AN ICE ARENA FOR VICTORIA?
COULD BECOME A REALITY IN THE NEW YEAR
A new proposal for the City of Victoria comes from the Minnetonka Youth Hockey Association (MYHA).  Since the northern part of Victoria lies in the Minnetonka school district, this offer is not without neighborly advantage and opportunity to both parties.
On Thursday, December 28th, the Victoria City Council formally approved a resolution voicing support for the concept and preliminary plans of building and operating the two-rink -- each of Olympic size -- ice arena in the new Eklo Park of the City of Victoria.  As Councilmember Jerry Bohn said, "The resolution lays the foundation for what we've agreed on.  This is a good opportunity for both parties.  I certainly support this."

CHASKA LIONS LOOK AT SCHMITTY'S
TO BRING PULLTBS BACK TO VICTORIA
Council unanimously agreed on December 28th to "go ahead and agree conceptually" with the Chaska Lions operating charitable gambling pulltabs at Schmitty's Tavern in Victoria.  After the Victoria Lions have reviewed the proposal, it will be brought back to the Victoria council for a final vote.
The Chaska Lions was the first group some years ago to conduct charitable gambling at Schmitty's.  Then the Victoria Lions took over the operation, with the MLBA (Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association) coming to the scene most recently.

SWITCHING LEGAL NEWSPAPERS
VICTORIA UNHAPPY WITH CHANHASSEN PAPER
In preparing for January's annual "organizational" meeting, city staff was asked to obtain quotes from local news-papers for publishing the city's legal notices.  It was reported on December 28th that The Waconia Patriot quoted the lowest rate, especially if Victoria would e-mail the notices to them.  The Chanhassen Villager, currently Victoria's legal paper, is sending a revised quote.  The Lakeshore Weekly provided the least expensive legal rate.
One of the many requirements to be a legal newspaper is distribution at least once a week for 50 weeks out of the year.  This is the only requirement that The Victoria Gazette does not meet to be a legal news-paper, since the Gazette is a monthly publication.
Victoria councilmembers have been unhappy with the Chan paper, both in its coverage of Victoria council news and its editorial content.  Tim Amundsen said the Villager has given no secondary response when the facts are pointed out to them.  Dave Lindgren reminded councilmembers that the Villager endorsed someone other than Mary Meuwissen for mayor of Victoria this fall.
City Administrator Steve Sarvi was asked to work with either the Waconia Patriot or Lakeshore Weekly to become Victoria's legal paper.  Council's motion, which passed unanimously, included talking to The Victoria Gazette about purchasing a page for notices because it's the paper that reaches all Victoria residents and is well read.  The motion also included making the address of the city's website more known and prominent in city communications.

VICTORIA APPLIES FOR TREE CITY USA
BECAUSE CITY ALREADY HAS TREE APPEAL
Victoria will apply for membership in Tree City USA and take advantage of the tree preservation and conservation the city already undertakes.
City Planning Consultant Bill Thibault said that Victoria will be required to spend at least $2 per capita, which will require no additional funding beyond what the city already spends on tree preservation.  Victoria also meets the requirement of having a tree ordinance.

ERIC CHINNOCK AN EAGLE SCOUT
RECOGNIZED BY VICTORIA COUNCILMEMBERS
Eric Chinnock, son of Robert and Rorie Chinnock of Victoria, recently earned the Eagle Scout award and was recognized and honored at the December 14th city council meeting.  His scoutmaster is John Livers.

BIGGEST CONSTRUCTION YEAR EVER
OVER A 200% INCREASE IN 2000
Total population of Victoria is now estimated to be 4,500.  According to Plan-ning Consultant Bill Thibault, the city will realize 148 new dwelling units in the year 2000 with a building permit value over $25 million.  The previous highest year was 1996 when 99 new units were constructed.  There are now an estimated 1,575 dwelling units in the City of Victoria.

DEVELOPMENT AT HWY 5 AND PARK DRIVE
AN ALREADY DANGEROUS INTERSECTION
Council accepted a sketch plat for property located at the northeast corner of State Hwy 5 and Park Drive.  The 15 acres at the location have been sketched for 22 single family lots to be serviced by a cul de sac extending east from Park Drive.  Sewer and water lines were extended through this property when the plat for Swiss Mountain was approved about six years ago.

COUNCIL AGAIN LOOKS TO SRF
FOR THE NEXT AREA OF DEVELOPMENT
After receiving applications and conducting interviews, the City of Victoria moved to contract a study with SRF Consulting Group, the same group that assisted Victoria with the East Side Study that resulted in several residential neighborhoods, the Eklo City Park, the Holy Family Catholic High School, and an area designated for an elementary school.  This next study, which is expected to begin in January, 2001, will focus on a much larger parcel that includes the proper-ty south of Deer Run along Victoria Drive, most of which lies in Laketown Township and is part of the orderly annexation area.
The study will help determine what will be included in the development of that property, keeping in mind the current uses of adjoining properties."