TRYING TO MAKE NOISE RULES
AND LIVE WITH THEM … AT FLOYD'S
Council unanimously approved a mo-tion on March 13th directing city staff to complete the Noise Ordinance and call for a public hearing.  The ordinance would allow Floyd's Bar, for example, to obtain a permit that would allow a temporary variance to the decibel or sound level, for another example, due to outdoor patio music in the summer months.
Reported Planner Mark Kaltsas,  "Essentially, we're actually defining noise levels, decibels, and metering.  It's the main difference between this ordinance and the one we have." 
He also explained, "We cannot in-crease levels set by the state, but we can decrease them and make them more re-strictive.  We would  be training a city staff person to know how to monitor noise if it becomes a problem.  It allows us to set a standard."
He said the ordinance will also de-fine three different types of districts in the city:  residential (the most restrictive), commercial, and industrial.  He also talked about enforcement and penalties.  "Without a variance, they'd be in viola-tion," said the planner.
Stated Councilmember Terry Bishop, "It would not be possible to get a convic-tion the way this is written."
Replied Councilmember Richard Tieden, "We don't need to evoke a crim-inal component here.  We simply want the variance pulled if they're in violation ... There have been thousands and thousands of people entertained at Floyd's, and only a few complaints ... albeit valid com-plaints."
Stated Lois Plocher, owner of Floyd's, "We're not inviting bands back that couldn't keep the sound down.  We're doing everything we can.  We're still con-sidering another kind of music.  We're willing to change our music on Saturday nights to a quieter style of rock 'n roll.  We do want to see how this all works because we invest too much in improve-ments for the backyard."
Stated husband Rick Plocher, "We just want to know what the rules are."

LOOKING AT BUS SERVICE IN VICTORIA
THROUGH SOUTHWEST METRO TRANSIT
Administrator Steve Sarvi reported on March 27th that he has been in contact with Southwest Metro Transit about bus service to Victoria.

Said Steve, "They no longer tax the cities to use it.  Instead, there'd be  an approximate $10 levy per house per year across the tax base.  Right now the fare is $2.25 each way to Minneapolis.  Sounds like it's going up, even considerably.  They're willing to bring buses in for a six-month trial service starting in May.  There are several trips a day, and riders can go anywhere on the loop including Chaska, Chanhassen, Eden Prairie, with transfers to the airport and Mall of America."
A member of the Southwest Metro Transit will be invited to give a short presentation to Victoria councilmembers.  No action was taken at this time.

WORKING WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
AND STAYING ON TOP OF INVENTORY
"City staff has strongly encouraged us to keep council up to date on our pur-chases," stated Gary Sohns, chief of the Victoria Fire Department, which operates under the auspices and funding of the City of Victoria.
He requested that councilmembers authorize the purchase of a 26-foot trailer from Thurk Bros. for a purchase price not to exceed $8,410 plus tax and license.  The trailer will be used for transporting the 1929 antique fire truck to surrounding communities for their annual festivities and parades, and for a recovery area to allow firefighters to rest and change out their self-contained breathing apparatus bottles during cold weather operations at sizeable fire.  In addition, the trailer may be used in the interim after a fire to store property that is removed from a structural fire.
"The Fire Department is looking to replace the chassis on one of our takers," added Chief Sohns.  "It's a ten-speed, and most of the new recruits don't know how to operate a clutch, much less a ten-speed."
At a special March 13th workshop at City Hall, Chief Sohns reported a gross income of $23,000 from its recent Fishing Contest fundraiser, and expenses of $6,000.  He and Captain Tom Schmieg presented an income history listing the many items that the fire department purchased through its various fundraisers over the years, which were not part of the city's budget or taxpayer expense.

TEAMING FOR TENNIS COURTS
VICTORIA COULD PARTNER WITH HOLY FAMILY
On March 27th councilmembers voted unanimously to gather information about the possibility of partnership with Holy Family Catholic High School in the construction of eight new tennis courts for its students and Victoria residents alike.
Councilmember Mary Thun reported the estimated cost is close to $200,000 and that Holy Family is ready to step up to the plate at this time with $100,000.  She suggested a random survey of Vic-toria residents about the desire or need for tennis courts.  Most existing Victoria courts are in need of repair or replace-ment ... or abandonment.
Stated Mayor Jerry Bohn, "I certainly agree with partnering with people to lower our costs, and we'd have no land costs with this.  I think it's a good idea to get residential input."
Councilmember Richard Tieden said that any new tennis courts should come with lights in order to expand their use into evening hours.  But he added, "We've already spent money in the field house package for tennis courts.  We've got fields at Diethelm Park that still need to be lit.  We've got major park considera-tions, ... and it comes down to where can we best serve the people.  We've got a lot on our plate right now."
All concerns will be kept in mind as the process moves forward without com-mitment.

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