West metro briefs: Hennepin County wraps up work on Government Center plaza waterworks

For the first time this season, the pool and waterfall fountain on the north plaza of the Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis were filled with water last week — but only temporarily.

After work on the $3.5 million renovation project wrapped up last week, crews filled the outdoor fountain with water for a day to test the repairs before draining it. The pool and fountain outside the Government Center will be refilled in the spring when the area reopens.

County officials say the latest repairs — the second time such repairs have been done in the Government Center's 42-year history — will last for 30 years.

The pool and fountain have caused problems for decades for the offices below. Leaks have regularly occurred on the circular glass "curtain wall" around the oculus, which receives the waterfall.

Repair work began in May and continued longer than expected because of one of the wettest Septembers on record. Crews re-waterproofed the pool and replaced the oculus glass on the lower level.

This spring, the county also plans to double the seating in the north plaza. As part of the renovation, crews built two new pedestrian ramps, replaced cracked granite and repaired retaining walls.

KELLY SMITH

Up to nine residents with expertise in community engagement or major areas of sustainability will be appointed to the board by the City Council.

The commission will advise the City Council on management of the city's environmental resources and discuss the sustainable use of air, land, water, energy and waste.

Members will be chosen in February. The deadline for applications is Dec. 28. For more information, go to blm.mn/sustainability/.

Miguel Otárola

Hennepin County will host a free career fair on Monday.

It's one in a series of events the county is hosting to pair employers looking for workers with employees looking for job opportunities.

For more details, go to hennepin.us/employmentservices/.

KELLY SMITH

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will be stopping in several west metro suburbs this year, including Golden Valley for the first time.

The train, decked out with thousands of lights and holiday designs, is stopping on Saturday, Dec. 10, in New Hope (2:20 p.m.), Golden Valley (3:35 p.m.), St. Louis Park (4:35 p.m.) and northeast Minneapolis (7 p.m.). The train also stops at 4:15 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11, in Loretto. It's stopping in 21 Minnesota cities in all.

KELLY SMITH

CHANHASSEN

Chanhassen City Council is looking for ways to cover an unanticipated $59,000 budget shortfall that's attributed to an increase in workers' compensation insurance premiums.

The premium increase of 29 percent seems to be a one-time blip, and staffers said they're not expecting a big increase next year.

Chanhassen will vote to approve a final 2017 budget on Dec. 12, so the council will have to decide soon.

City staffers initially recommended lowering the 2017 street reconstruction levy, while council members favored a reduction in the equipment levy that funds snowplows, lawn mowers and roof replacements.