CITY TO HELP THE GARDEN CLUB
WITH MACHING FUNDS TO PLANT FLOWERS

Victoria councilmembers voted unani-mously to match dollars that the Victoria Chamber of Commerce spends on planting flowers at the Welcome to Victoria Monu-ment, at the Victoria State Bank corner, and at other locations.   Last year the Chamber reimbursed $1,400 to the Victoria Garden Club.

Said Councilmember Jim Paulsen, "I'd be willing to give $2,000 in matching funds.  At $4,000 we'd see a big change.  Let's push it up a notch."

It was Mayor Mary Meuwissen who brought up the suggestion that the City of Victoria assist the Garden Club after at-tending the January Chamber meeting.  Said Mayor Mary, "This would be not so they could cut back, but so they could add to what they do, to help with the beautifica-tion of downtown Victoria, to give a little bit of support and a little more structure to the group."
Mayor Mary pointed out that getting water to the planting site is often the prob-lem, and maybe the city's Public Works people could help.  "In Excelsior and Way-zata, those cities pay for all the flowers too," she said.
The motion included the Chamber and Council working together on a planting plan for this spring, with matching funds coming from the City of Victoria.

OTHER NEWS FROM JANUARY, 2001
WELCOME ABOARD, RICHARD TIEDEN!
*The family of new Councilmember Richard Tieden attended his swearing in ceremonies on January 11th.  Mayor Mary said to his daughter Annie & son Michael, "Thank you for letting your dad do this."
*Council voted unanimously to sup-port Carol Vadnais of Victoria for appointment to the Carver County Library Board. 
*The city received a letter from the Victoria Lions formally stating that they support the proposal of the Chaska Lions to operate a pull tab operation at Schmitty's Bar in Victoria.  The Victoria Lions re-quested that the 60% profit that the Chaska Lions propose to be gifted to the City of Victoria be credited to the Victoria Park and Rec budget.  On January 25^th Council approved the Chaska Lions to operate the pulltab charitable gambling site.
*Jack Kegel, Executive Director of the MN Municipal Utilities Association, has been invited to attend a council workshop or regular council meeting to share concerns about "impending electricity short-age" in the nation.
*Council approved the purchase of the Rapidsite visualization software at a cost of $3,205.  Staff believes this 3D modeling program will provide an excellent tool for the city to use in previewing future development with "photo realistic images."
*Boyd Bailey reported that the city has identified Kochia Drive to be Victoria's first State Aid road.  Kochia is the road that will eventually pick up the traffic from Holy Family Catholic High School and several neighborhoods on the "East Side," and bring it to Hwy 5 where it meets traffic from Park Drive and the West Schutz Lake neighborhood.
*City councilmembers will be con-ducting a goal setting session on Friday, February 16^th.
*The City of Victoria has contracted with James and Twyla Menth of Country Kennels, Mayer, for animal control ser-vices.  Animal control is one of the largest issues facing the Sheriff's Office.
*The City of Victoria approved the hiring of Eric Schmid of Bufflehead Web to design a new website for the city and to provide consulting services as required, at a cost not to exceed $3,825.
*The City of Victoria will provide city labor to the Victoria Chamber of Com-merce and its annual Touch of Bavaria celebration.  Steve Sarvi pointed out that other cities often help with setup and take-down for various functions in their communities.  "Everybody in town pitches in to help with the success," he said.
*Council approved the payment of fees for the city administrator, planner, and interested councilmembers to attend a Government Training Session and the League of MN Cities Legislative conference.
*Council authorized Richard Tieden's attendance at the Conference for Newly Elected Officials in St. Louis Park February 16 to 17.
*Council approved an expenditure of $2,720 for Planning Consultant Bill Thibault, working with City Planner Mark Kaltsas, to prepare a proposal to assist the city in the preparation of Industrial Design Standards.  Stated Jim Paulsen, "I'm not looking for pole barn standards.  I expect you guys to get awards!"
*Council approved an expenditure not to exceed $5,000 for the purchase of a mast arm at the traffic control signal at Hwy 5 in downtown Victoria.  Delivery is expected in mid February, with a three-week construction period.   It will allow for a return to two-way traffic on Main Street.
*Public Works Coordinator Boyd Bailey reported on January 25^th that there were septic system failures at the Park-wood neighborhood located on Bavaria Road.  That neighborhood is not hooked up to city water or metro sewer, and its road is not blacktopped.  Staff was directed to make Parkwood a top priority in the next 30 days.  The cost for sewer, water, and street improvement can range from $12,000 to $20,000 per household, said Mr. Bailey.
*Council approved the purchase of an Activity Registration system component of RecWare at the cost of $2,190.  It will allow the city take advantage of possible online registrations for its upcoming acti-vity programs.
*Victoria's Board of Review meeting will be held on Thursday, April 26^th, at 5:30 p.m. at the Victoria Hall.
*Contingent upon receipt of fees and application the following were approved for garbage/refuse hauler licenses in Victoria:  AW Disposal, BFI, Chaska Sanitation, Dick's Sanitation, Tidy Disposal.
*Council approved the associate membership of the city administrator, city planner, and one councilmember in the Urban Land Institute.  The fee is $375 plus a one-time processing fee of $100.  ULI's mission is to provide leadership in the use of land in order to enhance the total environment.