OTHER NEWS FROM APRIL
NEW CITY WELL DRILLED AND DELIVERS
*City Engineer Jack Griffin gave councilmembers an update on recent pro-jects.  The new well near the Fire Station has been drilled that delivers 1,500 gallons per minute.  A pump has been ordered.  Contractors are working dili-gently on the Water Treatment Plant adjacent to the Fire Station.  Xcel Energy is moving some lines.  Work with Pastor Bill Bonner of Waterbrooke Fellowship proceeds for easement locations at County Road 43.
*Corey Martin was hired for the posi-tion of Building Supervisor at the Victoria Field House. 
*Council adopted a Communications Ordinance Amendment related to the open meeting law which purpose is to make sure information and deliberations about city business are open and available to the public.  This law applies to any discus-sion about city business, not just voting or official actions.  Stated Steve Sarvi, "It's a preventative ordinance."
*Council adopted an ordinance amendment which is a written policy gov-erning the minimum size of water meters for commercial and industrial buildings.  Tom Gray said that with this ordinance the city will be more properly remunerate-ed for water since usage will now be more accurately reflected.
*Mayor Bohn volunteered to be the council liaison to the Senior Commission.  Said Jerry, "Those 65 and older is the fastest growing segment in Carver Coun-ty.  This is a worthwhile effort by the county.  I think Council should support their efforts."
*Richard Tieden asked Council to authorize the City of Victoria to pay for dinner for the Business Development Committee as it meets around mealtime.  The request was approved.
*Council approved a change order which entails moving doors and separate entrances for the expanded Victoria Fire Station and Water Treatment Facility.
*Coach Mike Poppitz received appro-val to construct a storage shed at Diethelm Park for the purpose of securing equip-ment for the Victoria Vics baseball team.  It will not be built on a permanent slab and can be easily removed if necessary. 
*Mayor Bohn complimented and congratulated Finance Director Jylan Johnson upon the report that the City of Victoria received an unqualified audit opinion.
*Council approved advertising for an office assistant since Sherrie Jones is pre-paring to retire in July, 2005.
*The city received over 60 applicants for the position of Public Works Assis-tant.  Keith Cooper, a resident at Zumbra Ridge, was hired.
*Council approved the purchase of two new administration computers for the front office at a not to exceed amount of $4,000.
*Reported City Attorney Mike Nor-ton, "Victoria is not a hotbed for meth problems, but the city could adopt an ordi-nance that would ensure cleanup and ad-ministrative costs be recovered from the property owner.  We recommend that to our clients.  We should try to be pro-active."
*City Clerk Jennifer Kretsch and Councilmember Mary Thun attended a Document Imaging Seminar at Carver County.  Jennifer will probably be making a presentation to council.  Mary was very impressed with the county's capabilities.
*Councilmember Kim Roden met with several residents at Parkside and Parkview to discuss the Dog Park being proposed for Carver Park and the plan for extensive restoration of trails.
*Planner Eric Zweber attended a Planning Conference in San Francisco and highlighted several topics for council-members including the use of GIS, form based zoning, alternative house design, pedestrian planning, affordable housing, and commercial mixed design.  Regarding affordable housing, Eric stated, "I think we're much more aggressive than plan-ners out there."
*Councilmembers adopted an ordi-nance amendment that places the function of sign review, and their adherence to de-sign standards, on the plate of city staff.  Council will now only review signs if re-quested by the applicant.
*Along that line, a request for a change in signs at the Texaco station on Commercial Avenue will be handled by city staff, acknowledging that if an exist-ing sign is not in compliance, a new sign must be brought into compliance.  The grandfather clause doesn't come into play under new ownership or new name.  If the Texaco sign stays there, it's okay.  If it becomes a Marathon station, the sign is not okay.
*William J. Wilson received approval for a minor subdivision of his property at Zumbra Ridge.  It involves the moving of a lot line to accommodate a second build-able lot.
*Dan Porter, a resident at Iris, re-ceived a variance to reduce sideyard set-back and maximum lot coverage of imper-vious surface in order to accommodate a ramp for a resident who is handicapped.
*The city is working with the devel-oper of the Vogel property (Lyman) to ac-quire a new Public Works garage site on Co. Rd. 43 near the intersection of Tellers Road.  An environment assessment on the current P.W. site, formerly a garbage dump, has been authorized at a cost of $1,700, because it's earmarked as a poten-tial downtown development opportunity.