Briefs: Candidates sought for advisory commissions

Rosemount is inviting residents to apply to serve on three advisory commissions.

Candidates will be interviewed and appointed by the City Council. Two seats are open on both the Planning and the Parks and Recreation commissions. The Utility Commission has one opening.

All commission terms begin April 1. Commissioners receive a $35 stipend for each regular meeting they attend. The Planning Commission meets twice a month and the other two bodies once a month.

Applications are due by Feb. 12.

For application forms or more information, contact the city clerk at 651-322-2003 or by e-mail at amy.domeier@ci.rosemount.mn.us.

Library plans 'Great Discussions' series The county library's "Great Decisions" discussion series is back this year with two sessions on international issues at the Galaxie Library in Apple Valley.

The future of the Euro and how the 2008 recession led to the Euro crisis will be the topic at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

Each program features a presenter with expertise in the topic. Participants are encouraged, but not required, to check out or read the desk copy of the Great Decisions briefing book, which is available at the Galaxie Library, before the program.

The Galaxie Library is located at 14955 Galaxie Av.

For more information, visit www.dakotacounty.co.mn.us/library and search calendar of events.

Council chooses Vitelli to finish out term After about a decade off, Dick Vitelli is returning to the West St. Paul City Council to fill the seat vacated by Ed Hansen's recent resignation.

Citing his experience, the council unanimously selected him last week from three candidates to represent Ward 1. Vitelli, 62, was a council member from 1989 to 2002.

Vitelli will fill the final two years of Hansen's term. He was sworn in Wednesday by City Clerk Sharon Newhouse.

Newhouse said Vitelli was a business manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers local in St. Paul. She noted his father, Anthony, was mayor in 1957-58, and his son, Tony, was a council member from 2009 through mid-2012.

Citizens academy seeks participants The Dakota County Sheriff's "Citizen Academy" is seeking participants.

The academy will be held on eight consecutive Thursdays beginning March 14. It will wrap up on May 2.

Each session will run from 6 to 9 p.m. at various locations, depending on the subject. Applicants will have to pass a background investigation to participate.

Anyone interested in applying can contact Capt. Jim Rogers at 651-438-4721 or Jim.Rogers@co.dakota.mn.us.

Open house set on North Urban Trail A second open house will be held from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday on the proposed alignment of the North Urban Regional Trail between Hwy. 110 and Garlough Environmental Magnet School in West St. Paul and Mendota Heights.

The open house will take place at the West St. Paul City Hall at 1616 Humboldt Av. Alignment alternatives will be on display and there will be a brief presentation at 5:15 p.m. followed by small group work sessions.

For more information, go to www.nurtstudy.com or contact Chris Hartzell, Dakota County project manager, at chris.hartzell@co.dakota.mn.us or 952-891-7106.