Briefs: Red Cross seeks blood donors for Eagan drives

This holiday season the American Red Cross is asking people to give something meaningful — blood that could help save up to three lives.

The organization is holding a series of community blood drives this month throughout Eagan:

• From 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at Easter Lutheran Church, 4545 Pilot Knob Road.

• From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 14, at Wescott Library Meeting Room, 1340 Wescott Road, and at Culver's, 3445 O'Leary Lane.

• From noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 16 at Rasmussen College, 3500 Federal Drive.

• From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 28 at Culver's 3445, O'Leary Lane.

Burnsville has approved a new policy for the maintenance of streetscape improvements, which include watering systems, concrete pavers, colored concrete sidewalks, streetlight banners, boulevard and median turf, trees and shrubs.

For existing streetscapes in the Heart of the City area, the city will assess property owners on Burnsville Parkway, from Aldrich Avenue to Eagle Ridge Drive; Travelers Trail, from Nicollet Avenue east to Eagle Ridge Drive; 125th Street, from Nicollet Avenue to Burnsville Parkway; First Avenue, from Travelers Trail to the end of First Avenue; 126th Street, from Nicollet Avenue to Pillsbury Avenue; Nicollet Avenue, from Hwy. 13 to 134th Street; and Pillsbury Avenue, from Burnsville Parkway to 126th Street. For future proposed streetscape improvements, the new policy requires areas or neighborhoods to submit a written petition for the improvements. The petition must include the signatures of at least 35 percent of the property owners affected.

If approved, the city shall assess 100 percent of the initial streetscape costs to the area requesting streetscape improvements, and the annual operation and maintenance costs will be negotiated with petitioners and approved by the City Council.

The streetscape assessments will be tallied in March of each year and 50 percent will be assessed to property owners unless otherwise stated.

Burnsville approved an increase in the late fee charged to Comcast customers who do not pay their bills on time, from $8 to $9.50.

Late fees are one of the few fees the city has authority over under the cable television franchise it granted to Comcast.

Comcast is proposing the same $1.50 late fee increase metrowide.

The last late fee increase took place in 2010, when the fee was increased from $7 to $8.

South St. Paul and the Wakota Federal Credit Union will sponsor the city's annual Skate with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 11:10 a.m. to 12:10 p.m., at Wakota Arena, 141 S. Sixth St. in South St. Paul.

Those without skates may bring a non–perishable food item and get a free skate rental. Without the donation, skate rental is $2. Holiday music and refreshments will be provided.

For additional information, contact Deb Griffith, community affairs liaison, at 651-554-3230 or deb.griffith@southstpaul.org.

To get an application, call 651-438-4418. Applications will be accepted until Dec. 20, or until all openings are filled.

The committees include:

• The Planning Commission, which reviews plans and proposals and makes policy recommendations to the County Board regarding transportation, transit, parks, trails and greenways, land conservation, water resources and environmental management. The Planning Commission may review capital projects or be asked by the County Board to address emerging issues. The panel also considers conditional use permits in the shoreland and floodplain areas of Dakota County. The committee meets monthly or as necessary in Apple Valley.

• The Human Services Advisory Committee, which deals with social services, public health and income maintenance. It meets monthly in West St. Paul.

• The Library Board, which participates in planning library facilities and services, sets operating policies for the library system and prepares the annual budget. The board meets monthly at various library locations.

• The Public Art Citizen Advisory Committee, which recommends art projects for county buildings to the County Board. The committee meets monthly in Apple Valley.

• The Special Board of Appeal and Equalization, which hears appeals from property owners regarding property valuation or classification of properties. One member must be a real estate appraiser or be familiar with county property valuation. The board meets in Apple Valley annually in June.

• The Extension Committee, which works with the University of Minnesota on the Extension programs. It meets bimonthly in Farmington.