5) Council approved the purchase of a 37,000 GVW Single Axel Truck and Snow-plow Equipment at a total cost of $135,888.
Breakdown of cost:  $54,903 for the truck from I-State Truck Center in Rose-ville; minus the trade-in value of $5,000; plus $77,695 for the snowplow equipment from Aspen Equipment in Bloomington.  Sales tax amounts to $2,293.
Said Bruce, "The snowplow is almost as high as the truck ... It's about a $2,000 upgrade from a regular dump box."  Vic- toria will now have three snowplows.

EMERALD CREST COMES TO VICTORIA
WITH SENIOR CARE/ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY
On May 13th Victoria councilmembers approved conditions making it possible for Emerald Crest to build a Senior Care/Assist-ed Living facility in Victoria.  It is proposed to be located at 8150 Bavaria Road, south of the Applewood development.  They hope to begin construction in June.
The Victoria Planning Commission rec-ommended that the request for rezoning from agricultural to multiple residence dis-trict be approved.  They also recommended a conditional use permit and variance be granted.
Tim Kearney, owner, builder, develop-er and one of three partners, said there a need for such a facility in a home-type set-ting.  It is not built to feel like an institution.  There are no hallways to get lost in.  Meals are served home-style.  Nursing and therapy are available.  The building looks like a home in a neighborhood.
Mr. Kearney said there is a fenced in area with a walking trail, which provides some independence and also safety for resi-dents.  Emerald Crest at Bavaria Road will accommodate up to 30 elderly residents.
Two single-story buildings, each con-taining 15 suites, are connected to each other by a sunroom.  There will be enclosed courtyard areas and garden beds.
Emerald Crest also has facilities in Minnetonka, Burnsville, and Shakopee.
Victoria councilmembers also approved a sign permit for the applicant of Emerald Crest.  Councilmember Richard Tieden has been especially instrumental in pursuit of such a facility for Victoria.

SWAPPING PROPERTY WITH THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT
AND EXPANDING DOWNTOWN VICTORIA
Mayor Bohn reported on May 13th that the Three Rivers Park District would consid-er swapping land with the City of Victoria. 
The city owns about 20 acres on Lake Auburn including the old STEP Group Home building.  The Park owns about 20 acres with Highway 5 frontage by the Dairy Queen that would help the city expand its downtown area.  It would be one acre for one acre, unless appraisals show a big dis-crepancy in valuations.
The city has moved forward and hired an appraiser for the properties.  Stated Mark, "We'd like the plans detailing the swap in front of the council by October and in front of the Metropolitan Council by December." 

OTHER COUNCIL NEWS FROM MAY
TWO PRECINCTS AND TWO POLLING PLACES IN VICTORIA
*Councilmembers approved boundaries for two voting precincts in the City of Vic-toria.  Highway 5 is the dividing line.  All residents on the north side of Hwy 5 will vote at the Village Hall on Rose Street.  All residents on the south side of Hwy 5 will vote at the Victoria Field House.  As popu-lation south of the highway increases, an-other precinct can be formed and another polling place designated at the Victoria Elementary School.
*Councilmembers directed staff to arrange for paving the corner parking lot on Stieger Lake Lane across from Schmitty's Tavern at a cost not to exceed $38,000.  There will be only one exit onto Quamoclit.
*Dan Barness has been appointed to the Parks and Recreation Committee.
*Chem Lawn received a peddler's license to sell service door-to-door for two weeks in the City of Victoria contingent on a successful background check.
*A park maintenance employee, Lee Otto, has been transferred back to the public works department.
*Permanent sound equipment for the Council Chambers is "coming and on its way."  It's just not installed yet.
*Stable permits were renewed for Ray Flygare on Bavaria Road, Anthony Hickl on Pipewood Cruve, Victoria Interrante on Kings Road, and Dale McCall on Bavaria Road.
*Mayor Bohn reported on May 13th that the Victoria Chamber of Commerce would like assistance from the city for its annual fall Touch of Bavaria event.  The city will provide labor and organizational help before, during, and after the event.
*Pete Nelson, a resident at the channel between Lake Virginia and Lake Minnetonka, continues to seek assistance in maintaining the channel.  Dredging costs are estimated as high as $30,000.  Victoria councilmembers approved the formation of a committee to look into jurisdiction of the channel.
*Paul Hartman was granted a minor subdivision to move his westernmost prop-erty line at Schutz Lake approximately 42 feet further west.  Both parcels will meet the lot size and side yard setback requirements.  The approval allows an addition onto the existing two-story woodframe home.
*Paul Hartman was denied a variance to the rear yard setback requirement to allow construction of a garage addition.  Neither the Planning Commission nor City Council could determine a hardship since there are other alternatives on the one-acre lot.
*Councilmembers approved the lease of a Sharp AF-350 copier for the Parks and Recreation Department not to exceed $2,174 per year for four years.