He also said that the county has no authority in the creation of a TIF district, but that it reviews and recommends.
Nick also pointed out that Carver is a growing county and will therefore have higher costs than a mature county.  "The growth issue drives up costs," he said.  "Washington County has some mature areas and big players out there."
Said Commissioner Siegfried, "A high proportion of Carver County is in agricultural land which gets preferential treatment.  This has to be taken into ac-count also.  We are the highest participant in the agricultural program of all the coun-ties you've compared us to."
John also pointed out that the coun-ty's cost for Public Safety is high because it provides police coverage to all cities in the county except Chaska.  "We also have a jail facility larger than the community needs and it generates significant revenues for us.  You've got only expenditures here, and not a list of our revenues."
Councilmember Paulsen thanked the mayor and council for supporting the study at his behest.  "The study cost us $5,000," he said.  "Basically in Minneso-ta, taxes are high and that's hard to under-stand and that creates hostility.  There's nothing harder to find out in Minnesota than transparency in its documents."

LOOKING AT NOTERMANN WOODS
LOOKING FOR CITIZEN USE BY NEXT SPRING
Councilmember Jim Paulsen spoke about Notermann Woods on November 8^th.  Said he, "Hopefully it's in the city's control, the city's possession.  I'm anxious we get it cleared.  I'd like to set a time period for dialogue so our citizens can use it next summer.  I think we've got an obligation to our citizens to let them know we own it and they can use it.  Our citizens have every right to those proper-ties.  It needs to be elevated to an objec-tive.  It should be used by our citizens ... to walk in it, ride their horses, raise their llamas."
Said Mayor Mary Meuwissen, "With-in the next three weeks or so we've got a good opportunity to clear a trail through there.  I think we should develop a plan.
Notermann Woods is part of the for-mer Bongard-Notermann property near the Holy Family Catholic High School.  The Woods consist of about ten acres.

WELCOMING A DRY HIGH SCHOOL
JOINT EFFORT FOR CARVER AND SCOTT COUNTIES
Councilmember Richard Tieden re-ported November 29^th on an item before him as a member of the Carver County Chemical Health Advisory Committee.  He said that a collaborative effort between Carver and Scott Counties has resulted in a dry high school.
Explained Richard, "The high school has ten students, a capacity for 20 students, and has five staff members.  It's for students having problems with chemical dependency.  There's a concern in our county and in our country.  Students in the dry high school are really committed to sobriety.  I have nothing but admiration for them.  This school is available.  Ten more people can be placed there."
He also reported that Carver County received a state and federal grant for a two and a half-year project for students and family of students in the dry high school.  The project involves the hiring of three specialists to work within the school system. 
Richard said that Michael Coyne, a social worker for Carver County, is very knowledgeable in this regard and can be reached at 952-361-1663 and e-mailed:  mcoune@co.carver.mn.us.  Said Richard, "If you have a student or are an interested student, make use of this resource."  He also invited people to call him personally as well as Carver County Comissioner John Siegfried.

MARY'S HOME LOOKS TO CHASKA
NO ROOM AT THE INN IN VICTORIA
City Councilmember Richard Tieden spoke to the recent news that Dick and Mary Jo Copeland were not able to find a place for their children's residence in Victoria.  There was vocal opposition and also a refusal to sell property to the Cope-lands.
Involved from the beginning, along with Mayor Mary Meuwissen, Richard had this to say on November 29^th:
"Mary's Home came here in early spring, looking to bring their dream here.  They talked to us and held informational meetings.  I encouraged them to look into the possibility of building here in Victoria.  It was strange as it developed.  It seemed to be politicized.  Angry letters disap-pointed me.  A couple people threatened not to vote for me.
"There are questions about land values and safety that are very relevant that demanded answers.  They never did find land they could buy here, and they moved on to Chaska.  My understanding is that they have a purchase agreement.
"I am pleased to say that the various individuals I met through this process taught me so much about this communi-ty.  I am so proud to live here.
"I'm talking about Pastor Frank Jones at the Moravian Church and Father Bob White at St. Victoria and the Holy Family Catholic High School president all being so supportive.  So many people came up to me with support and asked what they could do to help.
"It afforded me the opportunity to visit Sharing and Caring Hands in Minneapolis, to experience what the Copelands put together there, their religion, their faith.  The majority of people who work there are volunteers, and I met this Presbyterian pastor who works there as a volunteer.  And Sue Orsen did a splendid piece in the Gazette with wonderful pictures on the Internet and in the Gazette.  Those pictures and the story are still available on her website.
"Mary's Home will be in Chaska.  It is in Carver County. 
"I would encourage everyone who has a few moments to go down to Sharing and Caring Hands to see what it's all about.  I know there'll be a lot of you in Victoria looking to volunteer with this new organization that will develop."
Stated Mayor Mary Meuwissen, "I wish the Bernardi's and Chaska and Dick and Mary Jo Copeland the best of luck, and also all the children who will attend it."
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