SLALOM SKI COURSE
OK'D FOR SCHUTZ LAKE
Councilmembers approved the re-quest for a water obstacle permit for the Schutz Lake Skiers Association for the summer of 2004 on Schutz Lake.
This permit is an annual application.  The city has not received complaints over the past two summers regarding its use.  The submersible slalom ski course will be in the same location as the past two sum-mers.

CITY NEEDS MORE
ELECTION JUDGES
Councilmembers increased the Head Election Judge wages to $8.50 per hour and the Election Judge wages to $7.50 per hour.  With the creation of another voting precinct in the City of Victoria, additional election judges will be recruited.

MISC. FEES INCREASE
FOR PERMITS, SERVICES
Councilmembers updated the city's fee schedule for miscellaneous permits and services.  Some of the fees are new.  The utility fee requires companies to apply for a permit prior to excavation of their utilities in the city's right of ways.  The erosion control inspection fee re-quires builders and developers to comply with ordinances, and the city will collect fees for re-inspections of the violation.

NEW SOUND SYSTEM
FOR COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Councilmembers authorized purchase of a mobile sound system at a cost not to exceed $6,000.  It can also be used outside of the Council Chambers.  Video sound quality has not been optimal, and it has been difficult to hear in the Council Chambers when the heating or air condi-tioning fans are running.

ACCEPTING PLANS FOR
STORMWATER RUNOFF
Council approved the final AUAR, which is a document required by state agencies that assists in reviewing the im-pact of new developments and, if there are negative impacts, how they city can ad-dress them.  The Metropolitan Council accepted the final AUAR.  This document is especially important as Laketown Township is being annexed to the City of Victoria. 
AUAR stands for Alternative Urban Areawide Review.  It provides a process and program for dealing with stormwater runoff within the city in way that will not adversely impact property owners and will protect natural resources.

PERMITS REQUIRED TO
USE RIGHT OF WAYS
Council adopted a Right of Way Ordinance that provides a mechanism to help the city manage right of ways and monitor what goes on in the right of ways.  It requires utility companies to apply for annual permits.  It sets criteria, design standards, infrastructure, guidelines, and fees to recoup administrative costs.

DEVELOPMENT ISSUES
SOUTH OF DEER RUN
Councilmembers tabled discussion of the preliminary plat approval of 200 acres south of Deer Run as proposed by Lund-gren Brothers.  It's the location for the new Victoria Elementary School and about 200 housing units.
Several Deer Run residents attended this council meeting and spoke against the road connection to Wedgemere Drive in Deer Run, additional traffic issues, dis-turbing the natural wildlife, speed issues, traffic jams related to the new elementary school, number of multi-family dwelling units being proposed, lack of safety meas-ures.
Mayor Jerry Bohn stated that city ordinances require the city to move for-ward with this development, and the city is trying to build a community, not neigh-borhoods that are on their own, but neigh-borhoods connected and part of the City of Victoria.
Councilmember Terry Bishop stated that Deer Run is part of Victoria and not a separate development.

NEW GROUP HOME
NEAR LAKE AUBURN
Councilmembers approved a permit and rezoning that allows the construction of a group home at the intersection of Vic-toria Drive and Wisteria Street, which is a location on the east side of County Road #11 between the Lake Auburn Moravian Church and the Victoria Dairy Queen.  It will provide space for 20 individuals.
This new construction will replace the existing home on the other side of County Road 11 (across from the Mora-vian Church) that the City of Victoria purchased last year.  An on-site septic system is being allowed with the under-standing that if the septic system fails, an assessment will be made to bring a larger sewer service to the property.

CORPORATE MEMBERS
AT VICTORIA FIELD HOUSE
Councilmembers approved a corpor-ate membership program for the Victoria Field House with two classifications. 
The first class is a corporation with 50 or less employees, and the second is a corporation with 51 or more employees.  The corporations will pay an annual cor-porate fee based upon number of employ-ees and business location.  The employees will be able to pay the resident member-ship rate.
This action was in response to re-quests from HEI and Hartman Companies.  Improving health of employees can re-duce health insurance costs.
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