Briefs: Hastings city administrator will replace Hedges in Eagan's top job

Eagan has chosen a new city administrator: Dave Osberg, the city administrator of Hastings, will succeed Tom Hedges after Hedges' retirement in February.

Osberg was chosen for the city's top unelected position from a pool of four finalists. He is expected to begin work in his new job on March 25.

"Dave Osberg emerged as our unanimous choice because of his sterling and well-recognized track record, and his genuine enthusiasm for taking our community to the next level," said Mayor Mike Maguire.

Hedges, the longest-tenured city administrator in the state, started with Eagan 36 years ago and is the only person to have held that job in the city's history.

Osberg, 54, has been Hastings' administrator since 1989. He said that it will be difficult to leave Hastings but that he feels honored to selected by Eagan.

At the start of his career, Osberg was an intern for the city of Eagan from 1981-82, working for Hedges.

The agreement with Osberg is tentative and is set to be ratified by the council at its next meeting on Feb. 5.

Gaylord began serving on the board in 2003. She represents District 2, which includes South St. Paul, West St. Paul, Sunfish Lake and northern Inver Grove Heights.

Commissioner Liz Workman, of Burnsville, is vice chairwoman.

Gaylord will also serve as chairwoman of the board's Administration, Finance and Policy Committee. Workman will lead the Community Services Committee. Commissioner Paul Krause will chair the Physical Development Committee and the Regional Railroad Authority.

Festival help sought Burnsville is looking for volunteers to help plan its annual International Festival, which will be held from 3 to 9 p.m. July 13 at Nicollet Commons Park.

The event celebrates the community's diverse cultures with ethnic displays, food and performances.

To volunteer, contact Margo Swanson at 612-308-9038 or margosvolunteers@gmail. com. For more information, see www.burnsville.org/ifb.

City wants input on future public media Burnsville in interested in its residents' thoughts on the future of community media.

The city is holding focus groups on cable service, community media and technology related to its upcoming franchise renewal with Comcast.

Focus groups will be held Feb. 26, 27 and 28. To sign up for a group, go to www.burnsville.org and click on "What's your vision for local media."

State of the City address set for Feb. 5 Mayor Beth Baumann will give the state of the city address at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 5 at the council chambers at South St. Paul City Hall, 125 N. Third Av.

The event will be broadcast live on Town Square Television, Channel 19. For playback times, see at www.townsquare.tv.

Siren test Wednesday Dakota County sirens within 10 miles of the Prairie Island Nuclear Plant will go off during a test at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

The test, lasting less than 30 seconds, will include sirens in the far southeast corner of Hastings. It is designed to ensure a new backup system for siren activation is working properly, said the Dakota County Sheriff's office.