CHARITABLE GAMBLING AT SCHMITTY'S
IT WILL REMAIN A BOOTH OPERATION
Karen Lindell, owner of Schmitty's Tavern in Victoria, spoke at the December 12th city council meeting, requesting an amendment to the city's current charitable gambling ordinance.  "We need to in-crease our pull tab sales," she stated.

Charitable gambling has been permit-ted at Schmitty's under the control of the Chaska Lions.  Richard Nolan, gambling manager for the Chaska Lions, explained that two years ago when the Chaska Lions requested a charitable gambling license at Schmitty's, "the only way the State would consider licensing at Schmitty's was with a booth, which is how we applied for it.  We're not having success there at all.  In August I notified Schmitty's we'd have to terminate."
He said the Chaska Lions Club originally projected $1.2 million in sales.  "But we've got about half that," he said.  "Overhead is what is hurting us."
Continued Mr. Nolan, "The State re-affirmed what they told me.  Mike Lindell then met with State board.  The State ad-mitted it had made errors, and they would consider changing it, but the City of Vic-toria wrote the ordinance as I presented it and the State cannot override the City of Victoria's resolution." 
Mr. Nolan clarified that he is asking permission for behind-the-bar sales rather than booth sales in order to "cut back on labor by about 30%."  He added that there have been no money shortages or prob-lems with the charitable gambling opera-tion at Schmitty's since the Chaska Lions replaced the Minnesota Licensed Bever-age Association (MLBA), the group that previously held the charitable gambling license at Schmitty's.
Stated Mayor Mary, "Are you telling me that everything the MLBA said [two years ago] was in error?"
"That's right," replied Mr. Nolan.
Stated Mayor Mary, "There were sig-nificant problems that we are aware of as a council ... when the Victoria Lions did it with behind-the-bar sales ... That's why we went to a booth situation, and we don't want to go back over those problems."
She made a motion to continue with the booth operation.  Mayor-Elect Jerry Bohn seconded the motion and stated, "I was on the council at that time, and we don't want that situation again
Said Councilmember Dave Lindgren, "I was on the Lions board back when the Victoria Lions had charitable gambling at Schmitty's.  There were shortages and the State said it allowed some shortage."
Mr. Nolan informed councilmembers that the State allows $9 shortage out of $3,000, adding, "All of Schmitty's com-petition sells tickets behind the bar."
However, the motion to leave things as they currently exist passed 4-1, with Dave Lindgren casting the nay vote "because it's only for six months."  The current permit is good until August of 2003, when a new resolution will have to be adopted by the City of Victoria.

OTHER NEWS
FROM DECEMBER 2002
*Council approved recommendations of the Personnel Committee that salary in-creases for 2003 will not exceed the 3% allowed for in the city budget.  The city has changed the dates of performance reviews from the employee's anniversary date of employment to a calendar date.
*Planner Mark Kaltsas reported that the city was successful in its application for a $15,000 investigative grant, to see if pollution problems exist on the Sidco 4x4 downtown property purchased last year by the city.  This is not a cleanup grant, which can be applied for if needed.
*A second full-time position is being added to the Planning Department in the City of Victoria.  City officials have completed the interview process and come up with a finalist candidate for the job, according to Administrator Steve Sarvi.
*Councilmembers authorized the ex-penditure of $29,989 from the city's EDA Fund for payment to Stieger Lake Stores, according to the Tax Increment Financing Agreement dated September 25th, 1998.  According to Jylan Johnson, the city's finance director, "The City of Victoria Economic Development Authority (the EDA) entered into an agreement with Stieger Lake Stores that offered property tax assistance based on the value of the building.  The agreement obligates the EDA to provide financial assistance in property tax years 2001 through 2003.  The amount of assistance due Stieger Lake Stores for 2002 is the lesser of $29,989 or the actual property tax paid on the property."
*Council adopted an Administrative Policy for Stop Sign Warrants to provide fair and uniform treatment of all requests for the placement of stop signs in residen-tial areas. 
*Ryan Soule, Jim Heiland, Ann Schrempp, David Wabbe, and Nate Murray have been hired as part time outside rink attendants.
*Councilmembers directed staff to continue working on a model noise ordi-nance that will meet needs of both resi-dents and business owners, especially as related to patio music at Floyd's.  Al-though the ordinance will probably refer to decibels, maximum levels of sound pressure, and other technical terms, Mayor Mary asked, "Please don't make it so cumbersome that it takes a team of lawyers to understand it."
*Council approved a resolution accepting the feasibility study for the Smithtown Area Street and Drainage Im-provements.  The feasibility study was ordered by the city council last year on January 10th, 2002, in response to drain-age complaints in the area particularly relating to stormwater and the high priority placed upon the need for street improvements in this areas.  Council has scheduled resident workshops to be held prior to the improvement hearing.