Shakopee

Ex-council member to fill brief vacancy

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.

south metro

Have a small business, want it to grow? Here's a workshop

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."

It's a collaboration with the city's Chamber of Commerce and SCORE, a nonprofit offering free business mentoring.

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.

Lane closures continue on Interstate 35W

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.

A head-to-head traffic switch, affecting which side of the road you use, is still tentatively scheduled to begin about Aug. 26.

Burnsville

Express your views on cable contract

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.

Focus group sessions last winter drew 67 residents, businesses and community organizations, city officials say, while an online survey in March was completed by 592 people.

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.

Getting online permits just got a bit easier

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.

Eligible permits include:

• 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.

For more information contact Building Inspections at 952-895-4444 or visit www.burnsville.org/inspections.

Staff reports