OTHER NEWS FROM JUNE
NEW HIRES FOR CITY OF VICTORIA

*Council authorized the advertising for a new Assistant Planner position for the City of Victoria.
*Council hired Linda McNaulty for the position of Administrative Assistant for City Hall at a starting hourly rate of $13.07.
*Council hired Beverly Wruck for the position of Administrative Assistant for the Parks Department at a starting hourly rate of $14.31.
*City Attorney Mike Norton reported that courts have consistently upheld the right of eminent domain, but property rights advocates have been very busy, and a split court decision occurred in a contro-versial case.  "From the city's perspective the city did not lose any ground," he said.
*The mayor read letters from resi-dents saying thank you to the city for assistance during the storm, and a letter from Father Bob saying thank you for allowing St. Victoria to host lunches at City Hall during church construction.
*Council approved an agreement with Holy Family Catholic High School whereby the city has use of its eight tennis courts for a period of 20 years, to 2025.  The school and the city split the cost of constructing the tennis courts, which are located on the school's property.
*Council approved a refuse hauler's license in Victoria for TCW Disposal.
*Steve Sarvi reported June 9^th on the storm that went through Victoria the night of June 7^th.  The power went out early in the morning, about 3 a.m.  The city's main effort was to open the roads and help haul away tree debris.  Zumbra Ridge and Victoria Circle were still without elec-tricity.
*Council approved phase 2 of the 206-acre subdivision called Laketown.  Phase one included 175 housing units; phase two includes 28.  Before any additional preliminary plats are approved for the Laketown subdivision, the developer must identify a site for a Proposed Water Treatment Plant #2, Proposed Well #5, and Proposed Well #6, as part of Victoria's Comprehensive Water System Plan.
*Council approved the design and installation of banners on street light poles in the downtown area of Victoria, as revised by the Chamber of Commerce.  The banners are a fundraising effort for the Chamber whereby businesses will pay to advertise in a space that approximates 10% of the banner.  The other 90% touts Victoria and a welcome to the City of Lakes and Parks.
*Council formally approved the an-nexation of 1,300 acres into the City of Victoria, as requested by Hartman Com-munities, Lyman Properties, and Water-brooke Fellowship for the development of Krey Lake Subdivision, Rhapsody Sub-division, and the Waterbrooke Fellowship church.  Rural and urban tax rates were agreed upon by all concerned.  Victoria's rural tax rate is $75 more on a $200,000 home than the township's rural tax rate on that home.  Hooking up to city sewer and water, or selling the property, or executing a land division, begins a four-year climb to the city's urban tax rate.
*Council approved the rezoning of property located at 8725 Church Lake Boulevard from agricultural to residential, which allows the construction of a church.  Said Pastor Bill Bonner, "Our goal is still to begin construction in July.  Our goal is to be in the new facility by Christmas."
*Council approved the purchase and installation of playground equipment at Lions Park and Diethelm Park at a total cost approximating $200,000.
*Council accepted the quote from Superior Lamp to replace 150 lights in the ice arena at the Victoria Field House.  The lights are $35.32 each and are warranted for 30 months.  There are a total of 616 lamps in the arena which will be changed on a rotating schedule.
*Staff has initiated 3-month member-ships at the Victoria Field House in order to accommodate young people home for the summer.  There are now nearly 1,000 total memberships sold.
*Council accepted an offer from the Victoria Athletic Association to donate two 3-row bleachers for the softball and baseball fields at Diethelm Park.  Approx-imate cost is $3,000.
*Council approved liquor licenses in Victoria contingent upon receiving nec-essary applications and fees.
*Council approved a settlement agreement with Maurice and Kay Leuthner whereby Leuthners will pay an agreed-upon assessment for the street reconstruction project a couple years ago along their Rose Street properties.  The city had determined their properties increased in value by $39,047.  The Leuthners had said there was no increase in value.
*Council renewed the Charitable Gambling License for the Chaska Lions to sell pulltabs at Floyd's and Schmitty's.