Briefs: Sirens in Burnsville signal tech upgrade

Outdoor warning sirens will sound throughout the week in Burnsville to test a technology upgrade.

Individual sirens will be tested, sounding periodically for up to 30 seconds each from Monday through Friday. A systemwide test will be conducted as usual on the first Wednesday in December at 1 p.m.

The upgrade of the sirens' radio technology is meant to improve performance and monitoring of the sirens and offer faster and more secure activation. It will also allow for a backup activation site in case the Dakota Communications Center is damaged in an emergency.

The sirens are used to alert residents to the need to seek more information regarding an emergency. In Dakota County, they sound for both severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings.

Fogarty plans run for County BoardFarmington City Council Member Christy Jo Fogarty last week became the second candidate to join the race for the Dakota County Board seat of retiring Commissioner Joe Harris.

"Joe leaves very big shoes to fill," Fogarty said. "He has done a great job for Dakota County, and I think I can bring some of the same strengths to the office."

She said the City Council, like the County Board, has worked through some tight budget years, and she has worked with county officials on joint road projects. Fogarty, 41, said she would like to serve her community at a broader level on the board.

Recently elected to a third, four-year term on the Farmington City Council, Fogarty said she believes in term limits and would not serve another term. She has chaired the city's Economic Development Authority, served on the Empire Farmington Planning Commission and was appointed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty to the state Board of Water and Soil Resources in 2009.

Fogarty's website says she earned a master's degree in Dental Therapy in 2011 from Metropolitan State University. She works as a Dental Therapist at Children's Dental Services in Minneapolis. She and her husband, Steve, a Minneapolis police officer, have three children.

Fogarty previously has sought higher office. She lost the Republican endorsement to Patrick Garofalo in 2004 for the Minnesota House, and last year lost to Lakeville's David Thompson for the GOP nomination to run for the Minnesota Senate.

City Council plans final levy increase info sessionFarmington residents are invited to attend a final open house Monday to learn about the city's proposed levy increase.

The 2012 preliminary levy of $9.6 million, adopted last month, can be lowered but not increased before it is adopted in December. Council members have held several workshops aimed at paring the levy.

The open house will be at City Hall from 6-8 p.m.

Volunteers needed for advisory committeesThe Dakota County Board is seeking interested citizens to serve on advisory committees that weigh in on everything from libraries to community corrections.

Most of the volunteer committees meet monthly, while others meet just a few times a year. They study issues, and in some cases help establish policy and recommend budgets.

The committees include the Dakota-Scott Workforce Investment Board, Community Corrections Advisory Board, Extension Committee, Human Services Advisory Committee, Library Board, Personnel Board of Appeals, Public Art Citizen Advisory Committee and Special Board of Appeal and Equalization.

Some positions must be filled by people living in specific county commissioners' districts or by residents with particular professional experience. The application deadline is Nov. 23.