The city of Savage now has a "safe spot" or "safe zone" parking area in front of the police station for child custody exchanges or for the buyer of something online to meet up with the seller.
While officers don't get involved in anything that happens in the area, it is monitored 24 hours a day by a video surveillance camera. Permission isn't required to use the spot, which will be identified with a sign beginning May 1.
The police station is at 6000 McColl Dr. in Savage.
Several counties already have a similar space.
The city of Medina has one and Bloomington will add one, said Savage Police Chief Rodney Seurer.
"I'm hoping … this will start catching on and more departments will start doing it," Seurer said.
Erin Adler
Water meters to be replaced citywide
Savage will begin replacing all business and residential water meters next year.
The city uses meters to track a property's water usage for billing. The three-year process will streamline the technology across the city to automatic meter reading, which will allow city staff to track water use remotely. Previously, staff or property owners would track water use on-site.
Meters that are currently on properties range from one to 20 years old. The elimination of manual reading is expected to save money.
Natalie Daher
Dakota County
County looking for local artist contributions
The county's Public Art Citizen Advisory Committee is asking for submissions for an annual art exhibition.
The theme for the sixth Community Art Exhibition is "Landscapes of Dakota County." People ages 8 and up are invited to participate. Artists must submit one original two-dimensional piece of art by July 8 to have their art displayed in a four-month-long exhibit that will be shown inside county buildings.
The advisory committee works to make art more accessible to the community. Committee members will look over submissions and suggest their picks to the County Board, which will select what artwork will be featured.
Works will be judged on criteria including originality and artistic excellence. Applications for the submission require a description of how the artwork incorporates the theme.
Beatrice Dupuy
EAGAN
City signs cable TV deal with CenturyLink
The city of Eagan signed a franchise agreement with telecom provider CenturyLink to bring CenturyLink's cable television service into the city to compete with cable provider Comcast.
The agreement was unanimously approved by the City Council on April 19.
"It's long been a goal of this City Council to bring effective cable competition to this market," Eagan Mayor Mike Maguire said in a statement. "Eagan residents now have a choice."
CenturyLink's service, called Prism TV, will be available in areas with higher broadband speeds, including where CenturyLink's fiber-optic network has been installed.
CASEY COMMON
Burnsville
Seminar to offer advice on 'aging in place'
The city of Burnsville is offering a seminar for seniors, and their loved ones, who want to stay in their own houses even as their needs change.
The free seminar, "Aging in Place: Creating a Plan for a Lifetime," will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Burnsville City Hall. Topics will include financial and legal advice, livable environments and health and wellness.
Registration is required. The deadline is Monday. Register online, by phone at 952-895-4500 or at the recreation office at Burnsville City Hall.
The workshop is sponsored by the city of Burnsville and the Burnsville Senior Center.
CASEY COMMON
Apple Valley
Bike sale to benefit nonprofit Kids 'n Kinship
For an eighth year, Apple Valley cyclist Rick Anderson will run a bike sale out of his home to benefit the Kids 'n Kinship mentoring program.
The sale will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 14 at Anderson's home, 12738 Ethelton Way in Apple Valley.
Anderson finds inexpensive or donated bikes, fixes them up and sells them, with all proceeds going to Kids 'n Kinship, a nonprofit in Dakota County that serves kids in Apple Valley, Burnsville, Lakeville, Rosemount, Eagan and Farmington.
More than 200 bikes will be for sale, ranging in price from $30 to $350. Anderson's past seven sales have raised more than $68,000, he said.
CASEY COMMON
