DELINQUENT SEWER AND WATER BILLS
VICTORIA CERTIFIES $30,000 FOR COLLECTION
Council approved the certification of the city's delinquent sewer and water bills to the county auditor for collection with the 2008 property taxes.  There are 61 city parcels on the list amounting to roughly $30,000 in sewer and water charges.

"It befuddles me why we need to wait so long to collect those funds," said Coun-cilmember Tim Amundsen. 
Replied City Attorney Mike Norton, "There are federal statutes that deal with collecting, plus we can only certify twice a year."
City Finance Director Jylan Johnson stated that the penalty for delinquency is 8% of the amount due plus a $25 collec-tion fee.  "Council sets these things," she stated.  "It was 8% prior to my coming on board."  Jylan also pointed out that 75% of the delinquent property owners are an-nual repeats. 
Councilmember Amundsen asked that the penalty for untimely payment be increased to 10%.  Administrator Steve Sarvi said the issue will be brought back to Council for review and be decided prior to the end of the year.

FOCUSING ON VICTORIA FIELD HOUSE
PREPARING FOR A FULL TIME DIRECTOR
Mark Brewer, the City of Victoria's interim director at the Field House, spoke to councilmembers on November 8^th, giving an update on his work and views.

"I'm here to discuss my first 60 days with Victoria," he said.  "I learned early on that it's basically a maintenance model right now.  My goal is to strengthen core capabilities for a new director to use in the future."
Mr. Brewer spoke directly about Corey Martin, Interim Field House Facili-ties Manager at the Victoria Field House.  "Management training is focused on a gentleman by the name of Corey Martin, an energetic and hardworking person.  I've been mentoring him.  I've suggested management training for him."
Agreed Councilmember Richard Tieden, "Corey has been a terrific asset for us."
Regarding his own involvement with the financial management at the Victoria Field House, Mr. Brewer commented, "It is an interesting journey ... I spend 80% of my time right now on concessions, which is an interesting animal.  I want to do it in this way - we provide the space and they provide the operation."
He added that he is working with Community Education, with the winter catalog, and with repairs for the Acorn House, especially the windows.
He presented statistics showing that gym usage in 2006 was 1,615 hours and it's 2,177 in 2007.  Membership in 2006 was 315; it's currently at 273.
Stated Councilmember Kim Roden, "Thank you, Mr. Brewer, for the work you're doing and for coming forward with recommendations.  We've got candidates for the new full time Director position.  Meanwhile, we've hired a good interim director!"
Administrator Steve Sarvi reported that city staff is being used to get rec-ommendations and cost estimates on fixing up some city buildings such as the Acorn House.

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