Mark projected a total of 500 parking spaces possible in the existing downtown acreage, whether public or private, with the two major areas being the space currently occupied by City Hall and an expanded parking space across from Schmitty's.
He said current downtown space works for perhaps 6 good-sized buildings.
"Already we have businesses that rely 100% on public parking.  There's a push and a pull that the Council is going to have to administer," he said, admitting, "It always has been a partnership between the city and the private developer to provide parking, but it's not a science."
City Attorney Mike Norton said, "The concept of shared parking is not ille-gal.  The thing is, what do you do with the last developer in?  Is there going to be parking for the last guy standing?"
He added, "At some point you have to have some minimum standards.  There could be the potential that we don't have enough shared parking for a particular use.  You have to figure out if the base is always going to satisfy your need ... At some point you have to pull the trigger and say what your concept is.  Your ordinance should not grant perpetual rights ... Everything depends on how the ordinance is drafted ... There are a number of ways to address issues without taking away current owners' rights."
Said Councilmember Kim Roden, "I'm okay with changing the rules as long as we can point to why we did it."
Stated Mayor-Elect Mary Thun, "I think that every business that comes in has to provide a certain share of its own parking ... I think people are going to want to be here in this city ... We will have a massive population.  Some day a business isn't going to mind building a parking ramp here."
"Can we agree that shared parking is a good way to develop downtown and that the first use of TIF is for parking?" asked Mayor Bohn.  "I agree with Mary that everyone has to provide a certain percent-age of parking or a fee in lieu of it."
Asked Councilmember Richard Tieden, "Is it fair that some buildings have to build underground parking while others get to use the surface parking?"  Replied Mayor Bohn, "Those buildings have more square footage and they're taller."
Added Councilmember Tieden, "We've also got to look at what we've done with the Clocktower and Kidtalk and people not providing their own parking ... There might be some adjustments for existing businesses ... It's very important to lay the groundwork.  We don't need to be in any big rush.  I agree with Mary that people will want to be here ... If we're not on board with shared parking, we might as well say, 'Good night, Mr. Crowe.'"

OTHER VICTORIA NEWS FROM JANUARY
INCREASED BENEFITS FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT
*Council increased the benefit pack-age for the Victoria Fire Department by increasing the pension benefits to $1,950 per year of service for each member of the Department, upon retirement or comple-tion of service.

*Terri Eskola donated $30 to the Vic-toria Fire Department for helping to change a smoke detector.
*Charles Knowles donated $100 to the Victoria Fire Department for having a birthday party at the Fire Station.
*The Victoria Fire Department re-ceived a $2,700 grant from MN Valley Electric Trust Cooperative for the pur-chase of a new defibrillator.
*Councilmembers approved a dona-tion of $1,600 to the Victoria Chamber of Commerce to help pay for their Business Expo.
*Council authorized the acquisition of a single family residential property at 1920 Stieger Lake Lane from Ronald and Barbara Bohlman for $390,000, including relocation benefits of $74,300, and authorized the mayor and city clerk to execute a purchase agreement approved by the city attorney.
*Mary Thun and Kim Roden held the first round of discussions with potential partners for the Victoria Field House.  These preliminary meetings with potential partners led to information requests.  They received that information and follow-up meetings have occurred.  They hope to come to Council in the first quarter of 2007 with recommendations. 
*Richard Tieden reported that he and Kristy Mock have been looking at clean-ing up the weathered wooden fencing surrounding the hockey rink at Lions Park before someone gets hurt.  Said Kristy, "Once we get it fixed up, it can possibly be a revenue generator."
*Kim Roden and Richard Tieden were appointed to the Comprehensive Plan Task Force, joining Jim Donadio and Tom Vogt of the Planning Commission, Terry Hartman of the Business Develop-ment Committee, and Linda McNulty of the Senior Commission.
*Council approved the Development Agreement with Victoria Drive LLC for tax increment finance assistance for the developer's tenant, Mackenthun's Meat and Deli, providing an amount not to ex-ceed $94,000.
*Abdo, Eick, and Meyers LLP pro-vided the 2006 year-end audit and other reporting services for the City of Victoria for an estimated $24,730 plus out of pocket costs.
*Council accepted a donation of $300 from Mount Olivet Rolling Acres, a vol-untary contribution in lieu of taxes in ap-preciation for city services.

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