When the topic came up on October 23rd, and the owners mentioned something about their attorney and not being able to come to a conclu-sion on that right now, Mayor Bohn said, "You've known about this for over nine months.  Don't talk about that to me!"
Planner Mark Kaltsas said that the city took 1,400 square feet of property from the Victoria House, primarily for sidewalk but also some utility.  He said the city has been paying up to $3.35 per square foot for the various types of easements it has needed.
Mark also said that the city has paid all the expense related to getting utilities underground in downtown Victoria.  "The city paid $2,000 to $3,000 per building to get the lines underground," said Mark.  "Normally the property owners pay for this because it is a huge benefit to them."
Negotiation between the City of Vic-toria and the Victoria House will continue in regard to the easement needed by the city.

REVIEWING SPACE AT THE ACORN HOUSE
FOR PRIVATE LEASE OR PUBLIC USE
Councilmember Mary Thun reported on October 9th that the city's contract with the Tamarack Learning Center will expire at the end of this academic year.  Tamarack is a private enterprise that oper-ates out of the Acorn House at Diethelm Park.
Asked Mary, "Should we put this out for a RFP and choose among the bidders?  My recommendation is that we do it because it's the fairest way.  People will know how much we want to charge for that space.  That's why I need to know.  There could possibly be other people in-terested in that space.  I think we need to have some price in the RFP ... If you all think that RFP's is the way to go, I can get started on this and leave the amount blank for now."
RFP stands for Request for Proposals.  Mary Thun is the city council representa-tive on the Victoria Parks & Recreation Committee.
Councilmember Dave Lindgren asked if this implies that the City of Victoria is looking to make a profit on the space.   Replied Councilmember Thun, "I don't know exactly where I fall on that issue but I do know we have sale-able space.  Putting out RFP's doesn't mean we're going to get a lot of response or that anyone will be willing to pay our price.  I hope Tamarack, and others, apply for this.  I want what's best for the city."
She suggested that the RFP could be worded to attract proposals for various age groups at the Acorn House -- for seniors, teens, daycare. 
Mayor Jerry Bohn said he didn't have any good answers as to how to determine a price for renting city space.  He said that with the office of Parks & Rec Director moving from upstairs at the Acorn House to the adjacent Field House, there will be some office space available. 
Planner Mark Kaltsas suggested look-ing at private facilities and their leasing charges.  "As staff we could get numbers on leasing space and feasibility of space, if there is indeed programmable space, and maybe only commit to one year."
Councilmember Richard Tieden ad-vised moving slowly.  "We are a city that's growing," he said.  "We are at a max for space now.  This is a government building.  My point is that we should know for certain if we don't need it.  It's a government building!  If we find out that we don't need it, an RFP is probably the way to go.  I think it's appropriate to table this  for a couple of months."
He added, "I think everybody at Tamarack has done a very good job."
City Planner Kaltsas will get some numbers for comparison review.

PARKWOOD SEWER PROJECT COMPLETED
EACH PROPERTY ASSESSED $11,000
Councilmembers passed a resolution on October 9th adopting the assessment of $11,000 per lot for the Parkwood Area Sanitary Sewer Improvements. 
According to City Engineer Jack Griffin, the constructed and completed project cost a total of $520,000 including construction, contingencies, and the unexpected rebuilding of 78th Street.  The total amount assessed was $331,200.
Stated Jack, "The costs came in a little higher but we're maintaining the $11,000 assessment.  People have the option of paying it back over 15 years at 6.25 % which amounts to approximately $1,051 per year."
No Parkwood resident spoke against the assessment at this final hearing.

UNION CONTRACT APPROVED FOR 2004

WORKER WAGES INCREASE UP TO 3%
Councilmembers approved the 2004 labor union contract for its Public Works employees covered by AFSCME, the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees.
Those city employees include Public Works Assistants John Hoffman, Lee Otto, Corey Scharpe, Troy Walsh, and Allen Zellman.  It does not include salaried Public Works Superintendent Bruce Osborn.
The 2004 contract increases wages by 2% over the 2003 contract, plus allows for an additional 1% merit pay that is negoti-able and based on performance.
The contract also provides for over-time pay, callback and pager pay, vacation leave and sick leave, funeral leave, holi-days and leaves of absence, and health insurance.

OTHER NEWS FROM MAY
MUCH ACTIVITY AT THE VICTORIA FIELD HOUSE
*Council approved the layout and design of office space at the Victoria Field House for Tammy Abrahamson, the city's Parks & Recreation Director.  Some re-wiring and relocation work is necessary at a cost approximating $7,300.

*Part time people hired to work at the Field House include Ashlee Curlee, day care attendant; Lenny Schmitz, Cassie Williams, Richard Harker, fitness center attendants; Linda Bach, Anne Peglow, front desk attendants; Timothy Sparks, building supervisor.
*Tammy Abrahamson reported that she sold 66 Field House memberships with its October campaign for 25% off.  "It was a very good month," she said.
*The mayor suggested sending the Victoria Chamber of Commerce a letter thanking them for the generous donation of a scoreboard for the new gym at the field house.  Laketown Elecric was hired to complete the electrical work for the scoreboard and other gym items.

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