CREATING A MASTER PLAN
AS GROWTH MOVES INTO THE TOWNSHIP
There was a joint meeting of Victoria city councilmembers, city staff, and Laketown Township board members on March 18th.  According to City Adminis-trator Steve Sarvi, developers were asked to put together a master plan for the ap-proximate 2,000 acres that are currently part of the township.  Such a master plan is perceived as an aid to move develop-ment at a faster pace, he said.
Steve said the developers have their eye on much more than just the 1,000 acres south of Deer Run that were involved in the Southside Study.  Devel-opers are also working on property west of County Road #43 and near Krey Lake.
A proposal is being developed by the City of Victoria that will outline "goals, objectives, criteria, and expectations" for a master plan of that portion of Laketown Township that falls within the 2015 growth boundary.  A group of developers is interested and involved in this portion of the township that is ripe for annexation to the City of Victoria.
Public participation is to remain part of the process. 
As growth and development are like-ly to proceed, there will be additional fire station and public works needs.  As stated by one of the developers, "The question is how much and how fast?  We need a master plan in place.  We're willing to commit to this."
Stated Mayor Jerry Bohn, "We have sort of an outline now as to what the master plan can look like.  We can work and review it with [City Planner Mark] Kaltsas, and get input to him."

OTHER NEWS FROM MARCH
THANK YOU, VICTORIA VICS BASEBALL TEAM!
*Council unanimously voted to accept from the Victoria Vics baseball team the construction of dugouts on a baseball field at Diethelm Park at no cost to the city.  Said Administrator Sarvi, "Mike Poppitz and others have contribut-ed greatly to those fields."  Said Mayor Bohn, "I applaud the efforts of the Vics and thank you for your willingness to do this."  Councilmember Tieden mentioned, in particular, the building of the baseball mound along with Jerry Kuseman.
*Council approved giving each full time city staff person and also each Vic-toria firefighter $150 off any membership package they might choose to purchase at the Victoria Field House.
*Reported Mayor Bohn, "We are try-ing to partner with the school district and do whatever we can to locate a school in Victoria.  The point is, we're trying to have land available in Victoria where it's still affordable."
*Council directed staff on March 13th to schedule a public hearing on the Homeowners Improvement Ordinance.  The ordinance will establish the Zumbra Ridge Housing Improvement Area in order to facilitate street improvements proposed by the residents in that neigh-borhood.
*Council appointed Steve Sarvi to be temporary Acting City Clerk since Diane Schwalbe submitted a letter of resignation in March.
*In trying to make a decision as to the type of floor that should be installed at the Victoria Field House, council will ap-point a small committee of one or two councilmembers, one or two community members, and maybe a staff member from the field house.  This committee will re-view the city's needs and bring back a recommendation to the council.
*As mandated by the State, council-members hired Abdo, Eick, & Meyers to help determine the city's building permit fees that will adequately reimburse the city for its building inspection costs.  Cost of this accounting service is expected to range between $900 and $2,500.
*Council adopted the 2003 Field House Operating Budget totaling $1,025,633.  That number refers to pro-jected revenues as well as expenditures.  Stated Mayor Bohn, "We hope to increase our revenue side in future years and not have to tax for this facility."
*Council approved the use of credit cards to pay for services at the Victoria Field House.  Stated Finance Director Jylan Johnson, "It's providing a conven-ience for the residents, but it will cut into the revenue."  Dave Lindgren made a motion to go with the Victoria State Bank for its merchant credit card services, "seeing as they're spending quite a bit of money on the zamboni."
*The positions of Fitness Center Attendants and Concessions Attendants at the Victoria Field House were filled by hiring Scott Burault, Benjamin Smothers, Jaime Kammen, Kory Aretz, Jonathan Kruger, Claire Wack, and Ashley Benson.
*Council approved an agreement with Carver County for 2003 spring and fall composting whereby the city will be reimbursed costs not to exceed $4,684.
*Kahnke Brothers requested permis-sion to construct a shade canopy on their property at Nature's Bounty Garden and Gift Center in Victoria.  Said Jeff Kahnke, "We are currently using the space for staging and plant storage.  This would make it more orderly.  We could hold plants longer for sale."  Council said the request should first go through the process and be reviewed by the Planning Com-mission.
*Council approved a sketch plat in the north part of Victoria, at Aster Trail and 62nd Street, for a subdivision to be known as Tall Trees Addition.  Five single family lots are being proposed for the 2.57 acres, with each home having an approximate cost of $500,000.
*Council approved the Audited Fi-nancial Report for the year ended Decem-ber 31, 2002.  The city complies with "material terms and conditions," but the city does not maintain a record of its general fixed assets as required by ac-counting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  Steve Sarvi said the city is continuing to work on compliance in this area, and that all cities must comply by January of 2005.
*Council approved a resolution that retains the services of staff from the Pagel Ice Arena in Minnetonka to raise advertis-ing revenues for the Victoria Field House.
*City staff is reviewing what fee might be charged for the rental of the large new gymnasium at the Victoria Field House.