OUTDOOR MUSIC ON THE PATIO
ALLOWED TO CONTINUE AT FLOYD'S
Floyd's Bar will be allowed to con-tinue its outdoor weekend bands through August, 2002.  Owners Lois Melcher and Rick Plocher have turned the music down to an acceptable level since complaints last month.  They have purchased sound panels, a decibel meter, and contacted more neighbors.  There have been no "in-cidents."
Said Lois, "We're privileged to pro-vide music on our patio to our customers until 12 o'clock on weekends.  We hope that one or two objections do not obliter-ate all those who have no objections.  We believe our music is not objectionable.  It is simply audible."  She referred to band contracts on Friday and Saturday nights through August, following a variance from councilmembers last February that allowed the place to go past the ten o'clock noise curfew.
Councilmember Richard Tieden agreed, "The sound does carry a consider-able way, but I haven't heard complaints.  Lois and Rick have financial commit-ments.  I don't want to see them hurt."
In regard to the future he said, "We need to think through a policy very clear-ly.  There's a bigger, more encompassing issue here.  Maybe other places will be wanting outdoor music.  I've wrestled with this.  It is not an easy situation."
He added, "We have to deal with the reality of the commercial nature of your business.  You didn't realize that you were going to be so successful ... After this season we need to review this and come up with a comprehensive policy.  This will certainly be an issue next year." 
Richard offered to be a contact person for residents, including Ron and Kim Larson, who live down on 81st Street and agree that Floyd's has "done something to turn down the volume" since their initial complaints.
Mayor Mary Meuwissen commented on her eight-year term of office.  "When-ever there has been an issue, there are usually a lot more people here when it's really objectionable.  I've gotten a hun-dred calls on some issues.  I've seen great movement here to correct complaints.  We are the ones who gave the variance in February, right or wrong.  I see you making progress.  There are a lot of people supportive of you.  It is a commercial district, but you have to make a strong effort to get the sound panels installed."
Said Lois, "We want to take this to a point where no one complains.  We want this to continue next year.  It's been a good thing."
Said Councilmember Jerry Bohn, "I'm regretful that I ever agreed to this.  It's unique that a town allows a band to do this every weekend.  It's not fair to the neighbors."

FIRE DEPARTMENT TO BURN THREE HOUSES
CLEARING THE WAY FOR DEVELOPMENT
On July 11th councilmembers voted to allow the Victoria Fire Department to burn the three city-owned houses on 79th Street, near the bridge on Stieger Lake Lane.  This is the area proposed for devel-opment into high-end condominiums, a project that, it is hoped, will prod the market toward downtown redevelopment. 
City Planner Mark Kaltsas checked for other ways to get rid of the homes.  "It would be a complicated demolition," he said.  "It is difficult to get estimates on that kind of work.  Some contractors won't bid when there's asbestos.  After a burn occurs, there's great variation on what's left over."  Administrator Steve Sarvi said that the cost to get rid of material at a landfill is the major part of demolition or burning expense.  That could be around $15,000 for the three homes.
The Victoria Fire Department sees the burn as good practice for its members and possibly also members from other de-partments.  Fire Chief Gary Sohns esti-mated a total of six weeks to get rid of all three houses.  They should be gone by the end of August.

NEW RADIOS FOR VICTORIA FIRE DEPARTMENT
FOR VICTORIA AND ALL OF CARVER COUNTY
The Victoria Fire Department asked city councilmembers to purchase a 800-MHz system and portable radios at a cost not to exceed $52,019 using budgeted funds from the Fire Equipment and Truck Fund, which has a balance of $237,029.

All of Carver County will be switch-ing to the new system.  Carver County Fire Chiefs voted that all fire departments be online with the system by February 14th, 2003.  Authorizing purchase at this time allows the saving advantage of a "Q2 Promotion."  Without the promotion, the city's contribution to the system would have been $95,236.
Councilmember Jerry Bohn com-mented on the source of funding.  "I think the radios should not be coming out of the truck fund.  You could borrow from it this year and pay it back."
Stated Victoria Fire Chief Gary Sohns, "I call it a capital improvement purchase for large equipment."
Said Councilmember Richard Tieden, "I recall asking you to ask the county to meet us half way."  In fact, the county has allocated each city $14,000 to assist in converting to the 800-MHz system. 
Motion to approve the purchase for the Victoria Fire Department passed.  Ad-ministrator Steve Sarvi said the new radios can do a better job than the old radios.

SIGN VARIANCE FOR HOLY FAMILY
FOR A FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD
Hoy Family Catholic High School received a variance on July 25th from the city's sign ordinance to allow the installa-tion of a scoreboard exceeding the size requirements of the ordinance.  It will be located on the south face of the existing school and occupy approximately 200 square feet of space.

City Planner Mark Kaltsas pointed out the school is located in a residential zone and said, "It's common, or typical, for a school to make such a request.  I don't think we'd be setting a precedent by doing this.  If another school requested such a variance, I think they'd also get it."
"The scoreboard would be used for varsity football games," he said.  "There's a substantial setback from property lines.  Since it would be located on the school, it keeps visual obstacles down to a minimum. "
The Planning Commission had rec-ommended approval.  No advertising will be allowed on the sign.
Click here for more August 2002 City Scoop