PLAQUE FOR THE ACORN HOUSE
HONORS FOR A NEW SPORT
The Chaska Area Lacrosse Club boys team finished fourth in the Minnesota Lacrosse Association State Junior Varsity Tournament the weekend of June 8th and 9th, 2002.  The tournament was hosted by the club in Victoria at Diethelm Park.

Lacrosse is an exciting fast-paced sport that was originated by the Native American tribes in North America.  The sport incorporates skills from hockey, soccer, basketball, and football.  The local team is coached by Brant Chalupsky, a 1995 graduate of Chaska High School.  Brant was exposed to the sport while attending Minnesota State University, Mankato.  He is shown here presenting the Tournament Plaque to Sherri Jones, Victoria administrative assistant, who will display the award in a prominent position at the Acorn House -- probably above the fireplace!

OTHER NEW FROM JUNE
BUILDING A PARKING LOT AT DIETHELM PARK
*"We have completed the design of the north parking lot at Diethelm Park," said City Engineer Jack Griffin.  "We're ready to move forward when you're ready to move forward."  The parking lot will not have a bituminous surface at this time.  Jack will be working with Krause Ander-son and the Victoria Field House schedule for a good time frame for construction of the parking lot.
*"There is a need to increase our cur-rent fee structure," said City Planner Mark Kaltsas.  "We would like to change the way in which we apply the requirements." He was referring on June 13th to the Neighborhood Park Fee, Community Park Fee, and Improvement Fee paid by developers within the city limits of Vic-toria.  The proposal includes a larger fee based on "per acre" rather than a flat "per unit" fee.  "This is an ongoing process," said Mayor Mary.  The planner will bring back more specifics for review by the council in August.
*Council approved city purchase and installation of a 6-foot coated chainlink fence replacement located on city right of way adjacent to the Smithtown Road culvert between Lake Minnetonka and Lake Virginia.  The fence, which will be about 175 lineal feet, is part of a safety issue, as well as to prevent loitering, said Planner Mark Kaltsas.  Cost of the fence will be approximately $2,800.  Council-member Gordon Simanton suggested that residents in that location can contribute dollars to the project to upgrade the fence if so desired.
*Robert and Sharon Kalla received a one-year extension to the variances grant-ed to permit construction of a dwelling with a shoreland setback of 51' from Lake Minnetonka and approximately 24' from a tributary creek instead of the required 100' and a variance to allow a height of 37' rather than 35' as required.
*Council approved an inter-fund loan from the Sewer Core Fund for costs incurred in the city's acquisition of the 93.24 acres in Laketown Township in an amount not to exceed $467,896.  This acreage was purchased from Sam and Dian Montgomery by the City of Victoria in June, 2000, for $425,000.  The land may be used, traded, or sold for future city infrastructure or community development needs.  The land continues to be farmed at this time.
*Council approved the audited finan-cial report for the year ending December 31st, 2001, reflecting year end transfers that councilmembers approved on May 23rd, 2002.
*Council approved the pay request in the amount of $4,500 from Wickenhauser Excavating for demolition of a Diethelm Park building.
*Council approved the pay request in the amount of $2,950 from Wickenhauser Excavating for demolition of the Diethelm Park storage barn. 
*Council approved the purchase of three GIS base maps for the City of Vic-toria including the Zoning Map, Compre-hensive Plan, and Street Address Map.  Planner Mark Kaltsas reported a high volume of requests for information relat-ing to individual parcels.  Several city de-partments will benefit from information available through GIS mapping.  Total cost is expected to be $3,150.  The Vic-toria Fire Department has received $1,500 from the Victoria Lions to help fund this purchase.
*In conjunction with the Parkwood Area Sanitary Sewer project, the city's engineering staff has negotiated a utility easement with Michael and Shirley Muller.  Acquisition of this easement avoids the necessity of constructing a sanitary sewer lift station for the project.
*Diane Schwalbe received approval to attend the Minnesota Municipal Clerks Institute at the Earle Brown Center at the University of Minnesota to be held in July.  Tuition is $345.
*From now on, all city staff will be evaluated for pay raises in December of each year for increases in January.  New hires will follow the same pattern.  Ad-ministrator Sarvi asked for and received a 3% increase for city employees at this time, with possible performance-based increases in January.