles remain a seasonal issue in the City of Victoria.  At the end of the discussion on March 8^th, staff was directed to proceed with enforcement of existing laws.
Randy Miller, speaking on behalf of Victoria residents at the Shores of Stieger Lake condominiums, submitted a petition of Victoria citizens and residents at the Shores condos.
"We have snowmobiles using our property for entrances and exits," he said.  "The concern is safety."  He added that snowmobiles are still driving on sidewalks, in Lions Park, on the Deer Run Golf Course, and they're misusing Three Rivers Park property. 
"We're asking the city to address this issue," he stated.  He also submitted photos of snowmobilers riding in the wrong places.
Stated Councilmember Jim Paulsen, "We have a sheriff and we have a deputy.  Let's ask them directly what they can do about this."
Erick Boder, Victoria Town Cop in attendance at this council meeting, re-ported that City Administrator Dave Urbia had authorized ten hours of overtime to address the snowmobile problems.  "From that overtime we issued 13 citations, 12 warnings, and one DWI," he said.
"People are riding on sidewalks.  They're using the trail when it's closed.  They're on Victoria Drive.  There are a lot of violations.  The few are wrecking everybody else's sport."
He added, "People aren't used to en-forcement in Victoria right now.  I think your ordinances are adequate.  It's a matter of enforcement.  I think it was a smart move to authorize the ten hours."
Councilmember Kim Roden asked Randy Miller, "Is your objective to ban snowmobiles in the community?"
Replied Mr. Miller, "Snowmobiles and residents don't mix.  I'd say eliminate them in the business district."
Then resident Peter Bren spoke at the podium and said that snowmobilers im-mediately recognized there would be a problem when the Wensmann condos were built next to the trail.
"The trail was there when they moved in," said Mr. Bren.  "The fact that the trail is closed is now the safety issue.  I have a difficult time anytime anybody complains about snowmobiles.  The LRT snowmobile trail was there long before a lot of people moved in.  I've lived here since 1992.  How do people gauge who has the more legitimate use of that trail?  I've got a feeling that other people share my opinion.  I'm up here complaining about people who complain about it."
Replied Councilmember Richard Tieden, "We looked into snowmobiles in Victoria last year because of the growing number of complaints.  We really wrestled with it.  We were still in the pro-ess when the Railroad Authority outlawed snowmobiles on that trail.  That was not our doing."
Richard added, "It's acceptable to talk to government people in a demo-cracy.  Snowmobiles can be dangerous.  We've tried to acknowledge everybody's views."
Snowmobiles are not allowed on the LRT trail.  The Hennepin County Region-al Railroad Authority owns this corridor and banned snowmobiles on it.

GETTING "SEASONED" UNTIL APRIL
RAISING DEVELOPMENT FEES IN VICTORIA
Victoria Planning Director Holly Kreft and City Attorney Mike Norton re-drafted an ordinance document that in-creases and revises fees paid by develop-ers in the City of Victoria.  Although the fees are increasing, they are not as high as originally proposed.
But the Parks and Recreation Com-mittee hadn't reviewed the final document and many people that it will affect haven't seen it yet, so it was put to rest until April.  As Councilmember Kim Roden stated, "I'm concerned the Parks Committee wasn't consulted."
In all new subdivisions in Victoria, 11% of the gross area being subdivided is proposed to be dedicated for public recreation space, school sites, or other public use, excluding streets and ease-ments.  In addition, for each new residen-tial lot included within a final plat, a flat fee of $2,500 will be paid.  The ordinance includes several other considerations and conditions.
Matt Goldstein, with the Lennar Development Company, responded to the latest revisions.  "I come here to deliver accolades and praise," he said.  "This or-dinance is easier to understand, to moni-tor, to enforce.  It increases certainty for the developer.  It is consistent with your peer communities.  It's in compliance with state statues.  We think the 11% is excessive but this ordinance is more man-ageable from our perspective."
Referring to cost per single family lots, Councilmember Jim Paulsen said, "Developers will be kissing $20,000.  It's real easy to pass this tonight because the people it affects aren't here.  I'd like to let it sit for about 30 days, to season it a little bit." 
Previous fees paid for park dedication were based on a tiered system, reported Planner Holly Kreft, as developers dedi-cated one acre per 23 units for neighbor-hood parks, 6% of gross buildable area for community parks, and they paid $2,100 per lot as a recreational and equipment fee.

Click here for more City Scoop.