OTHER/SHORTER VICTORIA CITY NEWS
BOARD OF REVIEW SET FOR APRIL 24TH
*The Board of Equalization for 2003 in Victoria will be held on Thursday, April 24th, at 6 p.m.  People unhappy with assessed valuations of their property can appeal to the city and the county.

*Stated Jerry Bohn in first mayor's report, "I'm looking forward to serving the community.  It'll be a challenge.  We have the state budget to consider and significant development pressures.  We don't want to adversely affect our com-munity.  We have downtown decisions to make.  There are many challenges."
*In response to a question from Mayor Bohn about the city's insurance premiums, Finance Director Jylan John-son replied, "Our premium held steady for about five years.  It went up in 2002 be-cause the operating budget went up -- from $1.6 to $2.2 million.  That's almost a 40% increase.  It results in an increase in liability."  The city's insurance premium is currently $71,000, which includes the $15,000 workman's comp premium. 
*Council approved the purchase of an office desk for Bill Schwanke, city build-ing inspector, for the sum of $276.75 from the Inspection Department's 2002 budget.
*Council approved the expenditure of $1,780 for professional wetland deline-ation services regarding the overall storm-water management plan for the redevelop-ment of downtown Victoria.
*Barry Kyllo, representing Edward Jones Investment Company, received a Peddler License to distribute information in Victoria until December 31st, 2003.
*On January 23rd councilmembers terminated the city's advertising agree-ment with the Tonka Bay Group because its fundraising for the Victoria Field House has not proceeded satisfactorily.  Said Steve Sarvi, "Staff can perform these activities to an acceptable level."
*Council approved an expenditure not to exceed $15,600 to purchase and install tile in a concrete area of the field house that was not part of the original budget.
*Phase One of the investigation of the downtown Sidco site has been com-pleted, and it is deemed necessary to proceed with Phase Two since there is potential for ground contamination on this city-owned site, according to Planner Mark Kaltsas. 
*Steve Sarvi reported that the City of Victoria is not in compliance with state law regarding pay equity.  "It's not un-common with a rapidly growing city and staff to move in and out of compliance," he said.  "But we don't have a step system in place.  We'd like to work with the Per-sonnel Committee to position ourselves for future growth."  A motion passed to that end.
*Council approved expense and fees for City Finance Director Jylan Johnson to attend the Government Finance Officers Association annual conference in New York City from May 16th to May 21st.
*Council approved financing the pur-chase of exercise equipment for the Vic-toria Field House, with the issuance and sale of approximately $108,000 in Gener-al Obligation Equipment Certificates of Indebtedness.  These are 3-year certifi-cates with an average coupon rate of 2%.
*Council held a special joint meeting on Tuesday, February 4th, with the Plan-ning Commission and also past council-members to "talk about how the city got to where it's at," said Steve Sarvi.