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“What is the city’s source of funding?” asked Councilmember Paulsen.

“Bond funds and TIF pooling,” replied Administrator Uram. The Tax Increment Financing amounts to about $20,000 annually, he said.

Said Councilmember Paulsen, “The city has other cash calls besides the downtown. We do have long term maintenance issues in the city.”

Stated Mayor Thun, “I do prefer that the city policy would state a 75/25 percent split for the sake of consistency and not on a ‘project by project’ basis.” Phase One was a 75% property owners/25% city split.

City Councilmember Tom O’Connor agreed that switching now to 100% being assessed to property owners “would open us up to justifiable criticism.”

At the end of the evening, Mayor Thun pointed to two “take-aways” from the discussion: 1) a request from Councilmember Paulsen for total amount of city money spent on the downtown projects and 2) possible change in the assessment policy.

No action was taken on this issue May 26th. Bid opening remains scheduled for June 4th with the hearing on June 8th. City Attorney Mike Norton said the assessment policy will need to be determined in order to approve the preliminary assessment role.

SHORT VICTORIA SCOOP FROM MAY

FIRE DEPARTMENT APPLIES FOR MORE GRANTS

*Council approved an asphalt maintenance contract for crack sealing 9,000 feet of streets and 3,870 feet of trails in the city at a total cost of $10,035. This is part of the city’s continuing maintenance plan.

*The Victoria Fire Department received approval to apply for a Minnesota DNR Rural Fire Department 50/50 matching grant for the purchase of a water pump and tank for the six-wheeler. Cost of the pump and tank is $7,200. The match of $3,600 will be expended from the Fire Department truck fund which is funded by the City of Victoria.

*The Victoria Fire Department received approval to apply for a FEMA Assistance to Fire Fighters 5% matching grant. The Fire Department is requesting $35,000 for the purchase of two thermal imaging cameras at a cost of $10,000 each and an auto pulse at a cost of $15,000. The grant requires a minimum 5% match in the amount of $5,250 to be expended from the Fire Department truck fund. *Council formally removed Peter Relick from the Park and Recreation Committee since he is no longer a Victoria resident and has not been attending the meetings.

*Council approved the hiring of Steffany Rivera and Chelsea Meyer as part time playground staff for the Field House/Park and Recreation Department.

*Council accepted a $200 donation from James and Sandra Brace for boulevard trees and $140 from Joseph and Brenda Roper for the Fire Department.

*Don Uram reported that he and Fire Chief Tim Walsh have been meeting every month as part of Emergency Management planning, and that School District 112 and Holy Family Catholic High School will be part of future meetings. Said Mr. Uram, “We’re planning the structure, not the event. We have to be flexible.”

*Council accepted a $100 donation from Rising Star Dance Academy for the 2009 concerts in the park series.