SUPERVISOR KRISTY MOCK RESIGNS
INTERIM PERSONNEL AT VICTORIA FIELD HOUSE
Council accepted on August 9th the letter of resignation dated August 9^th from Kristy Mock, Victoria Park and Recre-ation Supervisor hired in 2005.  No reasons were cited in the letter; no future plans were cited; no comments were voiced by city councilmembers or staff. 
It was stated that Mark Brewer, a retired business executive previously considered for a director position, and Don Uram, who worked for Eden Prairie for a number of years and is now doing consulting work, would be contacted for hire in an interim position with the City of Victoria.
According to Administrator Dave Urbia, the city met those two gentleman through past "networking."  On August 13^th Mark Brewer was approved to be hired as the Interim Park and Recreation Slash Field House Director.  A contract with him is proposed to be approved on September 6^th.
Also at the August 13^th gathering, according to draft minutes, councilmem-bers approved a proposal to develop a list of candidates for a fulltime director posi-tion at the Field House.  A closed session was also part of that Monday evening gathering of councilmembers, according to the draft minutes.

ROAD PROJECTS AT $3 MILLION/YEAR
VICTORIA CONTINUES FORWARD MARCH
On August 23^rd city councilmembers voted unanimously to increase the city budget for street improvement projects from $2 to $3 million per year in order to accommodate increased road construction costs.  The City of Victoria began its com-prehensive street improvement program back in 2005.  Street projects approximat-ed $2 million in 2006 and in 2007.
Streets scheduled for improvement in 2008 include those at Bayshore-Baycliffe, Park Drive, 80^th, 81^st, 82^nd, and Victoria Circle.  Total estimated cost for these pro-jects is $2.8 million.  Current city policy has benefiting property owners picking up 50% of improvement costs and the city budget picking up the other 50%. 
The city's engineer, Cara Geheren of TKDA, will prepare a feasibility study to arrive at assessments costs for the various neighborhoods.  Feasibility studies in and of themselves are costly.  Stated Mayor Mary Thun in that regard, "If I vote for this now, I'll vote for it again when the [assessments] costs come through."
Said Councilmember Tim Amundsen, "We're absolutely certain that roads are going to cost more."
The city engineer reported that feasi-bility studies for 2008 need to be started in September to meet a spring-bidding schedule.  "There are contractors going out of business right now so the bids have become more competitive," said Cara.

MORE WORK IN SMITHTOWN AREA
CLOSINGS FOR CULVERT, ROAD, LOCAL PARK
On August 23^rd, city councilmembers authorized the mayor and city administra-tor to execute an agreement between the City of Victoria and the Metropolitan Council regarding improvements to the sanitary sewer system.  Construction will basically occur at Smithtown Road at the culvert area between Lake Minnetonka and Lake Virginia.
City Engineer Cara Geheren reported that because the project disrupts the city park at that location near South Lake Virginia Shores, the Metropolitan Council will pay to "re-do" the park.  They will replace tennis courts, build an ice skating rink, install basketball and playground equipment, and some paved parking. 
The Met Council will also pay costs to re-construct Smithtown Road from just north of the culvert south to Hwy 7.
Construction is expected to begin in September, 2007.  Smithtown Road and the DNR boat ramp will be closed from October 1^st, 2007, to March 31^st, 2008.  Complete surface improvements are pro-posed to be made in April and May, 2008.

VICTORIA LIONS CONTINUE TO GIVE
AND "BENEFIT THE CITY IMMENSELY"
Councilmember Tim Amundsen pointed out why it's called Lions Park, a park that includes two shelters and bathroom facilities, several ballfields and bleachers, and other park amenities.  Said Tim, "We have facilities because of the Lions Club.  Their projects benefit the city immensely, as does this group."
Council directed staff to complete a policy statement whereby projects will be reviewed and approved by both the Lions Club and the Parks & Rec Committee before coming before the City Council. 
Some of the projects that the Lions have proposed to be completed this fall include the relocating of various sets of bleachers, providing concrete slabs under the bleachers, and acquiring new elevated bleachers suitable for baseball viewing. 
According to Administrator Dave Urbia, the Victoria Lions and baseball clubs have offered to provide the labor to re-stain the park shelters if the city would pick up the approximate $500 tab in material cost.

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