North and East briefs: Roseville warms of fundraising scam

City warns against scam: 'We don't fundraise'

Roseville officials are warning folks to be skeptical of callers who imply they are raising money for the city's firefighters, making it clear that the "Roseville Fire Department does not solicit funds." Businesses are getting calls from something called the Fire Safety Magnet Co., saying that it's "selling magnets to support the Fire Department," an advisory says. But city officials say that Roseville is not involved with any such arrangement and is not receiving support from the group making the calls. Fire Safety Magnet's website says that fire departments "benefit by providing critical safety information to the community," but the business is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau and gets a "D" rating. At least two businesses that were promised magnets didn't get them and have contacted the Fire Department. City officials are asking that anyone who might be a victim of the scam to report it to police at 651-767-0640.

David Peterson

Several major capital spending projects received approval last week from the Washington County Board, in advance of a $20 million bond sale slated for April.

The money will fund a $1.5 million renovation at Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park, a $2.5 million upgrade of County Road 4 in Marine on St. Croix, a $10 million rebuilding of County roads 10 and 15 in Lake Elmo, a $5 million upgrade of County Road 21 in downtown Afton, and a $1 million countywide technology upgrade.

The County Board held a public hearing Tuesday before the vote, but nobody spoke. The board is expected to award the sale of the bonds at its April 5 meeting. Funding for the projects will be received in early May.

Kevin Giles

Christine Costello was hired just a few months after Charlene Stevens arrived as Cottage Grove's new city administrator. Costello, formerly economic development coordinator in Richfield, has 12 years' experience working in zoning, planning, redevelopment and economic development.

In a statement, Mayor Myron Bailey spoke of "positioning Cottage Grove for growth" and said that Costello has a "great mix of experience in business attraction and retention."

Costello, who has a master's degree in urban planning from the University of Pennsylvania, is planning a business retention and expansion survey for Cottage Grove businesses.

David Peterson

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is considering adding MnPass express lanes along Interstate 35W in the northern suburbs. Officials say the pay lanes, which are free for carpoolers, will improve safety and capacity.

Preliminary reviews will be completed this year, and construction could start by 2018 if funding is available.