Burnsville city manager announces retirement

Burnsville City Manager Craig Ebeling plans to retire March 29 after 10 years in the city's top administrative post.

"I could not imagine a better place to serve in government than at this city," Ebeling said in a note to city council members.

Ebeling was hired as Burnsville's sixth city manager in 2003.

He began his career with the city as the assistant city engineer in 1987. He moved on to become city engineer in 1988 and deputy city manager for parks, planning and public works in 1993.

After a stint in the private sector from 1995 to 2001, he returned to Burnsville as the city's director of development and redevelopment where he worked two years before being promoted to city manager.

The Burnsville City Council intends to hire an executive search firm to coordinate the search for a new city manager and hopes to have a replacement hired by April 1.

Compost site remains open for storm cleanup An estimated 100 to 150 trees or large branches were knocked down in Burnsville by the storm on Nov. 10.

The city has opened its compost site behind Dodge of Burnsville on Pleasant Avenue to allow homeowners to dispose of tree debris. Plastic bags must be emptied and removed from the site.

The site will be open for storm debris only from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, through Dec. 9.

A list of tree contractors licensed by the city is at www.burnsville.org/forestry. Contractors hired by residents may dispose of trees at the city compost site.

For more information on tree disposal, call the Burnsville Maintenance Facility at 952-895-4550.

Exhibit will showcase 'human face' of county Dakota County is calling for photographs to be submitted for consideration for a six-month exhibit planned to start in February at the Western Service Center in Apple Valley reflecting the theme "The Human Face of Dakota County."

Photographs will be reviewed first by the Dakota County Public Art Citizen Advisory Committee, in partnership with the Dakota County Historical Society. They will make recommendations to the county board, which will choose 18 photographs for the exhibit.

Photographs must be 11 by 14 inches. Framing will be done by Dakota County. The photography must meet the criteria outlined at www.dakotacounty.us; search for "photography exhibit."

For more information, contact Jean Erickson, deputy director of Dakota County's Public Services and Revenue Division, at 651-438-4286 or jean.erickson@co.dakota.mn.us.

Help with energy costs, furnace repair available Dakota, Scott and Carver counties are offering federally funded grants to help low-income residents pay home heating and furnace repair bills.

The grants are paid to the energy vendor of eligible renters or homeowners, and are based on household size, income, fuel type and energy usage. Eligible homeowners may also qualify for either major repairs or a replacement of their furnace or boiler.