City Attorney Laurie Miller said, "There is a benefit to the city.  There is a rational basis for the distinction."
Councilmember Gordon Simanton voted against city participation in cost of the fountains.  "The obvious issue is about precedence," he said.  "Fountains do nothing to control the scum.  It's purely aesthetics.  It looks good?  That's a sub-jective thing.  It's a subsidy, a very local thing."
Gordon also pointed out that the an-nexation of township property could bring in many such requests.

WHEN ASSESSMENTS ARE DEFERRED
THEY CAN BE LOST IN TIME AND SPACE
Mayor Mary Meuwissen asked that City Attorney Laurie Miller look into possible ways that a deferment on special assessments can be deferred without being totally lost in the shuffle as time goes on and councils change membership.
Bill Ryder and Marv Hartman each own one large lot in the Parkwood subdivision that could one day each be subdivided into two lots.  At this time there are no plans to subdivide, but future owners might consider the possibility.  Stated City Planner Mark Kaltsas, "Essen-tially, if they're not assessed at this time, the sewer will be free for those new lots."
Mayor Mary suggested that the deferred assessment tag be placed on the property deed, and that payment of the assessment be triggered by a subdivision request rather than the selling of the property.  The selling of it doesn't dictate the subdividing of it as does the request to subdivide.
Stated Marv Hartman, "Seems to me nobody could get by if you attach it to a building permit.  I can't believe there isn't a solution that makes sense."
Replied Mayor Mary, "We've had issues with people coming in to build and not knowing that they'd have the assess-ment."
Councilmember Richard Tieden sug-gested the city develop a policy for de-ferred assessments "because it's happened before and will probably happen again."

OTHER NEWS FROM SEPTEMBER
TCF ASKS FOR SPECIAL TREATMENT
*TCF said they would sign the con-tract for a dasherboard at the Victoria Field House if they received a 10% dis-count.  Mayor Mary suggested that staff inform TCF, "Most of the people buying these are small businesses, and they're paying full price.  It would be penalizing those who have already come forward, but let TCF know we'd love to have them participate."
*Holy Family Catholic High School received approval to operate a raffle in conjunction with a fundraiser to be held in January, 2003.
*Holy Family received approval to operate a raffle/auction in conjunction with its Spirit of Fire fundraiser in April, 2003.
*Bill Schwanke successfully com-pleted the required six-month probation-ary period in the position of building in-spector for the city.  According to Build-ing Official Tom Gray, "Bill has been an eager learner and has demonstrated the skill necessary to be a knowledgeable and considerate building inspector."
*The city purchased a 2000 pickup truck and plow for $16,500.
*As requested by the Metropolitan Council, the city adopted an interim ordinance until its Storm Water Manage-ment Ordinance is completed.  Its purpose is to protect water quality in urban areas.
*Council approved and adopted the 2002 Water System Study, dated August 30th, 2002, as prepared by TKDA.  The plan will be submitted to the Metropolitan Council to update the city's 1998 Com-prehensive Plan.
*Council approved and adopted the 2002 Comprehensive Sanitary Sewer Plan, dated July 1st, 2002, as prepared by TKDA.  The plan will be submitted to the Metropolitan Council to update the city's 1998 Comprehensive Plan.
*A minor subdivision for the Donna Bassett Living Trust and Pete and Susan Rockers, for the consolidation of property located north of Hwy 7 and east Thorn-berry Curve, was denied.
*Council amended an ordinance, in-creasing community park dedication from 4% to 6% of the gross development area, excluding lakes, ponds, and wetlands.
*Council adopted several ordinance changes related to fencing, detached garages, and swimming pools in the City of Victoria.
*Richard Tieden thanked the Victoria Chamber of Commerce for its hard work on the recent and very successful Touch of Bavaria.  Stated Steve Sarvi, "It was worth the price of admission just to see Mr. [Marvin] Hartman in lederhosen."