Town square: Shakopee offers another firm a tax break

Shakopee's City Council members have named a former colleague to fill a short vacancy in their ranks.

Former council member Patrick Heitzman will start Sept. 1, filling out the term of Pam Schurman. Her term expires Dec. 31 but she recently resigned as of Aug. 31.

One of her last votes was to dissent against the idea of a salary increase for council members.

She and Lehman disagreed with the notion of asking city staffers to write up a new ordinance increasing the pay of the mayor from $7,854 to $15,000 and that of other council members from $6,715 to $7,500.

The council will vote on the raises on Tuesday. Salaries have been steady since 2006, and the raise wouldn't apply till after the fall election.

Small-business owners from throughout the area who wish to expand are invited to a workshop series in Savage in October.

The series is called "Growth Basics for Small Business."

The cost is being offset by a grant from Scott County, but there is a fee of $39 each or $100 for all four two-hour weekly sessions.

Part of the package is a free one-on-one consultation with workshop presenters — professionals in law, finance, employment issues and the like.

Workshops will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays in October. To register or for more details, visit cityofsavage.com/ for-businesses/workshops.

The lengthy work on I-35W continues this weekend with closures from Friday through Monday, state officials say.

Through the weekend, northbound 35W will close between the 35W/35E split and Hwy. 13 to allow crews to do more bridge painting.

Burnsville is asking for views of residents, business owners and others as it nears negotiations on cable franchise renewal with Comcast.

The topic is your "experience with cable and community media."

A public hearing will be part of the Tuesday council meeting, 6:30 p.m. at city hall.

The city's current 15-year contract with Comcast will expire in January 2015.

Last year, the firm told the city it wants to renegotiate the terms.

The city has no power over rates but can set standards in various areas, including community television options.

For more information, head for www.burnsville.org/cablefranchise.

Burnsville's online permitting has been given a makeover, in hopes of making it easier to get building permits from your desk at home.

A system launched in 2011 has been given a "more user-friendly interface," the city says, for folks seeking building, mechanical and plumbing permits.

Certain permits can be sought and paid for without a trip to City Hall.

• Roofing, siding, windows/doors, fascia and soffits

• Mechanical permits for furnace and air conditioners

• Water softeners, water heaters and plumbing fixtures;

• Electrical permits for furnaces, air conditioning, fireplaces and other minor work.

Permits and licenses needing a plan review, such as a deck, basement finish, remodel or addition, still need a trek to officialdom.