Blaine City Council Meeting - April 20, 2026

The Blaine City Council met on April 20, 2026 at 7:00 PM at City Hall for a regular meeting. The meeting included proclamations, a police officer swearing-in ceremony, public comments, approval of a consent agenda, and two public hearings. A labor agreement with Local 49 (Public Works) was ratified.

Awards & Presentations

• Proclamation for Blaine Bengals Basketball Teams: Mayor Sanders read a proclamation recognizing both the girls' and boys' basketball teams for being Section 7AAAA champions and representing Blaine at the state tournament. The girls' team finished with a 20-10 record and placed sixth in state; the boys' team also made the state tournament after a 10-year absence. Coaches and captains expressed gratitude to the community.
• Police Officer Swearing-in Ceremony: Three new officers—Braden Olmstead (Badge #272), Thomas Shields (Badge #273), and Jaclyn Groshens (Badge #274)—were sworn in by City Clerk Sorensen. Chief Podany highlighted their backgrounds and the importance of the oath. The ceremony included badge pinning by family members. Prior to the ceremony, Councilmember Robertson acknowledged K9 officers Vinny and Hector for their high placements in regional narcotics detection training.
• Proclamation for Arbor Day 2026: Mayor Sanders proclaimed April 22, 2026 as Arbor Day and April as Arbor Month in Blaine, noting the city's 32-year recognition as a Tree City USA.

Consent Calendar

The following items were approved by a 6-0-1 vote (Councilmember Newland abstained on Item 7.1 due to a conflict of interest with a business receiving payment):

• Schedule of Bills Paid
• Approval of Minutes
• Final Plat Approval for Flowerfield (32 single-family lots on 31.92 acres)
• 2026 Street Rehabilitation Project plans and bid advertisement
• Joint Powers Agreement with Anoka County for intersection improvements at Radisson Road/109th Avenue and signalization at Mankato Street/Tournament Players Parkway
• Acceptance of Parks and Recreation donations for Q1 2026
• Police Department Wellness Program contract with The PARC using Public Safety Funds
• Receipt of petitions and order of public hearings for two drainage/utility easement vacations (V26-02 and V26-03)
• Temporary parking restrictions and road closures for Johnsville Area Garage Sale Event

Public Comments & Testimony

• Open Forum: Bruce Mathei (4101 99th Avenue NE) expressed continued concerns about an electrical box at 99th Avenue and Lexington Avenue NE. He criticized the Director of Engineering's report and the city attorney's handling of the issue, alleging safety hazards and misrepresentations. He indicated he would escalate the matter to other organizations.

Public Hearings

• Conditional Use Permit Amendment (The Goddard School of Blaine): The council held a public hearing with no public input. A resolution was passed unanimously to reduce the south and east parking lot setbacks from 30 feet to 25 feet to accommodate one additional parking space at 12612 Central Avenue NE.
• Liquor License for Bravos Tequila Bar: A public hearing was held with no public input. The council unanimously approved on-sale and Sunday intoxicating liquor licenses for Bravos Tequila Bar at 11712 Ulysses Lane NE, Suite 200. The licenses are valid until June 30, 2026, and will then run concurrently with annual renewals. Staff noted that alcohol service will not be allowed in the adjacent nail salon as under previous ownership.

Administration

• Ratification of Local 49 (Public Works) Labor Agreement (2026-2028): The council unanimously approved a three-year agreement covering public works employees. Key terms include: 3% annual wage increases; seniority based on time within public works rather than individual division; addition of compensatory time (24/32/40 hours in years 1-3, non-revolving with opt-in/opt-out every four months); callback pay minimum increased from 2 to 2.5 hours; $50 annual increase to cafeteria plan contribution; increases for water/sewer license premiums (C license from $0.20 to $0.40/hr, B license from $0.40 to $0.80/hr); new credential premiums for streets/parks employees ($0.15 per credential up to $0.45/hr total); uniform allowance increases; and increased seasonal employee limit from 8 to 10. Sick leave cap reduced from 960 to 480 hours.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda adopted 6-0-1.
• Conditional use permit amendment for Goddard School approved unanimously.
• Liquor licenses for Bravos Tequila Bar approved unanimously.
• Local 49 labor agreement ratified unanimously.
• City Manager noted the Blaine Business Council meeting on Thursday, April 23 at 7:30 AM.
• Meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM.