CITY OF VICTORIA AND VICTORIA CHAMBER
OFCOMMERCE CONTINUE TO PARTNER
Victoria councilmembers entered into an agreement with the Victoria Chamber of Commerce whereby the Chamber will receive two full-day rentals in the field house gym in return for the donation of a $5,000 score-board. 
The Chamber will hold its annual Home-Based Business Expo at the field house on November 8th, and its regular Business Expo next spring.  This agreement will be in effect for a total of five years -- until December 31st, 2008.
Said Mayor Jerry Bohn, "I think this is a good partnership."

SEEKING OFFICE SPACE FOR TAMMY
AT THE VICTORIA FIELD HOUSE
On September 11th council moved unanimously to direct city staff to devise alternative plans that would help move the Parks and Recreation Office from the Acorn House over to the Victoria Field House next door. 
City staff had proposed partition walls, all modular pieces, for an area immediately to the right of the front entrance doors of the field house for a Parks & Rec Office.
Mayor Jerry Bohn said that area has been envisioned as a larger gathering space, a space that the Victoria Chamber of Commerce uses as a seminar area.  "I'd hate to lose the openness," he said.  He suggested an office be located upstairs in the exercise area.
Councilmember Dave Lindgren said, "I'd hate to see Tammy upstairs.  She should be available to people who come in."
Said Councilmember Richard Tieden about the proposed entry office, "It's an extremely valuable space of the building to be used for office space.  It's certainly used for the Business Expo.  I think it'd be an inappropriate use of that space, a travesty, because of the architecture.  We still haven't provided more than gas sta-tion food.  The expectation is a lot more people.  We're sold out for hockey.  The gymnasium is a bonus.  It'd be an insult to the architecture to use that entry space for an office."
Said Councilmember Terry Bishop, "We haven't had the gym open yet with the new floor.  During basketball tourna-ments, people like to be nearby.  When there are tournaments or other activities in the gym, I think that space will get to be used.  It's premature to do this now."
Advised Administrator Steve Sarvi, "I think it's imperative that we get her over there for a hands on approach."  Staff will work on other alternatives for locating an office at the field house.

PURCHASE MEMBERSHIP AT THE FIELD HOUSE
FOR 25% OFF DURING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER
The new gymnasium floor at the Victoria Field House is completed and a scoreboard donated by the Victoria Chamber of Commerce has arrived.  In order to celebrate the occasion and attract membership, Victoria Parks & Recreation Director Tammy Abrahamson proposed
25% off membership packages for resi-dents of Victoria during October.
Councilmember Richard Tieden questioned the need for offering 25% off.  "I'm totally unhappy with the way we're moving along," he said.
Countered Councilmember Terry Bishop, "I respectfully disagree.  I ap-plaud these efforts.  I defer to Tammy who just got her Master's Degree.  The staff has the interests of Victoria in mind.  Tammy's efforts are to be applauded.  We're doing a good job right now."  Terry said that 25% off was a good idea because it gets people in there and once people start to use a place, they like to stay there.
Said Councilmember Dave Lindgren about the new wood floor at the gymnasi-um of the field house, "The floor looks so nice it's a shame we gotta let people in there."

HEARING FOR PARKWOOD SEWER
SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9TH
Councilmembers passed a resolution calling for a hearing on the proposed assessment for the Parkwood Area Sani-tary Sewer Improvements for the October 9th regular 6:30 p.m. council meeting.
The project has now been completed and total project costs are known.  Now the council must declare the amount to be assessed against the benefiting properties.  The final assessment roll will be certified to the county auditor by November 30th.
Total cost of the improvement is $520,350.  The portion of the improve-ment cost to be paid by the city is $199,550, and the portion to be assessed against benefiting property owners is $320,800. 
The city pays 50% of reconstruction costs.  Benefiting property owners pay 100% of new construction costs.  Each of the 28 lots will be assessed $11,000.

THANK YOU, RICK AND LOIS PLOCHER
DONATING $4,343 TO VICTORIA ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
Rick and Lois Plocher, owners of Floyd's in Victoria, received recognition September 25th for their generosity to the Victoria Athletic Association and youth of the community.  Stated Mayor Jerry Bohn, "This is a worthy event that we should recognize."
This summer Rick and Lois held a Blues Festival at Floyd's and donated admissions and food proceeds from the event to the VAA.  The check amounted to $4,343.
Said Lois, "We went nose to nose with a few other events that same week-end including the Carver County Fair, Sturgis, events at Mankato and Rochester, but we had awesome support from the community, from the residents, the restau-rants, the vendors.  We received good help from the VAA people.  Our goal was $5,000."
Lois said she received comments from many who attended the Blues Festi-val.  "They said it was one of the nicest festivals they've ever attended.  We creat-ed a lot of good feelings."
Said Councilmember Richard Tieden, "I personally commend you.  It was really wonderful."
Stated Jim Moss, VAA president, "I hope it's a relationship we can continue.  The money will not be going toward um-pires and registration.  Hopefully we can put some money into facilities at Lions Park.  It will go a long way in these efforts.  I thank Rick and Lois.  Next year I think we could do even better.  It was a fun weekend for the parents.  I hope you invite us back."
Click here to continue City Scoop.