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A PROBLEM WITH THE CITY LOGO?
"IT'S SIMPLY ADVERTISING WHAT'S HERE."
Chuck Weller, member of the Vic-toria Parks and Recreation Committee, spoke to councilmembers on July 12th about changing the logo of the City of Victoria. The logo, which includes trees, birds, a lake, hills, valley, blue sky, and a church, was adopted by city councilmembers serving in the bicentennial year of 1976.
"We have approximately a dozen city parcels that vary in size and activities," said the Park & Rec member. "What we don't have is any signage. We have a lot of neighborhood city parks. We've got a lot of opportunities in front of us. It's time for us to look at city logos and park signs. We need some guidance from the council. Do we use the current city logo? Or enhance it?"
He asked, "Is it a logical logo with the Christian building or do we have to look at that? Do you want to stay with the city logo or look outside the box?"
Each of the councilmembers offered their opinions. Dave Lindgren reminded Mr. Weller that the current logo has already been extensively used, and at a cost. "Keep in mind that we just put that city logo on the water tower," he said. Said Jerry Bohn, "We saw the problem with the water tower. The church steeple on the logo is as big as the birds. There is a problem with the Christianity element."
Said Mayor Mary Meuwissen, "It doesn't mean you have to put the city logo on every piece of equipment. I'm all in favor of consistent signage. Our logo came about because there's a different church at every entrance to the city. I have no problem with consistent design standards. I'm in favor of the present logo, but it doesn't have to be on every-thing. You're looking for something that says, 'This is in a Victoria park.'"
Said Jim Paulsen of the city's current logo, "This is a trademark and I think it's just fine. I think we should let a subcommitte work on this. There are symbols in society that people object to. Moses is above the Supreme Court building."
Said Richard Tieden, "I think the logo is just fine. It's simply advertising what's here. But I do think it's important to identify the city parks. When you move to a new community, there's a lot to learn, a lot to know. I only learned a little while ago that the tennis courts at Lake Virginia and at Deer Run are public tennis courts." Mr. Weller was advised to return to the council with design suggestions and recommendations.
CITY OF VICTORIA HAS 1-3 RATING!
REFLECTS "PRUDENT FISCAL MANAGEMENT"
Paul Donna of Juran and Moody re-ported the City of Victoria was given an A-3 rating. "This is the first rating the city has obtained," he said. "There are 854 cities in the state. Only 13% have a rating of A or better so this puts Victoria in some very good company. It opens up the market to the City of Victoria. It should bode well for your future."
Said City Administrator Steve Sarvi, "It reflects the council's prudent fiscal management." Stated Councilmember Jim Paulsen about the rating, "So how do we move up? I want an A-2!"
FIRE FIGHERS WANT PENSION INCREASE
BUT THERE ARE DEFICITS ALL AROUND
The Victoria Fire Relief Association asked for a $200 increase in its pension for Victoria firefighters. The increase would bring the retirement benefit to $1,600 per firefighter for every year served. Last year the increase was also $200. No decision was made on July 26th.
Said Councilmember Jerry Bohn, "Over the years we've been trying to work down a deficit in the Fire Relief Fund. Investments got killed last year. This would mean a $12,000 increase in deficit from last year to this year. I feel this maybe isn't the year for a $200 increase. Maybe next year if the market turns around and you start seeing the assets grow ... I hate to see the city be put in a greater deficit situation."
City Administrator Steve Sarvi referred to the city budget as a whole, not just the Fire Relief Fund. He pointed out that the new tax law for Minnesota takes HACA aid away from metropolitan cities and that the City of Victoria lost HACA in the amount of almost $200,000. Said Steve, "This year, in our new budget, we're starting off with a $200,000 deficit. Just to get back to ground one, we'd need to levy $200,000."
Doug Jurek, president of the Victoria Fire Relief Association, said that some of the Victoria firefighters are coming up to 20 years of service and could be thinking about retiring and taking their pension. "But if they could get an additional $4,000, maybe they'd stay," said Doug.
Firefighter Bill Blinstrup stated, "The $200 would be a big plus for attraction and retention of firefighters."
Said Mayor Mary Meuwissen, "It isn't us versus you. We're all in this together." She proposed a smaller increase this year as well as using other tools to assist the Fire Department. Administrator Sarvi said the State Legislature passed a bill allowing cities to spend public dollars on housing to help "essential workers," such as firefighters.
CITY OF VICTORIA BUDGET LOSES $180,000
THANKS TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE
City Administrator Steve Sarvi put a face on the recent action by the Minnesota State Legislature, and it included teeth for the City of Victoria as it took a huge bite out of its budget. Victoria's city budget for the year 2000 was $2.1 million. Said Steve, "The Legislature basical-ly took away HACA [housing credit] from most of the metropolitan cities and shifted it to outstate communities. We are losing almost $200,000 out of our budget. It's just stripped right out. But the state did allow cities to levy for it. We 're going to have to raise taxes just to get to where we are now ... Chanhassen lost over $1 million." "I'm asking for guidance," he said, as he prepares a city budget this fall for the year 2002. Replied Mayor Mary Meuwissen, "Just bring your budget forward and we'll see where we're at and what's needed." Said Administrator Sarvi, "We'll come in heavy in September because in December we can't increase it, we can only cut." The September budget is only preliminary, then becomes finalized and formally adopted in December. Replied Mayor Mary, "I'd be opposed to coming in high in September. I'd say come in with what we need. We've done that for six years ..."
Said Steve, "There's a good chance you might get caught this year."
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