South news briefs: Prior Lake cleanup Saturday

Lake cleanup SaturdayFor the seventh straight year, a group of scuba divers will explore the depths of Prior Lake to clean trash out of the lake.

The cleanup day is set for Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at Captain Jack's, 3950 SW. Green Heights Trail. Divers who want to participate must bring their own equipment. Prizes will be awarded for the largest item retrieved from the lake, the most unusual, the oldest, the most valuable, and more.

The event is organized by the Prior Lake Association, which provides volunteer boaters to bring divers to their designated areas.

To volunteer, call Donna Mankowski at 952-440-5503. For more information, see www.priorlakeassociation.org.

City maintains its 'Tree City' designationFor the 19th year, Savage has earned the "Tree City USA" distinction from the Arbor Day Foundation, recognizing its commitment to urban forestry.

There are 98 such cities in Minnesota and more than 3,400 nationwide. Cities with the designation must meet four standards: They must have a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

The program aims to promote trees as an essential part of communities and educate the public about their benefits. Trees filter the air we breathe, moderate climate, conserve water, provide habitat for wildlife, reduce the "heat island effect" in urban areas, reduce energy use and increase property values.

Other south-metro cities with the designation include Apple Valley, Belle Plaine, Eagan, Farmington, Hastings, Lakeville, Rosemount, Shakopee and West St. Paul.

For more information, see www.arborday.org.

Election judges soughtThe city is looking for election judges for both the Aug. 14 primary election and the Nov. 6 general election.

Judges help out on Election Day by greeting voters, verifying that they are in the correct polling place, registering voters, giving out ballots and performing other duties. They are paid $8.75 per hour. To learn more, please 952-233-9316 by June 15.

Plaque will honor former mayor JensenA plaque in memory of former Lakeville mayor and legislator Bob Jensen will be erected in the city's downtown history plaza with those of other notable city fathers. The City Council last week approved Jensen's induction to the local plaza of fame. He first became involved in local government in 1960, was an early mayor in 1970, and was a DFL legislator in the 1980s. He also served two years as a Dakota County commissioner.

Dedication planned for Crichton plaqueA memorial dedication ceremony June 5 will honor longtime Burnsville City Council Member Charlie Crichton, who died in March 2011.

The 5:30 p.m. ceremony at Alimagnet Dog Park will include the unveiling of a plaque, recognizing Crichton's contributions to the city and his love of dogs. Mayor Elizabeth Kautz will speak.

Crichton was 84 when he died just months after being elected to a sixth term on the City Council. He had also served on the city's Planning Commission and was on the Arden Hills City Council before moving to Burnsville.

Info session on new Hwy. 13 interchangeLearn about the upcoming remake of the Hwy. 13 and County Road 5 intersection at an open house Thursday at Burnsville City Hall.

The open house from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. will include information about the project, which will convert the intersection into a grade-separated interchange. The public is invited to meet with people working on the project and provide feedback about the design of the new interchange.

Information about the project is available on the Dakota County website, www.dakota county.us, by searching for "TH 13."

City administrator honored for opennessThe Minnesota Association of Government Communicators recognized Eagan City Administrator Tom Hedges this year for his openness and work to build trust in government.

Hedges, who has led the city staff for 35 years, and Julie Lehr, the retired communications coordinator from the city of Woodbury, were both given 2012 Communicators of the Year awards by the organization.

Eagan's city communications staff nominated Hedges, noting his philosophy of transparency in government and willingness to work with local and statewide news media.

YMCA will again run the city poolThe South Family YMCA will operate the West St. Paul Municipal Pool for a third year.

At a meeting Tuesday, City Council members were expected to approve a one-year extension of the initial two-year contract with the Y. Discussion will begin this summer on a new two-year contract with the Y to operate the pool for the 2013 and 2014 seasons.

In payment for operating the pool, the YMCA will receive the first $40,900 of pool revenues from season passes, gate sales and rentals. Additional revenue beyond $40,900 will be divided equally between the pool and the city, according to the terms of the contract.

Electronic MnPASS sign now operatingThe pricing display was added to the Burnsville extension of the northbound MnPASS lane last Friday. The price to use the lane going north in the morning will be displayed on an electronic sign at Crystal Lake Road.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation extended the lane from Southcross Drive to Burnsville Parkway and opened it last fall.

The lane is open to all traffic in the evening.

For more information on MnPASS, go to www.mnpass.org.

KATIE HUMPHREY, LAURIE BLAKE, JIM ADAMS AND DYLAN BELDEN