COUNTY SPENDS "A GOOD DEAL"
AS REVEALED BY "SENSITIVE DOCUMENT"
Councilmember Jim Paulsen present-ed councilmembers with a "Tax Impact Study" as prepared by Springsted, a firm that bills itself as "advisors to the public sector."  The information is compiled in a report; the report is based on the fiscal review performed on Carver County's tax structure, as requested by Mr. Paulsen.  The report examines several factors influencing the tax structure of the county and contributing to a higher tax capacity rate. 
Councilmember Paulsen has pursued investigating Carver County to determine the reason for the high taxes.
Stated Mr. Paulsen on October 19^th, "This is a sensitive document.  I think it's very balanced.  The county spends a good deal of money.  Carver County spends more on police than other counties do.  My hope is that this directs conversation to specific issues.  My hope is that we can get the county to reduce its taxes.  This study helps you understand the why of some things."
The city spent approximately $5,000 to get the study done.

STILL LOOKING AT AN ICE FACILITY
AND TRYING TO BRING DOWN ITS COST
Councilmembers toured the new ice arena in Minnetonka, then returned to Victoria Council Chambers with Mike Ayres of Oppidan, Dave Freiberg of Krause Anderson, and Chuck Hanson, architect.  They presented revised draw-ings, revised numbers, and a revised floor plan to reduce earlier cost estimates for an ice facility at Diethelm Park in Victoria.
Preliminary cost estimates now seem to hover around $7 million, an "all inclusive" figure.  Some of the changes to the facility include a flat roof with overhangs, an unfinished upstairs, remov-al of a patio, reducing windows by 50%, and having one overhead door instead of three.
The facility would still be built on the highest spot of the Victoria site, with a split level configuration, about 16' to 17' above grade, with two entrances, 58 lockers, showers, and amenities that would help make the facility attractive and used by many Victoria residents, not just those who use a sheet of ice.
Although the facility is proposed to generate approximately $600,000 per year in revenue, through the sale of ice time, the operating expenditures and debt ser-vice leave a negative $90,000.  If a gym is to be included with the facility, the annual debt to be recovered in some manner could be $180,000.
Mike Ayres said ice has been sold for the next seven years - if the building gets built and hockey associations can count on it soon.  Some of the major costs center also around parking lots, the possibility of poor soil conditions, outdoor lighting, and the gymnasium.
Council continues to grapple with how to come up with the proposed annual shortfall.  Possible sources include selling advertising or naming rights, attaching more fees to the sale of new lots in the city, and more creative financing.
Discussion and review continues.

CHAIRMAN WELLER STEPS TO THE PLATE
PARK & REC WANTS TO BE MORE INVOLVED
Chuck Weller, chair of the Victoria Parks and Rec Committee, spoke to coun-cilmembers October 25^th about several issues.
"I'm looking for council direction," he said.  "The Park Board would like its role enhanced.  It seems we have no im-pact until the process is done.  We would appreciate being brought into the loop and being a better resource to the city."
He said the Board would like to be in-volved in making decisions regarding the taking of cash or land as part of the parkland dedication fee from developers.
Mayor Mary Meuwissen directed Mary Saarion, the city's Parks and Rec Director to incorporate issues with the City Planner and Park & Rec Board.  City Planner Mark Kaltsas was directed to give building plans to the Park & Rec Board immediately after the sketch plat phase so the Park Director and Park Board can get and give recommendations and feedback back to councilmembers and staff for consideration in the preliminary plat stage.
Secondly, said Chuck, "We are look-ing to continue developing Diethelm Park.  We want to pursue support for score boards.  They cost over $4,500 to $8,500 per unit.  Diethelm Park will be on line sooner than you think.  And we have a desire to pursue a flagpole for the park.  There is support within town organiza-tions to support that."
Chuck also made a prediction.  "An-other building for School District #112 will probably be needed within the next 24 to 36 months," he said.  "As a Park Board, we've heard from residents who would like to see various amenities come along with an elementary school in Vic-toria.  We'd like to be prepared to discuss this with the school district when this hits the boards."
Said Mayor Mary, "We've had about 100 hours of meetings for that very reason prior to the past school referendum, so we've got information to help with that."

GETTING READY FOR A NEW BRIDGE
AND NEW REALIGNMENT OF ROSE STREET
City Planner Mark Kaltsas was asked to speak with the Leuthner Well people on Rose Street about proposed city plans for a new bridge and new street alignment of Rose Street.
Said Mark, "In rebuilding that bridge, we need to clean up the intersections.  This will help to market and develop downtown.  The road needs to be re-aligned within the city's right of way."  That right of way extends into what looks today like Leuthner's front yard.
Councimember Richard Tieden point-ed out that that the new bridge and streets will also be cleaning up the town's flow of traffic to a safe intersection.

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