Eliminating two lift stations is not the only option to maintain or increase sewer capacity, however.  Stated the Bonestroo engineer, "The other option is to keep the lift stations.  But over a 20-year period they're a huge cost to operate."
He said if the City of Victoria chose to go the box culvert-gravity sewer route, that the Watershed District is the agency that issues the permit to the city, that it's a city-owned culvert.
Stated Mayor Jerry Bohn, "We're willing to apply for the permit."
Stated Councilmember Kim Roden, "I think a public hearing would be a good idea."
Stated Chuck the engineer, "We'd like an Open House, a public information meeting," understanding that "we're not going to please everybody."
About the culvert and how it might change canoe and jet-ski traffic between the two lakes, City Administrator Steve Sarvi said, "There should be a sign up that says DO NOT ENTER.  Kids could get stuck in there."
Kim said she is reminded of the kids that died exploring a cave over by the Mississippi River at St. Paul.
About the culvert-gravity sewer pro-ject, City Engineer Jack Griffin said, "I think it's something the city should con-sider."
A public informational meeting might be held Sept. 19^th to help answer the question:  Should the two lift stations be eliminated and replaced by a gravity flow sewer system that would be installed under rather than over the culvert between Lake Virginia and Lake Minnetonka? 

PREPARING VICTORIA BUDGETE FOR 2006
COUNCIL ASKS FOR REDUCTION IN TAX RATE
Councilmembers held workshops on August 11^th  and August 25^th to review and discuss first drafts of the 2006 city budget.  Following directives from coun-cilmembers, Finance Director Jylan John-son presented a budget that would de-crease the tax capacity rate for the City of Victoria.
According to intentions of city coun-cilmembers, the city's tax rate will not go above the 2005 level.
Total expenditures/revenues in the 2005 budget for the City of Victoria was $3,084,847.  Total expenditures/revenues for 2006 are being proposed at this time around $3.3 million.
Approximately 16.5% of the 2006 budget is based on revenue from a projected 150 new home permits, with 10% from various user fees.  Market value of homes is anticipated to increase by ap-proximately 15%. 
The anticipated increase in expendi-tures is due to additional staff, more police service, increase in street mainten-ance and repairs, and 3% increase in city employee wages.
Regarding the preliminary Victoria Field House budget for 2006, Jylan said, "The good news is that the expenditures remain flat."  She said that with 1,800 households in Victoria, membership at the Field House is very good at approximately 1,000.
The finance director reported, "The state says we can increase our levy by 5% but we're not even coming close to that, which means we'd have the exemption from holding a Truth in Taxation hear-ing."
Councilmembers stated they would still prefer to schedule such a hearing, however; it's normally held each year some time in December, before the final city budget is approved and adopted.
Jylan stated that the median home in Victoria has a value of $329,000.  Median means that half the homes in Victoria have a value higher than $329,000 and half the homes in Victoria have a value lower than $329,000.
She stated that the average value of a home in Victoria is probably higher than the median valued home.
According to Jylan's report, the city's taxable market value increased from $674,339,500 for pay 2005 to an estimat-ed taxable market value of $780,638,300 for pay 2006.  This is a 15.77% overall increase, with 10% due to market value appreciation and 5% due to new develop-ment.
The next step is reviewing and adopt-ing a preliminary city budget in Septem-ber and certifying the preliminary budget to the county.  The bottom line cannot be increased after the budget is certified, but it can be decreased prior to adopting the final budget in December.

"FREE" FALSE ALARMS AREN'T FREE
3RD FALSE ALARM IN VICTORIA:  $50 FINE
It's been an issue in the City of Vic-toria for over 25 years - how to deal with false alarms.  Some homes in town have alarm systems that notify of illegal entry.  These alarm systems can also be triggered by electrical failures.  Cost of responding to these false alarms - at least the first three at any single residence - has been picked up, for the most part, by all resi-dents of Victoria.

On August 11^th the number of "free" false alarms at taxpayer expense was dropped to two per residence, thanks to a motion by Councilmember Mary Thun with the support of Mayor Jerry Bohn and Councilmember Richard Tieden.
Mary pointed out that City Adminis-trator Steve Sarvi feels the Victoria ordi-nance was lenient, allowing three false alarms before attaching fines.  "I agree with him," said Mary.  "A couple times seems reasonable to me rather than three."
She made a motion that charges $50 for three and four false alarms; the fee rises in $50 increments for subsequent false alarms.  Councilmembers Terry Bishop and Kim Roden were against lowering the limit on false alarms. 
The penalty fees collected are split between the City of Victoria and Carver County.

GRAVEL STREET HEADACHES
FOR VICTORIA RESIDENTS AND CITY STAFF
Theresa Jager spoke to Victoria councilmembers on August 25^th about the gravel street in front of her house on Hyacinth Circle. 
"There are three homes on a cul de sac," she said.  "We've lived there two years.  There's a problem with water run-off and our cries for help are going un-noticed.  There are times when the street gets washed out.  It washes into our yard.  The Public Works Department comes out to bring more gravel but doesn't take care of the mess in our yards.  The ruts are a danger and an eyesore."
Stated City Administrator Steve Sar-vi, "It's a continuing battle.  I got a call and I went out there that very afternoon.  It is difficult for us to maintain that street.  We'd like to address a more comprehen-sive solution.  With those slopes, it's going to continue to run off.  We'll cer-tainly respond and be in touch with both short and long term solutions."

Click here to continue City Scoop.