By Lori Carlson, Editor 

The imminent threat of state budget cuts is leading Prior Lake officials to raise gate fees for the city’s annual Cleanup Day.

By Lori Carlson, Editor 

Philosophical differences between Prior Lake City Council members were evident at Monday’s council workshop on fund balance policies.

Prior Lake City Council members will meet today at 4:30 p.m. for a workshop on fund balance reserves.

Finance Director Jerilyn Erickson will ask city leaders to consider adopting policies for minimum fund balances and classifications of different fund types.

A meeting on the education module of the SCALE transportation plan is scheduled for 5 p.m. today, Monday, March 8 at City Hall, 4646 Dakota St.

City Council, Planning Commission and Economic Development Advisory Committee members may be in attendance.

SCALE is the Scott County Association for Leadership and Efficiency. For more information, visit www.scaleinfo.org.

By Nancy Huddleston, Correspondent
The Savage City Council unanimously approved a franchise ordinance with Integra Telecom Monday, allowing the company to start providing digital television services to residents this fall.

Initially, Integra will only provide IPTV service within its Public Utilities Commission boundaries, which covers the southern half of Savage. IPTV is a system that delivers digital television services using networking methods over the Internet instead of the traditional cable television format.

By Lori Carlson, Editor
Concerned that Mediacom’s recent lawsuit against the city of Prior Lake could have implications for cable TV franchise agreements statewide, Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis) is leading a charge in the Legislature to clarify the existing cable franchise law.

City Councilman Warren Erickson has snapped up an opportunity to work with the media at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

Erickson has been helping media photographers with sightlines as they strive to get the best shots possible while steering clear of fast-moving athletes. The volunteer position suits Erickson, a past president of the Midwest Sport/Ski Council.

Prior Lake’s fire department received 11 new firefighter helmets from VFW representatives this week.

Post Commander Dave Roseth and Post Service Officer Chuck Dresen presented the Cairns helmets, which have eye shields and head liners, to Fire Chief Doug Hartman during the City Council’s meeting on Monday.

The cost of the donation is $1,976. Hartman said the new helmets will replace 15-year-old ones firefighters previously used.

A mix of new and returning Prior Lake City Council members will discuss the city’s financial future tonight in a workshop focused on long-range budget planning.

New Mayor Mike Myser and Councilman Richard Keeney – who both campaigned on promises to scour the city budget for potential “fat” – will join the discussion with councilmen who have made budgetary decisions over the last four years.

The meeting is set for 4:30 p.m. at City Hall, 4646 Dakota St. The council’s regular meeting will start at 6 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall.

A drainage company working for the city is in the process of repairing a leak in a water pipe installed near Prior Lake along County Road 21.

The pipe, installed about two months ago, had a bad weld, causing it to leak, said City Manager Frank Boyles.