Victoria MN Newspaper

SHORTER VICTORIA SCOOP FROM MARCH

NEW HOME PERMITS AHEAD OF LAST YEAR.

*Mayor Tom O'Connor pointed out that the City of Victoria issued five new building permits in January 2014 and eight in February 2014, which is ahead of last year at this time. Ten new home building permits are predicted for March, which totals 23 for the first quarter of 2014. Last year's three-month total was 17.

*Council designated the Victoria Elementary School as Precinct #3 Polling/Voting Location for Elections in Victoria. The other two polling locations in Victoria are the Victoria City Hall and the Victoria Recreation Center.

*Council moved to issue an RFP for legal services for the City of Victoria, according to a rotating policy that affects all city consultants. Said Mr. Uram, "We've identified seven law firms to receive RFP's. It's a big candidate pool, but there are few firms that provide the full array of services that we require. We should have a law firm in place by July 1st." That law firm may be continue to be Kennedy and Graven, who has represented the City of Victoria since 2003.

*Council approved the Programmatic Maintenance Agreement between the City of Victoria and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. This agreement establishes the city's obligation to maintain, for example, facilities placed in city outlots and deeded to the city as part of the stormwater management system.

*Council accepted donations from Park Nicollet-Chanhassen ($125) for T-Ball and Coach Pitch, Sir Knight Cleaners ($100) for T-Ball and Coach Pitch, Kennedy & Graven ($100) for Concerts in the Park, Xcel Energy ($150) for Concerts in the Park, MN Valley Electric ($150) for Safety Camp, Scott Manion & Boulay PLLP ($100) for T-Ball and Coach Pitch, Gary and Jacquelyn Krawczyk ($250) for the Fire Department.

*In constructing a portion of the Wasserman Trunk Sewer, contractors encountered poor soils and had to drill deeper to install a steel support structure on helical pilings. The project is therefore expected to be about $150,000 over budget.

*Council approved the annual contract with the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust to provide Workers' Compensation Insurance for the City of Victoria elected officials.

*Council authorized the Victoria Fire Department to apply for a matching grant from CenterPoint Energy to purchase three new sets of structural firefighting turnout gear. The grant is for $2,500. Total cost of the gear is $5,115.

*Council approved two Victoria firefighters, Ryan Rivers and Dave Shoger, to attend the annual Fire Department Instructors Conference in Indianapolis. Cost of the trip shall not exceed $2,000.

*It was reported by Attorney Rylee Retzer on March 24th that nothing has been filed against the City of Victoria at this time, neither in civil court nor in criminal court.