North metro briefs: Oakdale council member's departure opens seat

The type of musical chairs that brought Kristen Cici to the Oakdale City Council in the first place is ushering her out again, well before her term ends.

City officials say Cici has told them she will resign as of April 11 because she finds herself unexpectedly planning to move out of the city.

She was appointed to a similarly open seat in 2015, then re-elected in the 2016 general election a few months ago.

Her initial appointment stemmed from the election of Stan Karwoski to the office of mayor, replacing a colleague who opted against seeking another term.

Karwoski himself reached office through appointment initially, then was re-elected. He left the council for the Washington County Board by winning a special election last fall after the incumbent died.

David Peterson

An Anoka County jury has convicted a 28-year-old Blaine man in a 2016 fatal hit-and-run incident that roiled the city's politics and prompted the creation of a traffic commission.

Aguilar had been checking his mail outside his Blaine home when he was struck and killed by Rodman, who police found had been drinking while driving. Rodman was driving up to 70 miles per hour in a 30-miles-per-hour area.

Aguilar's death shocked the community and sparked resident concerns about how to curb speeding in residential areas. The city has since approved two new police positions for neighborhood traffic enforcement and created a traffic commission.

"While this conviction won't bring the victim back, our hope is that it brings a sense of justice to the victim's family," Anoka County Attorney Tony Palumbo said in a statement.

The sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 2.

Hannah Covington

The seat was left vacant after former Council Member Donna Schmitt beat longtime Mayor Gary Peterson in a tight November election.

The appointment process has involved interviews with 17 applicants, as well as a second interview round with two candidates. Nick Novitsky and Sean Broom, who came in third and fourth in the November race, were re-interviewed last week before the council's March 28 meeting.

After the interviews, council members tabled the appointment agenda item until Monday at 4 p.m. City officials said all 17 applicants are invited to attend the City Hall gathering, as city leaders may have additional questions for them. According to the city's charter, the council has until April 9 to appoint.

Hannah Covington

It's not April Fool's: Four Ramsey County golf courses were open by Saturday, April 1:

Parks officials were offering a free first round of golf, with savings all season, via the purchase of a 2017 Ramsey County Golf Patron Card. The $80 card for most county courses is said to pay for itself in about 15 rounds, with savings continuing after that.

David Peterson

Disruptions on Interstate 94 from St. Paul to the eastern suburbs resume this month, including lane closures in both directions, officials are warning.

Road crews from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) will cause what's being called "major traffic changes."

The state is promising at least two travel lanes in each direction at all times, but some exit and entrance ramps will close for a time.

To stay informed, sign up for project e-mail updates at MnDOT's website, which can be found at tinyurl.com/n2jul79; follow MnDOT on Twitter @mndotnews for ramp and lane closures; e-mail info@i94eastmetro.org, or call the project hot line at (612) 547-3206.