Jerry suggested that an ice arena manager might also be the operational person.  He reported that Mike Ayres thought Victoria should develop a mission statement so the candidates know this will be a long term position and project.
Said Councilmember Richard Tieden, "The word 'director' does conjure up the idea of telling other people what to do.  We do need a hands-on person.  Before we come up with a title, we need to come up with the extent of responsibilities."
Richard added, "I'd encourage us to really develop the weight room and aero-bics room.  As for concessions, I'd say it's not going to be Dots and popcorn.  It's going to be a city restaurant."
Councilmember Gordon Simanton said that driving the arena and driving the business is the number one priority.  "The candidate should understand this in the interview process," he said, adding that once a person is hired, if at the end of a year that person has driven only $50,000 but done great programming, he would not be satisfied.  But if he's driven $250,000, he'd be happy to say that per-son was right for the job.
Mayor Mary suggested that the inter-view team interview some of the top managers of area ice arenas to help in formulating a job description.

TAKING BABY AND GIANT STEPS
TOWARD THE VICTORIA FIELD HOUSE
The contract on the Victoria Field House with RSP Architects was approved on May 9th.  RSP will do the construction drawings that go out to bid.  The contract is a standard agreement between architect and owners.
Councilmembers voted on May 9th to have Juran and Moody sell bonds for the Victoria Field House.  The cities issues bonds that will be paid back by revenue generated from the facility as well as by taxpayer dollars.
On May 23rd councilmembers heard from Dave Hanson of Krause Anderson Construction, who said the first set of bids will be received on Thursday, May 30th.  Bids will be opened at 2 p.m.  Eight cate-gories are being bid, he said, including concrete and masonry, earth excavation, steel and erection, the ice rink, concrete, piping, dasher boards.
"The budget is still holding pretty steady at $5.35 million," said Mr. Hanson.  That figure includes the additional ex-pense of an elevated walking track and barrel features on the roofline.
He said the second set of bids will be coming in June 11th for such things as the mechanical and electrical features.  After June 11th, he said, the city will also know the price of the gymnasium.  He predicted that excavation should begin the second week in June.
Commitments have now been made regarding the sale of advertising displays within the proposed Victoria Field House and prospects continue to be contacted by Jody Vlatkovitch.  No total dollar figures were given at this time on advertising in-come.

THE STIEGER LAKE LANE BRIDGE
GETS BIG FUNDING FROM MNDOT
Council approved the construction plans and specifications of the Stieger Lake Lane Bridge replacement project.  Total estimated construction cost for this project is $818,621.  Expected MnDOT cost participation is approximately $695,081, leaving the city portion at $123,540. 
Council also authorized bidding of the project, allowing staff to place ads and receive bids on June 11th.  It is anticipat-ed that staff will be making a recommend-ation to award the project at the June 13th or June27th city council meeting.
Stated John Sanders, bridge engineer, "Plans have been completed and approved by MnDOT.  The bridge will be a one-span structure with two 12-foot lanes and one 6' sidewalk."
Engineer Jack Griffin said on May 9th that he recently learned that MnDOT funding may be in jeopardy because the transportation bill had not been approved by the legislature to date.  Said Mayor Mary Meuwissen, "I think this would be a good time to give Tom Workman a call."  State Representative Tom Workman is chairman of the Transportation Commit-tee.
City Administrator Steve Sarvi said on May 24th that MnDOT funding for the bridge remains intact.  Its funding was, in fact, part of a bonding bill, not the trans-portation bill.

TIP TOE THROUGH THE TULIPS
AND FILLING OUT THE DANCE CARDS
The City of Victoria has two dance programs.  One is for-profit and pays the city $100/month to rent the Village Hall one night a week.  The other program is sponsored by the Victoria Parks & Rec Department and has operated out of the sport court at Diethelm  Park. 
Since the sport court will soon be demolished, the city-sponsored group must find another location.  But moving to the Village Hall will conflict with other activities including the for-profit dance group, according to city staff on May 9th.
Said Mayor Mary Meuwissen, "I'd recommend that the city-sponsored group gets preference."  She also preferred to accommodate the group that includes the most Victoria residents.  City staff was directed to review all facts, facets, and considerations, especially the possibility of meeting on various nights throughout the season at the Hall to satisfy each of the groups.

FIGHTING MILFOIL ON LAKE VIRGINIA
AND USING SONAR ON SCHUTZ LAKE
Victoria councilmembers approved an expenditure of $1,071 to treat Lake Virginia for milfoil.  The DNR is contrib-uting $700.
Craig Eggers, resident on the lake, said funding from the DNR has decreased because there are more lakes in the state to treat with the same pool of money.  The 19 homeowners on Lake Virginia are also contributing $400 apiece for milfoil treat-ment, he said, mainly on their own lake-shore.
Said Craig, "It definitely makes a dif-ference.  This is our 14th season on the lake.  We use a herbicide called Reward."  Lake Virginia has a public access.  Craig said approximately 600 people use the lake every week.
He added that sonar will be used to fight milfoil on Schutz Lake as a test site this year, at no cost to the city or resi-dents.  If successful, it could become a model for the state.
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