Blaine City Council Meeting - May 4, 2026

The Blaine City Council met on May 4, 2026, at 7:06 PM at City Hall. Mayor Tim Sanders presided. Councilmembers Chris Ford, Leslie Larson, Chris Massoglia, Tom Newland, and Jess Robertson were present; Councilmember Terra Fleming was absent. The meeting included consent agenda approvals, three public hearings, development permits, a water utility joint powers agreement, ordinance amendments, and a traffic calming proposal for Quincy Boulevard that was tabled for workshop discussion.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda (items 7.1-7.4, 7.6-7.8) was approved on a 5-1 vote (Councilmember Massoglia opposed).
• Item 7.5 was removed by Councilmember Robertson for discussion and then approved 4-2 (Massoglia and Robertson opposed). This was a resolution accepting a $376,962.00 bid for the Public Works Fuel Station Reconstruction Project.
• Other consent items included: schedule of bills paid (7.1), approval of minutes (7.2), special event for Eid Prayer Service (7.3), notification to League of Minnesota Cities on tort liability (7.4), final plat approvals for Blaine Town Center West (7.6) and 2nd Addition (7.7), and interfund transfers for HR office space (7.8).

Public Comments & Testimony

Open Forum (7:08-7:16 PM)

• Bruce Manthei (4101 99th Ave NE) expressed concerns about an electrical box at 99th and Lexington Avenue, calling it a safety hazard and urging the council to reprimand city staff.
• Dana Carlson (287 117th Ave NE) shared continued concerns regarding various family issues, alleging abduction and cover-ups.

Public Hearing - Sakura Sushi Liquor License (8.1)

• No public testimony. Approved unanimously.

Public Hearing - Vacation of Easements (8.2)

• No public testimony. Approved unanimously.

Public Hearing - Speed Humps on Quincy Boulevard (8.3)

• Don and Diane Bressler (10593 Quincy Blvd) opposed, stating six speed humps were excessive and questioned need if sidewalks were installed.
• Nicole Berg (10651 Quincy Blvd) supported; she circulated the petition and reported 46 of 60 fronting houses (76%) and 9 of 13 houses on 105th Lane (69%) signed. She cited increased traffic, safety for children walking to school, and absence of sidewalks.
• Brad Monsaas (10645 Quincy Blvd) supported; he described a hit-and-run that totaled a parked car and feared for children's safety.
• Amanda Hernandez (10626 Quincy Blvd) supported; she observed persistent speeding and stop-sign violations.
• Kyle Heikkinen (10603 Quincy Blvd) supported; he lives next to Quincy Park.

Public Hearings on Development Items (9.1-9.3)

• No public testimony was offered.

Discussion Items

Fuel Station Reconstruction Bid (Item 7.5)

• City Manager Erik Thorvig explained that the project was originally estimated at $250,000 but the low bid was $376,962. Councilmember Robertson expressed frustration that a project of this size and with cost overrun was placed on the consent agenda without prior workshop discussion. The resolution was approved 4-2.

Speed Humps on Quincy Boulevard (Item 8.3)

• Director of Engineering Dan Schluender presented the staff recommendation for six speed humps, noting the petition met neighborhood policy thresholds. Each hump estimated at $5,000, total $30,000, with 75% assessed to fronting properties and 25% paid by the city. Councilmember Ford supported citing child safety. Councilmembers Robertson, Newland, and Larson raised concerns about the number, lack of prior discussion, plowing difficulties, and need for traffic data. Public Works Director Fleischhacker noted snow removal would be possible but could leave ice on the road. A motion to table the item for further workshop discussion passed 5-1 (Ford opposed). Mayor Sanders noted the council's goal of a data-driven decision.

Meadowbrook Area Street Reconstruction Phase 1 (Item 10.1)

• The council accepted the low bid from North Valley, Inc. of Nowthen, MN, at $1,597,964.01, with a 10% contingency bringing the total budget to $1,757,760.41. Councilmember Robertson voted no, citing repeated cost overruns and calling for better cost estimation.

Joint Powers Agreement with Lexington (Item 10.2)

• City Manager Thorvig outlined the agreement for Blaine to supply bulk water to the City of Lexington at 101% of Blaine's lowest residential tier plus a 2% administrative fee. Lexington will pay quarterly for metered use. Blaine will own a 16-inch trunk water main in Lexington. Back pay from January 1, 2026, is included. Estimated annual revenue for Blaine is $235,000. Term is five years with a 24-month review and an 18-month termination clause. The JPA was approved unanimously.

Ordinance Amendments (Items 10.3 & 10.4)

• Second reading of Ordinance 26-2605, amending Chapters 50, 54, and 82 to regulate e-bikes, e-scooters, other mobility devices, and park conduct (including beach nudity). The ordinance requires helmets for riders under 18, a 20 mph speed limit, prohibits sidewalk operation in business districts, and adds careless operation as a misdemeanor with vehicle impound option. Councilmember Larson expressed concern about pushing children onto busy roads; Mayor Sanders emphasized education. The ordinance was adopted unanimously; the summary resolution for publication was also approved unanimously.

Development Approvals (Items 9.1-9.3)

• 9.1 JJ Graham Addition: Preliminary plat to subdivide 0.69 acres into two lots. Approved unanimously.
• 9.2 CAVA Outdoor Dining: Conditional use permit for 10 outdoor seats in a B-3 district. Approved unanimously. Councilmember Massoglia welcomed CAVA to Blaine.
• 9.3 Dart Portable Storage: Conditional use permit for outdoor storage of portable containers in an I-2A district. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

| Item | Decision | Vote | |------|----------|------| | Consent Agenda (7.1-7.4, 7.6-7.8) | Approved | 5-1 (Massoglia opposed) | | Fuel Station Bid (7.5) | Approved | 4-2 (Massoglia, Robertson opposed) | | Sakura Sushi Liquor License (8.1) | Approved | Unanimous | | Vacation of Easements (8.2) | Approved | Unanimous | | Speed Humps on Quincy Boulevard (8.3) | Tabled for workshop | 5-1 (Ford opposed) | | JJ Graham Addition Preliminary Plat (9.1) | Approved | Unanimous | | CAVA Outdoor Dining CUP (9.2) | Approved | Unanimous | | Dart Portable Storage CUP (9.3) | Approved | Unanimous | | Meadowbrook Street Reconstruction Phase 1 (10.1) | Approved (bid accepted) | 5-1 (Robertson opposed) | | JPA with Lexington (10.2) | Approved | Unanimous | | Ordinance 26-2605 Second Reading (10.3) | Adopted | Unanimous | | Summary Resolution for Publication (10.4) | Approved | Unanimous |

The meeting adjourned at 8:34 PM.