Blaine City Council Regular Meeting – October 20, 2025

The Blaine City Council met on Monday, October 20, 2025, at Blaine City Hall. The published agenda listed a 7:00 PM start; the minutes record that Mayor Tim Sanders called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM. Mayor Sanders and all six councilmembers were present. The council approved the consent agenda, approved a liquor license, approved rezoning and a conditional use permit at 8634 Central Avenue NE, approved a pylon sign ordinance amendment, advanced the recodified city code, and authorized city facilities to close on December 26, 2025.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved 5-0-2 on a motion by Councilmember Newland, seconded by Councilmember Robertson.
• Councilmember Newland abstained on Item 7.1 (Schedule of Bills Paid), citing a conflict of interest with a business he owns. Councilmember Massoglia abstained on Item 7.2 (Approval of Minutes) due to his absence from the prior meeting.
• The consent agenda included the Schedule of Bills Paid, approval of minutes, and a motion authorizing acquisition of easements for the Zest Street and Lakes Parkway Construction, Improvement Project No. T2504.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Open Forum was open from 7:16 PM to 7:20 PM. Bruce Manthei, 4101 99th Avenue NE, expressed continuing concerns about the electrical box at the 99th/Lexington intersection, referenced an Anoka County line-of-sight test he said failed, disputed staff responses, and requested a meeting with council and staff. He said the city and individual councilmembers could be held responsible for accidents at that intersection.
• The public hearing for the Chelas X, Inc. liquor license was opened and closed at 7:23 PM with no public testimony.

Council Communications

• Councilmember Fleming shared that she and her father took an Honor Flight to Washington DC and encouraged families with veterans to consider the program.
• Councilmember Newland thanked staff for hosting the recent liver and onions dinner at the Marion Young Center (MAYC).
• Councilmember Larson thanked those involved in the Citizens Academy, a nine-week program, and encouraged residents to participate next fall.
• Councilmember Ford thanked staff for supporting National Domestic Violence Awareness Month by wearing purple.

Licenses & Public Hearing

• 8.1: City Clerk Sorensen presented the wine and 3.2 percent malt liquor on-sale license applications for Chelas X, Inc., located at 1250 126th Ave NE, Suite 600. Applicant Michael Nguyen submitted the required fees, forms, and documents. The Blaine Police Department background investigation found no concerns. The licenses, if approved, would run through June 30, 2026. Councilmember Massoglia asked about the business type, and the clerk said a Vietnamese restaurant would occupy the space. The motion was adopted unanimously.

Development Business

• 9.1 (ORD 25-2588): The council held the second reading of an ordinance rezoning 8634 Central Avenue NE from Single Family Residential (R-1) to Community Commercial (B-2). Interim Community Development Director Sheila Sellman presented the request, noting the planning commission recommended approval. Councilmember Newland said he did not support the rezoning. Councilmember Robertson said she did not previously support the comprehensive plan amendment but, after speaking with the city attorney, understood she could not vote against the ordinance because it must conform to the comprehensive plan. The motion was adopted 6-1, with Councilmember Newland opposed.
• 9.2 (RES 25-166): The council approved a conditional use permit for a three-story self-storage facility with office/retail, shared access/parking, and a zero lot line at 8634 Central Avenue NE. The proposed building footprint is 25,800 square feet, total finished area is 77,400 square feet, and the office/retail component is 4,675 square feet. Sellman noted a 100-foot setback from residential uses, 24 required parking stalls, a 1,500-square-foot minimum other commercial use in the Highway 65 Overlay District, replacement of nine trees, and six planning commission conditions. A neighborhood meeting had 12 attendees, and no one spoke at the public hearing. The motion was adopted 6-1, with Councilmember Newland opposed.
• 9.3 (ORD 25-2587): The council adopted the second reading of an ordinance amending Section 34.02 of the sign ordinance to allow pylon signs up to 50 feet in height and 180 square feet in area along Hwy 65 in designated areas within 600 feet of the center line. Sellman said the change was in anticipation of new bridge construction and followed a similar 2008 precedent. Councilmember Robertson thanked staff, saying the change signals that Hwy 65 reconstruction is coming, with the project expected to go out for bid in February and construction starting in April. The motion was adopted unanimously. Although the on-screen presentation reportedly said first reading, the agenda and minutes identify this as the second reading.

Administration

• 10.1 (ORD 25-2586): The council held a first reading of an ordinance adopting and enacting a new recodified Blaine City Code, repealing ordinances not included, providing a penalty for violations, providing for amendment procedures, and setting an effective date. Clerk Sorensen said the full recodification is complete, the code has been updated to current state statute, and the online version is already posted. A prior first reading from September 3 was restarted because Community Development staff identified errors. The ordinance was introduced and placed on file for a second reading on November 3, 2025.

Other Business

• The council voted unanimously to suspend the rules to consider other business.
• Councilmember Robertson moved, and the council unanimously approved, authorizing the City Manager to close all city facilities on Friday, December 26, 2025, as a paid day off.
• City Manager Erik Thorvig thanked the council, announced a ribbon-cutting for Waggle on October 22, and reminded council of the Blaine Business Council quarterly meeting on October 23.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved 5-0-2.
• Wine and 3.2 percent malt liquor on-sale licenses for Chelas X, Inc. approved unanimously.
• Rezoning at 8634 Central Avenue NE approved 6-1.
• Conditional use permit for self-storage at 8634 Central Avenue NE approved 6-1.
• Pylon sign ordinance amendment approved unanimously.
• Recodification ordinance introduced for second reading on November 3, 2025.
• City facilities will close on December 26, 2025, as a paid day off.
• The meeting adjourned at 7:40 PM.