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She also suggested that developers might be awarded points for contributing dollars toward police and fire service.
The points are valuable to developers who may be asking for smaller lots or more lots, for example, than otherwise allowed or desired in the City of Victoria. In this way, also, developers or develop-ments can receive more priority or attention as they compete to develop in Victoria.
The city planner pointed out that guidelines are necessary in order to fairly distribute REC units, which are limited by the Metropolitan Council. REC units are related to the amount of sewer capacity that the Met Council is capable of provid-ing and distributing in the metropolitan Twin Cities area. Each REC is one residential equivalent connection.
Eric said that he is hoping to limit the annual number of final plats in the City of Victoria to 225. This number of final plats leads, roughly, to about 150 new homes per year, which is the number that Victoria's allotted sewer capacity can handle.
He said that the Met Council has limited Victoria to 3,200 REC units (or roughly 3,200 homes/condos) to the year 2010. Currently Victoria has under 2,000 households.
Eric reported that, using the current guidelines, the Rhapsody developmnent received 14 points; Krey Lakes received 12 points.
He reported that currently there are 181 finally platted lots in Victoria includ-ing 34 at the Gallery, 28 at Laketown, 33 at Rhapsody, and 86 at Krey Lake. Subdivisions larger than 75 lots will be phased. He added, "There are 122 in the hopper for next year already."
The Growth Management Guidelines are expected to be fully approved and adopted at the second council meeting in September.
CARING FOR VICTORIA STREETS
OPEN HOUSE ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH
The city's Street Capital Improve-ment Program (CIP) through the year 2010 is estimated to cost the city around $2 million per year until all city streets are built to a 50-year life. The CIP also includes an annual street maintenance budget of around $100,000 per year.
Some street projects for 2006 need studies, said City Engineer Jack Griffin, including for Lilac Circle, Kirke-Lachen, and Wintergreen. Council approved those studies.
Councilmember Kim Roden said that as adjacent streets get beat up during reconstruction of particular streets, these things must be taken into consideration. She acknowledged these gray areas are difficult.
Victoria Circle is a street that also needs work, said City Administrator Steve Sarvi. "This neighborhood seems vocal about wanting to do something, but not a 50-year type road." The engineer said that drainage is the difficult issue at Vic-toria Circle.
All Victoria residents are invited to an Open House at City Hall on Tuesday, September 27th, from 2 to 8 p.m. to re-view and discuss the timetable for street reconstruction throughout the City of Victoria.
Street projects will continue to pro-gress …
Council authorized staff to publish notification and conduct a neighborhood meeting on Tuesday, September 20th, at 5:30 p.m. to present preliminary findings regarding proposed street improvements to 77th Street. Estimated total cost is $170,000 to $195,000. Estimated unit assessment is $3,800 to $4,500.
Council authorized staff to publish notification and conduct a neighborhood meeting on Tuesday, September 20th, at 6:30 p.m. to present preliminary findings regarding proposed street improvement, new storm sewer pipe, and new water-main pipe improvements for Bayview. Estimated total street and storm sewer cost approaches $500,000 with a proposed per unit assessment up to $15,000. Estim-ated total watermain cost is $100,000 with a proposed per unit assessment up to $6,200.
STEVE SARVI CALLED AGAIN FOR DUTY
LEAVING VICTORIA FOR 18 MONTHS IN IRAQ
The very last item on the agenda at the August 24th city council meeting was announced by City Administrator Steve Sarvi.
"I've been called up for October for 18 months to Iraq," said the U.S. National Guardsman. Council chambers were very quiet for a moment.
"What do you need from us?" asked Councilmember Kim Roden.
Replied Steve, "Good thoughts. Sup-port. I certainly didn't intend for this to happen. I apologize. I've only been home less than a year. I apologize."
"God bless you," said Councilmem-ber Richard Tieden.
For 12 months last year - from the fall of 2003 to October of 2004 - Steve served as part of a peacekeeping force in the Kosovo region of Afghanistan. The City of Victoria hired City Planner Mark Kaltsas as the interim city administrator during that time and kept Steve on the payroll to assist in the support of him and his family. Steve's family includes wife Barb and children Daniel, 14; Mary Kate, 11; and Nathan, 7. They live in Water-town where Steve also serves as mayor.
Victoria councilmembers referred the situation to the city's Personnel Commit-tee to make a recommendation as to how to deal once again with Steve's absence from the helm in the City of Victoria.
OTHER NEWS FROM AUGUST
SOME SEALCOATING OF STREETS THIS FALL
*Councilmembers authorized staff to advertise for bids for the 2005 sealcoating of particular Victoria streets. They in-clude parts of Allegheny, Swiss Moun-tain, Sunny Shadows, Narcissus Street, Katy Hills, and Field Creek. Estimated cost is $32,000. Patchwork prior to the sealcoating is estimated at $6,000. Steve Sarvi said the sealcoating will begin in late September if the bids are accepted on September 8th.
*Councilmembers accepted a quote of $2,200 from Dakota Wood Grinding to clean up the brush and debris from wind damage that occurred in June and July.
*Martha Kroiss received approval for a minor subdivision to reconfigure five parcels (a total of 3.25 acres) into two buildable parcels with frontage on Schutz Lake at Rolling Acres Road. A "letter of awareness" to buyers will inform of the private road issues.
*Mary Thun asked that a workshop be scheduled so that councilmembers come to better understand the situation and the implications regarding the lighting of ballfields at Diethelm Park.
*Angie Perera was hired as the Assistant Planner for the City of Victoria at a recommended salary of $39,078. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Community Development Studies from St. Cloud State University and has interned at Sauk Rapids and Benton County. There were 37 applicants for the position.
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