PROPOSING 105-FOOT AERIAL LADDER
THROUGH APPLICATION FOR A FEMA GRANT
Victoria Firefighter Jeff Nordeen gave a presentation at the city council meeting on February 26th about a 2004 FEMA grant proposal for an aerial ladder apparatus

Said Jeff, "The fire department is rec-ommending we apply for a federal grant to approve an 105-foot apparatus."  He said the apparatus carries manpower, pumping facility, aerial and ground lad-ders, and multiple storage compartments.  Hopefully application will be submitted by the end of March, and then they hand out grants for the next 18 months."
In responding to questions he said that through FEMA the federal govern-ment has allotted $750 million to be "cut up into slices to anyone in the country that can apply if they are a nonprofit."
He said the nonprofits have to pay a small percentage beyond the grant money that might be awarded.  In this regard he said "bigger towns have to cough up bigger dollars."
In defending the purchase of an aerial ladder he said, "We have five buildings in town that are at least 40 feet high at least on one side.  We know there are city funds set aside for an aerial for 2007 but we'd like to bump this up a little.  We think the federal government will see this as a need because we don't have one."
"We're obligated to come up with at least 10% of the cost," he continued.  "If we could come up with more than that, they'd look at that favorably in awarding a grant.  We started early this year.  We were unsuccessful last year."
According to the Internet, approxi-mate cost of a 100-foot ladder truck in 2003 was $600,000. 

VICTORIA BUILDING FEES INCREASE
GOING UP 10% AFTER FIVE YEARS WITH NO INCREASE
Council adopted a new permit fee schedule for 2004 that reflects an increase of approximately 10%.

Stated Victoria Building Official Tom Gray, "This will increase the build-ing fees to more closely match our costs.  It was the goal of the council.  I did a study to compare fees with surrounding communities.  We were low compared to other cities."
"It was the recommendation of City Attorney Norton that the entire fee sched-ule be made part of the ordinance," said Tom.  "There is a provision whereby we are allowed to publish a summary of it rather than the whole thing, as long as the public is invited to see all of it."
"The last time permit fees were in-creased in Victoria was five years ago," he said.  "It is up to each municipality to determine its fees."  In addition to the increased cost of construction since 1999, the city has also added staff and this will also help offset that expense.
Asked Councilmember Terry Bishop, "Do you believe this increase is fair, reasonable, and proportionate to the actual cost of the services?
"Yes," replied the building official.
The fees become effective after official publication.

PAYING FOR DOWNTOWN VICTORIA STORMWATER
HOPEFULLY THROUGH MORE DEVELOPMENT
Council authorized that new develop-ments occurring on vacant properties in downtown Victoria be charged a share of the city's cost for the new stormwater drainage facilities.  As part of downtown redevelopment, the City of Victoria did all the leg work for the entire downtown stormwater district.
"The city paid for it," stated City Planner Mark Kaltsas.  "In order to recap-ture fees from benefiting property owners, we need an ordinance.  It will come into play when people come to develop or re-develop vacant property and stormwater and impervious surface comes into play."
The stormwater requirements only apply to property that develops after the rules and requirements were adopted.  If an existing business redevelops for the first time, the requirements will apply.
But "every lot, parcel, or piece of land and every new connection for any land use developed or constructed within this district will be required to pay a connection charge at the time the permit is issued or approval is granted for the property.  The connection charge will be 87-cents per square foot."
City Engineer Jack Griffin explained that the City of Victoria designed one entire system for the whole area of down-town Victoria at a cost of $380,000.  "This is so others coming in don't have to go through the Watershed District," he said.  "They've only got to plug into it.  Not all of the $380,000 will be recouped because not all of downtown will be de-veloped."
Rick Plocher, owner of Floyd's Bar, said he was going to get their parking lot blacktopped this spring.  He wondered if he would be charged or assessed a storm-water fee for that project.  The city engineer said he was not sure if the Watershed District already sees [existing] gravel as an impervious surface.  The city planner said Floyd's would have to work with the watershed district on that issue.

PLAY BALL AND SING THE BLUES
POPULAR WEEKENDS FOR FLOYD'S BAR
Rick and Lois Plocher, owner of Floyd's Bar on Highway 5 in downtown Victoria, were granted a variance to the city's noise ordinance for two popular summer weekends in Victoria -- the Lions Softball Tournament and the Blues Festival.
Live musical entertainment will be performing on Floyd's outdoor patio up to 85 decibels on Friday, July 16th; Satur-day, July 17th; Friday, August 6th; and Saturday, August 7th.  The city code allows up to 55 and 65 decibels without a variance.
Stated Lois, "We're not asking for the sky.  Traffic is 75 decibels.  A motorcycle is 105 decibels.  The Lions Weekend is a community weekend.  At our Blues Festi-val we hope to attract national acts.  We want to increase our revenue so we can increase our donation to the softball kids."
Last year the Plochers made a large donation to the Victoria Athletic Associ-ation.
"Last year we held 30 outdoor events and had five calls because the music was heard," said Lois.  "Two of the calls were anonymous.  One call was on a night we had a solo guitar ..."
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