FRANCHISE AGREEMENT WITH NSP? 
CITY ATTORNEY WILL LOOK AT PROS AND CONS. 
For the last four or five years, NSP has been seeking a 20-year franchise agreement with the City of Victoria, but the city has been reluctant to sign such an agreement.  One of the problems dates back to the city's desire to get NSP to bury underground its unsightly lines in the downtown area of Victoria.  Currently those lines are overhead and aesthetically unpleasing.
NSP has been willing to bury these lines, but only at large cost to the City of Victoria, which translates to "at large cost to the taxpayers of Victoria," estimated to be over $100,000.  All new lines that come into developments are automatically placed underground. 
On November 9th, several representa-tives of NSP (now Xcel Energy) attended the Victoria City Council meeting -- to explain, to discuss, to inform, to improve relations.
Stated Councilmember Paulsen, "We are in the midst of downtown redevelop-ment, and we've got an unsightly pole and line downtown that is obstructing our view to Stieger Lake.  If you could get that pole out of there, that'd be an interesting place to start!"
Jim explained, "Our goal is to put that cost in the rate base and not be a cash cost to us."
Also, there have been brownouts -- lack of sufficient electrical power -- in the City of Victoria which have caused the city's well pump to be damaged and threatened water supply to Victoria residents.
  City Attorney Laurie Miller was asked by Council to review the pros and cons of the 20-year franchise agreement as proposed by NSP.  Said Mayor Mary, "Twenty years is a long time, considering what's happening today."

FOURTH TERM FOR MAYOR MARY
78.5% OF REGISTERED VICTORIA VOTED
"I want to thank the public for re-electing me," said Mayor Mary Meuwissen on November 9th, two days after the election.  "I was a little concerned because of the well problem and growth issues.  It's been a struggle at times.  We try very hard.  I think every council does the best job it can.  Marv Hartman tells me that when the first well went in, it was only going in for Katy Hills, and it became a great water supply for the city.  I can't wait for us to have a second well."
Responding to the fact that some of her "Re-Elect Mayor Mary" signs disappeared around town before the election, she said, "They wanted them as memorabilia."
Before the election, there were 2,535 registered voters in Victoria.  On the day of the election, 487 additional voters regis-tered.  Of that total (3,022), 2,370 voted -- which means 78.4% of registered Victoria voters turning out to vote.
Other winners for Victoria City Council:  Dave Lindgren and Richard Tieden.

SUPPORTING MOUNT OLIVET ROLLING ACRES
"A GOOD USE OF THE CITY'S ABILITY"
Mount Olivet Rolling Acres, located on Rolling Acres Road in Victoria, re-ceived approval to use the City of Victoria as a conduit in the issuance of Industrial Revenue Bonds for property owned in Victoria and elsewhere.  These bonds, while issued by the city, are not backed by the city but by the borrower under provisions of the Housing Programs act.
Said Wayne Larson, executive director of Mount Olivet Rolling Acres, "We are remodeling to make interior spaces more handicapped accessible and to offset the costs of putting city water on the property."
Explained Dick Asleson, who is with the city's financial consultant firm of Juran and Moody, "What they're asking for is the issuance of bonds where the city would be the legal agency.  There is no obligation to the city to make payment if they default.  It will not affect the city's ability to issue other bonds.  This is not a General Obliga-tion Bond.  The city is a conduit in this transaction."
Said Councilmember Jim Paulsen, "The city has done this before for HEI in Victoria and Holy Family Catholic High School.  This is a good use of the city's ability."
Said Mayor Mary Meuwissen, "I've got a Down Syndrome brother and I appreciate having Mount Olivet here every time I drive down Rolling Acres Road."  Mount Olivet Rolling Acres serves developmentally disabled children and adults.
There will be a public hearing on December 14th to take comment on the proposal to issue the Revenue Bonds.

DEVELOPERS INTERESTED IN DOWNTOWN VICTORIA/
AS BUSINESS PROPOSES EXPANSION.

WILL THE MATH TAKE VICTORIA THERE?
TO THE REALITY OF A GROCERY STORE IN TOWN?

NEW PROJECT COORDINATOR HAS A LIST/
WORKING ON BEHALF OF VICTORIA

TIME TO NAME COUNTY ROAD #18/
SO WHO LIKES LYMAN BOULEVARD?

ST. BONI HINDERS WORK AT HWY 7/
AND VICTORIA'S TRAFFIC SIGNAL IS DELAYED

COUNTY HRA VISITS VICTORIA/
LOOKS TO REHAB HOMES TO RENT OR SELL