SCOUTS FIND A MEETING PLACE AT VICTORIA'S NEW COMMUNITY PARK.   Scoutmaster Steve Olson and some of his troop members attended the city council meeting on August 10th to make a request in person.  Said the scout-master, "We are looking for meeting space.  We are a troop from Victoria but also have boys from Chanhassen and Chaska.  We also need a storage facility."

PROJECT LEADFOOT IS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.  Councilmembers approved the 2001 contract for police services with the Carver County Sheriff's Department in the amount of $95,790.  Contract language is identical to past contracts except for the hourly rate which went from $43.36 (in 2000) to $43.74.

RFP'S SENT TO CONSULTANTS FOR PHASE ONE OF ANNEXATION AREA.  Council accepted an RFP that will ask qualified planning consultants to assist the City of Victoria in preparing a conceptual plan for the Victoria Drive-South Area Study.  The study area includes 2.5 square miles (1,600 acres) in Laketown Township that are sched-uled to become part of the City of Victoria.

NO RESPONSE FROM MIKE HATCH; STILL WAITING ON THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.  City Attorney Laurie Miller report-ed on August 10th that she was still awaiting the attorney general's opinion on the public elementary school situation.  "This issue is occasioning a fair amount of discussion among those at the attorney general's office," she said.  "Apparently it has to go through a number of deputies before it reaches the attorney general.  There are a lot of details and facts and documents for them to sift through."


H0LY FAMILY GIVES SITE FOR WELL #3, AND VICTORIA GIVES HOLY FAMILY CONSIDERATION.  City Engineer Scott Young reported on August 10th that the Holy Family Catholic High School has donated a 150-foot strip of land along Kochia Lane on which the City of Victoria can locate Well #3 and a maintenance building. 

NO RESPONSE FROM DISTRICT #112; STILL WAITING ON THE SCHOOL BOARD.  On August 24th Councilmember Tim Amundsen expounded on the school situation and lack of response from District #112 to the questions of Victoria City Attorney Lorie Miller.

LOOKING AT UTILITY EXPANSION; SOME PROJECTS OKAYED, SOME NOT.  MnDOT is preparing plans for improvements to Trunk Highway 7 through Victoria and has asked if Victoria wishes to construct any utility improvements as part of the project. 

FIREFIGHTER PENSION PLAN CLIMBS.  The Victoria Fire Department requested an increase of $200 per firefighter per year of service in their pension plan.  Council approved the increase from $1,400 to $1,600 on August 10th.  It was clarified that the increase is "retroactive" and goes back to the first year of service for each and every firefighter.
Stated Mayor Mary Meuwissen to Firefighter Doug Schmieg, "That's the biggest increase you guys ever came in and asked for … but when we call, we want you there!"

MOTORING TO THE WELL PUMP; BUYING NEW, REBUILDING THE OLD.  Because brownouts from NSP have been hard on the city's well-pump, Council authorized Administrator Steve Sarvi to purchase a new motor at an approximate cost of $12,000 and to fix the old motor to use as a backup.

GETTING A SKATE PARK FOR VICTORIA.  City Administrator Steve Sarvi has been meeting with young people in the community who volunteered to help with the design and layout of equipment for a skate park in Victoria.  Council approved the acquisition of equipment as recommended by the youth, at a cost not to exceed $15,000.

SAVANNA VALLEY APPROVED FOR SINGLE FAMILY INSTEAD OF TOWNHOMES.  With a 4 to 1 vote, Council approved a preliminary plat for 68 single family homes in a development to be called Savanna Valley.  The request came from Terry Hartman of Hartman Homes, current owner of the property.  The homes are expected to be constructed by Rottlund.

VARIANCE AT LAKE VIRGINIA; IN ORDER TO BUILD A GARDEN HOUSE.  With a 4 to 1 vote of the council, Craig Eggers, resident at South Lake Virginia Shores, received a variance to construct a "garden house" on his property that will lie less than 100' of the shoreline as the ordinance requires.