"The developer wants to be reim-bursed for the cost of this parking," he said.  "The city is permitted to finance these costs through TIF ... It will basically be through the increment generated by this development.  This project may not generate this amount and it may generate more.  Initial funding would be a note, paid semi-annually, backed by the available tax increment."
As summarized by Holly Kreft, "The property is assessed annually, so if only partial improvements are made, only those improvements are included in the TIF generated, and this is for the next year's tax rolls."
Stated Jay Lindgren, the developer's attorney with Dorsey Whitney, "The de-veloper is taking the risk that the increment will be there." 
"I need it to be clear that if the public parking is not there, it will have to be handled by the private sector, not the pub-lic sector," said Councilmember Paulsen.
Asked Mayor Mary Thun, "Could we potentially end up with underground park-ing with nothing on top of it and a con-struction zone?  I don't want it to be a construction zone for the next five years."
Replied Mr. Lindgren, "The develop-er won't begin construction until there are assurances, that there will be tenants.  The developer doesn't want to shell out $2 million for a parking structure and not any means to recoup the public amount of the project."
Council's motion at the end of dis-cussion was to move forward to draft a developer's agreement based on the term sheet. 

IMPROVING LIONS PARK IN VICTORIA
NEW TREES, CONCRETE APRON, BLEACHERS

Council authorized the removal of five evergreen trees at South Lake Vir-ginia Shores Park for transplanting at Lions Park at a total cost of $625 by True North Landscaping.  The purchase of three blue spruce at a cost of $400 completes the Lions Park tree project.
When the sewer interceptor project at Smithtown is completed, new trees will be part of the Lake Virginia Park restoration.
Council also approved a quote from Paul Vogel Construction in the amount $6,850 for a concrete slab for the bleach-ers at Lions Park Baseball Field.  It in-cludes sealing the concrete and cutting in expansion joints.
Finally, Council approved a quote of $2,160 from Clearwater Recreation for the installation of bleachers for the Lions Park Baseball Field.


CONSERVING LAKE MINNETONKA
ABOUT A MILE OF SHORELINE IN VICTORIA

Pete Nelson, Victoria's representative on the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District, showed up under "Visitor's Presentation" on May 10th and presented concerns and strategy of the organization.
"I've represented you five years now," he said.  "We meet twice a month for four to five hours.  It's been a priv-ilege.  Lake Minnetonka is 22 square miles.  The Watershed District is 184 square miles.  There are 14 members on the LMCD representing the 14 cities in the LMCD."
"I've asked to be on this board for environmental concerns," continued Mr. Nelson.  "I'd like to think I've been pro-active in effecting a change.  We're now much more concerned about invasive species like the zebra mussels.
"I am the chairman of Save the Lake Foundation, which is basically funded by private donors.  The lake is completely infested with milfoil.
"The LMCD was created back in 1978.  We only had carp then.  Now we've got 178 species and all kinds of nasty critters.  Nobody has enough money.  It's a matter of choices.  It's not fair that only the cities on the lake pay for these things.  People from all over the state use the lake. 
"The introduction of zebra mussels is not inevitable."
About one mile of Lake Minnetonka shoreline lies within the city limits of Vic-toria.


PERSONAL OFFERS TO VICTORIA
WITH HOPES TO KEEP THE FIELD HOUSE

Judy Black, a Victoria resident who spoke at the Town Hall Meeting on the Field House on May 8th, also spoke to city councilmembers in the Open Forum section of the May 10th council meeting. 
She said a group of residents have come up with ideas to keep the Victoria Field House in operation for the City of Victoria.  "We've talked to several people," she said.  "We're willing to secure a basketball camp.  Gina Holman would help with fundraising for a swimming pool.  Jerry Schmieg will check with the Lions Club.  We believe we can increase membership and will work on awareness.  We want to work on an arts program for the Field House.  I hope you will consider these offers before you make a decision."
Judy Black also spoke to council-members at their May 24th meeting, ask-ing that resident comments from the Town Hall meeting be taken into consideration as decisions are made on the Field House.  "Residents are interested in keeping this going and making it income producing," she said.

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