South metro briefs: Updated Eagan fire station set to reopen next month
Work started in June on fire station No. 4, which was built in 1988 and now has an extended bay for trucks, new indoor and outdoor training spaces and safer staging and operation areas.
The remodel is part of a long-term plan to reduce the number of Eagan fire stations to three.
A grand opening is planned for Feb. 20 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the station, 4200 Dodd Rd.
SHAKOPEE
Homeowners to see rise in sewer bills
Property owners in Shakopee will see small increases in their utility bills this year because of changes in sanitary sewer and stormwater drainage rates, Shakopee Public Utilities said. Sewer rates will rise because of an increase in treatment costs at the Blue Lake wastewater treatment plant. The flat rate per billing cycle will rise to $6 from $5, and the flow fee per 1,000 gallons is up to $2.24 from $2.07.
The average residential property will also see an increase of 31 cents in monthly stormwater drainage fees. The change is needed to maintain revenue after the city decided to credit commercial properties for efforts to reduce stormwater drainage. It's the first change to the city's stormwater drainage fees since 1985.
The Internet and kids: Help for parents
The Shakopee Police Department will offer a free Internet-safety presentation for parents to help them talk to their children about the issue. The class is from 6-8 p.m. Monday in the Police Department training room, 475 Gorman St.
Crime prevention specialist Janna Wood will cover the apps and websites that children may be using: Snapchat, Kik, Omegle, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more. The event will also discuss cyber bullying and sexting, and provide tips using parental controls. Registration is not required, but attendees are asked to fill out a short form at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/crimeprevention.
PRIOR LAKE
Strip mall to become senior housing
A nearly empty strip mall in Prior Lake will soon become an affordable housing complex for seniors. After City Council approval and a Metropolitan Council signoff on an amendment to the city's comprehensive plan, Plymouth-based Dominium plans to break ground on the project in the next few months.
The mall will be completely razed to make way for a four-story, 168-unit complex. All rents will be targeted at 60 percent of the area median income, making it the city's first senior housing complex of this scale that's 100 percent affordable.
BURNSVILLE
Local TV goes HD
Cable subscribers tuning in to Burnsville Community Television (BCTV) can now expect a clearer picture, thanks to upgrades that made it possible to broadcast in high-definition. The change included the addition of new cameras and control room equipment at City Hall. The city is also offering online streaming of its TV station for the first time at www.burnsville.tv/live.
HASTINGS
Planning Commission applicants sought
Hastings is looking for a commissioner to serve on the city's Planning Commission, which advises the City Council on land use, development, and zoning. Previous experience isn't required. Commissioners meet the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 7 p.m. An application is available online at www.hastingsmn.gov. Call John Hinzman, community development director, at 651-480-2378 with any questions. The application deadline is Friday.
State of City address will be Thursday
Hastings Mayor Paul Hicks will deliver the annual State of the City address at 8 a.m. Thursday at City Hall. It's free and open to the public. Residents can also watch live on Hastings Community TV (channel 16) or listen live on KDWA (AM 1460).
EAGAN
Celebrate putting the future into motion
Residents have shared their ideas about Eagan's future online, through social media and at a series of forums. Now it's time to figure out how to put those ideas into motion.
The Eagan Forward Launch Party will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Community Center, 1501 Central Pkwy. Eagan Forward is a project that aims to develop a plan for making Eagan "an even better place to live, work, and play." The city advertises the focus groups as "candid discussion about the Eagan we want to leave for the next generation." The party is for people who've been a part of the process, wish they had been, or simply like a good party. To register, go to www.ci.eagan.mn.us or call 651-675-5005.
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