NEW COUNTY ATTORNEY STOPS BY
HOPES TO WORK WITH VICTORIA COUNCIL
Jim Keeler, newly appointed Carver County Attorney, introduced himself at the October 11^th Victoria City Council meeting.  Mr. Keeler received the appoint-ment when Carver County Attorney Mike Fahey was appointed a judge.
"I've been on the job a whopping four weeks," said the new county attor-ney.  "My wife and I have lived in Chan-hassen 17 years ... I worked from 1990 to 1996 for Mike Fahey in the Criminal In-vestigation Division ... My background is largely criminal ... I like the court room ... I've had a lot experience in juvenile crime and child protection.  Our future will largely be determined by how we treat our children today ... I'm pleased to say I inherited an excellent staff.  I hope to be working with elected officials such as yourselves to help solve problems.  Please feel free to call me at any time."

CONTRACTING WITH TREE SPECIALISTS
TO HELP KEEP VICTORIA GREEN AND GROWING
Councilmembers authorized staff to draft a contract with S & S Specialists for tree services in the City of Victoria at an annual cost of $15,000, which is currently the amount budgeted per year for tree replacement in the city.
Explained Planner Holly Kreft, "This was discussed at your August 9^th meeting.  It's to assist the city in tree maintenance.  We mailed the request for proposals to three firms.  We received only one proposal.  Staff recommendation is to move forward with S & S Specialists."
According to Public Works Superin-tendent Bruce Osborn, there are currently 40 to 60 trees on city property that need to be replaced or given special treatment to ensure they survive.  Some of these trees are planted on berms, which are notorious for suffering damage in dry conditions.
Stated Councilmember Tim Amund-sen, "It behooves us to spend this.  The reality is that some of the trees weren't planted correctly and some of these berms don't look like they were intended to look.  This contract is a potential solution.  They can help us pick the right trees."

MORE VICTORIA NEWS FROM OCTOBER
"IF IT SNOWS, DON'T PARK IN THE STREETS!"
*Council is considering a policy for snow removal in the city.  Stated Tim Amundsen, "Do we really have to legis-late common sense?  If it's snowing, don't park in the streets!"  It's a matter of trying to keep the streets plowed and clean.
*Victoria's little old water tower has not been scheduled for demolition yet because of the rain.  Said Richard Tieden, "Next it's going to be the snow."
*Council approved a resolution in support of funding to make U.S. Hwy 212 a continuous four-lane highway to Nor-wood Young America.
*The City of Victoria received a grant from the MN Department of Health that will fund an exercise to test and evaluate an emergency response system designed to prepare for, respond to, and recover from effects of sabotage, should it ever occur.
*Dr. Bruce Baker donated $1,000 to the Victoria Fire Department for provid-ing a vital service, prompt response, and professionalism.
*Resident John Davis said his town-home association pays $28,000 in proper-ty taxes and receives no services.  He spoke to councilmembers October 11^th and asked that the City of Victoria sweep their streets, fill the cracks in their streets, and not pile snowbanks six feet high.  City Administrator Steve Sarvi will re-view the issues and get back to Mr. Davis.
*Council adopted an ordinance that allows the City of Victoria to recoup the costs of getting rid of weeds, junk, and other pollution if property owners don't take care of things themselves.  The city can include the charge in the owner's utility billing statement or assess the costs through the property tax statement.
*Robert and Katie Goggins received a reduced yard setback of 16 feet to con-struct a deck on their property.  A wetland in their backyard gives the lot an unusual shape.
*City staff will submit a grant appli-cation to the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District to supplement the cost of a pervi-ous parking lot on the shores of Lake Wasserman, for the Waterbrooke Fellow-ship Church.  Grants from the District's Stewardship Funds are earmarked for stormwater management, improvement of water quality, and habitat enhancement.