JUMPING THROUGH MORE HOOPS
FOR FLOYD'S IN DOWNTOWN VICTORIA
Rick and Lois Plocher, owners of Floyd's in Victoria, continued their re-quest to build an additional structure on their property in downtown Victoria that would accommodate evening office and business gatherings in the summer.  The request is for a 42-foot by 28-foot covered patio.  The request was tabled again, this time to the second meeting in March.
A deficiency of parking space in downtown Victoria has been the focus of discussion.  Rick Plocher asked why Floyd's, an existing successful business, has to take responsibility for the longtime continuing parking problem in Victoria.
"You're asking us to provide parking for both our inside and patio outside.  It never happens that both are full at the same time except during the Lions Softball Tournament," said Rick.
"We're one of the few businesses in town that does have a parking lot," he said.  "You built the Victoria House a parking lot and you built Schmitty's [Tavern] a parking lot.  I'm trying to get along here and trying to improve our busi-ness … We basically want a covered place for when it rains."
Said Lois, "I think it's important that you consider the needs of future busi-nesses, but I also think it's important to consider the needs of current businesses." 
Adjacent property owners spoke to the issue.  Judy Kaaua, a Victoria resident and owner of the property that houses the Victoria Post Office and Victoria Rose Floral, as well as a length of parking space in back of the building all the way to one of the entrances on Rose Street, said that bar patrons often park on her property.
  "Both Barb [Victoria Postmaster] and Marta [proprietor of the floral shop] have had to go to the bar to get people to move their cars so they could get out in the evening," said Judy.
She also spoke on behalf of Dr. David Dungey, owner of the dentist's office between the Post Office and Floyd's.  "Dave said there's not enough parking now.  He hears complaints about parking from his patients.  He's concerned about drainage and water runoff issues."
Mayor Jerry Bohn stated, "Parking is at the top of our list to deal with, but the parking issue is not a breaker for me with this.  How about Tom Gray's notice that the addition could require bathroom facilities and sprinkler system to meet code?"
Lois indicated she could live with that requirement if necessary.  "We have a great demand for office parties and busi-ness parties," she said.  "It would extend the season for us."
Craig Lynn, owner of Schmitty's and supporter of Floyd's request, stated, "I thank the city for the parking we do have.  The two lots by us are very rarely full."  He said it's only a short walk from the Schmitty's and Victoria House parking lots to Floyd's, if Floyd's can't provide all the parking required by city ordinance.
Barb Hoffman, Victoria Postmaster, said, "The higher ups in the Post Office don't oppose this after 6 p.m., but in the afternoon my mail truck has to get in and that lane in back of us must stay open.  If blacktop and striping will help, I don't know."
Lois stated, "If our shelter goes up and we pave and stripe the parking lot, and if signs would be put up that violators will be towed [from the section that is private property for the U.S. Post Office], I think it would take a very short time for people to get the message … And right now Dr. Dungey uses our parking lot.  There shouldn't be a problem with him from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., which is when our business starts."
Lois added, "Dr. Dungey has, literal-ly, a lake in back of his building every year."  Adjacent site work could improve his situation.
City Administrator Dave Urbia sug-gested a meeting of the property owners and some thinking "outside of the box."  He said a joint solution might help the entire downtown area.  Such a meeting will be held.  The issue of Floyd's getting permission to build a shelter was tabled to March 23^rd.
Councilmember Richard Tieden pointed out, "Problems existed regardless of the shelter request, issues that should have been addressed before.  Now it all falls on Floyd's.  That property [Floyd's large parking lot] has been used by many, many people in the city, and not just the city."
Agreed Councilmember Mary Thun, "I don't like that every time Rick and Lois are here, they have to jump through so many hoops."

ANNUAL REVIEW OF VICTORIA FEES
TRYING TO ACCURATELY RECOUP CITY FEES
Victoria councilmembers held a special workshop on February 9^th to review fees that the city charges for various services.  There are hundreds of fees paid for services in the City of Vic-toria.  Some will remain unchanged.  Some will be increased.  No motion was made at this time.
Alcohol Licensing.  Most of these fees will probably remain the same as they were in 2005.  An intoxicating liquor license is $3,300.  Staff is recommending, however, that a Wine/Strong Beer License be increased from $500 to $1,650 and that a temporary on-sale liquor license be in-creased from $25 to $50.
Annexations.  A new fee of $500, based on a similar fee in area cities, is being suggested to recoup city staff expense, especially the City Planner's.
Burning permit fee for residential burns is being recommended for a $10 increase to $20 per burn.
Preliminary Plat PUD fee may be raised from $250 to $500 plus $10 per lot, with a Final Plat PUD fee raised from $200 to $400 plus $5 per lot.
City Hall rental fees may be in-creased for large crowds and for non-residents and non-Victoria churches. 
Parkland Dedication fees will be studied in 2006.  Currently developers pay $1,550 per single family unit toward neighborhood parks and $35,650 per acre in lieu of community parkland.

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