Richard said he's talked to the MN Highway Patrol and judges and probation officers, all of them saying there's been no reported difference in activity between the 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. closings that have been allowed.
He asked, "So can anybody tell me what the problem is?"
Replied Councilmember Bishop, "The problem is that the community has spoken.  They don't want to change it to 2 a.m."  Terry made a motion to deny the request.
Richard said he wasn't finished with his statement.
"You've already had 25 minutes," said Mayor Jerry Bohn.
"I only need another 5 or 10 minutes," said Richard.  "Please."
Terry Bishop repeated his motion to deny the bar owners' request.  Richard Tieden said he was being personally disrespected in not being permitted to present all of his information.  Voices got loud.  Terry Bishop cited Robert's Rules of Order.  Richard Tieden repeated that he was being shown disrespect.  Voices got louder as the vote was taken.  Only "aye" votes were heard.  No "nay" votes were heard.  Mayor Bohn declared that the vote was unanimous.  Bars in Victoria may not stay open after 1 a.m.
Councilmember Mary Thun then asked if she could speak.  "I've had two very, very pleasant discussions with Lois.  Thank you, Lois.  And I've listened to many people asking me to vote no. I hope we can continue to work closely with Lois and Craig and the Victoria House boys and now the School of the Wise."

THE CROSSINGS AT BAVARIA
AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMES TO VICTORIA
Councilmembers voted unanimously on May 26^th to approve the sketch plat for The Crossings at Bavaria, a 29-acre site in Victoria bounded by Hwy 5, Bavaria Road, and 78^th Street.  At one time it was to be called Madelyn's Creek.  The devel-oper is K & K Communities.
City Planner Eric Zweber stated that the proposal includes 90 townhomes and 14 duplexes for a total net density of 4.4 units/acre. 
"There's a large creek running through the middle of the property," said the planner.  "These are modulating build-ings, but not to our complete standard.  Fifty-four units are proposed to be sold as affordable, as defined by the Metropolitan Council, in the year of sale."  Average price of the units is projected at this time to be $212,000.
Councilmembers were pleased that the homes will have two-car garages rather than the one-car garages as earlier proposed.  The Planning Commission is advocating a trail through the develop-ment rather than along the edge.
Eric said that the Crossings scored highly in the guidelines for REC distribu-tion because it already lies within the city limits, it's affordable, and municipal water is nearby.
A Residential Equivalent is equal to approximately one home.  The City of Victoria wants to allow only 150 RECs per year in order to have enough sewer capacity from the Met Council.
Tom Heiland of K&K Communities referred to the $212,000 "affordable" price of the development's homes.  "It seems to be higher than what we original-lay started with.  We've been at this for two years," he said.  At that time it was projected to be $194,000. 
Mayor Jerry Bohn said, "I would sup-port providing some relief, a waiver, to help make the homes affordable.  I thank the applicants for staying at it and bring-ing affordable housing to Victoria."  Brad and Irene Kerber were also in the audi-ence that evening.
Stated Councilmember Mary Thun, "I look forward to seeing the preliminary plat!"

OTHER NEWS FROM MAY
JUNE IS BUSTING OUT ALL OVER
*Debby Hartman-Wrolson wrote a letter to the city about forming a Victoria Garden Club with projects such as plant-ing at the Welcome to Victoria monument and hanging flower baskets on the 60 light poles throughout town and at the Field House.  She said local businesses and residents will be contacted for donations.  The city was asked for assistance in sum-mer watering of the flowers. 
*Mayor Bohn reported that Crown College, currently located in Laketown Township, is appealing for adjacent cities to review the Orderly Annexation Agree-ment which splits their campus between the cities of Victoria and Waconia.  The college would like to be entirely located within only one city.  Legal counsel will be consulted.
*Mary Thun reported that a resident at Foxglove Circle questioned why they pay the city's higher urban tax rate rather than the rural tax rate.  The neighborhood does not have paved streets nor municipal water.  Mary will contact Gordy Simanton of the Planning Commission and Planning Consultant Mark Kaltsas to work with her on a resolution.
*Council approved installation costs of $19,216 for playground equipment at Lions Park and $22,492 to install play-ground equipment at Diethelm Park.  Total cost of each playground - including equipment, installation, and site improve-ments - is around $100,000 each.  Mark Kaltsas said equipment is on order since April 28^th, and it's a four-week order.
*Council was requested to execute a joint powers agreement with the City of Rogers for the cooperative purchasing of lighting for the ballfields at Diethelm Park.  Stated Mayor Bohn, "I'm astound-ed at the difference in pricing.  How can there be such a wide discrepancy?  I'd like more explanation.  I think we owe it to the taxpayers.  I don't see any advantage at going with Rogers."  At a subsequent workshop, a rep from Musco Lighting said, "Basically, if you go out for bids, it's an exercise in time and energy and addi-tional dollars."  He said 80% of such pro-jects are done by Musco, the company that actually developed the lamp.  The is-sue is still under consideration.
*Amy Sauter of Eden Prairie was hired for the position of Administrative Assistant to the Parks & Recreation Department with the City of Victoria.  It's an entry level position with a six-month probationary period.
*Mike Kerber, Victoria's Town Cop, reported that, in fact, there was no threat at the Holy Family Catholic High School last month.  "It was simply an inappropri-ate statement.  It was unfounded, he said.
*Council authorized staff to retain the services of Bergerson-Caswell at an esti-mated cost of $6,700 to remove the pump and equipment of Well #1 in the northern part of Victoria at Virginia Shores Circle.  The City's Public Works Department will remove the pump house and get rid of the building.  The city's engineer said the old well was a potential contaminant of groundwater.
*Council approved construction plans and specifications and ordered advertise-ment for bids for a sanitary lift station and forcemain on property owned by Water-brooke Fellowship near Lake Wasserman.