Tires Plus Store Planned for Cliff Rd. Center.

New Tires Plus store planned for Cliff Rd. shopping center

To accommodate a new Tire Plus store planned for the corner of Cliff Road and Highway 13, the Burnsville City Council Tuesday made adjustments to green space zoning requirements.

The project is shovel-ready, does not need financing and will result in approximately $1.5 million in construction activity and 15 new permanent jobs, according to information prepared for the Council.

Council members noted the recent renovations and business additions to the Town and Country Shopping Center built in 1971. Mayor Elizabeth Kautz called it one of the best examples in the community of transforming an aging strip mall.

Coughlin to take his seat at the council table

Bill Coughlin is scheduled to be sworn-in Tuesday, Aug. 9, as the newest Burnsville City Council member. During the July 26 special election, he topped the slate of nine candidates vying for the council seat left open after the death of longtime council member Charlie Crichton.  Coughlin is expected to take the oath of office during the Council work session beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Discussion on 2012 tax levy begins next week

Heads up if you’re concerned about property taxes and the City of Burnsville’s budget: The Burnsville City Council will be devoting several meetings in the coming months to setting the 2012 budget and levy, which in turn could affect property taxes.

At its Aug. 9 work session, the council and staff will consider a maximum levy proposal, which is scheduled to be adopted at its Sept. 6 meeting.

Earlier this summer, council members gave an indication about possible budget cuts needed if they were to hold the levy line to this year’s level. Expect that to be part of Tuesday’s discussion. Before the levy talk culminates on Dec. 6 with adoption of the budget, several work sessions will be held and are open to the public. The schedule is:

• Aug. 6: work session to discuss maximum tax levy;
• Sept. 6: adopt maximum tax levy;
• Oct. 25: department budget presentations;
• Nov. 15, 29: Budget work sessions;
• Dec. 1: Budget open house; and
• Dec. 6: Adopt budget and final tax levy.

City receives two law enforcement grants

There are 68 retailers holding active liquor licenses in Burnsville, and the Police Department will receive monetary help to conduct alcohol compliance checks. Through a Minnesota Institute of Public Health grant, the city will be reimbursed $30 for each completed compliance check. The grant, not to exceed $4,080, requires two compliance checks on each establishment. The first round of checks must be completed between July 1, 2011, and Dec.15, 2011. The second round of checks must be completed between Jan. 1, 2012, and May 31, 2012.

Since 2004, the City of Burnsville has partnered in the Minnesota Internet Crimes Against Children, which investigates and prosecute crimes committed against children through the use of computers.

A $320,000 federal grant to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety will be used to reimburse investigations for overtime hours, inclusive of fringe benefits of actual hours, and/or actual expenses incurred related to performing task force assignments and approved training.