THE VICTORIA HOUSE DECK ISSUE
CITY WILL PAY UP TO $15,000
On October 23rd Victoria city coun-cilmembers voted unanimously to pay for half the cost of building a new patio for the Victoria House, not to exceed $15,000, plus approximately $1,000 toward various incidentals, such as sand in their air conditioning system that the restaurant incurred due to downtown re-development. 
This past July, the Victoria House had to remove its large deck and ramp because of the sidewalk that the city constructed in front of the restaurant on Stieger Lake Lane.  Stated Mayor Jerry Bohn, "We're accepting responsibility for this deck."
The three owners of the Victoria House -- brothers John Lee, Dan Lee, and cousin Bobby Goral -- also attended this council meeting. 
Mayor Bohn referred to the summer's street, sidewalk, and utility construction in downtown Victoria.  "We feel what we're doing is going to enhance the opportunity for you to do more business," he said.
The mayor referred to the increased number of potential restaurant patrons for the Victoria House because of the Clocktower Building and the Shores of Stieger Lake Condominiums. 
In regard to the loss of business ex-perienced by the Victoria House over the summer, he added, "Now the downtown is an attractive area and this is how we'll pay you back for that and we wish you every success."  The mayor had pointed out previously that the city does not reimburse dollars for loss of business.
In regard to the dollars for the deck, Victoria resident Tom Gray said, "To give a dollar to them, you're taking a dollar from us." 
Councilmember Terry Bishop coun-tered that assisting Victoria business is a way to improve the tax base of the city, that more taxes from successful commer-cial enterprise will mean fewer taxes from the homeowners.  He said the city is try-ing to enhance the commercial district for the residents.  He added, "The Victoria House are residents too."
Agreed Councilmember Richard Tieden, "We're trying to collectively work this out.  It's been a long hot sum-mer ... We instructed them to take the deck down.  We want to take responsibili-ty."
It was pointed out that the City of Victoria had given $4,500 to Floyd's Bar in recent times to further dress up the outside of their prominent building, but that Floyd's had already spent around $200,000 to improve their establishment.
City Planner Mark Kaltsas said that staff was looking for a "more formalized policy in this area."

Earlier in the evening, Councilmem-ber Tieden had responded to the Victoria House owners, "It hasn't been a picnic for you.  It hasn't been a picnic for a lot of people.  But we feel we should help you out with some of these things.  I'd like to meet you half way on the deck."
When Dan Lee said the downtown project cost the restaurant "well over $150,000" and there is still only a street in front of their place, Councilmember Tied-en said, "Some people think that the park-ing lot was built for the Victoria House." 
Richard was referring to the new parking lot built by the city in back of the restaurant.  The new parking lot does pro-vide parking mainly for restaurant patrons at this time, but as the downtown develops with the Clocktower tenants and other downtown tenants, the centrally located parking lot will serve more businesses in downtown Victoria.
The city planner referred to a letter from the Victoria House that listed a grand total of $311,000 in expenses in-curred due to the downtown project.  The owners said that night, however, they were not looking for reimbursement of the loss, but they were only informing the city of the loss and asking if any help might be available in any form, including loans or TIF money.
Said Danny Lee, "We're here mainly because of the patio.  What we had is better than what we have now.  Is the city going to have some help or aren't they?  It was a 40-person patio that was gone from July on.  We're just looking  for what we had, not better than what we had.  We've presented three plans ranging from $12,000 to $40,000.  Our entrance is a hazard now and there is no handicap accessibility.  We're willing to work with the city."
Bobby Goral explained that there were exposed utility lines once the deck was removed.  It was estimated to cost $3,000 to move the gas and electric lines.
"The deck is gone and how can we get the Victoria House safer for the diners," said Bobby.  "This was initiated by city leadership.  Winter is coming.  We need some kind of entrance to the restau-rant.  The deck was removed by the three of us plus two customers before the Fourth of July, as asked."
He referred to an accident by one of the employees, that it was due to the city's construction.  He referred to not being able to open on Sundays as they had planned and the loss of 4,000 customers.
Replied Councilmember Bishop, "Why don't you sit down with us and tell us what you'd like.  I'm not saying we're going to do this ... We can certainly have a special council meeting.  We didn't know that you weren't asking for the $311,000."
At this point councilmembers moved to continue the matter at the end of the council meeting.  The owners departed to get the patio plans and costs for the coun-cil to review and returned about an hour later with a breakdown of costs for three different proposals for three different landscapes.
Danny said, "We're not asking for anything special."
In approving payment for half the patio, Councilmember Bishop said, "It will be an enhancement to the city.  I think we're using public funds right."  He also made it very clear that the city will not take any responsibility now or in the future for any problems related to the per-son who fell at the entrance to the Victoria House.  The accident happened on Vic-toria House property ... "You have to take steps to make it safe to get into your place.  It was your responsibility," said Councilmember Bishop.
Councilmember Mary Thun wanted assurance that the patio plan would be the one with the "nice, kind of European look" and not a wood deck.

It was also made clear by Mayor Jerry Bohn that the City of Victoria has been seeking an easement from the Vic-toria House since last January, and the issue is still not resolved ...

Click here to continue.