ON A CLEAR DAY
YOU CAN SEE FOREVER.

The City of Victoria water tower on Kochia Lane is now shiny clean -- as of October 7^th, 2005.  According to city staff, cleaning of the tower should be done every three to five years depending on amount of mold that develops on the outside of the tank, which varies with the amount of fresh cold water moving through the tank.  This water tower near the Holy Family Catholic High School was constructed in 2000.  Cleaning was contracted to Tight Rope, Inc., for a cost of $3,000 and it took less than one day to bring back the shine.

CONTRACT FOR POLICE SERVICES
2006 COST TO CITY OF VICTORIA:  $232,446
Councilmembers approved the 2006 Contract for Police Services in the City of Victoria with a total cost of $232,446, representing a 7.3% increase from 2005.
Carver County Sheriff Bud Olson thanked city staff on October 13^th for helping get contracts together.  "We're on a journey," he said.  "We took a pretty substantial step last year.  There are always lumps in the road.  If there are areas to improve, I'm here to listen."
Last year was the first time that the Town Cop concept was put into practice in Carver County, whereby specific officers and vehicles are assigned to specific cities.  Prior to last year, the various cities in Carver County contract-ed for basic services plus a certain number of daily patrol hours.
Stated Councilmember Kim Roden, "I'm happy with our services, but disap-pointed in our year to year increase.  What is the main driver of that increase?"
Replied Sheriff Olson, "The cost for operations and personnel costs with our deputies.  Some of those costs I have no control over."
"Overall it's been a positive experi-ence," said Mayor Jerry Bohn.
As the Sheriff left the Victoria Coun-cil Chambers that evening he emphasized that he is always available to help answer questions and respond to concerns.  "I'm in the phone book," he said.

COST OF MEDICAL INSURANCE RISES
FOR CITY OF VICTORIA AND ITS EMPLOYEES
Marian Carpenter of Affordable Ben-efit Solutions presented changes in Vic-toria's healthcare insurance benefits for city employees on October 13^th.  She stated, "The employer premium will in-crease by $15,566 if we leave things as they are."  There would also be an in-crease for city employees. 
She presented a plan that would keep the premiums similar to those of last year.  Mayor Jerry Bohn acknowledged that a user/consumer mentality of medical care would help people to be more conscious of their own health care and costs.
Councilmember Mary Thun suggest-ed calling a group of staff together to talk about what people might like or dislike in the insurance program.
On October 27^th Interim City Admin-istrator Dave Urbia reported that after meeting with city employees, "There is a split.  Some think it's the way to go; some don't.  Health insurance is an important issue.  If affects the family budget."
Councilmember voted unanimously to approve a change from managed-care insurance plan to a health-reimbursement account for the city's insurance-eligible non-union employees. 

LAKE VIRGINIA AND LAKE MINNETONKA
MARRIED BUT SEPARATED
Should the two lakes be connected by 1) a small culvert that allows the passage of a connecting stream or 2) by a medium sized culvert that allows the passage of a kayak or snowmobile or 3) by a larger sized culvert that allows the passage of a fishing boat or pontoon?
Currently the lakes are connected by a small culvert that some people can walk through with a ski-jet tipped on its side.  Its an issue in this northern part of Vic-toria that could affect not just Victoria residents but the entire  The decision made by Victoria City Councilmembers on October 27^th was to tell the Metropolitan Council that a deci-sion related to preference can't be made at this time.  There is not consensus among the lakes' residents or among the city councilmembers and they simply don't have enough information to make the best decision for the residents of today or tomorrow.

Click here to continue "Married But Separated."