MORE CITY SCOOP FROM SEPTEMBER
CUTS MADE IN 2006 CITY OF VICTORIA BUDGET
*Councilmembers held a special workshop on September 7^th to discuss the 2006 city budget and ways to make it balance before the end of the year.  They made $3,000 in cuts for staff conference and training; $10,000 in cuts for an addi-tional vehicle and office furniture; $23,000 in cuts at the fire department; $3,700 in cuts toward a temporary public works employee; $75,000 in cuts from the community development fund; $15,000 in cuts of part time wages at the field house; and other transfers and cuts as necessary.  All of the above is in response to in-creased costs of maintaining the Victoria Field House.  City Finance Director Jylan Johnson said that the total payment from the city's general fund is $430,000.
*Councilmembers accepted bids and awarded a contract on September 14th for the Wintergreen area drain tile improve-ments to Wickenhauser Excavating in the amount of $147,546.
*Councilmembers approved the post-ing and publication of a public hearing on Thursday, October 12^th, to take public comment and possibly adopt an ordinance regarding Winter Parking Rules in the City of Victoria.  Those rules state that no person shall park any vehicle or other ob-ject on public streets or alleys between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. from Novem-ber 1^st to April 1^st.  The ordinance would include all city streets, including those in downtown Victoria.  Following advice of City Attorney Mike Norton, the winter parking ban would be divorced from snow accumulation.  Snow removal, parking, and regulations should be dealt with sep-arately from the winter parking ban.
*Councilmembers asked staff on Sep-tember 14^th to do further research regard- the purchase of a 2007 one-ton truck chassis with a J-craft dump box.  Bruce Osborn, Victoria Public Works Director, said that dealers may not be able to get a 2006 model to beat the state bid.  Council-member Terry Bishop suggested instead the purchase of a used vehicle from an auction house or other auto source.  Bruce said a used snowplow vehicle has been through substantial abuse and is not ideal to purchase.
*Councilmembers continue to re-search the possibility of city snowplows on the streets at the Green Crest town-house development.  The streets were not constructed to city standards.
*Councilmembers referred a request on September 14^th from Carver County Attorney Mike Fahey regarding a city contribution for a Club 112 Youth Center to the city's Finance Committee for a rec-ommendation.
*Councilmembers agreed to hold a special workshop at 5 p.m. on October 5^th to discuss the most pressing critical issue, as determined by city staff - probably to review two additional development pro-posals for downtown Victoria.
*Councilmembers heard from City Engineer Cara Geheren that construction at the Smithtown Rod project is moving forward in 2007, and that a trail has to be located on the east side of Smithtown Road, down to the boat ramp, and that the Metropolitan Council is building it and the city paying for its design.  Some of the work may be pushed into 2008.
*Councilmembers received an update on September 14^th from Jeff King of Ballard King and Associates regarding the possibility of partnerships in ownership or operation of the Victoria Field House.  Positive steps are being taken to make the field house a positive venture in the city.
*Councilmembers heard from Plan-ning Consultant Mark Kaltsas that the cost of downtown parking ramps can vary from $13,300 to $27,000/parking space.
*Councilmembers approved a bow and arrow discharge permit for archery practice and deer hunting by William Wright on his property at Rolling Acres Road in Victoria.
*Councilmembers rescheduled a city council meeting from November 23^rd to December 4^th, due to the conflict with Thanksgiving Day.  There will be no city council meeting on December 25^th due to Christmas.  A regularly scheduled city council meeting will be held on Novem-ber 9^th and January 11^th, 2007.
*Councilmembers approved a one-day temporary on-sale liquor license and exempt gambling permit as requested by Holy Family Catholic High School for their Spirit of Fire and Dinner Auction on October 27^th.
*Councilmembers approved the sale of $3,010,000 in General Obligation Bonds to pay for the 2006 street recon-struction projects in Victoria and also the Wintergreen area drain tile improvements.  With a current interest rate of 4.1%, Financial Consultant Paul Donna said, "Hopefully the market will remain where it's at."  Bids will arrive by October 26^th.

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