|
CONTRIBUTES $4,300 TO VICTORIA CHAMBER
FOR BANDS AND BUTTONS AT NEW EVENT
On July 14th Victoria councilmem-bers approved the closing of two blocks of Stieger Lake Lane on Saturday, Septem-ber 24th, for the Victoria Volksfest, a new event initiated by the Victoria Chamber of Commerce and proposed to be sponsored by several businesses and individuals and also the City of Victoria.
On July 28th Victoria councilmem-bers approved the contribution of $4,300 to the Chamber to pay for the two bands that will play that evening ($2,800) and also the buttons ($1,500) that will be sold to the public for vendor benefits, dis-counts at various area businesses, eligibility for raffle prizes, and admission to the festival.
Stated City Administrator Steve Sarvi regarding the donation of taxpayer dollars, "The city has to show there is a public purpose." He informed councilmembers that Minnesota State Statue "allows cities to expend funds to advertise and promote the resources and advantages of the com-munity."
Councilmember Terry Bishop asked Chamber director Jennifer Chapman, "Since you used the word 'share,' why are we being asked to pay for all of the buttons?"
She replied, "I couldn't turn in an invoice to help pay for the tents, so this is kind of a trade-off."
Councilmembers approved a tempo-rary liquor license contingent upon the Chamber acquiring liquor liability insur-ance, insurance at a level high enough as approved by the city attorney. The city attorney will recommend an amount of coverage that would name the City of Victoria as additionally insured.
The Chamber director also asked Victoria councilmembers to waive the $25 application fee that is standard for temporary liquor licenses in the city. This request was denied, and it was pointed out that the Lions and churches and other city groups pay the application fee. Stated City Administrator Steve Sarvi, "We've never waived the $25 in the past. There is staff time this helps to offset."
Jennifer Chapman said that down-town establishments will have food and beverages available on the day of the festival, that there will be kiddie parade, a barrel fight, open mic for teenagers, a Touch of Bavaria during the evening hours, with a street dance at the end of the night.
She stated that the Volksfest will "hopefully open it up to a wider demo-graphic" than the annual Touch of Bavaria event that has been sponsored by the Victoria Chamber of Commerce for the past several years.
She said there will be two hours of German music prior to the street dance, and then the Funk Junkies will play from 8 to midnight in the parking lot by Schmitty's. Councilmembers asked if the decibels will be in line with city ordinance since decibels have been an ongoing issue with bands at Floyd's Bar. No assurances were given.
ANOTHER REQUEEST FOR CITY DOLLARS
IMPROVING VICTORIA BUSINESS DISTRICT
Council approved a change-out of signs at 1510 Commercial Avenue as owner Deep Baveja is going from Texaco-Oasis Market to Marathon-Hi 5 Market. Deep also owns the Hi 5 Liquor Store and convenience store at that location.
Because the city is requiring a signifi-cant change in quality of signage - an upgrade for a brick monument similar to the Holiday Station sign -- there was also a request for city funds to help pick up the tab.
On July 28th Victoria City Council-members approved the sum of $5,950 to Deep for signage improvements.
Stated City Administrator Steve Sar-vi, "You need to state a public purpose. We want him to keep more in line with the city's vision, architecturally, to go above and beyond what is required … There is a significant amount of work involved. He doesn't own the building, but does own the businesses within the building. Staff feels there is a public purpose. It goes beyond the ordinance and meets the intent. Would Council be willing to make some type of contribution because it is an upgrade and goes beyond the minimum? The city has a history of partnering with businesses in this regard. We feel this is a good use of city money. It's a good partnership with a business owner."
Steve mentioned the $5,500 given to Floyd's to help them pay for stone work on the exterior of their building, and a much larger amount given to the Victoria House as part of the downtown street re-construction project.
Stated Deep, owner for over four years, "Three months ago I was here only asking for a change-out of signs. If the city can help me just on the monument sign, I'd be happy with that. My priority on this business is not the new sign but the new (gas) pumps."
Mayor Jerry Bohn acknowledged that it is the City of Victoria asking for an upgrade to a monument sign. Council-member Terry Bishop agreed with assist-ing for that which is a public purpose. In that regard he was opposed to paying for the new gas dispensers and for the entire cost of the new Marathon sign.
The motion was for a city donation toward the signage, electrical hookup, and removal of the old sign, not to exceed $5,950, which is approximately half of the upgrade cost.
RAISING ANTENNA FOR CELLULAR USE
CONTINUES TO BRING REVENUE TO VICTORIA
"We're looking to tear down the old tower or sell it, or something like that," said City Administrator Steve Sarvi.
Since construction of the "new" 500,000-gallon water tower at the site of the Holy Family Catholic School about five years ago, the "old" 100,000-gallon water tower has not been in use. It cannot be used because of the 30-feet difference in elevation between the two towers.
Communication antenna on the old tower must therefore find a new home on the new tower. Council approved a condi-tional use permit for Voice Stream (dba as T-Mobile) to be located on the new tower. The city is also currently negotiating with Cingular Cellular.
Stated Administrator Sarvi, "We're not going to knock down the old tower right away, but we're clearing the way." The city receives about $20,000 per year from the cellular companies plus there's an annual increase of 5%.
Click here for more City Scoop.
|
|
