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VICTORIA COUNCILMEMBERS HOLD FIRM

ON BUILDING NEW CITY HALL DOWNTOWN

"I invited Tom and Tim Gregory to the council meeting," said Administrator Don Uram on September 24th. "They've had concerns about the site location for City Hall. It's currently proposed to be adjacent to the Post Office for a number of reasons that we've talked about. They've expressed interest that it be built on the 13.5 acres."

Tim Gregory said that he and his father have talked among themselves and with some other citizens of Victoria. "One of the things we thought was that we could put a more permanent situation on the 13.5 acres without having a lot of development done. You could put it above Pete Boyer's property with a small access road off Stieger Lake Lane and that way we wouldn't have to put all the sewage and electricity and develop all of that extra road system. It would spur development for that 13.5 acres. With a City Hall there, it would be attractive to a developer."

Said Mr. Uram, "From my perspective it's really about cost effectiveness. The site adjacent to the Post Office is the most cost effective and that's our recommendation."

Said Councilmember Kim Roden, "We have a number of debt service obligations already for prior buildings including the Water Treatment Plant, Fire Station, Recreation Center, plus bonding for our roads. We have realistic limitations right now."

Said Councilmember Tom O'Connor, "This is an economic reality. We've got to be careful. We take great pride in the fact that the levy has been reduced for the last four years."

Said Councilmember Jim Crowley, "I'm a firm believer that government is not a good driver of business development. We work well with the business community as the driver. Minimizing cost and risk leads us to the lot right behind us."

Said Acting Mayor Tom Strigel, "I've spoken to people and they're pleased we are making this investment in the downtown. This was the least objectionable way to spend the taxpayers' money."

SHORTER SEPTEMBER CITY SCOOP

SEVERAL ELECTION JUDGES APPOINTED-

*Council appointed the following Victoria residents as election judges for the General Election on Tuesday, November 6th, 2012: Linda Aaberg, Wendy Amundsen (Head Judge), Liz Anderson (Head Judge), David Barstad, Patti Bjorklund, Gerald Bohn, Marlene Bohn, Theresa Bourdage, Joseph Carroll, Cecille Christopher, Brenda Cook, Judith Crawford, Pete Crawford, Tapan Debroy, Derrick Derfus, Nola Dickhausen (Head Judge), Sheryl Gaida, Claudio Groppetti, Juanita Groppetti, Mary Hadaway, Sue Hamburge (Head Judge), Stan Hamerski, Michelle Hammers (Head Judge), Richard Harker, Rosean Harker, Jane Harrington, Judith Hassig, Joyce Heiland (Head Judge), Patrick Henning, Jim Hoffman, Joan Jendro, Michael Johnson, Stephanie Johnson, Joan Julien (Head Judge), Henry Knutson, Lisa Krumm-Schmidt, Mary Leizinger, Lucille Luther, Doris Mielke, RaNaye Miller (Head Judge), Mary Moore, Cindy Palko, Henry Pryor, John Ramseth, Mary Ramseth, Pam Rustad, Carol Schmidt, Charles Schmidt, Doc Schmieg, Jerome Schmieg, Jane Sklenick-Focht, Ruth Smith, Rae Ann Vandeputte, Judith Witt.

*Council authorized City Administrator Don Uram to attend the 2012 ICMA Annual Conference in Phoeniz, AZ, from October 7th to 10th. It stands for International City/County Management Association. Don serves on the International Committee of the organization.

*Council approved a license agreement with Cole Kelly and Dane Kelly to be hired as personal trainers and instructors for fitness classes at the Victoria Recreation Center.

*Council approved the hiring of Tracy Kerber for a front desk customer service position at the Victoria Recreation Center.

*Council approved payment of $234,563 in bills on September 10th, pointing out a payment of $52,376 for Rhapsody Park Improvements and $30,256 for half the city's annual premium for property and liability insurance.

*Council approved a minor subdivision at 7090 Rolling Acres road for Aquila's Partners and Debra Kelly. Holly reported that the Planning Commission held a public hearing, had questions regarding access, and voted unanimously to recommend approval. This lot on the east side of Schutz Lake is now two lots. The first is slightly over one acre in size, the second is 2.2 acres. Both are riparian lots.

*Council approved the 2013 budget of the Lake Minnetonka Communications Commission. The LMCC is not funded with tax dollars but rather a cable company franchise fee paid annually to them. The LMCC also receives a PEG (Public, Education, Governmental) access fee per month per subscriber for community use of the production studio. Budget revenues for 2013 are projected to be $696,2013 -- a 1.1% increase.

*Council accepted a donation of $63.50 from the Victoria Business Owners Association for the Victoria Fire Department.