OTHER NEWS FROM FEBRUARY
VICTORIA POPULATION NOW ESTIMATED AT 5,310
*Planner Mark Kaltasas reported the city issued 162 new residential building permits in 2002, an increase of 13% over 2001.  He said the estimated population of Victoria, as of January 1, 2003, is 5,310.
*The Planner reported there will be four annexation requests from property owners in Laketown Township this year.
*On February 13th councilmembers tabled the request for sketch plat approval for the subdivision of property located at Park Drive and 74th Street, now called the Goodman Addition.  The Comprehensive Plan indicates that this property is proposed to remain parkland through 2020.  The property was formerly under the ownership of Three Rivers Park District and was recently traded to the Goodman Group for a piece of property that the Group owned in Golden Valley.  Total area of the Victoria site is 8.2 acres.  It is proposed to be subdivided into 13 single family residential lots.  Most of the adjacent Parkside Estates neighborhood have signed a petition against the pro-posed development, citing several signifi-cant factors. 
*Patrick and Virginia Hanily received a variance to permit a reduced sideyard variance setback of 7.7 feet at Woodstone Lane in order to allow construction of a third car stall.  The Planning Commission recommended approval.
*Council approved a resolution on February 13th for a final plat for the Applewood subdivision as proposed by Hartman Homes of Victoria.  The 20-acre parcel is located at the southeast corner of Bavaria Road and County Road 18.  It is proposed to consist of 35 single family homes, just south of Parkwood.  The Plan-ning Commission has recommended ap-proval.  A monument to the neighborhood entrance will be similar in design to the other Hartman monuments.
*Council moved on February 13th to authorize and execute a developer's agreement with Jon and Arlene Malinski to relocate a lift station north of Hwy 7.  The relocation will move the lift station further from the home site and will also provide better access for service and maintenance by the city.  The petitioners will pay to relocate the existing lift station and rebuild a new lift station at an approx-imate cost of $70,000.  Stated City Plan-ner Mark Kaltsas, "I think the outcome is good for the city."
*Dave Lindgren reported that Mayor Jerry Bohn spoke to the Victoria Lions at a recent February meeting.  Said Dave, "He was only the second best speaker we've ever had ... rivaling Rich Gannon."
*The City of Victoria received a call from the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District asking for a representative from the community who lives on Lake Minne-tonka or who is interested in the lake to serve on the LMCD.
*City staff was allowed to carry excess vacation hours over into the next year, "as long as we don't build another field house."  Mayor Bohn agreed the past year encompassed "two very disruptive events -- the field house and national guard duty" for Administrator Sarvi.
*The City of Victoria owns 90 acres at County Road #43 and #10, for future needs, and moved to continue renting it out as farmland for an annual rent of $7,000 ... and to order soil boring samples to see if there's gravel that could or should be mined.  Stated Ken Essig, chair of the Laketown Township Board, where-in this city property lies, "It's still within Laketown.  You've got to follow the rules.  You're a property owner there just like everyone else."
*Newly hired City Planner Lisa Krause was introduced for the first time to city councilmembers on February 13th.  Said Mayor Bohn, "If we do good plan-ning, we save tax dollars in the future."
*Councilmember Mary Thun advised that the city look closer at the fees paid to city engineers and city lawyers.  Mayor Bohn agreed that when councilmembers direct engineers and lawyers to check into things, "that we direct them specifically."
*Council authorized staff to hire part time staff for the Field House including Kimberly Arlt, Brenda Wendland, David Wabbe, Thomas Krafft, Rosean Harker, Tyler Novotny, Jim Wall, Christopher Tholen, Aryel Arlt, James Wilson, David Gaitley, Leo Schulz, Cerenity Petracek, Catherine Wiggins, Cathy Neumann, Gerald Amrhein, Crystal Harris, Danielle DuPont, Brenda Gilbertson, Sheryl Gaida, Shelly Nahan, and Megan Knutson for the positions of Fitness Center Attendants and Front Desk Attendants.
*Council approved a permit for a monument sign at Holy Family Catholic High School, located on Kochia Lane.
*Council authorized the purchase of a software package at a price of $16,500 and granted permission for staff to obtain quotes for networking the software be-tween the Parks & Rec Department and the Field House.
*Council approved the purchase of "basic necessary restaurant equipment" for the Victoria Field House at a not-to-exceed cost of $9,990.  Stated Park & Rec Director Tammy Abrahamson, "We have to get the basics, then work closely with the Health Department and pay the fees."
*Council approved the purchase of an indoor batting cage for the Victoria Field House.  Including steel cable and hard-ware for installation, total cost comes to $2,648 plus tax.  It takes golf balls, softballs, and baseballs.
*Council approved a minor subdivi-sion of property owned by Joyce Burau and Joanne Lano, located on Kochia Lane.  The first property will have the original home and 19 acres.  The second property will be vacant and about 20 acres.  Both are currently zoned agricultural. 
*City staff was given direction to continue providing information regarding the establishment of the Zumbra Ridge Housing Improvement Area.  It will even-tually allow the Zumbra Ridge residents of Victoria to build their streets without having to meet city standards for streets. It will also allow the city to finance the project and distribute costs equitably among all the neighborhood residents.  Total cost of the project is estimated at $100,000 "more or less."
*City staff was directed to investigate the various types of flooring and vendors available to complete the gymnasium floor at the Victoria Field House.  Other issues at the field house:  using roller-blades on the walking track, allowing baby strollers on the walking track, and equipping the equipment room with a defibrillator.
*Council approved a payment request from Krause Anderson Construction in the amount of $252,430.  This payment, together with the previous payments totaling $5,686,887.40, represents 92% of the contracted amount of $6,160.000.