WATER/FIRE PROTECTION NOT CHEAP
ESPECIALLY FOR A 45-UNIT CONDO BUILDING
City Attorney Mike Norton reported  May 27th on an issue raised by Wensmann Homes, builder of the 45-unit condominium complex on the lake side of the new city bridge in downtown Victoria.
"My view is that this condominium project should be treated as a multi-family project and the water core charge per unit should be reduced from one core fee to .8 while the sewer core charge should remain an 1.0," said Mr. Norton.  He suggested that city staff review the ordinance in this regard.
Mayor Jerry Bohn agreed that the city ordinance should be modified, and com-mented that the 45-units are being built on a small acreage.
A Wensmann representative, Mike Vallez, spoke to the council on May 27th asking for further consideration for reduc-tion in the fees.
"Wensmann appreciates the opportu-nity for doing business here," he said.  "We see you've got upcoming expense of a water treatment plant and everybody's got to pay their fair share."
"Our problem is that we weren't told sooner in the process," he continued.  "We hope to be in business in Victoria for a long time.  We're the highest customer-satisfac-tion builder in the Twin Cities.  We're building a first class spa and providing exer-cise equipment.  We can't undo what we've done; we've got five signed purchase agree-ments."
City Planner Mark Kaltsas pointed out, "The water core and sewer core fees are not building permit fees.  Most cities have a fee structure like ours.  These fees have not changed for the city in five years, but in March we raised fees to put more emphasis on the developer.  In this instance, the devel-oper and builder are the same people."
According to Mark, the new water core fee is $2,000 to be paid at the time of build-ing permit issuance, and the new water availability charge is $3,000 to be paid at the time of final plat.  The total is now $5,000 rather than $4,500 as it was prior to March, 2004.  There is another perceived difference because the fee has been split so that some of it is paid by the developer and some of it is paid by the builder.
Mr. Vallez replied, "We'd like an oppo-rtunity to sit down with staff and see what the water usage should be."  He commented on a report that indicated watering is 75% less with condos than with single family homes.
Stated Mayor Bohn, "We have an or-dinance that pretty clearly states what the fees are.  I don't want to negotiate fees every time somebody new comes in."
Stated Planner Kaltsas, "We've got a number of units coming up all over the city that will have to live with the ordinance."  He added that he spoke with someone from the Metropolitan Council who said the big-gest driver of usage is not outdoor watering but laundry facilities.
Stated Councilmember Richard Tieden, "We don't have a history of a 45-unit build-ing in Victoria.  I don't think it ever hurts to sit down and talk."
City Engineer Jack Griffin pointed out that sewer is 80% of water usage.  "You've got a 12" pipe going by your units for fire protection," he explained.  "Others have only a 6" pipe."
Rejoined the mayor, "You cause us to have capacity whether you use it or not.  We've got a lot of gallons in the air in case you have a fire."
The motion passed unanimously.  Wensmann will be charged .8 per water core and 1.0 per sewer core.
Wensmann's water core charge totals $162,000.  Their sewer core charge is $63,000.  It was stated at a previous council meeting that the Victoria condo project also includes a carwash in the building.

THANK YOU, HARTMAN COMMUNITIES
AND THANK YOU, VICTORIA LIONS CLUB
Mayor Jerry Bohn read two letters of appreciation from the Victoria City Council at the May 27th council meeting:
To Hartman Communities
Dear Terry, Jerry, and Debbie:
During the past two years Hartman Communities has helped to make the City of Victoria a great looking community.  Hart-man Communities has donated the labor and plant material for the Victoria "Welcome" sign located on the north side of Highway 5 near Stieger Lake Lane.  This sign is one of the identifying markers of this city.  This year, in addition to donating the labor and plant material for the "Welcome" sign, Hart-man Communities has donated the hanging baskets that you see on the new light poles within the downtown.  The City of Victoria thanks the Hartman Communities for their generous donation.  Hartman Communities continues to be a great partner and generous donor to the City of Victoria.
Sincerely,
The Victoria City Council, Victoria, Minnesota
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